The map above shows New South Wales and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
New South Wales vs South Africa Geography
Land area: New South Wales has a land area of 309,130 square miles (800,642 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²). South Africa's land area is 1.5 times (52%) larger than New South Wales'.
Total area: New South Wales: 309,130 square miles (800,642 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 1.5 times (53%) larger than New South Wales'.
Length: New South Wales is 678 miles (1,092 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km). South Africa's north-south length is 1.5 times (55%) longer than New South Wales'.
Width: New South Wales spans 831 miles (1,338 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km). South Africa's east-west width is 1.2 times (22%) wider than New South Wales'.
Highest point: New South Wales's highest point is Mount Kosciuszko at 7,310 feet (2,228 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m). Mafadi is 4,009 feet higher than Mount Kosciuszko.
Lowest point: New South Wales's lowest point is Pacific Ocean at 0 feet; South Africa's is Indian Ocean at 0 feet. Both lowest points are at or near sea level.
New South Wales vs South Africa Population and History
Population: New South Wales has a population of 8,624,534 (2025), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026). South Africa's population is 7.4 times (637%) larger than New South Wales'.
Population density: New South Wales: 27.9 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5. South Africa's population density is 4.9 times (386%) higher than New South Wales'.
Largest metro area: New South Wales's largest metropolitan area is Greater Sydney (5,638,830 people) vs South Africa's Johannesburg (7,077,175). Johannesburg's population is 1.3 times (26%) larger than Greater Sydney's.
History: New South Wales: Became an Australian state at Federation on January 1, 1901; founded as a colony in 1788. South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. In its current form, New South Wales is the older of the two by 9 years.
New South Wales vs South Africa Economy
GDP: New South Wales's GDP is $547.1 billion (2025) vs South Africa's $427.2 billion. New South Wales' economic output is 1.3 times (28%) larger than South Africa's.
GDP per capita: New South Wales: $63,435 per person vs South Africa: $6,598. New South Wales' GDP per capita is 9.6 times (861%) higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
New South Wales official website · South Africa official website
More Size Comparisons
All New South Wales 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.