The map above shows Alberta and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
Alberta vs South Africa Geography
Land area: Alberta has a land area of 248,000 square miles (642,317 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²). South Africa's land area is 1.9 times (89%) larger than Alberta's.
Total area: Alberta: 255,541 square miles (661,848 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 1.8 times (84%) larger than Alberta's.
Length: Alberta is 810 miles (1,303 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km). South Africa's north-south length is 1.3 times (30%) longer than Alberta's.
Width: Alberta spans 544 miles (876 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km). South Africa's east-west width is 1.9 times (86%) wider than Alberta's.
Highest point: Alberta's highest point is Mount Columbia at 12,293 feet (3,747 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m). Mount Columbia is 974 feet higher than Mafadi.
Lowest point: Alberta's lowest point is Slave River at 499 feet; South Africa's is Indian Ocean at 0 feet. South Africa's lowest point is 499 feet lower.
Alberta vs South Africa Population and History
Population: Alberta has a population of 5,048,151 (2026), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026). South Africa's population is 12.6 times larger than Alberta's.
Population density: Alberta: 20.4 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5. South Africa's population density is 6.6 times (564%) higher than Alberta's.
Biggest city: Alberta's biggest city is Calgary with 1,306,784 people; South Africa's is Johannesburg with 4,803,262. Johannesburg's population is 3.7 times (268%) larger than Calgary's.
Largest metro area: Alberta's largest metropolitan area is Calgary CMA (1,481,806 people) vs South Africa's Johannesburg (7,077,175). Johannesburg's population is 4.8 times (378%) larger than Calgary CMA's.
History: Alberta: Joined Confederation on September 1, 1905. South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. In its current form, Alberta is the older of the two by 5 years.
Alberta vs South Africa Economy
GDP: Alberta's GDP is $346.0 billion (2024) vs South Africa's $427.2 billion. South Africa's economic output is 1.2 times (23%) larger than Alberta's.
GDP per capita: Alberta: $70,487 per person vs South Africa: $6,598. Alberta's GDP per capita is 10.7 times higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
Alberta official website · South Africa official website
More Size Comparisons
All Alberta size comparisons · All South Africa size comparisons
Area, elevation and boundary figures come from official national statistics and US Census Bureau and Natural Earth boundary data; US state population, economic, county and tax figures come from the US Census Bureau, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Tax Foundation. Figures are rounded and for general reference.