How true-size comparisons use area data

Area is the comparison metric

The map and result cards compare geographic area. Country pages use the stated country area basis, while continent pages use continental area. The label beside every value tells you which basis applies.

A country and a continent are different geographic entity types. Their area can still be compared visually, but their totals are not interchangeable statistical categories.

Population and GDP context

Population and nominal GDP appear only when both sides are countries. For a continent, those figures depend on which territories are included and how an aggregate is calculated, so they are not presented as part of an area comparison.

Sources and dates

Each comparison lists its source links. Country area figures are cross-checked against the CIA World Factbook; country population and GDP context cite World Bank data. The year beside a value is the data year, while the page update date records when its editorial content was last reviewed.