Brazil and the United States are geographical giants, ranking among the five largest nations globally by total area. Both are also dominant forces in the Americas, with Brazil leading South America in size and the US being second only to Canada in North America. The United States boasts a population of around 327 million, while Brazil is home to approximately 210 million people. Furthermore, the US is the world’s largest English-speaking country, and Brazil is the largest Portuguese-speaking nation. But when it comes to landmass, which of these colossal countries is actually bigger? Let’s delve into a detailed size comparison.
Decoding the Dimensions of the United States
The United States, a federation of 50 states, includes the mainland contiguous states and non-contiguous states like Alaska and Hawaii. Spanning a total area of roughly 3.8 million square miles, the US is recognized as the 4th largest country in the world by total area, following Russia, Canada, and China. Its land area alone covers approximately 3.53 million square miles, securing its position as the 3rd largest globally, after Russia and China, and the largest in North America. The contiguous United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii, covers about 3 million square miles. Alaska, the largest state, separated from the contiguous US by Canada, encompasses a massive 663,268 square miles. It’s worth noting that the precise total area of the US can vary slightly depending on the source. For instance, Encyclopaedia Britannica cites 3,677,649 square miles, while The World Factbook lists 3,796,742 square miles.
Alt text: Map of the United States showcasing the vast size of Alaska relative to the contiguous states.
Unveiling the Extent of Brazil
Brazil is nestled on the eastern coast of South America, extending deep into the continent’s interior. It shares borders with nearly every South American country, except for Chile and Ecuador. Brazil also includes several island groups, such as the Rocas Atoll, Fernando de Noronha, and the Trindade and Martim Vaz archipelago. Its sheer size, diverse climate, varied topography, and rich natural resources contribute to Brazil’s remarkable geographical diversity. As the fifth-largest country globally in both total and land area, Brazil covers approximately 3.3 million square miles, including about 21,411 square miles of water. Brazil proudly holds the title of the largest country in South America and across the entire Southern Hemisphere. It also represents the largest continuous territory in the Americas.
Alt text: Map of Brazil positioned within South America, illustrating its extensive continental coverage.
Side-by-Side Size Comparison: US vs Brazil
While the United States’ total area exceeds Brazil’s by roughly 500,000 square miles, an interesting geographical fact emerges: Brazil is actually larger than the contiguous United States by about 300,000 square miles. This difference is largely attributed to water coverage. The US has approximately 685,924 square miles of water area, significantly more than Brazil’s 21,441 square miles. Notably, US waters constitute 3.96-6.97% of the world’s total water, while Brazil’s account for a smaller 0.65%. In terms of population, the US Census Bureau estimates the US population at about 327 million, making it the third most populous country worldwide, after China and India. Brazil, with its population of around 210 million, ranks as the fifth most populous.
In conclusion, when considering total area, the United States is definitively larger than Brazil. However, Brazil surpasses the contiguous United States in size, highlighting the significant landmass of Alaska in the overall US measurement. Both nations are undeniably vast, each possessing unique geographical characteristics and global significance.
