Largest Asian Countries
Let’s chat about the big players in Asia, sorted by land size.
Russia
First up, Russia. It’s not just the heavyweight champ of Asia, but the world! We’re talkin’ 17,075,200 square kilometers (or if you prefer miles, 6,612,100 of ’em). This place is sprawling from Eastern Europe right into the heart of northern Asia. And guess what? About 144 million folks call it home.
China
Next in line is China. It grabs the silver medal for land with around 9.5 million square kilometers (3.7 million square miles) on its roster. But it’s got more than just land—over 1.403 billion people live here! That’s more than any country. Curious about how packed other places are? Check out our list of Asia’s bustling hotspots.
India
Rolling in third is India, sprawled over 3.2 million square kilometers (1.269 million square miles). Its people? Over 1.324 billion of ’em. This place is a melting pot of cultures and a standout on our list of vast territories.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s up next, snugly the fourth largest with 2.7 million square kilometers (1,052,100 square miles). It’s not just size; nearly 18 million folks are sticking around. And fun fact—it holds the title of the largest landlocked nation!
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia grabs the fifth slot, stretching across 2,149,690 square kilometers (830,000 square miles). With a desert vibe as grand as its size, around 33 million people thrive amid sandy vistas and sunny skies.
| Country | Area (sq km) | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | 17,075,200 | 144,463,451 |
| China | 9,500,000 | 1,403,000,000 |
| India | 3,200,000 | 1,324,000,000 |
| Kazakhstan | 2,700,000 | 18,000,000 |
| Saudi Arabia | 2,149,690 | 33,000,000 |
Looking for more geographical goodness? Peek at our lists of who’s who in Africa and Europe!
Smallest Asian Countries
Asia is a continent that’s massive, having both huge and pint-sized nations scattered all over. Let’s peek into some of the less sprawling ones, measured by area.
Maldives
Meet the Maldives, the teeny-tiniest nation in all of Asia. Dreamy beaches and see-through lagoons? Check. But size-wise, it’s barely a blip on the map, making it the diminutive darling of this enormous landmass. Its countless atolls are just a tad above sea level, making it breathtaking yet a bit prone to rising waters.
| Country | Area (sq mi) | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Maldives | 115 | 540,544 |
Singapore
Next up is Singapore, a bustling city-state in Southeast Asia, with a territory of around 276 square miles. It’s not just one piece of land; it stretches over a main island and a bunch of smaller ones, like Sentosa and Pulau Ubin. Singapore’s claim to fame? An economy that’s as sleek and sophisticated as the cityscape itself.
| Country | Area (sq mi) | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 276 | 5,866,000 |
Bahrain
Bahrain hails from the Persian Gulf, sitting snug on 295 square miles. With 1,425,171 folks calling it home, it’s gone from a cluster of 33 islands to over 80, thanks to some major tweaking with the land.
| Country | Area (sq mi) | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Bahrain | 295 | 1,425,171 |
Brunei
Over in Southeastern Asia, Brunei stakes its claim as the fourth smallest, spanning 2,226 square miles. Why’s it so loaded? Two magic words: natural gas and oil.
| Country | Area (sq mi) | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Brunei | 2,226 | 437,479 |
Palestine
Palestine stretches across 2,402 square miles, with a crowd of about 4,550,368. It’s got the Gaza Strip and the West Bank in its corners, and since 1967, they’ve been under dispute with Israel. Still, about 136 members of the UN say, “Hey, they’re a state!”
| Country | Area (sq mi) | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Palestine | 2,402 | 4,550,368 |
Feel like exploring more on other continents? Check out our pieces on list of african countries, list of european countries, and list of south american countries.
Most Popular Asian Countries
China
China isn’t just big on the map; it’s got people, lots of ’em—around 1.4 billion! That’s the kind of number that makes anyone’s head spin. China takes the crown for not just Asia but the whole planet in terms of population.
| Country | Population (approx.) |
|---|---|
| China | 1.4 billion |
Chew on these numbers further at Wikipedia.
India
If China is the population king, India’s right behind as the prince, topping the charts with around 1.3 billion folks. With every tick of the clock, you’re almost sure someone somewhere in India is being born—talk about a growing family!
| Country | Population (approx.) |
|---|---|
| India | 1.3 billion |
For the real scoop, head to Wikipedia.
Indonesia
Indonesia, with its islands more than you can shake a stick at, sits comfortably in third place with about 273 million people calling it home. Those numbers are enough to make a line that wraps around Jakarta!
| Country | Population (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Indonesia | 273 million |
Interested in more details? Jump to Wikipedia.
Pakistan
In the mix is Pakistan, rolling in at fourth place with a solid 223 million. It’s a bustling place brimming with life everywhere you look.
| Country | Population (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Pakistan | 223 million |
Don’t just take our word for it—explore Wikipedia.
Bangladesh
And close on Pakistan’s heels is Bangladesh, packing in about 166 million people. For a country that’s about the size of a state, it’s like a festival every day!
| Country | Population (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 166 million |
Get the full picture at Wikipedia.
For even more geographic fun, check out our other riveting lists on the list of European countries and the list of African countries.