How Big is Australia Compared to the USA? [Size Comparison]

When I think about Australia, I picture beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes, and unique wildlife. But one question often comes to mind: how big is Australia compared to the USA? Here are some facts and figures to find out.

Understanding Land Area

First, we need to look at the land area of both countries. According to the CIA World Factbook, Australia covers about 7.692 million square kilometers (about 2.968 million square miles). In comparison, the USA is larger, with a land area of approximately 9.834 million square kilometers (around 3.796 million square miles).

To break it down simply, Australia is the sixth largest country in the world, while the USA ranks third. So, the USA is definitely bigger, but let’s look at the numbers a little closer.

How Big is Australia Compared to the USA: Size Comparisons

If we compare the land areas directly, we find that the USA is about 1.28 times larger than Australia. This means that you could fit Australia into the USA a little more than once.

To visualize it better, think of it this way: if Australia was a giant pizza with a radius of about 2,400 kilometers, the USA would be a larger pizza with a radius of around 3,200 kilometers. Both are big, but one is a little larger than the other!

States vs. Territories

Now, let’s look at how the sizes of individual states compare. The largest state in the USA is Alaska, which is about 1.72 million square kilometers (around 663,300 square miles). Surprisingly, Alaska is bigger than Australia’s smallest state, Tasmania, which covers about 68,401 square kilometers (around 26,410 square miles).

However, when comparing it to the mainland, Australia’s largest state, Western Australia, is about 2.65 million square kilometers (around 1 million square miles). That’s significantly bigger than Texas, the largest state in the contiguous USA, which is about 695,662 square kilometers (around 268,596 square miles).

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Population Density

It’s not just about size, though. We should also consider population. The USA has a population of around 331 million people, while Australia has about 25 million. That means the USA is much more crowded.

In fact, Australia is one of the least densely populated countries in the world. To give you an idea, Australia has a population density of about 3.3 people per square kilometer (around 8.6 per square mile), while the USA has a density of about 36.2 people per square kilometer (around 93.5 per square mile).

This difference in density means that while Australia is big, many areas are empty. You can drive for hours without seeing another car!

Geography and Climate

Both countries have diverse landscapes. Australia is famous for its deserts, like the Great Sandy Desert, and its unique ecosystems, such as the Great Barrier Reef. The USA, on the other hand, has everything from mountains to forests to plains.

Australia’s climate varies from tropical in the north to temperate in the south. The USA has even more variety, with deserts in the Southwest, cold regions in Alaska, and humid areas in the Southeast.

Natural Wonders

Australia is home to some incredible natural wonders. The Uluru rock formation is iconic and holds great cultural significance for Indigenous Australians. The USA boasts natural treasures too, like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park.

Both countries have rich biodiversity. Australia has unique animals, like kangaroos and koalas, while the USA is home to grizzly bears and bald eagles.

Traveling Between Countries

If you ever get a chance to travel, you might wonder how long it would take to drive across these countries. To drive from one side of Australia to the other (from Sydney to Perth) takes about 40 hours without breaks, covering about 4,000 kilometers (around 2,485 miles).

In contrast, driving from New York City to Los Angeles is about 4,500 kilometers (around 2,800 miles) and can take around 40 hours as well. Both trips are long, but they each offer unique sights along the way!

Conclusion

So, how big is Australia compared to the USA? While Australia is a massive country in its own right, the USA is still larger in total land area. However, Australia’s unique geography, wildlife, and low population density make it a fascinating place to explore.

Both countries have their own charm and beauty. Whether it’s the sandy beaches of Australia or the stunning mountains of the USA, each has something special to offer. Next time you think about these two great countries, remember that size isn’t everything—there’s a lot more to discover!

If you want to learn more about Australia or the USA, check out some reliable resources like the CIA World Factbook or National Geographic.

Sources:

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/australia/
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/united-states/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/alaska
https://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/tasmania
https://www.nps.gov/state/tx/index.htm
https://data.worldbank.org/country/australia
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.POP.DNST?locations=AU
https://rac.com.au/travel-and-holidays/travel-tips/road-trips/australia
https://www.aaa.com/travel