The map above shows West Virginia and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
West Virginia vs South Africa Geography
Land area: West Virginia has a land area of 24,041 square miles (62,266 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²). South Africa's land area is 19.5 times larger than West Virginia's.
Total area: West Virginia: 24,230 square miles (62,755 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 19.5 times larger than West Virginia's.
Length: West Virginia is 245 miles (394 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km). South Africa's north-south length is 4.3 times (329%) longer than West Virginia's.
Width: West Virginia spans 276 miles (444 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km). South Africa's east-west width is 3.7 times (267%) wider than West Virginia's.
Highest point: West Virginia's highest point is Spruce Knob at 4,863 feet (1,482 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m). Mafadi is 6,456 feet higher than Spruce Knob.
Lowest point: West Virginia's lowest point is Potomac River at 240 feet; South Africa's is Indian Ocean at 0 feet. South Africa's lowest point is 240 feet lower.
West Virginia vs South Africa Population and History
Population: West Virginia has a population of 1,769,979 (2024), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026). South Africa's population is 35.9 times larger than West Virginia's.
Population density: West Virginia: 73.6 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5. South Africa's population density is 1.8 times (84%) higher than West Virginia's.
Biggest city: West Virginia's biggest city is Charleston with 46,482 people; South Africa's is Johannesburg with 4,803,262. Johannesburg's population is 103.3 times larger than Charleston's.
Largest metro area: West Virginia's largest metropolitan area is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area (6,436,489 people) vs South Africa's Johannesburg (7,077,175). Johannesburg's population is 1.1 times (10%) larger than Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area's.
History: West Virginia: Admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863, as the 35th state. South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. In its current form, West Virginia is the older of the two by 47 years.
West Virginia vs South Africa Economy
GDP: West Virginia's GDP is $106.5 billion (2024) vs South Africa's $427.2 billion. South Africa's economic output is 4.0 times (301%) larger than West Virginia's.
GDP per capita: West Virginia: $60,156 per person vs South Africa: $6,598. West Virginia's GDP per capita is 9.1 times (812%) higher than South Africa's.
Average income: West Virginia: $55,351 vs South Africa: $6,270 average income per person (per capita personal income). West Virginia's average income is 8.8 times (783%) higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
West Virginia official website · South Africa official website
More Size Comparisons
All West Virginia 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.