The map above shows South Africa and South Australia side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
South Africa vs South Australia Geography
Land area: South Africa has a land area of 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²), while South Australia has 380,048 square miles (984,321 km²). South Africa's land area is 1.2 times (23%) larger than South Australia's.
Total area: South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²) vs South Australia: 380,048 square miles (984,321 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 1.2 times (24%) larger than South Australia's.
Length: South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km) long from north to south; South Australia is 1,078 miles (1,735 km). South Africa and South Australia have about the same north-south length.
Width: South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km) east to west; South Australia spans 825 miles (1,328 km). South Africa's east-west width is 1.2 times (23%) wider than South Australia's.
Highest point: South Africa's highest point is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m); South Australia's is Mount Woodroffe at 4,708 feet (1,435 m). Mafadi is 6,611 feet higher than Mount Woodroffe.
Lowest point: South Africa's lowest point is Indian Ocean at 0 feet; South Australia's is Lake Eyre at -49 feet. South Australia's lowest point is 49 feet lower.
South Africa vs South Australia Population and History
Population: South Africa has a population of 63,522,380 (2026), while South Australia has 1,908,182 (2025). South Africa's population is 33.3 times larger than South Australia's.
Population density: South Africa: 135.5 people per square mile vs South Australia: 5.0. South Africa's population density is 27.1 times higher than South Australia's.
Largest metro area: South Africa's largest metropolitan area is Johannesburg (7,077,175 people) vs South Australia's Greater Adelaide (1,491,015). Johannesburg's population is 4.7 times (375%) larger than Greater Adelaide's.
History: South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. South Australia: Became an Australian state at Federation on January 1, 1901; founded as a colony in 1836. In its current form, South Australia is the older of the two by 9 years.
South Africa vs South Australia Economy
GDP: South Africa's GDP is $427.2 billion (2025) vs South Australia's $100.2 billion. South Africa's economic output is 4.3 times (326%) larger than South Australia's.
GDP per capita: South Africa: $6,598 per person vs South Australia: $52,511. South Australia's GDP per capita is 8.0 times (696%) higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
South Africa official website · South Australia official website
More Size Comparisons
All South Africa size comparisons · All South Australia 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.