The map above shows Louisiana and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
Louisiana vs South Africa Geography
Land area: Louisiana has a land area of 43,213 square miles (111,921 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²). South Africa's land area is 10.9 times larger than Louisiana's.
Total area: Louisiana: 52,375 square miles (135,652 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 9.0 times (800%) larger than Louisiana's.
Length: Louisiana is 301 miles (484 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km). South Africa's north-south length is 3.5 times (249%) longer than Louisiana's.
Width: Louisiana spans 356 miles (574 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km). South Africa's east-west width is 2.8 times (184%) wider than Louisiana's.
Highest point: Louisiana's highest point is Driskill Mountain at 533 feet (162 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m). Mafadi is 10,786 feet higher than Driskill Mountain.
Lowest point: Louisiana's lowest point is New Orleans at -8 feet; South Africa's is Indian Ocean at 0 feet. Louisiana's lowest point is 8 feet lower.
Louisiana vs South Africa Population and History
Population: Louisiana has a population of 4,597,740 (2024), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026). South Africa's population is 13.8 times larger than Louisiana's.
Population density: Louisiana: 106.4 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5. South Africa's population density is 1.3 times (27%) higher than Louisiana's.
Biggest city: Louisiana's biggest city is New Orleans with 362,701 people; South Africa's is Johannesburg with 4,803,262. Johannesburg's population is 13.2 times larger than New Orleans'.
Largest metro area: Louisiana's largest metropolitan area is New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area (966,230 people) vs South Africa's Johannesburg (7,077,175). Johannesburg's population is 7.3 times (632%) larger than New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area's.
History: Louisiana: Admitted to the Union on April 30, 1812, as the 18th state. South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. In its current form, Louisiana is the older of the two by 98 years.
Louisiana vs South Africa Economy
GDP: Louisiana's GDP is $329.2 billion (2024) vs South Africa's $427.2 billion. South Africa's economic output is 1.3 times (30%) larger than Louisiana's.
GDP per capita: Louisiana: $71,594 per person vs South Africa: $6,598. Louisiana's GDP per capita is 10.9 times higher than South Africa's.
Average income: Louisiana: $61,897 vs South Africa: $6,270 average income per person (per capita personal income). Louisiana's average income is 9.9 times (887%) higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
Louisiana official website · South Africa official website
More Size Comparisons
All Louisiana 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.