Lesson 3/34 min
Largest and smallest countries
The world's largest and smallest countries (Khandokar's table)
| Rank | Largest by area | Largest by population | Smallest by area | Smallest by population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russia | India | Vatican City | Vatican City |
| 2 | Canada | China | Monaco | Tuvalu |
| 3 | United States | United States | Nauru | Nauru |
| 4 | China | Indonesia | Tuvalu | San Marino |
| 5 | Brazil | Pakistan | Palau | Palau |
Watch out: The books disagree on third and fourth place by area: Khandokar has the United States third, one Zubair question has China third. Remember only Russia first, Canada second, Brazil fifth. In most lists San Marino, not Palau, is fifth smallest by area; the first four are safe.
Border and location records
| What | Answer |
|---|---|
| Longest border | United States and Canada |
| Shortest border | Italy and Vatican City |
| Most neighbouring countries | China and Russia (14 each) |
| Longest, narrowest country | Chile |
| Southernmost city | Puerto Williams, Chile |
| Northernmost city (Zubair) | Hammerfest, Norway |
| Fragmented states | Indonesia and Japan |
| Most islands (Zubair) | Indonesia |
| ‘Perforated’ countries holding other states | Italy and South Africa |
| Most populous city (Khandokar) | Tokyo, Japan |
Nature records (as listed in the books)
- Coldest place: Vostok, Antarctica, about −89 °C
- Hottest place: Aziziyah, Libya (as the books say)
- Heaviest rainfall: Cherrapunji in Khandokar, Mawsynram in Zubair; both in Meghalaya, India
- Longest river: the Nile (Zubair); oldest civilisation: Mesopotamian (Zubair)
- Nalanda (India): an ancient university; the first voyage around the world was led by Ferdinand Magellan
Watch out: The WMO withdrew Aziziyah's 58 °C record in 2012, but the books still say Aziziyah. Magellan began the voyage and died on the way; his companion Elcano finished it.
Check yourself
Which is the second-largest country by area?
At a glance
- 1
The largest country by area is Russia, then Canada; the smallest is Vatican City.
- 2
Largest by population: India, then China, the United States, Indonesia, Pakistan (Khandokar's table).
- 3
The longest border is United States-Canada; the shortest is Italy-Vatican City.
- 4
Chile is the longest, narrowest country; the southernmost city is Puerto Williams.
- 5
The fragmented states are Indonesia and Japan.