Do you know which are the 5 largest countries in the world by land area? We certainly know that Brazil is very large, but compared to the top 4 it may seem small! Check out now which are the most extensive lands in the world and some interesting facts about these countries! The most curious thing is that some of them don't have such a large population. Even the country with the largest population in the world doesn't even make this list, which is the case of India.
What are the largest countries in the world?
5: Brazil
Everyone knows that Brazil is a nation of continental proportions; just look at a map to realize the enormous proportion it occupies in South America. And more than just its size, Brazil is a blessed land in terms of soil and temperature. While most countries on this list have some uninhabitable areas due to both temperature and terrain, Brazil is entirely habitable. In addition, it possesses a vast area for cultivation. In other words, if we consider the area of arable land, Brazil is among the two countries with the most land suitable for planting, guaranteeing a great advantage for sectors such as agriculture. Food production in Brazil is so important that even giant countries like the United States and China buy a large quantity of food produced in Brazil, mainly meat, soy, and coffee.
4: United States
If we consider only the original territory of the United States, it occupies fourth place on this list. But if we add Alaska, territory that the US purchased from Russia, it would move to an even higher position in this ranking, taking second place on the list. Like Brazil, the United States also has the privilege of possessing the largest share of habitable and arable land. And although it has some deserts and areas of harsh cold, it is still a nation where most of the land is quite prosperous. It is no coincidence that the US is one of the countries with the largest plantations, even though it is a first-world country that prioritizes more technological sectors than sectors like agriculture. The United States currently has the largest GDP in the world and was the first superpower of the 20th and 21st centuries.
3: China
China was once the world's most populous nation, and today it is the second, surpassed only by India. However, in terms of land area, China ranks third, meaning that in addition to its large population, it also possesses a vast continental territory. It also has much land suitable for planting, but also many mountainous areas that could hinder cultivation. This is why the Chinese are very methodical and try to make the most of every square meter of their fields, optimizing everything to the maximum. Today, China is the world's largest producer and exporter, and unlike in the 1990s, it no longer only produces cheap materials; it has also become a technological center, equaling the United States in this respect.
2: Canada
Although Canada has a small population, it has the second largest territory in the world. However, unlike the countries mentioned earlier, a large part of Canada is uninhabited due to the harsh cold. Therefore, the population distribution in this country is quite uneven, concentrating most of the population density in a small area. Canada is not particularly known for its agriculture, for the reasons already mentioned, but it is a well-developed country and possesses many mineral resources in its lands, which makes its soil highly valued. An interesting fact about Canada is the multiple cultural influences, mainly from France, England, and the United States. But today there are also many Chinese and Brazilians living in Canada, due to its high HDI and very attractive and friendly social policies.
1: Russia
Russia is the country with the largest land area on the planet. Even the other four countries on this list seem small in comparison. Most of Russia's territory was conquered through wars many centuries ago, and for this reason, there are many different ethnicities in Russia today. Contrary to what most people imagine, the population is not composed solely of typical Europeans/Slavs. There are many Russians with an Asian profile. Today, Russia is known primarily for its military strength, being considered the second most powerful in the world in this regard.