The map above shows Russia and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
Russia vs South Africa Geography
Land area
- Russia has a land area of 6,323,482 square miles (16,377,742 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²).
- Russia's land area is 13.5 times larger than South Africa's.
Total area
- Russia: 6,601,670 square miles (17,098,246 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water.
- Russia's total area is 14.0 times larger than South Africa's.
Length
- Russia is 2,968 miles (4,776 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km).
- Russia's north-south length is 2.8 times (183%) longer than South Africa's.
Width
- Russia spans 3,852 miles (6,199 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km).
- Russia's east-west width is 3.8 times (281%) wider than South Africa's.
Highest point
- Russia's highest point is Mount Elbrus at 18,510 feet (5,642 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m).
- Mount Elbrus is 7,191 feet higher than Mafadi.
Lowest point
- Russia's lowest point is Caspian Sea shore at -92 feet; South Africa's is Indian Ocean at 0 feet.
- Russia's lowest point is 92 feet lower.
Russia vs South Africa Population and History
Population
- Russia has a population of 146,028,325 (2025), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026).
- Russia's population is 2.3 times (130%) larger than South Africa's.
Population density
- Russia: 23.1 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5.
- South Africa's population density is 5.9 times (487%) higher than Russia's.
Biggest city
- Russia's biggest city is Moscow with 13,200,000 people; South Africa's is Johannesburg with 4,803,262.
- Moscow's population is 2.7 times (175%) larger than Johannesburg's.
Largest metro area
- Russia's largest metropolitan area is Moscow (14,524,753 people) vs South Africa's Johannesburg (7,077,175).
- Moscow's population is 2.1 times (105%) larger than Johannesburg's.
History
- Russia: The Russian Federation in its current form dates from December 25, 1991.
- 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 81 years.
Russia vs South Africa Economy
GDP
- Russia's GDP is $2,561.3 billion (2025) vs South Africa's $427.2 billion.
- Russia's economic output is 6.0 times (500%) larger than South Africa's.
GDP per capita
- Russia: $17,547 per person vs South Africa: $6,598.
- Russia's GDP per capita is 2.7 times (166%) higher than South Africa's.
Average income
- Russia: $15,960 vs South Africa: $6,270 average income per person (per capita personal income).
- Russia's average income is 2.5 times (155%) higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
Russia official website · South Africa official website
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More Size Comparisons
All Russia 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.