Top 10 Largest Countries in the World by Area

The Earth’s land surface is vast and diverse, but a handful of countries dominate in terms of sheer size. These nations span multiple time zones, climates, and landscapes, making them not only geographically significant but also culturally and economically important. Below is a comprehensive look at the 10 largest countries in the world by land area.

1. Russia – 17.1 million km²

Top 10 Largest Countries in the World by Area — “Russian flag map, geographical illustration“/ CC0 1.0

Russia is the largest country in the world, covering nearly 11% of the planet’s total land area. It stretches across two continents – Europe and Asia, and spans 11 time zones. Its geography includes frozen tundras in Siberia, dense taiga forests, the Ural Mountains, and fertile plains in the west.

Capital: Moscow
Fun Fact: Lake Baikal in Russia is the deepest freshwater lake in the world.

2. Canada – 9.98 million km²

Canada is the largest country in the Western Hemisphere and is known for its incredible natural beauty. Its landscape is dotted with more than 2 million lakes, making it the country with the most freshwater resources. The Rocky Mountains, boreal forests, and Arctic tundra define its geography.

Capital: Ottawa
Fun Fact: About 75% of the world’s maple syrup comes from Canada.

3. China – 9.6 million km²

China is the third-largest country and the most populous nation on Earth. Its vast landmass includes deserts like the Gobi, mountain ranges like the Himalayas, fertile river basins, and modern megacities. Its size contributes to its economic and cultural diversity.

Capital: Beijing
Fun Fact: China shares borders with 14 countries, more than any other nation.

4. United States – 9.52 million km²

The United States is the fourth-largest country, stretching across North America with additional territories such as Alaska and Hawaii. Its geography includes deserts in the southwest, fertile plains in the Midwest, towering mountains, and long coastlines on both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Capital: Washington, D.C.
Fun Fact: The U.S. has some of the most diverse climates in the world, from Arctic conditions in Alaska to tropical weather in Hawaii. Countries

5. Brazil – 8.51 million km²

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest in the world. It is famous for the Amazon Rainforest, which produces around 20% of the world’s oxygen. Its geography includes tropical rainforests, long rivers, plateaus, and beaches.

Capital: Brasília
Fun Fact: Brazil is home to the Amazon River, the world’s largest river by water volume.

6. Australia – 7.69 million km²

Australia is unique because it is both a country and a continent. Its land area is dominated by deserts and dry plains, but it also has tropical rainforests in the north and fertile coastal regions in the east. Countries

Capital: Canberra
Fun Fact: Australia is the flattest inhabited continent and home to animals found nowhere else, like kangaroos and koalas.

7. India – 3.29 million km²

India is the seventh-largest country and one of the most culturally rich nations in the world. Its geography is incredibly diverse, featuring the snow-covered Himalayas, the fertile Indo-Gangetic plain, deserts in Rajasthan, and long coastlines along the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

Capital: New Delhi
Fun Fact: India is home to the world’s largest democracy, with over 1.4 billion Countries people.

8. Argentina – 2.78 million km²

Argentina, located in South America, stretches from the subtropical north to the frigid south near Antarctica. Its landscape includes the Andes Mountains, the Pampas grasslands, and the stunning Patagonia Countries region.

Capital: Buenos Aires
Fun Fact: Argentina is famous for tango music and dance, which originated in Buenos Aires.

9. Kazakhstan – 2.72 million km²

Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world. Its terrain is mostly steppe and desert, with parts of the Caspian Sea coastline. Once part of the Soviet Union, it is rich in oil, gas, and minerals.

Capital: Astana (Nur-Sultan)
Fun Fact: Kazakhstan was the launch site for the first human spaceflight at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

10. Algeria – 2.38 million km²

Algeria is the largest country in Africa, located in the northern part of the continent. Much of its territory is covered by the Countries Sahara Desert, but it also has fertile coastal plains and mountain ranges.

Capital: Algiers
Fun Fact: The Sahara in Algeria is one of the hottest and driest places on Earth, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 50°C.

🌐 Final Thoughts

The largest countries in the world play an important role in shaping global culture, politics, and the environment. From Russia’s endless Siberian landscapes to Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest and Australia’s deserts, each of these nations offers unique features that make them stand out on the global map.