Which is bigger: Mauritania or Egypt?

Mauritania is larger (1,030,700 km²) — about 1.0 times the size of Egypt (1,010,408 km²).

Why do Mauritania and Egypt 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 Mauritania and Egypt are distorted compared to their true land area.

Mauritania vs Egypt Size Comparison

Discover the true size difference between Mauritania and Egypt. 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...

Mauritania ↗

Surface Area1,030,700 km²

Population4,403,319

TypeCountry

Loading contour...

Egypt ↗

Surface Area1,010,408 km²

Population98,423,595

TypeCountry

Loading contour...