The map above shows Maryland and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
Maryland vs South Africa Geography
Land area: Maryland has a land area of 9,711 square miles (25,151 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²). South Africa's land area is 48.3 times larger than Maryland's.
Total area: Maryland: 12,406 square miles (32,131 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 38.0 times larger than Maryland's.
Length: Maryland is 231 miles (371 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km). South Africa's north-south length is 4.5 times (355%) longer than Maryland's.
Width: Maryland spans 243 miles (391 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km). South Africa's east-west width is 4.2 times (316%) wider than Maryland's.
Highest point: Maryland's highest point is Hoye-Crest at 3,362 feet (1,025 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m). Mafadi is 7,957 feet higher than Hoye-Crest.
Lowest point: Maryland'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.
Maryland vs South Africa Population and History
Population: Maryland has a population of 6,263,220 (2024), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026). South Africa's population is 10.1 times larger than Maryland's.
Population density: Maryland: 645.0 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5. Maryland's population density is 4.8 times (376%) higher than South Africa's.
Biggest city: Maryland's biggest city is Baltimore with 568,271 people; South Africa's is Johannesburg with 4,803,262. Johannesburg's population is 8.5 times (745%) larger than Baltimore's.
Largest metro area: Maryland's largest metropolitan area is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area (6,436,489 people) vs South Africa's Johannesburg (7,077,175). Johannesburg's population is 1.1 times (10%) larger than Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area's.
History: Maryland: Admitted to the Union on April 28, 1788, as the 7th state. South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. In its current form, Maryland is the older of the two by 122 years.
Maryland vs South Africa Economy
GDP: Maryland's GDP is $546.0 billion (2024) vs South Africa's $427.2 billion. Maryland's economic output is 1.3 times (28%) larger than South Africa's.
GDP per capita: Maryland: $87,180 per person vs South Africa: $6,598. Maryland's GDP per capita is 13.2 times higher than South Africa's.
Average income: Maryland: $79,259 vs South Africa: $6,270 average income per person (per capita personal income). Maryland's average income is 12.6 times higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
Maryland official website · South Africa official website
More Size Comparisons
All Maryland 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.