The 10 Largest Countries in the World in 2024

According to reports, the world has an area of about 200 million square miles, of which less than 30% is covered by land, and the rest by water. Despite the vast difference between Earth’s land and water coverage, the world’s human population sits at about seven billion and animal species at over 8.7 million. With these lands divided into islands, continents, and countries, it begs the question – which countries have the larger share? This article lists the 10 largest countries in the world.

10. Algeria – 919,590 square miles

Algeria is the largest country in Africa, 200 times larger than the smallest African country, Gambia. According to reports, the North African country has a landmass of 919,590 square miles and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. It shares land borders with six countries and the Sahara Desert. The large landmass of Algeria is mostly made up of plateaus, deserts, mountains, and coastal plains.

The country is home to over 40 million humans and 100 mammals, including the wild boar, the gazelle, and the Barbary macaque, its sole native monkey. Algeria is also known for its diverse bird species, a vast array of reptiles, amphibians, and sharks.

9. Kazakhstan – 1,052,100 square miles

Kazakhstan shares two continents, Asia and Europe, a combination often called Eurasia. However, most of its landmass is in Central Asia, which extends for 1,052,100 square miles, making it the largest landlocked country in the world.

Kazakhstan has the world’s largest dry steppe, deserts, semi-deserts, plateaus, and mountainous regions. Common animals in the country include red foxes, argali, and snow leopards.

8. Argentina – 1,073,518 square miles

Covering an area of around 1,073,518 square miles, Argentina is the second-largest South American country, sharing borders with five countries, including Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. Argentina also has sovereignty over some islands and parts of Antarctica.

Argentina has diverse landscapes, such as mountains, deserts, fjords, glaciers, and lowlands, providing different habitats for a vast ecosystem. The country is home to over 1,000 bird species, 370 mammal species, 330 reptiles, and 160 amphibian species.

7. India – 1,269,219 square miles

India is the second-largest and second-most-populated country in Asia. The country shares land borders with six countries and spans a landmass of about 1,269,219 square miles. It covers most of southern Asia and has coastlines along the Arabian Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal.

The most popular animals in India are tigers, elephants (they have the oldest in the world), and the king cobra. According to reports, India has the largest number of cows worldwide, with over 300 million, because these animals are deemed sacred.

6. Australia – 3,000,000 square miles

Australia is the largest country in Oceania, with a landmass of about 2,941,300 square miles, and the flattest country in the world. The sovereign country comprises a large mainland and numerous islands.

Australia is one of the oldest continents in the world. Hence, it is unsurprising that the country has unique animal species, with many endemic ones. According to the Australian Museum, 80% of the island’s mammals are endemic, some of which are marsupials and monotremes. The country also has the largest number of reptile species in the world.

5. Brazil – 3,300,000 square miles

Brazil is the most populated country in Southern America and the longest country worldwide, spanning 2,731 miles from north to south. Thus, little wonder it is also the largest on its continent by landmass spanning about 3,300,000 square miles. It covers almost half of the continent and borders every country except Ecuador and Chile.

Brazil has a diverse landscape, which includes forests, savannahs, and wetlands. Each of these distinct landscapes provides different animals, such as popular exotic species like the Brazilian tapir, maned wolf, and giant armadillo. Brazil is also famous as home to the Amazon River, which is the largest river by volume worldwide.

4. China – 3,700,000 square miles

China is the most populated country worldwide, with over four billion people, and has the highest number of land borders. However, it is not the largest in the world but holds the title in Asia. China has a surface area of about 3,700,000 square miles and has five time zones.

There are over 7,500 animal types in China. Giant pandas are endemic to the Asian country and are endangered.

3. The United States of America – 3,796,742 square miles

The United States is the most populated country in North America, with over 300 million people in its 50 states. The country’s landmass is about 3,796,742 square miles, barely larger than China and about two-thirds the size of the African continent.

America has diverse landscapes, climatic conditions, and over 2,900 native animals. Some indigenous animals in the United States include coyotes, glass lizards, and raccoons.

2. Canada – 3,855,100 square miles

Canada is a shocking addition to the list for many. It is believed to come second to its neighbor, the United States, in terms of world power and popularity, but not landmass. Canada is the largest North American country by area and the second largest in the world. According to World Atlas, the country covers an area of 3,855,100 square miles.

According to reports, Canada is bordered by three oceans; the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans. On land, Canada shares a border with only the United States. The country’s extensive biodiversity includes over 200 mammals, including bats, grizzly bears, and moose.

1. Russia – 6,601,670 square miles

Russia is the largest country worldwide, with a surface area of about 6,601,670 square miles, and it has the highest population in Europe. It is a transcontinental country that extends from Eastern Europe to Northern Asia, sharing borders with 14 countries.

There are over 125,000 different animals in Russia. This high number is due to the country’s diverse landscape, which includes forest tundra, polar and semi-deserts, taiga, subtropics, and diverse forests. Russia is home to about 50% of the world’s brown bear population and is the ninth-highest fish producer worldwide.

Summary of the 10 Largest Countries in the World

Here’s a recap of the top 10 countries in the world that beat the rest for being the largest.

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