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.

Russia is the largest country in Europe, and also the largest in the world, its total size amounting to 17 million square kilometers (km2). It should be noted, however, that over three quarters of Russia is located in Asia, and the Ural mountains are often viewed as the meeting point of the two continents in Russia; nonetheless, European Russia is still significantly larger than any other European country. Ukraine, the second largest country on the continent, is only 603,000 km2, making it about 28 times smaller than its eastern neighbor, or seven times smaller than the European part of Russia. France is the third largest country in Europe, but the largest in the European Union. The Vatican City, often referred to as the Holy Sea, is both the smallest country in Europe and in the world, at just one km2. Population Russia is also the most populous country in Europe. It has around 144 million inhabitants across the country; in this case, around three quarters of the population live in the European part, which still gives it the largest population in Europe. Despite having the largest population, Russia is a very sparsely populated country due to its size and the harsh winters. Germany is the second most populous country in Europe, with 83 million inhabitants, while the Vatican has the smallest population. Worldwide, India and China are the most populous countries, with approximately 1.4 billion inhabitants each. Cities Moscow in Russia is ranked as the most populous city in Europe with around 13 million inhabitants, although figures vary, due to differences in the methodologies used by countries and sources. Some statistics include Istanbul in Turkey* as the largest city in Europe with its 15 million inhabitants, bit it has been excluded here as most of the country and parts of the city is located in Asia. Worldwide, Tokyo is the most populous city, with Jakarta the second largest and Delhi the third.

Russia: Land area in sq. km: The latest value from 2022 is 16376870 sq. km, unchanged from 16376870 sq. km in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 673036 sq. km, based on data from 191 countries. Historically, the average for Russia from 1992 to 2022 is 16379262 sq. km. The minimum value, 16376870 sq. km, was reached in 2008 while the maximum of 16389950 sq. km was recorded in 1992.

Russia Land Use: Land Area: Forest data was reported at 8,153,116.000 sq km in 2022. This stayed constant from the previous number of 8,153,116.000 sq km for 2021. Russia Land Use: Land Area: Forest data is updated yearly, averaging 8,133,755.000 sq km from Dec 1992 (Median) to 2022, with 31 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,153,116.000 sq km in 2022 and a record low of 8,090,136.000 sq km in 1992. Russia 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 Russian Federation – Table RU.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Land Use: Non OECD Member: Annual.

Forest area (sq. km) in Russia was reported at 8153116 sq. Km in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Russia - Forest area (sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2025.

The average for 2021 based on 196 countries was 656013 sq. km. The highest value was in Russia: 16376870 sq. km and the lowest value was in Monaco: 2 sq. km. The indicator is available from 1961 to 2022. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Population density (people per sq. km of land area) in Russia was reported at 8.8074 sq. Km in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Russia - Population density (people per sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Russia: Agricultural land, sq. km.: The latest value from 2021 is 2154940 sq. km., unchanged from 2154940 sq. km. in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 245857 sq. km., based on data from 193 countries. Historically, the average for Russia from 1961 to 2021 is 2190123 sq. km.. The minimum value, 2154630 sq. km., was reached in 2007 while the maximum of 2216310 sq. km. was recorded in 1961.

Russia Land Use: Land Area: Arable Land and Permanent Crops data was reported at 1,234,420.000 sq km in 2021. This stayed constant from the previous number of 1,234,420.000 sq km for 2020. Russia Land Use: Land Area: Arable Land and Permanent Crops data is updated yearly, averaging 1,234,420.000 sq km from Dec 1992 (Median) to 2021, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,337,080.000 sq km in 1992 and a record low of 1,233,680.000 sq km in 2007. Russia Land Use: Land Area: Arable Land and Permanent Crops 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 Russian Federation – Table RU.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Land Use: Non OECD Member: Annual.

Land Use: Land Area data was reported at 16,376,870.000 sq km in 2022. This stayed constant from the previous number of 16,376,870.000 sq km for 2021. Land Use: Land Area data is updated yearly, averaging 16,377,740.000 sq km from Dec 1992 (Median) to 2022, with 31 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16,389,950.000 sq km in 1992 and a record low of 16,376,870.000 sq km in 2022. Land Use: Land Area 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 Russian Federation – Table RU.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Land Use: Non OECD Member: Annual.

Russia RU: Density of Road: km per One Hundred sq. km data was reported at 6.015 km/100 sq km in 2013. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.652 km/100 sq km for 2012. Russia RU: Density of Road: km per One Hundred sq. km data is updated yearly, averaging 3.816 km/100 sq km from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2013, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.015 km/100 sq km in 2013 and a record low of 3.239 km/100 sq km in 2005. Russia RU: Density of Road: km per One Hundred sq. km 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 Russian Federation – Table RU.OECD.ITF: Transport Infrastructure, Investment and Maintenance: Non OECD Member: Annual. [COVERAGE] LENGTH OF ROADS The road network is all roads in a given area. A road is a line of communication (travelled way) open to public traffic, primarily for the use of road motor vehicles, using a stabilised base other than rails or air strips. Paved roads and other roads with a stabilised base, e.g. gravel roads, are included. Roads also cover streets, bridges, tunnels, supporting structures, junctions, crossings and interchanges. Toll roads are also included. Dedicated cycle lanes are not included. [STAT_CONC_DEF] LENGTH OF ROADS The length of the road is the distance between its start and end point. If one of the directions of the carriageway is longer than the other then the length is calculated as the sum of half of the distances of each direction of the carriageway from first entry point to last exit point.

