Canada and the United States are two of the largest countries in the world, but Canada holds the title for the second-largest country by total area.
Canada covers approximately 9,984,670 square kilometers, making it slightly larger than the United States, which spans around 9,833,517 square kilometers. This difference of about 151,153 square kilometers means Canada is roughly 2% larger than the United States when considering both land and water.
Land Area Alone
When we focus solely on land area, the comparison shifts slightly. The United States has a land area of about 9,147,593 square kilometers, while Canada has a land area of approximately 9,093,507 square kilometers.
This means that, in terms of land alone, the United States is actually larger than Canada by about 54,086 square kilometers. This distinction is important because it highlights how water bodies contribute significantly to Canada’s total area.
Water Bodies
Canada is renowned for its numerous lakes and rivers, which significantly add to its total area. The country is home to about 60% of the world’s lakes, including the Great Lakes shared with the United States.
These water bodies not only enhance Canada’s natural beauty but also play a crucial role in its ecosystem and economy. The United States also has significant water bodies, such as the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, but not as many as Canada.
The abundance of water bodies in Canada is a key reason why it appears larger when considering total area, even though the United States has a larger land area.