North Korea, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, remains a relatively isolated nation. While much about its internal affairs remains shrouded in secrecy, some information, including its geographic size, is publicly available. Understanding its size in comparison to more familiar territories can provide valuable context. So, What Us State Is Comparable In Size To North Korea?
North Korea encompasses approximately 46,720 square miles. This is roughly equivalent to the size of the US state of Mississippi, which is about 48,430 square miles. While slightly larger, Mississippi provides a good comparison point for visualizing North Korea’s land area. Other states with similar land areas include Pennsylvania (46,055 square miles) and Louisiana (52,378 square miles).
Comparing North Korea’s size to a familiar US state helps to contextualize its landmass. While population density and terrain differ significantly, using Mississippi as a reference point provides a useful visual aid for understanding North Korea’s geographic scale.
North Korea Population Pyramid
Source: North Korea Central Bureau of Statistics, 2008 Census. This population pyramid illustrates the demographic distribution within North Korea, providing further context beyond its geographic size. The age and sex breakdown reveals potential insights into the country’s workforce, societal structure, and historical events impacting its population.
For comparison, South Korea, considerably smaller than North Korea at approximately 38,580 square miles, is similar in size to Indiana (36,418 square miles). Despite this smaller land area, South Korea boasts a significantly larger population than its northern counterpart, resulting in a much higher population density.
This map provides a visual representation of North Korea’s location on the Korean Peninsula, further clarifying its geographic context in relation to neighboring countries. Understanding its proximity to other nations helps to illustrate its geopolitical significance.
