Which is bigger: Nicaragua or North Korea?

Nicaragua is larger (130,373 km²) — about 1.1 times the size of North Korea (120,538 km²).

Why do Nicaragua and North Korea 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 Nicaragua and North Korea are distorted compared to their true land area.

Nicaragua vs North Korea Size Comparison

Discover the true size difference between Nicaragua and North Korea. 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.

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Nicaragua ↗

Surface Area130,373 km²

Population6,465,513

TypeCountry

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North Korea ↗

Surface Area120,538 km²

Population25,549,819

TypeCountry

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