Is Africa Bigger Than the United States? Size Comparison
Is Africa bigger than the United States? Yes. Africa is about 30.3 million square kilometres, while the United States is about 9.8 million. Africa is roughly three times larger than the United States.
Quick Comparison
| Area (approx.) | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 30.3 million km² | A continent with 54 countries |
| United States | 9.8 million km² | A single country, 50 states |
| Difference | About 20 million km² | Africa is roughly 3 times larger |
What Fits Inside Africa
Africa is so large that the United States, China, India and several European countries can fit inside it together. The Sahara desert alone is about 9 million km², close to the size of the whole United States.
Why Maps Make Africa Look Small
Common world maps stretch areas far from the equator, so Africa looks smaller than it is, while Greenland and Russia look bigger. Africa lies across the equator, and its true size is often underestimated.
Distances Inside Africa
- From Morocco in the north to South Africa in the south is over 8,000 km
- Travel in Africa often involves long distances, so plan time carefully
- Morocco is a good first stop: it is close to Europe and has easy desert trips
Start with the Sahara: see our guide to the Morocco desert tour from Marrakech. Also read Is Africa bigger than Russia?.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Africa bigger than the United States?
Yes, about three times bigger.
Is the Sahara as big as the United States?
It is close in size, with the Sahara at around 9 million km² and the United States around 9.8 million.
How many people live in Africa?
Over 1.4 billion people, spread across 54 countries.
Is Morocco a big country?
Morocco is medium sized, but it offers coasts, mountains and the Sahara within a few days of travel.
Plan Your Morocco Trip
Questions about travelling in Morocco? Message us on WhatsApp and we will help you plan your trip to the Sahara.