The map above shows Tennessee and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
Tennessee vs South Africa Geography
Land area: Tennessee has a land area of 41,224 square miles (106,770 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²). South Africa's land area is 11.4 times larger than Tennessee's.
Total area: Tennessee: 42,130 square miles (109,116 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 11.2 times larger than Tennessee's.
Length: Tennessee is 191 miles (308 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km). South Africa's north-south length is 5.5 times (450%) longer than Tennessee's.
Width: Tennessee spans 497 miles (800 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km). South Africa's east-west width is 2.0 times (104%) wider than Tennessee's.
Highest point: Tennessee's highest point is Clingmans Dome at 6,624 feet (2,019 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m). Mafadi is 4,695 feet higher than Clingmans Dome.
Lowest point: Tennessee's lowest point is Mississippi River at 178 feet; South Africa's is Indian Ocean at 0 feet. South Africa's lowest point is 178 feet lower.
Tennessee vs South Africa Population and History
Population: Tennessee has a population of 7,227,750 (2024), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026). South Africa's population is 8.8 times (779%) larger than Tennessee's.
Population density: Tennessee: 175.3 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5. Tennessee's population density is 1.3 times (29%) higher than South Africa's.
Biggest city: Tennessee's biggest city is Nashville with 704,963 people; South Africa's is Johannesburg with 4,803,262. Johannesburg's population is 6.8 times (581%) larger than Nashville's.
Largest metro area: Tennessee's largest metropolitan area is Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area (2,150,553 people) vs South Africa's Johannesburg (7,077,175). Johannesburg's population is 3.3 times (229%) larger than Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area's.
History: Tennessee: Admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796, as the 16th state. South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. In its current form, Tennessee is the older of the two by 114 years.
Tennessee vs South Africa Economy
GDP: Tennessee's GDP is $561.2 billion (2024) vs South Africa's $427.2 billion. Tennessee's economic output is 1.3 times (31%) larger than South Africa's.
GDP per capita: Tennessee: $77,645 per person vs South Africa: $6,598. Tennessee's GDP per capita is 11.8 times higher than South Africa's.
Average income: Tennessee: $66,504 vs South Africa: $6,270 average income per person (per capita personal income). Tennessee's average income is 10.6 times higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
Tennessee official website · South Africa official website
More Size Comparisons
All Tennessee 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.