How Big Is Texas Compared To Other States, countries, and even continents? Texas, renowned for its vast expanse and rich history, is indeed a massive state, and at COMPARE.EDU.VN, we provide a comprehensive comparison of its size against other states, countries, and geographical entities, offering clear insights into its scale and scope. Dive into our data-driven comparisons and discover how Texas stacks up against the world, leveraging geographical analysis and size comparisons.
1. Why Is Texas So Big?
Texas’s substantial size can be attributed to its unique history. Unlike many other states that were subdivided from existing territories, Texas entered the Union as an independent republic with established borders. This meant that its original expansive territory remained largely intact, contributing to its present-day size.
To delve deeper into the historical context, exploring a detailed Texas history timeline can provide further insights into the factors that shaped its vast dimensions.
2. How Big Is Texas Compared to the United States?
Texas covers approximately 268,597 square miles, representing about 7% of the total land area of the United States, which spans 3.797 million square miles. This means the United States is about 14 times larger than Texas. From an economic perspective, Texas’s $2.6 trillion economy accounts for roughly 9% of the U.S. economy. The state’s population of approximately 30.5 million in 2023 constitutes about 9.22% of the total U.S. population.
3. Ten Intriguing Facts About Texas’s Size
- With New York City’s population density of 27,000 people per square mile, Texas could accommodate the entire global population of 7.8 billion.
- If Texas were an independent nation, it would rank as the 40th largest globally, surpassing every country in Europe.
- King Ranch, the largest ranch in both Texas and the United States, spans 1,289 square miles, exceeding the size of Rhode Island.
- The fastest road in the U.S. is located in Texas, stretching 40 miles from Austin to San Antonio with a speed limit of 85 mph.
- El Paso is closer to Denver (637 miles) than to Houston (747 miles).
- El Paso, Texas, is nearer to the Pacific Ocean in San Diego, California, than to Texarkana, Texas.
- The “Texas Triangle,” encompassing Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, houses over 21 million of Texas’s 30.5 million residents.
- Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, spanning 27 square miles, is larger than the island of Manhattan.
- U.S. 83, the longest highway in Texas, covers 783.5 miles, extending from Perryton on the Oklahoma border to Brownsville on the Mexican border.
- Texas boasts the largest domed state capitol building in the U.S., featuring 18 acres of floor space.
4. How Many U.S. States Can Fit Inside Texas?
4.1. Combining Smaller States
Texas is so vast that fifteen of the smallest U.S. states could simultaneously fit within its borders. These include Kentucky, Virginia, Indiana, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Hawaii, Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island.
4.2. Individual State Comparisons
With the exception of Alaska, every other state in the United States can fit inside Texas. California, the third-largest state, can fit into Texas approximately 1.6 times. Rhode Island, the smallest state at 1,212 square miles, can fit into Texas about 221 times.
5. Is Texas Bigger Than England?
Yes, Texas significantly surpasses England in land area. England’s 50,346 square miles is less than one-fifth the size of Texas’s 268,597 square miles. At its widest points, England measures only 181 miles east to west and 346 miles north to south. London, England’s capital and most populous city, is smaller than the land area of Houston. London has nearly 9 million residents, whereas Houston has just over 2.3 million.
England has a population of 56.29 million, while Texas has approximately 29 million residents. England’s GDP is 1.3 times larger than that of Texas. England has a GDP of $2.5 trillion, while Texas has a GDP of $1.887 trillion. Per capita, however, Texas’ GDP was $61,682 in 2019, with England’s at $42,300 in 2019.
6. What Country Is Approximately the Same Size as Texas?
France closely resembles Texas in size, with Texas being about 8% larger. France covers 248,573 square miles, while Texas spans 268,597 square miles. Other countries with comparable sizes include Myanmar (Burma) at 261,227 square miles and Zambia at 290,587 square miles.
7. Is Texas Bigger Than the UK?
Yes! Texas, with its 268,597 square miles, is about 2.8 times larger than the UK, which covers just 93,628 square miles. The UK has a population of 67.2 million people, which is about 2.3 times larger than Texas’s 29.2 million. The UK’s GDP, at $2.7 trillion, is 35% larger than Texas’s $2 trillion.
8. Is Texas Bigger Than France?
Yes, Texas is approximately 8% larger than France. The land mass of Texas is 268,597 square miles compared to France’s 248,573 square miles. However, France’s population of 67.4 million is about 2.3 times larger than Texas’s 29.3 million. Economically, France is just 23% larger with a GDP of $2.9 trillion compared to Texas’s $2 trillion GDP.
