The map above shows Nova Scotia and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
Nova Scotia vs South Africa Geography
Land area: Nova Scotia has a land area of 20,594 square miles (53,338 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²). South Africa's land area is 22.8 times larger than Nova Scotia's.
Total area: Nova Scotia: 21,345 square miles (55,284 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 22.1 times larger than Nova Scotia's.
Length: Nova Scotia is 342 miles (550 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km). South Africa's north-south length is 3.1 times (207%) longer than Nova Scotia's.
Width: Nova Scotia spans 338 miles (544 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km). South Africa's east-west width is 3.0 times (199%) wider than Nova Scotia's.
Highest point: Nova Scotia's highest point is White Hill at 1,749 feet (533 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m). Mafadi is 9,570 feet higher than White Hill.
Lowest point: Nova Scotia'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.
Nova Scotia vs South Africa Population and History
Population: Nova Scotia has a population of 1,090,074 (2026), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026). South Africa's population is 58.3 times larger than Nova Scotia's.
Population density: Nova Scotia: 52.9 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5. South Africa's population density is 2.6 times (156%) higher than Nova Scotia's.
Biggest city: Nova Scotia's biggest city is ''Halifax'' with 439,819 people; South Africa's is Johannesburg with 4,803,262. Johannesburg's population is 10.9 times larger than ''Halifax'''s.
Largest metro area: Nova Scotia's largest metropolitan area is Halifax CMA (465,703 people) vs South Africa's Johannesburg (7,077,175). Johannesburg's population is 15.2 times larger than Halifax CMA's.
History: Nova Scotia: Joined Confederation on July 1, 1867, as one of the four founding provinces. South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. In its current form, Nova Scotia is the older of the two by 43 years.
Nova Scotia vs South Africa Economy
GDP: Nova Scotia's GDP is $47.7 billion (2024) vs South Africa's $427.2 billion. South Africa's economic output is 9.0 times (796%) larger than Nova Scotia's.
GDP per capita: Nova Scotia: $44,056 per person vs South Africa: $6,598. Nova Scotia's GDP per capita is 6.7 times (568%) higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
Nova Scotia official website · South Africa official website
More Size Comparisons
All Nova Scotia 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.