Argentina vs. Algeria: A Transatlantic Size Comparison

Argentina and Algeria are the second-largest countries in South America and Africa, respectively. Argentina is the larger of the two, though map projections often obscure the difference.

The Numbers: Argentina vs. Algeria

• Argentina's area: 2,780,400 square kilometers (1,073,518 square miles)
• Algeria's area: 2,381,741 square kilometers (919,595 square miles)
• Population: Argentina ~46 million, Algeria ~45 million
• Location: Argentina in South America, Algeria in North Africa

Size Context and Rankings

Both countries rank among the world's largest:

• Argentina: 8th largest country globally
• Algeria: 10th largest country globally
• Size difference: Argentina is 398,659 km² larger (about the size of Germany)

Why Maps Can Be Misleading

Map projections affect how these countries appear. Argentina's southern latitude (extending to 55°S) causes Mercator projections to exaggerate its size, while Algeria's position closer to the equator (19°N to 37°N) shows more accurate proportions.

Final Thoughts

Argentina and Algeria are both vast countries with diverse landscapes. Argentina covers more land area by a significant margin—about 17%—which becomes clear when using accurate map projections.

For more size comparisons, see how Brazil compares to India or how European giants like France and Ukraine measure up. You can also see how island nations compare in our Madagascar and New Zealand size guides.