Spain vs. Thailand: Which Mediterranean and Southeast Asian Nation is Bigger?

Spain and Thailand are two of the world's most visited countries, each offering unique cultures, stunning landscapes, and rich histories. But how do they compare in size?

The Numbers: Spain vs. Thailand

• Spain's area: 505,990 square kilometers (195,364 square miles)
• Thailand's area: 513,120 square kilometers (198,120 square miles)
• Population: Spain ~47.6 million, Thailand ~70 million
• Location: Spain in southwestern Europe, Thailand in Southeast Asia

Virtually Identical in Size

The size difference between Spain and Thailand is negligible. It's less than 8,000 km², or about the size of Puerto Rico. For practical purposes, they're the same size.

Despite this similarity, their shapes, geographies, and distributions have very different.

Geographic Characteristics

Spain:

• Dimensions: 1,000 km north-south, 1,100 km east-west (including islands)
• Coastline: 4,964 km (Mediterranean, Atlantic, Bay of Biscay)
• Terrain: Central plateau (Meseta), mountain ranges, coastal plains
• Highest point: Teide (3,718 m) in the Canary Islands; Mulhacén (3,479 m) on mainland
• Major features: Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands

Thailand:

• Dimensions: 1,650 km north-south, 800 km east-west at widest
• Coastline: 3,219 km (Gulf of Thailand, Andaman Sea)
• Terrain: Northern mountains, central plains, southern peninsula
• Highest point: Doi Inthanon (2,565 m)
• Major features: Chao Phraya River valley, Khorat Plateau, southern beaches

Shape Matters

Spain is relatively compact and squarish, with the Iberian Peninsula forming the bulk of the territory plus the Balearic and Canary Islands.

Thailand is elongated, stretching from the mountainous north down through the narrow Kra Isthmus in the south. The southern peninsula extends like a finger toward Malaysia.

Population and Density

Thailand: 70 million people (136 per km²)

• 20th most populous country globally
• Bangkok metro area has 16+ million residents
• Central plains are densely populated
• Mountain regions in the north are sparse

Spain: 47.6 million people (94 per km²)

• 30th most populous country globally
• Madrid and Barcelona metro areas each have 6+ million
• Coastal regions are densest
• Interior Meseta is relatively empty

Thailand packs 50% more people into essentially the same space, creating higher urban density, especially in Bangkok.

Climate: Mediterranean vs. Tropical

The climate difference is large.

Spain:

• Mediterranean climate: Hot, dry summers; mild, wet winters
• Continental interior: Extreme temperature swings, cold winters
• Atlantic north: Temperate, rainy year-round
• Subtropical Canaries: Mild winters, warm summers

Thailand:

• Tropical climate: Hot and humid year-round
• Monsoon season: May-October brings heavy rains
• Cool season: November-February (still warm by European standards)
• Hot season: March-May with extreme heat

Thailand's coldest month (December) averages warmer than Spain's hottest month (August) in most locations.

Tourism: Different Appeals

Both countries rank among the world's top tourism destinations, but for different reasons.

Spain (85+ million visitors annually):

• Cultural tourism: Historic cities (Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Granada)
• Beach resorts: Costa del Sol, Costa Brava, Balearic Islands
• Art and architecture: Gaudí, Picasso, Alhambra, Sagrada Família
• Gastronomy: Tapas, paella, wine regions, Michelin-starred restaurants

Thailand (40+ million visitors pre-pandemic, 28+ million recent):

• Beach paradise: Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, Phi Phi Islands
• Cultural sites: Bangkok temples, Ayutthaya ruins, Chiang Mai
• Adventure tourism: Jungle trekking, diving, rock climbing
• Affordability: Low-cost destination attracting backpackers and luxury travelers alike

Interactive Exploration

Explore this comparison on our interactive map tool

Explore Interactive Map

See how Spain and Thailand match up when overlaid side by side.

Economic Comparison

Despite similar sizes, their economies differ significantly.

