The map above shows Australian Capital Territory and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
Australian Capital Territory vs South Africa Geography
Land area: Australian Capital Territory has a land area of 910 square miles (2,358 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²). South Africa's land area is 515.0 times larger than Australian Capital Territory's.
Total area: Australian Capital Territory: 910 square miles (2,358 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 517.8 times larger than Australian Capital Territory's.
Length: Australian Capital Territory is 54 miles (87 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km). South Africa's north-south length is 19.4 times longer than Australian Capital Territory's.
Width: Australian Capital Territory spans 38 miles (61 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km). South Africa's east-west width is 26.6 times wider than Australian Capital Territory's.
Highest point: Australian Capital Territory's highest point is Bimberi Peak at 6,273 feet (1,912 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m). Mafadi is 5,046 feet higher than Bimberi Peak.
Lowest point: Australian Capital Territory's lowest point is Molonglo River at 1,407 feet; South Africa's is Indian Ocean at 0 feet. South Africa's lowest point is 1,407 feet lower.
Australian Capital Territory vs South Africa Population and History
Population: Australian Capital Territory has a population of 486,231 (2025), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026). South Africa's population is 130.6 times larger than Australian Capital Territory's.
Population density: Australian Capital Territory: 534.3 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5. Australian Capital Territory's population density is 3.9 times (294%) higher than South Africa's.
Largest metro area: Australian Capital Territory's largest metropolitan area is Greater Canberra (486,231 people) vs South Africa's Johannesburg (7,077,175). Johannesburg's population is 14.6 times larger than Greater Canberra's.
History: Australian Capital Territory: Established as the Federal Capital Territory on January 1, 1911. 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 1 years.
Australian Capital Territory vs South Africa Economy
GDP: Australian Capital Territory's GDP is $38.0 billion (2025) vs South Africa's $427.2 billion. South Africa's economic output is 11.2 times larger than Australian Capital Territory's.
GDP per capita: Australian Capital Territory: $78,152 per person vs South Africa: $6,598. Australian Capital Territory's GDP per capita is 11.8 times higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
Australian Capital Territory official website · South Africa official website
More Size Comparisons
All Australian Capital Territory 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.