France vs. Ukraine: Which European Country is Bigger?

Explore the true size difference between France and Ukraine, and how map projections can affect our perception of European countries.

M

Map2Maps Team

1 min read

When you think of large countries in Europe, France and Ukraine are often at the top of the list. But which one is actually bigger? The answer might surprise you!

The Numbers: France vs. Ukraine

  • France’s area: 551,695 square kilometers (213,011 square miles)
  • Ukraine’s area: 603,548 square kilometers (233,032 square miles)
  • Population: France ~68 million, Ukraine ~36 million
  • Location: France in Western Europe, Ukraine in Eastern Europe

Quick Comparison: - Ukraine is the largest country entirely in Europe - Ukraine is about 9% larger than France by land area

Why Maps Can Be Misleading

Depending on the map projection, France and Ukraine can look quite similar in size. But in reality, Ukraine is the largest country located entirely within Europe, while France is slightly smaller (not counting France's overseas territories).

Try it yourself: Select France and Ukraine on the map to see their true sizes side by side!

Final Thoughts

France and Ukraine are both major players in Europe, but when it comes to land area, Ukraine takes the top spot. Their true sizes might surprise you—so always check the map for a reality check!

Geographic comparison background

Explore for Yourself

Ready to dive deeper? Use our interactive tools to compare countries, explore map projections, and see these geographic concepts in action.