Density of Public Rail Road: UF: Tumen Region: ow Yamalo Nenetsky Area data was reported at 6.000 km/10TH sq km in 2023. This stayed constant from the previous number of 6.000 km/10TH sq km for 2022. Density of Public Rail Road: UF: Tumen Region: ow Yamalo Nenetsky Area data is updated yearly, averaging 6.000 km/10TH sq km from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2023, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.000 km/10TH sq km in 2004 and a record low of 6.000 km/10TH sq km in 2023. Density of Public Rail Road: UF: Tumen Region: ow Yamalo Nenetsky Area data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Transport and Telecommunications Sector – Table RU.TC006: Density of Public Railroad: by Region.

Density of Public Automobile Road: UF: Tumen Region: ow Khanty Mansiysky Area data was reported at 11.680 km/1000 sq km in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 11.582 km/1000 sq km for 2022. Density of Public Automobile Road: UF: Tumen Region: ow Khanty Mansiysky Area data is updated yearly, averaging 5.400 km/1000 sq km from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2023, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.680 km/1000 sq km in 2023 and a record low of 1.200 km/1000 sq km in 1991. Density of Public Automobile Road: UF: Tumen Region: ow Khanty Mansiysky Area data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Transport and Telecommunications Sector – Table RU.TB008: Density of Public Automobile Road: by Region.

Density of Public Rail Road: UF: Tumen Region: ow Khanty Mansiysky Area data was reported at 20.000 km/10TH sq km in 2023. This stayed constant from the previous number of 20.000 km/10TH sq km for 2022. Density of Public Rail Road: UF: Tumen Region: ow Khanty Mansiysky Area data is updated yearly, averaging 20.000 km/10TH sq km from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2023, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.000 km/10TH sq km in 2004 and a record low of 20.000 km/10TH sq km in 2023. Density of Public Rail Road: UF: Tumen Region: ow Khanty Mansiysky Area data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Transport and Telecommunications Sector – Table RU.TC006: Density of Public Railroad: by Region.

Density of Public Automobile Road: UF: Tumen Region: ow Yamalo Nenetsky Area data was reported at 3.676 km/1000 sq km in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.641 km/1000 sq km for 2022. Density of Public Automobile Road: UF: Tumen Region: ow Yamalo Nenetsky Area data is updated yearly, averaging 1.450 km/1000 sq km from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2023, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.676 km/1000 sq km in 2023 and a record low of 0.100 km/1000 sq km in 1993. Density of Public Automobile Road: UF: Tumen Region: ow Yamalo Nenetsky Area data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Transport and Telecommunications Sector – Table RU.TB008: Density of Public Automobile Road: by Region.

Russia Density of Transportation Line: Automobile Road data was reported at 68.300 km/1000 sq km in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 67.800 km/1000 sq km for 2016. Russia Density of Transportation Line: Automobile Road data is updated yearly, averaging 44.100 km/1000 sq km from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 68.300 km/1000 sq km in 2017 and a record low of 38.400 km/1000 sq km in 1990. Russia Density of Transportation Line: Automobile Road data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Transport and Telecommunications Sector – Table RU.TA014: Density of Transportation Lines.

Russia Density of Transportation Line: Automobile Road: Public data was reported at 62.100 km/1000 sq km in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 61.500 km/1000 sq km for 2016. Russia Density of Transportation Line: Automobile Road: Public data is updated yearly, averaging 31.800 km/1000 sq km from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 62.100 km/1000 sq km in 2017 and a record low of 23.400 km/1000 sq km in 1990. Russia Density of Transportation Line: Automobile Road: Public data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Transport and Telecommunications Sector – Table RU.TA014: Density of Transportation Lines.

Density of Public Automobile Road: NW: Arkhangelsk Region: ow Nenetsky Area data was reported at 1.858 km/1000 sq km in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.775 km/1000 sq km for 2022. Density of Public Automobile Road: NW: Arkhangelsk Region: ow Nenetsky Area data is updated yearly, averaging 1.000 km/1000 sq km from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2023, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.858 km/1000 sq km in 2023 and a record low of 0.300 km/1000 sq km in 1992. Density of Public Automobile Road: NW: Arkhangelsk Region: ow Nenetsky Area data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Transport and Telecommunications Sector – Table RU.TB008: Density of Public Automobile Road: by Region.

Russia Density of Public Rail Road data was reported at 51.000 km/10TH sq km in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 50.000 km/10TH sq km for 2016. Russia Density of Public Rail Road data is updated yearly, averaging 50.000 km/10TH sq km from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 51.000 km/10TH sq km in 2017 and a record low of 50.000 km/10TH sq km in 2016. Russia Density of Public Rail Road data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Transport and Telecommunications Sector – Table RU.TC005: Density of Public Railroad: by Region.

Density of Public Automobile Road: SF: Republic of Adygea data was reported at 578.816 km/1000 sq km in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 578.597 km/1000 sq km for 2022. Density of Public Automobile Road: SF: Republic of Adygea data is updated yearly, averaging 206.500 km/1000 sq km from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2023, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 578.816 km/1000 sq km in 2023 and a record low of 184.000 km/1000 sq km in 1990. Density of Public Automobile Road: SF: Republic of Adygea data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Transport and Telecommunications Sector – Table RU.TB008: Density of Public Automobile Road: by Region.