Let's dive into the top five largest countries in the world by total area!
5. Brazil (8.5 Million km²)
Holding down the number five spot is Brazil, the crown jewel of South America. Spanning roughly 8.5 million square kilometers, Brazil takes up nearly half of the South American continent. It is famously home to the Amazon Rainforest, the largest tropical rainforest on Earth, which plays a critical role in regulating the planet's oxygen and climate.
Did you know? Brazil is so massive that it shares a border with every single South American country except for Ecuador and Chile!
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4. United States (9.4 Million km²)
Coming in at number four is the United States, covering approximately 9.4 million square kilometers. The U.S. is a land of geographic extremes, stretching from the tropical beaches of Hawaii and Florida to the frozen landscapes of Alaska (which accounts for a massive chunk of its total land area). Because of its size, it encompasses almost every type of climate imaginable.
Did you know? If you took just the state of Alaska and laid it over the continental United States, it would stretch all the way from the coast of California to the coast of Florida!
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3. China (9.7 Million km²)
Stepping onto the podium at number three is China, spanning 9.7 million square kilometers. China boasts the longest combined land border in the world, sharing its edges with 14 different countries. Its vast landscape includes everything from the towering peaks of the Himalayas (including Mount Everest) to the sweeping sands of the Gobi Desert.
Did you know? Despite its massive width—which spans what would naturally be five different time zones—the entire country of China officially operates on just a single time zone: Beijing Time.
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2. Canada (10 Million square km²)
Taking the number two spot is Canada, hitting the 10 million square kilometer mark. Canada is the largest country in the Western Hemisphere and is famous for its stunning wilderness, pristine lakes, and rocky mountain ranges. It also holds the title for having the longest coastline of any country in the world, stretching over 202,080 kilometers.
Did you know? Canada contains more lake area than any other country in the world. In fact, it holds over half of all the natural lakes on Earth!
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1. Russia (17.1 Million km²)
Undisputed at number one is Russia, commanding a staggering 17.1 million square kilometers. Russia is so unbelievably vast that it covers one-eighth of the Earth's inhabited land area, spanning across two continents (Europe and Asia) and crossing 11 different time zones. It is nearly double the size of the next largest country on this list!
Did you know? The surface area of Russia is so massive that it is actually larger than the surface area of the dwarf planet Pluto!
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From Brazil's lush ecosystems to Russia's mind-boggling expanse, these giant nations remind us just how vast and varied our world really is. Which of these massive countries is at the top of your travel bucket list? Let us know in the comments below!
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