Which is bigger: Afghanistan or Greenland?

Greenland is larger (2,166,086 km²) — about 3.3 times the size of Afghanistan (652,230 km²).

Why do Afghanistan and Greenland look different on the map than in reality?

The common Mercator projection enlarges areas the farther they lie from the equator, so the on-map size proportions of Afghanistan and Greenland are distorted compared to their true land area.

Afghanistan vs Greenland Size Comparison

Discover the true size difference between Afghanistan and Greenland. Compare their overlaid silhouettes and learn how the Mercator projection distorts scale.

Direct Silhouette Overlay (same scale)

Comparison of shapes at the exact same, real geographic scale. Click or tap and drag either silhouette to adjust positioning manually.

Loading comparison...

Afghanistan ↗

Surface Area652,230 km²

Population37,172,386

TypeCountry

Loading contour...

Greenland ↗

Surface Area2,166,086 km²

Population56,025

TypeCountry

Loading contour...