Land area (sq. km) in India was reported at 2973190 sq. Km in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Land area (sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

The north-western state of Rajasthan was the largest in terms of land area in India in 2021 with over 342 thousand square kilometers. Central Madhya Pradesh and south-western Maharashtra followed, while the union territory of Lakshadweep recorded an area of 30 square kilometers. Overall, India's geographical area amounted to about 3.3 million square kilometers.

Surface area (sq. km) in India was reported at 3287260 sq. Km in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Surface area (sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

India: Land area in sq. km: The latest value from 2022 is 2973190 sq. km, unchanged from 2973190 sq. km in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 673036 sq. km, based on data from 191 countries. Historically, the average for India from 1961 to 2022 is 2973190 sq. km. The minimum value, 2973190 sq. km, was reached in 1961 while the maximum of 2973190 sq. km was recorded in 1961.

Russia is the largest country in the world by far, with a total area of just over 17 million square kilometers. After Antarctica, the next three countries are Canada, the U.S., and China; all between 9.5 and 10 million square kilometers. The figures given include internal water surface area (such as lakes or rivers) - if the figures were for land surface only then China would be the second largest country in the world, the U.S. third, and Canada (the country with more lakes than the rest of the world combined) fourth. Russia Russia has a population of around 145 million people, putting it in the top ten most populous countries in the world, and making it the most populous in Europe. However, it's vast size gives it a very low population density, ranked among the bottom 20 countries. Most of Russia's population is concentrated in the west, with around 75 percent of the population living in the European part, while around 75 percent of Russia's territory is in Asia; the Ural Mountains are considered the continental border. Elsewhere in the world Beyond Russia, the world's largest countries all have distinctive topographies and climates setting them apart. The United States, for example, has climates ranging from tundra in Alaska to tropical forests in Florida, with various mountain ranges, deserts, plains, and forests in between. Populations in these countries are often concentrated in urban areas, and are not evenly distributed across the country. For example, around 85 percent of Canada's population lives within 100 miles of the U.S. border; around 95 percent of China lives east of the Heihe–Tengchong Line that splits the country; and the majority of populations in large countries such as Australia or Brazil live near the coast.

Population density (people per sq. km of land area) in India was reported at 484 sq. Km in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Population density (people per sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Time series data for the statistic Urban land area (sq. km) and country India. Indicator Definition:Urban land area in square kilometers, based on a combination of population counts (persons), settlement points, and the presence of Nighttime Lights. Areas are defined as urban where contiguous lighted cells from the Nighttime Lights or approximated urban extents based on buffered settlement points for which the total population is greater than 5,000 persons.

India Land Use: Land Area: Forest data was reported at 726,928.000 sq km in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 724,264.000 sq km for 2021. India Land Use: Land Area: Forest data is updated yearly, averaging 687,340.000 sq km from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2022, with 33 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 726,928.000 sq km in 2022 and a record low of 639,380.000 sq km in 1990. India Land Use: Land Area: Forest data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Land Use: Non OECD Member: Annual.

Forest area (sq. km) in India was reported at 729592 sq. Km in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Forest area (sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

India Land Use: Land Area: Other data was reported at 460,982.500 sq km in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 463,646.500 sq km for 2021. India Land Use: Land Area: Other data is updated yearly, averaging 513,875.500 sq km from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2022, with 62 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,223,670.000 sq km in 1961 and a record low of 460,982.500 sq km in 2022. India Land Use: Land Area: Other data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Land Use: Non OECD Member: Annual.

The statistic displays the Indian states with the largest area of national parks in 2016. During the measured time period, the largest area of national parks belonged to the state of Uttarakhand with close to ***** square kilometers, followed by Rajasthan with approximately ***** square kilometers.

In 2022, the union territory of Delhi had the highest urban population density of over ** thousand persons per square kilometer. While the rural population density was highest in union territory of Puducherry, followed by the state of Bihar.

Historical dataset showing India surface area by year from 1961 to 2022.

Land area of India remained stable at 2,973,190 sq. km over the last 10 years. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes.

India Land Cover: Bare Area: Total data was reported at 59,105.545 sq km th in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 58,557.231 sq km th for 2020. India Land Cover: Bare Area: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 57,656.088 sq km th from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2022, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 59,105.545 sq km th in 2022 and a record low of 57,244.902 sq km th in 2000. India Land Cover: Bare Area: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Land Cover: Non OECD Member: Annual.

The Indian state of Gujarat had the highest continental shelf area, amounting to about ******* square kilometers, followed by the state of Maharashtra as of 2020. The union territory of Puducherry had the smallest continental shelf of ************ square kilometers.

India's forest cover amounted to over *** thousand square kilometers in 2023. Dense and open forests accounted for the largest share that year across the country.

Agricultural land (sq. km) in India was reported at 1785279 sq. Km in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Agricultural land (sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

India Land Cover: Bare Area: Unconsolidated data was reported at 0.111 sq km th in 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.111 sq km th for 2018. India Land Cover: Bare Area: Unconsolidated data is updated yearly, averaging 0.111 sq km th from Dec 1992 (Median) to 2019, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.111 sq km th in 2019 and a record low of 0.103 sq km th in 1992. India Land Cover: Bare Area: Unconsolidated data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Land Cover: Non OECD Member: Annual.

Introduction

The "Protected Areas of India" dataset provides comprehensive information on National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Community Reserves, and Conservation Reserves located across different states and union territories of India. This dataset serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring and analyzing India's rich biodiversity and environmental conservation initiatives.

Key Data Fields

• Name of Protected Area: The name of the protected area.
• State/UT: The state or union territory in which the area is located.
• Type: The category of the protected area (e.g., National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.).
• Year of Creation: The year when the protected area was established.
• Area (in sq. km): The total area of the protected area in square kilometers.

Acknowledgements

This dataset is sourced from the National Wildlife Database Centre, Wildlife Institute of India, which has the tabular data (as of January 2023) essential for its compilation.

Source: https://wiienvis.nic.in/Database/Protected_Area_854.aspx

License:

https://wiienvis.nic.in/Content/Copyright_166.aspx

Image Credits: Nick (Unsplash)