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Top 15 Largest Countries by Land Area in 2025
1. Russia – The Largest Country by Landmass
Covering an expansive 6.2 million square miles, Russia remains the world’s largest country in terms of land area. Spanning Eastern Europe and northern Asia, Russia’s vast territory includes diverse climates, ecosystems, and cultural regions. Its enormous size influences geopolitics, resource distribution, and transportation logistics globally. Russia’s expansive landscape encompasses tundra, forests, mountain ranges, and arctic coastlines, making it a huge territory with significant strategic and economic importance for the world.
2. China – A Close Contender in Land Area
China ranks second with approximately 3.6 million square miles. Known for its rich history, cultural influence, and rapid economic growth, China’s size equals a diverse blend of mountain ranges, deserts, fertile plains, and bustling cities. Its vast territory supports a population of over 1.4 billion people, making it the most populous country in the world. China’s extensive landmass is key to its agricultural output, manufacturing hubs, and regional influence.
3. The United States – The Land of Opportunities
Spanning about 3.5 million square miles, the United States is the third-largest country globally. From the Atlantic coast to the Pacific, America’s diverse geography includes vast plains, mountain ranges like the Rockies, deserts, and large lakes. The U.S. continues to wield significant influence both economically and culturally worldwide, bolstered by its sprawling landmass, which supports extensive agriculture, industry, and vibrant urban centers.
4. Canada – The Land of Natural Beauty
With 3.4 million square miles, Canada ranks fourth in land area but second when considering total area including lakes and rivers. Known for its pristine wilderness, expansive forests, and numerous lakes, Canada’s raw natural resources are vital to its economy. Its vast northern territories are sparsely populated but rich in minerals, oils, and forest products, positioning Canada as a global leader in natural resource exports.
5. Brazil – The Largest Country in South America
Brazil covers approximately 3.2 million square miles, making it the largest country in South America. It boasts the Amazon rainforest, the world’s largest tropical forest, which plays a crucial role in global climate regulation. Brazil’s land includes diverse ecosystems such as wetlands, savannas, and mountains, supporting a vibrant biodiversity and a growing economy largely driven by agriculture, mining, and industry.
6. Australia – The Outback Continues to Dominate
Spanning about 3.0 million square miles, Australia is the largest island country and a continent. Its interior, known as the Outback, is sparsely populated but rich in mineral resources and unique wildlife. Australia’s landmass supports major cities along the coastlines, with agriculture, mining, and tourism being key economic sectors.
7. India – Rapidly Growing and Densely Populated
India’s land area extends around 1.2 million square miles, making it the seventh-largest country in the world. Its diverse geography ranges from the Himalayan mountain range to coastal plains and arid deserts. As one of the fastest-growing economies, India’s land supports a population of over 1.4 billion, with agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors booming.
8. Argentina – The Southern Hemisphere Giant
Covering approximately 1.1 million square miles, Argentina is the second-largest country in South America. Its territory features the Andes mountains, fertile Pampas plains, and sprawling pampas. Argentina’s extensive land is crucial for agriculture, especially cattle ranching and grain production, making it a major exporter in these industries.
9. Kazakhstan – A Central Asian Powerhouse
With about 1 million square miles, Kazakhstan ranks among the world’s largest countries. It boasts vast steppes, deserts, and mountain ranges like the Altai. Rich in natural resources such as oil, natural gas, and minerals, Kazakhstan’s land area supports its growing economy and strategic geopolitical position.
10. Algeria – Africa’s Largest
Spanning roughly 920,000 square miles, Algeria is the largest country in Africa. Its Sahara Desert vastness accounts for a significant part of its territory, complemented by a fertile coastline along the Mediterranean. Algeria’s economy heavily depends on hydrocarbon resources, which are extracted from its expansive landbase.
11. Democratic Republic of Congo – Heart of Africa
Approximating 875,000 square miles, the DRC is in Central Africa, home to dense rainforests and a wealth of biodiversity. Its massive territory is rich in minerals like coltan, cobalt, and diamonds, fueling ongoing economic development and geopolitical interests in the region.
12. Saudi Arabia – The Desert Kingdom
Covering about 830,000 square miles, Saudi Arabia features vast deserts like the Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter). Its economy is heavily reliant on oil reserves, which are anchored within its large landmass. The country plays a pivotal role in the global energy markets and regional politics.
13. Mexico – A Cultural and Geographic Crossroads
Spanning roughly 751,000 square miles, Mexico offers a mix of mountains, deserts, and coastlines along both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. It’s a major manufacturing hub and agricultural producer, with historic sites and vibrant traditions shaping its identity.
14. Indonesia – An Archipelagic Nation
Approximately 731,000 square miles, Indonesia consists of over 17,000 islands, making it one of the world’s largest archipelagos. Its land area supports a diverse array of cultures, languages, and ecosystems, with significant economic contributions from agriculture, forestry, and tourism.
15. Sudan – Africa’s Noses in the Nile Valley
With about 721,000 square miles, Sudan is located in northeastern Africa. Its landscape includes the Sahelian region, savannahs, and the Nile River valley. Ongoing conflicts and resource management challenges guide its political and economic development trajectories.
Note: When considering total land and water area, Canada ranks second globally; however, when lakes and rivers are excluded, it falls to fourth place. The figures above for cropland include a mix of cultivated land, pastures, and grazing zones, based on reports from the World Bank as of January 2025.
Sources: World Bank, 2025 Data
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