The map above shows Northern Mariana Islands and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
Northern Mariana Islands vs South Africa Geography
Land area: Northern Mariana Islands has a land area of 179 square miles (464 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²). South Africa's land area is 2,617.4 times larger than Northern Mariana Islands'.
Total area: Northern Mariana Islands: 179 square miles (464 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 2,631.5 times larger than Northern Mariana Islands'.
Length: Northern Mariana Islands is 326 miles (524 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km). South Africa's north-south length is 3.2 times (222%) longer than Northern Mariana Islands'.
Width: Northern Mariana Islands spans 278 miles (448 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km). South Africa's east-west width is 3.6 times (264%) wider than Northern Mariana Islands'.
Highest point: Northern Mariana Islands's highest point is Agrihan at 3,166 feet (965 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m). Mafadi is 8,153 feet higher than Agrihan.
Lowest point: Northern Mariana Islands'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.
Northern Mariana Islands vs South Africa Population and History
Population: Northern Mariana Islands has a population of 47,329 (2020), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026). South Africa's population is 1,342.1 times larger than Northern Mariana Islands'.
Population density: Northern Mariana Islands: 264.4 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5. Northern Mariana Islands' population density is 2.0 times (95%) higher than South Africa's.
History: Northern Mariana Islands: A US commonwealth since 1978. South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. In its current form, South Africa is the older of the two by 68 years.
Official Websites
Northern Mariana Islands official website · South Africa official website
More Size Comparisons
All Northern Mariana Islands 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.