Real size
How big is the Central African Republic really?
621,000 km²
240,000 sq mi · 44th largest of the 167 here · about the size of South Sudan
Normal web maps show it about the right size
The Central African Republic covers 621,000 km² (240,000 sq mi), about the size of South Sudan. It sits close to the equator, where normal web maps barely stretch land, so they show it at about its real size, and make countries farther from the equator look bigger than it.
Measured from our map outlines, so official figures can differ by a few percent. Ranks count the 167 countries and territories on these pages: those over 5,000 km², not counting disputed territories.
- Real area
- 621,000 km²
- Size rank
- 44th of 167
- On a normal web map
- About right
- Latitude
- 7°N
Countries about the same size
- South SudanAbout the same size
- FranceAbout the same size
- AfghanistanAbout the same size
- KenyaAbout the same size
- MadagascarAbout the same size
The Central African Republic through history
Borders here have moved many times. Step through our maps, from 2000 BCE to today, to see who ruled this land before, and how big their realms really were.
Open the history map →Browse the eras →
Common questions
- How big is the Central African Republic?
- The Central African Republic covers about 621,000 km² (240,000 sq mi). It is the 44th largest of the 167 countries and territories on these pages (those over 5,000 km²).
- Do maps show the Central African Republic at the right size?
- Yes. The Central African Republic lies so close to the equator that a normal web map barely stretches it, while countries far to the north or south are drawn several times too big.
- Is the Central African Republic bigger than Ukraine?
- Yes. The Central African Republic is about 1.1 times the size of Ukraine.
- Is the Central African Republic bigger than South Sudan?
- They are about the same size: within 5% of each other.