The map above shows South Africa and Wales side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
South Africa vs Wales Geography
Land area: South Africa has a land area of 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²), while Wales has 8,023 square miles (20,779 km²). South Africa's land area is 58.4 times larger than Wales'.
Total area: South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²) vs Wales: 8,023 square miles (20,779 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 58.8 times larger than Wales'.
Length: South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km) long from north to south; Wales is 149 miles (239 km). South Africa's north-south length is 7.0 times (605%) longer than Wales'.
Width: South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km) east to west; Wales spans 111 miles (179 km). South Africa's east-west width is 9.1 times (812%) wider than Wales'.
Highest point: South Africa's highest point is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m); Wales's is Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) at 3,560 feet (1,085 m). Mafadi is 7,759 feet higher than Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa).
Lowest point: South Africa's lowest point is Indian Ocean at 0 feet; Wales's is Irish Sea at 0 feet. Both lowest points are at or near sea level.
South Africa vs Wales Population and History
Population: South Africa has a population of 63,522,380 (2026), while Wales has 3,105,000 (2022). South Africa's population is 20.5 times larger than Wales'.
Population density: South Africa: 135.5 people per square mile vs Wales: 387.0. Wales' population density is 2.9 times (186%) higher than South Africa's.
Biggest city: South Africa's biggest city is Johannesburg with 4,803,262 people; Wales's is Cardiff with 372,089. Johannesburg's population is 12.9 times larger than Cardiff's.
History: South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. Wales: A country within the United Kingdom; formally joined with England by the Laws in Wales Acts of 1536. In its current form, Wales is the older of the two by 374 years.
South Africa vs Wales Economy
GDP: South Africa's GDP is $427.2 billion (2025) vs Wales's $89.5 billion. South Africa's economic output is 4.8 times (377%) larger than Wales'.
GDP per capita: South Africa: $6,598 per person vs Wales: $28,606. Wales' GDP per capita is 4.3 times (334%) higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
South Africa official website · Wales official website
More Size Comparisons
All South Africa size comparisons · All Wales 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.