Iceland vs. Ireland: Which Island Nation is Actually Bigger?

Iceland and Ireland: two island nations with confusingly similar names. Despite the frequent mixups, there's a clear size difference between them.

The Numbers: Iceland vs. Ireland

• Iceland's area: 103,000 square kilometers (39,769 square miles)
• Ireland's area: 84,421 square kilometers (32,595 square miles)
• Population: Iceland ~380,000, Ireland ~5.1 million
• Location: Iceland in the North Atlantic, Ireland west of Great Britain

Why the Confusion?

The names are misleading. Iceland is greener than its name suggests, while Ireland lives up to its "Emerald Isle" nickname. Iceland is larger in area despite having far fewer residents.

Iceland's northern position (63-66°N) compared to Ireland (51-55°N) means the Mercator projection exaggerates its size more, making it appear disproportionately large on standard world maps.

Geographic Characteristics

Iceland:

• Dimensions: 500 km east-west, 300 km north-south
• Coastline: 4,970 km
• Terrain: Volcanic, glaciers cover 11% of the country
• Highest point: Hvannadalshnúkur (2,110 m)

Ireland:

• Dimensions: 486 km north-south, 275 km east-west
• Coastline: 1,448 km
• Terrain: Rolling hills, central lowlands, coastal mountains
• Highest point: Carrauntoohil (1,038 m)

Population Density: A Stark Contrast

Iceland might be bigger, but the population difference is substantial:

• Iceland: 3.7 people per km² (one of the lowest in Europe)
• Ireland: 60.4 people per km² (moderate density)

Ireland has developed infrastructure and distributed population centers. Iceland remains predominantly wilderness with settlement concentrated in coastal areas.

Comparing to Other Places

To put both islands in perspective:

Larger than Both:

• Cuba: 109,884 km² (larger than Iceland)
• South Korea: 100,210 km² (between Iceland and Ireland)
• Austria: 83,879 km² (just smaller than Ireland)

Smaller than Both:

• Scotland: 77,933 km² (smaller than Ireland)
• Czech Republic: 78,867 km² (smaller than Ireland)
• Denmark: 42,933 km² (less than half of Iceland)

Interactive Exploration

Use the interactive map to see how Iceland and Ireland compare when placed side by side or overlaid on other countries.

Why Size Doesn't Tell the Whole Story

While Iceland is larger, Ireland's influence extends far beyond its borders. Ireland's economy (GDP $500B) dwarfs Iceland's ($27B). Irish culture—from pubs to literature to music—has global reach. Tourism draws visitors to Iceland for dramatic natural landscapes, while Ireland attracts them for history, culture, and traditions. Despite their names, the Gulf Stream keeps Iceland relatively mild, while Ireland enjoys an even more temperate climate.

Fun Facts

Iceland:

• Home to Europe's largest glacier (Vatnajökull)
• Has more than 30 active volcanic systems
• No forests—trees were cleared by Vikings and never fully recovered
• Geothermal energy heats 90% of homes

Ireland:

• The island is divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (UK)
• Irish is an official language, though English is more widely spoken
• Home to over 30,000 castles and castle ruins
• The Cliffs of Moher attract nearly 1 million visitors annually

The Mercator Effect

On standard world maps, Iceland can appear nearly as large as Ireland, sometimes larger. The Mercator projection increasingly distorts landmasses at higher latitudes.

Conclusion

Iceland is 22% larger by area, but size tells only part of the story. Ireland has the population, cultural influence, economic strength, and lush green landscapes. Both islands offer remarkable experiences in distinctly different ways.