Russia vs Canada: which covers more area?

Russia is 1.71× the area of Canada in our Natural Earth boundary dataset. The difference between the estimates is 7,007,590 km².

Russia16,879,675 km²
Canada9,872,085 km²
Both outlines use the same scale and a local equal-area projection centered on each place. Their shapes come from this site’s Natural Earth boundaries; the map scene lets you move them.
Russia16,879,675 km²
Canada9,872,085 km²
Bar length represents estimated boundary area. It does not claim one outline can physically fit inside the other.

What the map can hide

Both countries occupy high northern latitudes. Mercator enlarges large parts of each, so a visual comparison there remains affected by where each outline sits and how far north its parts reach.

These are multipart, transcontinental or island-rich shapes. The equal-area view and fixed figures give a clearer answer to “how much larger?” while the movable outline demonstrates the projection effect.

Compare the outlines

Place Russia over Canada, then return Russia to its origin and inspect both in equal area. Notice the difference between overlap and area ratio.

Open this pair in the equal-area map or compare it in Mercator. The selected outline moves on the map, while both area numbers stay fixed.

How to read these figures

The polygon estimates reflect the source’s coastlines, inland-water treatment and de facto boundary choices. Russia’s wide outline can cross a map edge when moved far.

Both areas are calculated from the original Natural Earth 1:50m polygons before display simplification. They are consistent estimates for this site, rather than official land or total-area statistics. The area guide explains what those definitions include. The projection guide explains the changing drawing.

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