Which is bigger: Libya or Iran?

Libya is larger (1,759,540 km²) — about 1.1 times the size of Iran (1,630,848 km²).

Why do Libya and Iran 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 Libya and Iran are distorted compared to their true land area.

02Act II · 1:1 studioChange pair ↙

Libya×Iran

Put Libya and Iran on the same scale. Drag, separate, and see what the Mercator map hides.

Reverse order ⇄

True-size comparison

Same scale. Real difference.

Drag the outlines to overlap them, or place them side by side.

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Libya ↗

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Total surface area1,759,540 km²2023

Population7,458,5552025

Land area1,759,540 km²2023

TypeCountry

Iran ↗

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Total surface area1,630,848 km²ed. 2024

Population92,417,6812025

Land area1,622,500 km²2023

TypeCountry