Spain:

• GDP: ~$1.6 trillion (15th largest in the EU, ~14th globally)
• Major industries: Tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, renewable energy
• EU member: Integrated into European markets
• Currency: Euro

Thailand:

• GDP: ~$540 billion (2nd largest in Southeast Asia)
• Major industries: Manufacturing, agriculture (rice, rubber), tourism
• ASEAN member: Growing regional trade bloc
• Currency: Baht

Spain's economy is roughly 3 times larger than Thailand's, reflecting higher development and EU membership.

Agriculture: Different Crops, Similar Importance

Both countries have strong agricultural sectors, but grow different crops.

Spain: Olives, grapes (wine), citrus fruits, vegetables. The Mediterranean climate is ideal for these crops. Spain is the world's largest olive oil producer.

Thailand: Rice, rubber, cassava, tropical fruits. Thailand is one of the world's largest rice exporters. The tropical climate allows year-round growing seasons.

Spain and Thailand represent two of the world's major food producers, each adapted to their unique climates. While Spain exports Mediterranean staples, Thailand's tropical produce reaches markets across Asia and beyond.

Historical Influences

Spain: Shaped by Roman occupation, Moorish rule, Catholic reconquista, and colonial empire. Architecture blends Roman, Islamic, and Christian influences. Spanish colonial influence spread to Latin America and the Philippines.

Thailand: Never colonized by European powers. Influenced by Indian Buddhism, Chinese trade, and Mon-Khmer cultures. Maintained independence through diplomatic maneuvering during colonial era.

Languages

Spain: Spanish (Castilian) is dominant, but regional languages include Catalan, Basque, and Galician. Strong regional identities persist.

Thailand: Thai is the national language. Regional dialects differ significantly. Most educated Thais speak some English due to tourism.

Fun Facts

Spain:

• Has 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (3rd most globally)
• The siesta tradition persists in smaller towns
• Spanish is the 2nd most spoken native language globally
• Produces nearly half the world's olive oil
• Has over 8,000 km of beaches

Thailand:

• Bangkok's full ceremonial name has 168 letters (longest city name globally)
• Home to the world's largest gold Buddha statue (5.5 tons)
• Elephants are the national symbol
• Thai cuisine is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
• The country was never colonized (unique in Southeast Asia)

Coastlines and Islands

Spain's coastline (4,964 km) includes Mediterranean beaches, Atlantic coasts, and island territories. The Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca) and Canary Islands are major tourist draws.

Thailand's coastline (3,219 km) features tropical beaches, limestone cliffs, and over 1,400 islands. The Andaman Sea coast (Phuket, Krabi) and Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) offer world-class diving and beaches.

Mountain Ranges

Spain has several mountain ranges: the Pyrenees (border with France), Sierra Nevada (south), Cantabrian Mountains (north), and the Sistema Central (center). These create diverse microclimates and stunning landscapes.

Thailand's northern mountains are part of the larger Himalayan range. The terrain becomes progressively flatter toward the central plains and Bangkok. The southern peninsula has smaller coastal ranges.

Urbanization Patterns

Spain: Highly urbanized (81% urban). Major cities include Madrid (capital, central), Barcelona (northeast coast), Valencia (east coast), Seville (south), and Bilbao (north). Coastal areas are densest.

Thailand: Moderately urbanized (52% urban). Bangkok dominates. It's 10 times larger than the second-largest city, Chiang Mai. Rural areas, especially in the northeast Isan region, remain agricultural.

The Mercator Distortion

Spain (36-43°N latitude) and Thailand (6-20°N latitude) experience different Mercator distortions.

Thailand, closer to the equator, appears smaller on Mercator maps than its true size. Spain, at higher latitudes, gets stretched more. This makes Spain appear noticeably larger on standard world maps, even though Thailand is actually slightly bigger.

Conclusion

Spain and Thailand are virtually identical in size. They're within 1.4% of each other. But their similarities end with the numbers.

Spain offers Mediterranean culture, European history, and diverse landscapes from beaches to mountains. Thailand delivers tropical beaches, ancient temples, and vibrant street life. Spain has higher development and wealth. Thailand offers affordability and accessibility.

Both countries punch above their weight in tourism, culture, and regional influence. Whether you prefer sangria or pad thai, flamenco or muay thai, both offer large experiences within remarkably similar geographical footprints.