The map above shows South Dakota and Northern Mariana Islands side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
South Dakota vs Northern Mariana Islands Geography
Land area: South Dakota has a land area of 75,808 square miles (196,342 km²), while Northern Mariana Islands has 179 square miles (464 km²). South Dakota's land area is 423.2 times larger than Northern Mariana Islands'.
Total area: South Dakota: 77,116 square miles (199,729 km²) vs Northern Mariana Islands: 179 square miles (464 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Dakota's total area is 430.5 times larger than Northern Mariana Islands'.
Length: South Dakota is 443 miles (712 km) long from north to south; Northern Mariana Islands is 326 miles (524 km). South Dakota's north-south length is 1.4 times (36%) longer than Northern Mariana Islands'.
Width: South Dakota spans 371 miles (597 km) east to west; Northern Mariana Islands spans 278 miles (448 km). South Dakota's east-west width is 1.3 times (33%) wider than Northern Mariana Islands'.
Highest point: South Dakota's highest point is Black Elk Peak at 7,198 feet (2,194 m); Northern Mariana Islands's is Agrihan at 3,166 feet (965 m). Black Elk Peak is 4,032 feet higher than Agrihan.
Lowest point: South Dakota's lowest point is Big Stone Lake at 966 feet; Northern Mariana Islands's is Pacific Ocean at 0 feet. Northern Mariana Islands's lowest point is 966 feet lower.
South Dakota vs Northern Mariana Islands Population and History
Population: South Dakota has a population of 924,669 (2024), while Northern Mariana Islands has 47,329 (2020). South Dakota's population is 19.5 times larger than Northern Mariana Islands'.
Population density: South Dakota: 12.2 people per square mile vs Northern Mariana Islands: 264.4. Northern Mariana Islands' population density is 21.7 times higher than South Dakota's.
History: South Dakota: Admitted to the Union on November 2, 1889, as the 40th state. Northern Mariana Islands: A US commonwealth since 1978. In its current form, South Dakota is the older of the two by 89 years.
Official Websites
South Dakota official website · Northern Mariana Islands official website
More Size Comparisons
All South Dakota size comparisons · All Northern Mariana Islands 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.