The map above shows Brazil and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
Brazil vs South Africa Geography
Land area: Brazil has a land area of 3,227,096 square miles (8,358,140 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²). Brazil's land area is 6.9 times (588%) larger than South Africa's.
Total area: Brazil: 3,287,956 square miles (8,515,767 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water. Brazil's total area is 7.0 times (597%) larger than South Africa's.
Length: Brazil is 2,732 miles (4,396 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km). Brazil's north-south length is 2.6 times (160%) longer than South Africa's.
Width: Brazil spans 2,685 miles (4,321 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km). Brazil's east-west width is 2.7 times (165%) wider than South Africa's.
Highest point: Brazil's highest point is Pico da Neblina at 9,826 feet (2,995 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m). Mafadi is 1,493 feet higher than Pico da Neblina.
Lowest point: Brazil's lowest point is Atlantic Ocean at 0 feet; South Africa's is Indian Ocean at 0 feet. Both lowest points are at or near sea level.
Brazil vs South Africa Population and History
Population: Brazil has a population of 214,211,951 (2026), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026). Brazil's population is 3.4 times (237%) larger than South Africa's.
Population density: Brazil: 66.4 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5. South Africa's population density is 2.0 times (104%) higher than Brazil's.
Biggest city: Brazil's biggest city is São Paulo with 12,252,023 people; South Africa's is Johannesburg with 4,803,262. São Paulo's population is 2.6 times (155%) larger than Johannesburg's.
Largest metro area: Brazil's largest metropolitan area is São Paulo (18,949,790 people) vs South Africa's Johannesburg (7,077,175). São Paulo's population is 2.7 times (168%) larger than Johannesburg's.
History: Brazil: Independent from Portugal since September 7, 1822. South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. In its current form, Brazil is the older of the two by 88 years.
Brazil vs South Africa Economy
GDP: Brazil's GDP is $2,279.9 billion (2025) vs South Africa's $427.2 billion. Brazil's economic output is 5.3 times (434%) larger than South Africa's.
GDP per capita: Brazil: $10,713 per person vs South Africa: $6,598. Brazil's GDP per capita is 1.6 times (62%) higher than South Africa's.
Average income: Brazil: $10,550 vs South Africa: $6,270 average income per person (per capita personal income). Brazil's average income is 1.7 times (68%) higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
Brazil official website · South Africa official website
More Size Comparisons
All Brazil 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.