The map above shows Italy and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
Italy vs South Africa Geography
Land area: Italy has a land area of 113,568 square miles (294,140 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²). South Africa's land area is 4.1 times (313%) larger than Italy's.
Total area: Italy: 116,348 square miles (301,340 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 4.1 times (305%) larger than Italy's.
Length: Italy is 734 miles (1,181 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km). South Africa's north-south length is 1.4 times (43%) longer than Italy's.
Width: Italy spans 694 miles (1,117 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km). South Africa's east-west width is 1.5 times (46%) wider than Italy's.
Highest point: Italy's highest point is Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc) at 15,778 feet (4,809 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m). Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc) is 4,459 feet higher than Mafadi.
Lowest point: Italy's lowest point is Jolanda di Savoia at -10 feet; South Africa's is Indian Ocean at 0 feet. Italy's lowest point is 10 feet lower.
Italy vs South Africa Population and History
Population: Italy has a population of 58,943,673 (2026), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026). South Africa's population is 1.1 times (8%) larger than Italy's.
Population density: Italy: 519.0 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5. Italy's population density is 3.8 times (283%) higher than South Africa's.
Biggest city: Italy's biggest city is Rome with 2,748,109 people; South Africa's is Johannesburg with 4,803,262. Johannesburg's population is 1.7 times (75%) larger than Rome's.
Largest metro area: Italy's largest metropolitan area is Metropolitan City of Rome (4,223,885 people) vs South Africa's Johannesburg (7,077,175). Johannesburg's population is 1.7 times (68%) larger than Metropolitan City of Rome's.
History: Italy: Unified as the Kingdom of Italy on March 17, 1861; a republic since 1946. South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. In its current form, Italy is the older of the two by 49 years.
Italy vs South Africa Economy
GDP: Italy's GDP is $2,551.6 billion (2025) vs South Africa's $427.2 billion. Italy's economic output is 6.0 times (497%) larger than South Africa's.
GDP per capita: Italy: $43,309 per person vs South Africa: $6,598. Italy's GDP per capita is 6.6 times (556%) higher than South Africa's.
Average income: Italy: $42,080 vs South Africa: $6,270 average income per person (per capita personal income). Italy's average income is 6.7 times (571%) higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
Italy official website · South Africa official website
More Size Comparisons
All Italy 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.