The map above shows Arizona and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
Arizona vs South Africa Geography
Land area: Arizona has a land area of 113,655 square miles (294,366 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²). South Africa's land area is 4.1 times (313%) larger than Arizona's.
Total area: Arizona: 113,985 square miles (295,220 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 4.1 times (314%) larger than Arizona's.
Length: Arizona is 429 miles (690 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km). South Africa's north-south length is 2.4 times (145%) longer than Arizona's.
Width: Arizona spans 452 miles (727 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km). South Africa's east-west width is 2.2 times (124%) wider than Arizona's.
Highest point: Arizona's highest point is Humphreys Peak at 12,620 feet (3,847 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m). Humphreys Peak is 1,301 feet higher than Mafadi.
Lowest point: Arizona's lowest point is Colorado River at 71 feet; South Africa's is Indian Ocean at 0 feet. South Africa's lowest point is 71 feet lower.
Arizona vs South Africa Population and History
Population: Arizona has a population of 7,582,384 (2024), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026). South Africa's population is 8.4 times (738%) larger than Arizona's.
Population density: Arizona: 66.7 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5. South Africa's population density is 2.0 times (103%) higher than Arizona's.
Biggest city: Arizona's biggest city is Phoenix with 1,673,164 people; South Africa's is Johannesburg with 4,803,262. Johannesburg's population is 2.9 times (187%) larger than Phoenix's.
Largest metro area: Arizona's largest metropolitan area is Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area (5,186,958 people) vs South Africa's Johannesburg (7,077,175). Johannesburg's population is 1.4 times (36%) larger than Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area's.
History: Arizona: Admitted to the Union on February 14, 1912, as the 48th state. South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. In its current form, South Africa is the older of the two by 2 years.
Arizona vs South Africa Economy
GDP: Arizona's GDP is $570.1 billion (2024) vs South Africa's $427.2 billion. Arizona's economic output is 1.3 times (33%) larger than South Africa's.
GDP per capita: Arizona: $75,186 per person vs South Africa: $6,598. Arizona's GDP per capita is 11.4 times higher than South Africa's.
Average income: Arizona: $65,798 vs South Africa: $6,270 average income per person (per capita personal income). Arizona's average income is 10.5 times higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
Arizona official website · South Africa official website
More Size Comparisons
All Arizona 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.