How Big Is South Africa?
South Africa, located in Africa, is the 25th largest country in the world, covering approximately 1,219,090 square kilometers (470,693 square miles). That's about 82.3% the size of Alaska. It is home to approximately 57.5 million people.
South Africa
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South Africa on the Map
South Africa's Geography
Of its total area, 1,214,470 km² is land and 4,620 km² (0.4%) is water. South Africa has approximately 2,798 km of coastline. Within Africa, South Africa is the 9th largest of 55 countries, sitting between Mali and Ethiopia. With 47 people per km², it is less densely populated than the African average of 103 per km².
How Far Across Is South Africa?
South Africa stretches approximately 2,763 km (1,717 mi) from north to south — roughly the distance from Los Angeles to Dallas, and 1,963 km (1,220 mi) from east to west — roughly the distance from New York to Miami. At highway speeds, it would take roughly 22 hours to drive across.
How Many Times Does South Africa Fit?
Similar in Size
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South Africa at a Glance
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Area | 1,219,090 km² (470,693 sq mi) |
| World Size Rank | #25 of 236 |
| Capital | Pretoria |
| Population Density | 47 per km² |
| Population | 57.5 million people |
| Coastline | 2,798 km |
| Life Expectancy | 65.3 years |
| GDP per Capita | $14,300 USD |