What are the longest countries in the world? This may seem like a simple question, but it depends on how you measure the length of a country. Do you measure it from north to south, or from east to west? Do you include overseas territories or islands? Do you use a Mercator projection or a non-Mercator projection map? In this article, we will use the following criteria to rank the top 10 longest countries in the world:
- We will measure the length of a country from north to south, following its longest axis.
- We will include overseas territories or islands that are part of the same sovereign state.
- We will use a non-Mercator projection map, which preserves the true size and shape of countries.
Top 10 Longest Countries in the World
Using these criteria, here are the top 10 longest countries in the world by total area, according to the World Factbook:
1. Russia
Russia is the longest country in the world by far, extending across 39 degrees of latitude. It covers a total area of 17,098,246 km2 (6,601,670 mi2), of which 16,378,410 km2 (6,323,740 mi2) is land and 719,836 km2 (277,930 mi2) is water. Russia spans 11 time zones and borders 14 other countries. It is also the largest country in the world by land area and the ninth most populous country in the world.
2. Canada
Canada is the second longest country in the world, extending across 28 degrees of latitude. It covers a total area of 9,984,670 km2 (3,855,100 mi2), of which 9,093,507 km2 (3,511,023 mi2) is land and 891,163 km2 (344,080 mi) is water. Canada has the longest coastline in the world and borders three oceans: the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Arctic. It is also the second-largest country in the world by land area and the tenth-most populous country in the world.
3. Brazil
Brazil is the third longest country in the world, extending across 24 degrees of latitude. It covers a total area of 8,515,767 km2 (3,287,956 mi2), of which 8,460,415 km2 (3,266,584 mi2) is land and 55,352 km2 (21,372 mi2) is water. Brazil occupies almost half of South America and borders every other South American country except Chile and Ecuador. It is also the fifth largest country in the world by land area and the sixth most populous country in the world.
4. China
China is the fourth longest country in the world, extending across 23 degrees of latitude. It covers a total area of 9,596,961 km2 (3,705,407 mi2), of which 9,326,410 km2 (3,600,950 mi2) is land and 270,550 km2 (104,460 mi2) is water. China occupies most of East Asia and borders 14 other countries. It is also the third largest country in the world by land area and the most populous country in the world. China has a diverse geography and climate, ranging from the Himalayas to the Gobi Desert, from the Yangtze River to the Yellow Sea. China also has a long and rich history and culture, dating back to ancient civilizations and dynasties. China is a global power and a leader in science, technology, and innovation.
5. Australia
Australia is the fifth longest country in the world, extending across 22 degrees of latitude. It covers a total area of 7,692,024 km2 (2,969,907 mi2), of which 7,633,565 km2 (2,947,336 mi2) is land and 58,459 km2 (22,571 mi2) is water. Australia is the only country that occupies an entire continent and is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is also the sixth largest country in the world by land area and the 55th most populous country in the world.
6. India
India is the sixth longest country in the world, extending across 21 degrees of latitude. It covers a total area of 3,287,263 km2 (1,269,219 mi2), of which 2,973,190 km2 (1,147,960 mi2) is land and 314,073 km2 (121,264 mi2) is water. India occupies most of the Indian subcontinent and borders seven other countries. It is also the seventh largest country in the world by land area and the second most populous country in the world.
7. Argentina
Argentina is the seventh longest country in the world, extending across 20 degrees of latitude. It covers a total area of 2,780,400 km2 (1,073,500 mi2), of which 2,736,690 km2 (1,056,640 mi2) is land and 43,710 km2 (16,880 mi2) is water. Argentina occupies most of the southern part of South America and borders five other countries. It is also the eighth largest country in the world by land area and the 31st most populous country in the world.
8. Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is the eighth longest country in the world, extending across 19 degrees of latitude. It covers a total area of 2,724,900 km2 (1,052,100 mi2), of which 2,699,700 km2 (1,042,400 mi2) is land and 25,200 km2 (9,730 mi2) is water. Kazakhstan occupies most of Central Asia and borders five other countries. It is also the ninth largest country in the world by land area and the 65th most populous country in the world.
9. Algeria
Algeria is the ninth longest country in the world, extending across 18 degrees of latitude. It covers a total area of 2,381,741 km2 (919,595 mi2), of which 2,381,741 km2 (919,595 mi2) is land and 0 km2 (0 mi2) is water. Algeria occupies most of the Maghreb region in North Africa and borders seven other countries. It is also the tenth largest country in the world by land area and the 33rd most populous country in the world.
10. Sudan
Sudan is the tenth longest country in the world, extending across 17 degrees of latitude. It covers a total area of 1,886,068 km2 (728,215 mi2), of which 1,765,048 km2 (681,489 mi2) is land and 121,020 km2 (46,726 mi2) is water. Sudan occupies most of the Nile Valley in Northeast Africa and borders nine other countries. It is also the 16th largest country in the world by land area and the 37th most populous country in the world.
Conclusion
The length of a country is an interesting and complex topic that can be measured in different ways. Depending on the criteria used, the ranking of the longest countries in the world may vary. However, based on the criteria of measuring the length from north to south, using a non-Mercator projection map, and including overseas territories or islands, the top 10 longest countries in the world by total area are Russia, Canada, Brazil, China, Australia, India, Argentina, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Sudan. These countries face various challenges and opportunities due to their length and have different strategies to cope with them.
