Ukraine vs. Texas: How Big is Ukraine Really?

Texas and Ukraine are surprisingly similar in size. For Americans trying to understand Ukraine's scale, the comparison to Texas provides useful context—both are massive territories that play crucial roles in their respective regions.

The Numbers: Ukraine vs. Texas

• Ukraine's area: 603,548 square kilometers (233,032 square miles)
• Texas's area: 695,662 square kilometers (268,596 square miles)
• Population: Ukraine ~36 million (pre-2022), Texas ~30 million
• Location: Ukraine in Eastern Europe, Texas in south-central United States

Putting Ukraine's Size in Perspective

Ukraine is larger than France and nearly twice the size of Germany. It's the largest country located entirely within Europe's borders.

Geographic Characteristics

Ukraine:

• Dimensions: 1,316 km east-west, 893 km north-south
• Coastline: 2,782 km (Black Sea and Sea of Azov)
• Terrain: Mostly flat plains (steppes) and plateaus
• Highest point: Hoverla (2,061 m) in the Carpathian Mountains
• Major rivers: Dnieper, Dniester, Southern Bug, Danube

Texas:

• Dimensions: 1,270 km east-west, 1,289 km north-south
• Coastline: 591 km (Gulf of Mexico)
• Terrain: Diverse—plains, hills, deserts, forests, coastal areas
• Highest point: Guadalupe Peak (2,667 m)
• Major rivers: Rio Grande, Red River, Brazos, Colorado

Population and Density

While Texas is larger in area, Ukraine has a higher population:

• Ukraine: ~60 people per km² (pre-2022 figures)
• Texas: ~43 people per km²

Both feature major urban centers alongside extensive rural areas:

Ukraine's Major Cities:

• Kyiv (capital): ~3 million
• Kharkiv: ~1.4 million
• Odesa: ~1 million
• Dnipro: ~1 million

Texas's Major Cities:

• Houston: ~2.3 million
• San Antonio: ~1.5 million
• Dallas: ~1.3 million
• Austin (capital): ~1 million

Economic Comparison

Both Ukraine and Texas are economic powerhouses in their respective regions:

Ukraine:

• GDP: ~$200 billion (pre-2022)
• Known for: Agriculture (wheat, corn, sunflower oil), heavy industry, IT sector
• Nickname: "Breadbasket of Europe"
• Key industries: Agriculture, metallurgy, machine building, aerospace

Texas:

• GDP: ~$2.4 trillion (2nd largest US state economy)
• Known for: Energy (oil, natural gas), technology, agriculture, aerospace
• Nickname: "Lone Star State"
• Key industries: Energy, technology, agriculture, manufacturing

If Texas were a country, it would have the 8th largest economy in the world—larger than Canada, South Korea, or Russia.

Agricultural Powerhouses

Both regions are crucial agricultural producers:

Ukraine:

• One of the world's largest grain exporters
• Produces 10% of global wheat exports
• Major sunflower oil producer (50% of global exports)
• Fertile black soil (chernozem) covers 60% of the country

Texas:

• Leads US in cattle, cotton, hay, sheep, and goats
• Major producer of wheat, corn, and sorghum
• Diverse agriculture from cattle ranches to citrus groves
• Contributes ~$115 billion annually to US agriculture

Comparing to Other Places

To put both regions in perspective:

Larger than Both:

• Turkey: 783,356 km²
• Chile: 756,096 km²
• Myanmar: 676,578 km²

Between Ukraine and Texas:

• France: 643,801 km² (between Ukraine and Texas)
• Afghanistan: 652,230 km² (between Ukraine and Texas)

Smaller than Both:

• Spain: 505,370 km²
• California: 423,967 km²
• Germany: 357,022 km²

Interactive Exploration

Use the interactive map to overlay Ukraine on Texas and see how closely they match. You can also compare both to other countries and regions.

Climate Comparison

Both regions experience continental climates with significant seasonal variation:

Ukraine:

• Climate: Temperate continental
• Winters: Cold, especially in the east (-8°C to -2°C)
• Summers: Warm to hot (17°C to 25°C)
• Precipitation: Moderate, decreasing from west to east
• Growing season: 180-240 days

Texas:

• Climate: Varies from arid to humid subtropical
• Winters: Mild to cool (5°C to 15°C, colder in north)
• Summers: Hot (25°C to 35°C+)
• Precipitation: Varies dramatically (east is humid, west is arid)
• Growing season: 180-365 days (varies by region)

The Mercator Projection Effect

Ukraine's latitude (45-52°N) versus Texas (25-36°N) means Mercator maps distort Ukraine more than Texas, making Texas appear proportionally larger in comparison.

Historical Context

Both regions have complex histories of independence and identity:

Ukraine:

• Independent nation since 1991 (after Soviet Union collapse)
• Previously part of various empires and states
• Rich cultural heritage dating back over 1,000 years
• Strategic location between Europe and Asia

Texas:

• Independent republic from 1836-1845 (Republic of Texas)
• Joined United States in 1845
• Previously part of Spain and Mexico
• Strong independent identity and state pride

Why This Comparison Matters

For Americans, comparing Ukraine to Texas provides valuable context:

1. Scale of geography: Ukraine is a large country, comparable to major US states
2. Strategic importance: A Texas-sized country in Eastern Europe has significant geopolitical weight
3. Agricultural impact: Ukraine's farmland rivals major US agricultural states in output
4. Infrastructure challenges: Governing and defending a territory this large requires substantial resources
5. Cultural diversity: Like Texas, Ukraine's size creates distinct regional identities

Fun Facts

Ukraine:

• Largest country entirely within Europe
• Has 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Home to the deepest metro station in the world (Arsenalna in Kyiv, 105.5 m deep)
• Produces more than 25% of the world's sunflower oil
• Has the world's third-largest IT outsourcing industry

Texas:

• Larger than any European country except Russia
• Has its own power grid (mostly independent from US grid)
• If independent, would be the 40th largest country in the world
• Has more farms than any other US state
• Home to NASA's Johnson Space Center

The Shape Factor

Ukraine has a relatively rectangular shape, while Texas includes the distinctive Panhandle extension. These geographic differences affect each region:

• Transportation: Ukraine's shape facilitates more direct cross-country routes
• Defense: Ukraine has longer, more exposed borders relative to its area
• Climate: Texas's north-south extension creates greater climate variation
• Development: Both regions have population concentrated in specific areas

Conclusion

Texas is 15% larger, but these territories are essentially comparable in size. Both are agricultural powerhouses playing crucial roles in their regions. For Americans, this comparison provides valuable context: Ukraine isn't a small country—it's Texas-sized, with all the implications that carries for agriculture, economics, and geopolitics.