Compare sizes: countries and states at their true size
25 area comparisons, each with a map of both overlaid at their true size, free from Mercator distortion, plus their population, density and end-to-end distance. The figures are official and the same as in the True size map, where you can compare any country, Spanish region or US state.
Compare anything in the True size mapSpain and its regions
Spain against the best-known US states, and Spanish autonomous communities against states and countries of almost the same size.
Countries vs the United States
The countries most often compared with the US, from the United Kingdom to China.
- UK vs USA The United Kingdom fits into the United States 40.4 times
- Mexico vs USA Mexico fits into the United States 5.02 times
- Canada vs USA Almost the same size: 0.6% apart
- China vs USA China fits into the United States 1.03 times
- Brazil vs USA Brazil fits into the United States 1.16 times
- Australia vs USA Australia fits into the United States 1.27 times
- India vs USA India fits into the United States 2.99 times
- Argentina vs USA Argentina fits into the United States 3.54 times
- Colombia vs USA Colombia fits into the United States 8.62 times
Countries vs US states
Countries that fit into a US state (or nearly), and the largest states against each other.
- France vs Texas France fits into Texas 1.15 times
- UK vs Oregon The United Kingdom fits into Oregon 1.05 times
- Japan vs California Japan fits into California 1.12 times
- Italy vs Florida Florida fits into Italy 1.99 times
- Germany vs Montana Germany fits into Montana 1.06 times
- Ireland vs West Virginia West Virginia fits into Ireland 1.12 times
- Alaska vs Texas Texas fits into Alaska 2.18 times
- Texas vs California California fits into Texas 1.64 times
Continents and the Mercator trap
The comparisons that regular world maps get most wrong.
How these maps are made
Each map uses a Lambert azimuthal equal-area projection centered on one of the two shapes. An equal-area projection preserves areas: two countries of the same size take up the same space on the map, wherever they are. The other shape is rotated across the globe until its center sits on the same point, so neither its shape nor its area changes.
Areas are the same as in the True size map: the World Bank figure for countries when it matches the area measured on the map (±10%; otherwise the measured area, as for Canada or Greenland), Spain’s IGN for autonomous communities and the US Census Bureau for states (land and water). Population comes from the World Bank, Spain’s INE population register or the Census Bureau estimates, always with its year.
Frequently asked questions
Why do countries look a different size on Google Maps?
Because Google Maps uses the Mercator projection, which enlarges everything the farther it is from the equator: at 60° latitude, four times in area. It’s useful for navigation because it preserves angles, but it misleads when you compare sizes.
Where do the areas come from?
From official sources: the World Bank (countries), Spain’s IGN (autonomous communities) and the US Census Bureau (states). When the World Bank figure is more than 10% off the map, the area measured on the outline is used instead and marked “about”.
Can I compare other countries?
Yes: in the True size map you can search for any country, Spanish autonomous community or US state, put it on top of another and move it around the map.