The map above shows Nevada and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
Nevada vs South Africa Geography
Land area: Nevada has a land area of 109,860 square miles (284,537 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²). South Africa's land area is 4.3 times (327%) larger than Nevada's.
Total area: Nevada: 110,571 square miles (286,377 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 4.3 times (326%) larger than Nevada's.
Length: Nevada is 484 miles (780 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km). South Africa's north-south length is 2.2 times (117%) longer than Nevada's.
Width: Nevada spans 469 miles (755 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km). South Africa's east-west width is 2.2 times (116%) wider than Nevada's.
Highest point: Nevada's highest point is Boundary Peak at 13,115 feet (3,997 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m). Boundary Peak is 1,796 feet higher than Mafadi.
Lowest point: Nevada's lowest point is Colorado River at 481 feet; South Africa's is Indian Ocean at 0 feet. South Africa's lowest point is 481 feet lower.
Nevada vs South Africa Population and History
Population: Nevada has a population of 3,267,467 (2024), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026). South Africa's population is 19.4 times larger than Nevada's.
Population density: Nevada: 29.7 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5. South Africa's population density is 4.6 times (356%) higher than Nevada's.
Biggest city: Nevada's biggest city is Las Vegas with 678,922 people; South Africa's is Johannesburg with 4,803,262. Johannesburg's population is 7.1 times (607%) larger than Las Vegas'.
Largest metro area: Nevada's largest metropolitan area is Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV metro area (2,398,871 people) vs South Africa's Johannesburg (7,077,175). Johannesburg's population is 3.0 times (195%) larger than Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV metro area's.
History: Nevada: Admitted to the Union on October 31, 1864, as the 36th state. South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. In its current form, Nevada is the older of the two by 46 years.
Nevada vs South Africa Economy
GDP: Nevada's GDP is $269.0 billion (2024) vs South Africa's $427.2 billion. South Africa's economic output is 1.6 times (59%) larger than Nevada's.
GDP per capita: Nevada: $82,330 per person vs South Africa: $6,598. Nevada's GDP per capita is 12.5 times higher than South Africa's.
Average income: Nevada: $69,805 vs South Africa: $6,270 average income per person (per capita personal income). Nevada's average income is 11.1 times higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
Nevada official website · South Africa official website
More Size Comparisons
All Nevada 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.