9. Is Texas Bigger Than Germany?
Texas is nearly twice as big as Germany. To be specific, Texas at 268,597 square miles is 94.5% larger than Germany at 138,065 square miles. Germany’s population of 83.2 million is 2.84 times larger than Texas’s 2.9 million, and Germany’s GDP of $3.8 trillion is also 90% larger than Texas’s $2 trillion GDP.
10. Is Texas Bigger Than Japan?
Texas is about 84% larger, nearly twice the size of Japan. Texas covers 268,597 square miles, while Japan covers 145,937 square miles. Japan’s population of 125.8 million is 4.3 times that of Texas at 29.2 million, illustrating a stark contrast in population density. Japan’s GDP of $5 trillion is roughly 1.5 times larger than Texas’s $2 trillion GDP.
11. Which Is Bigger – Texas or California?
Texas is approximately 68% larger than California. Texas spans 268,597 square miles, while California covers 163,696 square miles. However, California’s population is about 35% larger than Texas, with 39.5 million residents compared to Texas’s 29.2 million. The population density of Texas, at 105 people per square mile, is half that of California, which has 253 people per square mile. Economically, California’s GDP of $3.4 trillion is about 70% larger than Texas’s GDP of around $2 trillion.
12. How Many Acres Is Texas?
Texas comprises 171.902 million acres, or 171,902,080 acres.
13. How Long Does It Take to Drive Across Texas?
13.1. East to West
It takes approximately 11 hours to drive 773 miles from east to west across Texas. This estimation requires planning for an additional hour or two for necessary stops. Starting in El Paso, the route heads east on I-10, eventually merging onto I-20 after about 160 miles. From there, I-20 continues through Odessa, Abilene, the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex, and finally to Waskom, one of the easternmost cities near the Texas-Louisiana border. Alternatively, a four-hour flight from El Paso to Shreveport Regional Airport, just across the border in Louisiana, offers a faster option.
13.2. North to South
It takes around 13 hours to drive the 805 miles from the northernmost point to the southernmost point in Texas. The journey begins in Texhoma, a small town on the Texas-Oklahoma border, and heads south through Lubbock, San Antonio, and down to Brownsville, the southernmost city at the tip of Texas. Adding a few stops at Buc-ee’s and Whataburger will likely extend the trip closer to 15 hours.
14. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
14.1. How does Texas rank in size compared to other U.S. states?
Texas is the second-largest state in the United States by area, surpassed only by Alaska. Its vast expanse covers approximately 268,597 square miles.
14.2. Can California fit inside Texas?
Yes, California, the third-largest state in the U.S., can fit into Texas about 1.6 times, highlighting the significant size difference between the two states.
14.3. Is Texas larger than any European countries?
Yes, if Texas were an independent country, it would be larger than any country in Europe. It is also roughly the same size as France, being only slightly larger.
14.4. What makes Texas so large compared to other states?
Texas’s size is largely due to its history as an independent republic that joined the Union without being subdivided, retaining its original vast territory.
14.5. How does Texas’s economy compare to other large regions?
Texas has a significant economy, with a GDP of $2.6 trillion, which is larger than the GDPs of entire countries like Canada, Russia, and Italy.
14.6. How does the population density of Texas compare to other states like California?
Texas has a lower population density than California, with about 105 people per square mile compared to California’s 253 people per square mile.
14.7. How long would it take to drive across Texas?
Driving across Texas from east to west takes about 11 hours, covering 773 miles, while driving from north to south takes approximately 13 hours, covering 805 miles.
14.8. What are some interesting facts about the size of Texas?
Interesting facts include that the entire world population could theoretically fit into Texas with the population density of New York City, and the state’s largest ranch, King Ranch, is larger than the state of Rhode Island.
14.9. How does Texas compare to the United Kingdom in size?
Texas is significantly larger than the United Kingdom, being about 2.8 times the size of the UK.
14.10. Is Texas larger than Japan?
Yes, Texas is about 84% larger than Japan, making it almost twice the size in terms of land area.
Deciding which state or country to visit, or understanding the scale of different regions, can be overwhelming. Comparing geographical sizes, economic outputs, and population densities requires reliable and comprehensive data. At COMPARE.EDU.VN, we specialize in providing detailed, objective comparisons to help you make informed decisions. Whether you’re planning a trip, conducting research, or simply curious, our easy-to-understand comparisons offer clarity and insight.
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