List of all countries by area This page contains the area in squared meters of all the countries in the world. Use the interactive map or the table with countries ranked by area, from largest to smallest. Not surprisingly, the largest country in the world is Russia, which spans a vast 17,098,250 km² across Eastern Europe and Asia. This is followed by Canada (9,879,750 km²) and its aforementioned two million lakes. The country ranked third changes depending upon the source of the comparison. Biggest vs. Largest What's the Difference? Biggest and largest are often used interchangeably to describe something that is of great size or magnitude. However, there is a subtle difference between the two terms. "Biggest" typically refers to something that has the greatest physical dimensions or volume, while "largest" can also refer to something that has the greatest overall extent or capacity. In general, both words convey a sense of impressive size or scale. Copy This URL Comparison ... Top 10 largest countries in the world 2025 Listed by total area, these are the biggest countries on Earth in 2024. Exclusive US Offer - try a BBC Science Focus Magazine subscription and get your first 3 issues for only $12.99 PLUS get delivery from the UK!