The map above shows Ohio and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
Ohio vs South Africa Geography
Land area: Ohio has a land area of 40,859 square miles (105,824 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²). South Africa's land area is 11.5 times larger than Ohio's.
Total area: Ohio: 44,826 square miles (116,098 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 10.5 times larger than Ohio's.
Length: Ohio is 291 miles (468 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km). South Africa's north-south length is 3.6 times (261%) longer than Ohio's.
Width: Ohio spans 317 miles (510 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km). South Africa's east-west width is 3.2 times (219%) wider than Ohio's.
Highest point: Ohio's highest point is Campbell Hill at 1,547 feet (472 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m). Mafadi is 9,772 feet higher than Campbell Hill.
Lowest point: Ohio's lowest point is Ohio River at 455 feet; South Africa's is Indian Ocean at 0 feet. South Africa's lowest point is 455 feet lower.
Ohio vs South Africa Population and History
Population: Ohio has a population of 11,883,304 (2024), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026). South Africa's population is 5.3 times (435%) larger than Ohio's.
Population density: Ohio: 290.8 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5. Ohio's population density is 2.1 times (115%) higher than South Africa's.
Biggest city: Ohio's biggest city is Columbus with 933,263 people; South Africa's is Johannesburg with 4,803,262. Johannesburg's population is 5.1 times (415%) larger than Columbus'.
Largest metro area: Ohio's largest metropolitan area is Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area (2,302,815 people) vs South Africa's Johannesburg (7,077,175). Johannesburg's population is 3.1 times (207%) larger than Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area's.
History: Ohio: Admitted to the Union on March 1, 1803, as the 17th state. South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. In its current form, Ohio is the older of the two by 107 years.
Ohio vs South Africa Economy
GDP: Ohio's GDP is $923.1 billion (2024) vs South Africa's $427.2 billion. Ohio's economic output is 2.2 times (116%) larger than South Africa's.
GDP per capita: Ohio: $77,684 per person vs South Africa: $6,598. Ohio's GDP per capita is 11.8 times higher than South Africa's.
Average income: Ohio: $64,464 vs South Africa: $6,270 average income per person (per capita personal income). Ohio's average income is 10.3 times higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
Ohio official website · South Africa official website
More Size Comparisons
All Ohio 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.