Brazil and the United States stand as giants in the global landscape, both geographically and influentially. Ranking among the five largest nations by total area, they dominate the Americas alongside Canada. Brazil claims the title of the largest country in South America and Latin America, while the US is the second-largest in North America, just after Canada. Beyond sheer size, these nations are demographic powerhouses: the United States boasts approximately 327 million residents, and Brazil follows with about 210 million. Culturally, the US leads as the largest English-speaking country, and Brazil as the largest Portuguese-speaking one. However, when directly comparing their landmass, the United States edges out Brazil in total area, prompting a deeper exploration of their respective sizes and geographical characteristics.
Unpacking the Geography and Size of the US
The United States, a federation of 50 states, encompasses a vast and diverse territory, including the non-contiguous states of Alaska and Hawaii. Its total area is approximately 3.8 million square miles, positioning it as the 4th largest country globally by total area, after Russia, Canada, and China. Focusing on land area, the US ranks 3rd worldwide, surpassed only by Russia and China, and remains the largest country in North America with around 3.53 million square miles of land. The contiguous United States, often referred to as the lower 48 states, covers about 3 million square miles. Alaska, separated from the contiguous US by Canada, is the largest state, sprawling across approximately 663,268 square miles.
Different sources provide slightly varying figures for the total area of the US. Encyclopaedia Britannica records it as 3,677,649 square miles, while The World Factbook lists it at 3,796,742 square miles. These discrepancies highlight the complexities in precisely measuring vast territories, but both sources affirm the immense scale of the United States.
Delving into the Size of Brazil
Brazil, situated along the eastern coastline of South America, extends deeply into the continent’s interior. It shares borders with every South American nation except Chile and Ecuador, forming a massive contiguous landmass. Brazil also includes several island groups in the Atlantic Ocean, such as the Fernando de Noronha archipelago and Rocas Atoll. The country’s sheer size, coupled with its diverse climate zones, varied topography, and abundant natural resources, contributes to its remarkable geographical diversity. Brazil holds the position of the fifth-largest country in the world by both total area and land area, covering approximately 3.3 million square miles, of which about 21,411 square miles are water. Brazil is the undisputed largest country in South America and across the entire Southern Hemisphere. It also represents the largest continuous territory in the Americas, showcasing its continental scale.
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 approximately 300,000 square miles. This difference is due to the inclusion of Alaska in the total US area. Water coverage also plays a role in this comparison. Approximately 685,924 square miles of the US are covered by water, in contrast to only 21,441 square miles in Brazil. US waters account for a significant 3.96-6.97% of the world’s total water, while Brazil’s water coverage is a smaller 0.65%.
In terms of population, according to the US Census Bureau, the United States is the third-most populous country globally with around 327 million people, following China and India. Brazil ranks as the fifth-most populous, with approximately 210 million inhabitants.
In conclusion, when considering total area, the United States is definitively larger than Brazil. However, when focusing solely on the contiguous landmass, Brazil surpasses the size of the contiguous United States. Both nations are undeniably geographically vast, contributing significantly to the global landscape and wielding considerable influence on the world stage.
