Germany is significantly smaller than the United States. While Germany covers approximately 137,847 square miles, the United States spans roughly 3,791,400 square miles. This makes Germany about 28 times smaller than the US in terms of land area.
Comparing Germany’s Size to US States
To visualize the size difference, Germany’s landmass is roughly comparable to the size of Montana or New Mexico. Montana is slightly larger than Germany, while New Mexico is slightly smaller.
Another helpful comparison is to California. Germany is about 85% the size of California, which has an area of 163,695.7 square miles. Imagining Germany superimposed on a map of the US, it would roughly stretch from Los Angeles to Redding, California, spanning the state from north to south.
World map comparing the size of Germany to the United States
Population Differences
Beyond land area, there’s a considerable difference in population. Germany has a population of around 81 million people, while the United States boasts a population of approximately 319 million. The US also has a significantly larger number of states – 50 compared to Germany’s 16.
Economic and Political Significance
Despite its smaller size, Germany holds significant weight on the world stage. It’s the largest economy in Europe and the second most populous nation in the continent. Germany plays a key role in European economic, political, and defense organizations. Meanwhile, the United States holds the position of the world’s largest economy.
A Brief Historical Overview of Germany
Germany’s history, particularly in the 20th century, has been marked by significant events. Its involvement in two World Wars led to its division after World War II. From 1949, with the onset of the Cold War, Germany was split into East and West Germany. Following the decline of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, Germany was reunified in 1990. This reunification significantly reshaped the political landscape of Europe.
