The abstracts were prepared based on the materials of the German magazine "Illustrierte Wissenschaft".
From the school history course, we know about the emergence of the first states on earth with their peculiar way of life, culture and art. The distant and in many ways mysterious life of the people of past times excited and awakened the imagination. And, probably, for many it would be interesting to see maps of the greatest empires of antiquity, placed side by side. Such a comparison makes it possible to feel the size of the once gigantic state formations and the place they occupy on Earth and in the history of mankind.
Egypt. The empire reached its largest size in 1450 BC. e.
Greece. Dark on the map marked the land where the Greek culture flourished.
Persia. The territory of the empire in 500 BC. e.
India. The territory of the country reached its largest size in 250 BC. e.
China occupied such territory in 221 BC. e.
The Roman Empire at its peak - the beginning of the 2nd century AD.
Byzantium in its heyday - VI century.
Arab Caliphate. It reached its largest size in 632 AD. e. A118 years later, the area of the Caliphate was significantly reduced (dark shading).
The state is an ancient social formation and means the territory occupied by a settled population, subject to the same authority. Ancient thinkers already thought about the essence of the state structure. For example, the Greek philosopher Aristotle saw in the state the ultimate natural form of community life, important for a person who, by his nature, is a “political being”. Moreover, he considered the state "the environment of a completely happy life."
In the Middle Ages and at a later time, contractual principles between a person and the supreme power began to be invested in the concept of "state". In the state of nature, a person lacks not rights, according to the 17th century English thinkers John Milton and John Locke, but their provision, which he finds in a state approved by contract for this very purpose.
A true son of the Age of Enlightenment, Jean-Jacques Rousseau saw the meaning of the formation of the state in observing the interests of each of its citizens. It is necessary for people to "find a form of union that would protect and secure the personality and property of each member of society, so that each, uniting with others, would obey only himself and remain as free as before." "Freedom is not alienable" - the main position of Rousseau.
Even 8-9 thousand years ago, people began to move to a settled way of life. Agriculture and the first domestic animals appeared. The so-called Neolithic revolution took place, which brought people to new conditions of life. Agriculture could already provide a person with sufficient food, so hunting and gathering receded into the background. There was a division of labor between members of the same group, led by the leaders who ruled over the communities of people. Over time, there was a need for public buildings, and the construction of palaces, temples, fortresses began. Writing and the beginnings of arithmetic, astronomy and medicine arose.
Rivers played a huge role in the formation of early civilizations. The river is not only a waterway, but also a stable crop, it is no coincidence that it was in those distant times that people began to build canals and dams. But since the scattered tribes could not afford large reclamation buildings, groups of farmers united. The first state formations arose in Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and the Euphrates, where a flourishing culture developed.
Modern archaeologists and historians identify several conditions that give the right to call the ancient communities of people a state. The first of them is at least five thousand people worshiping the same gods. The government is equipped with an apparatus of officials, and writing is indispensable, existing in any form. Large buildings - palaces and temples - are also a mandatory attribute of statehood. The population is divided according to specialties so that everyone can no longer do everything for himself and his family. So, along with priests and soldiers, artists, philosophers, builders, blacksmiths, weavers, potters, reapers, merchants, and so on appeared.
The ancient empires that played their part in the history of mankind had all of these conditions. But besides that, they were characterized by long-term political stability and well-established communications to the most remote outskirts, without which it is impossible to manage vast territories. All great empires had large armies: the passion for conquest was almost manic. And the rulers of such states sometimes achieved impressive success, subjugating vast lands on which gigantic empires arose. But time passed, and the giant left the stage of history.
First empire
Egypt. 3000-30 BC
This empire lasted three millennia - longer than any other. The state arose, according to the latest data, more than 3000 years BC, and when the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt (2686-2181) took place, the so-called Old Kingdom was formed. The whole life of the country was connected with the Nile River, with its fertile valley and delta near the Mediterranean Sea. The pharaoh ruled Egypt (the word means a food warehouse), governors and officials sat on the ground, and in general public life in the country was quite developed (see "Science and Life" No. 1, 1997 - "The Stone Age has not yet ended" - and No. 5, 1997 - "Ancient Egypt. Pyramid of power"). The elite of society included officers, scribes, land surveyors and local priests. The pharaoh was considered a living deity, and he performed all the most important sacrifices himself.
The Egyptians fanatically believed in the afterlife, cultural objects and majestic buildings - pyramids and temples - were dedicated to it. The walls of the burial chambers, covered with hieroglyphs, told more about the life of the ancient state than other archaeological finds.
The history of Egypt is divided into two periods. The first - from its foundation to 332 BC, when Alexander the Great conquered the country. And the second period - the reign of the Ptolemaic dynasty - the descendants of one of the commanders of Alexander the Great. In 30 BC, Egypt was conquered by a younger and more powerful empire - the Roman Empire.
Cradle of Western culture
Greece. 700-146 BC
The southern part of the Balkan Peninsula was inhabited by people tens of thousands of years ago. But only from the 7th century BC, one can speak of Greece as a large, culturally homogeneous entity, albeit with reservations: the country was an alliance of city-states that united at the time of an external threat, such as to repel Persian aggression.
Culture, religion and, above all, language were the framework within which the history of this country proceeded. In 510 BC, most of the cities were freed from the autocracy of the kings. Athens soon became a democracy, but only male citizens had the right to vote.
The state structure, culture and science of Greece became a model and an inexhaustible source of wisdom for almost all the later states of Europe. Already the Greek scientists were wondering about life and the universe. It was in Greece that the foundations of such sciences as medicine, mathematics, astronomy and philosophy were laid. Greek culture stopped its development when the Romans took over the country. The decisive battle took place in 146 BC near the city of Corinth, when the troops of the Greek Achaean Union were defeated.
Dominion of the "King of Kings"
Persia. 600-331 BC
In the 7th century BC, the nomadic tribes of the Iranian Highlands revolted against Assyrian rule. The victors founded the state of Media, which later, together with Babylonia and other neighboring countries, turned into a world power. By the end of the 6th century BC, she, led by Cyrus II, and then his successors, who belonged to the Achaemenid dynasty, continued to conquer. In the west, the lands of the empire went to the Aegean Sea, in the east its border passed along the Indus River, in the south, in Africa, the possessions reached the first rapids of the Nile. (Most of Greece was occupied during the Greco-Persian War by the troops of the Persian king Xerxes in 480 BC.)
The monarch was called the "King of Kings", he stood at the head of the army and was the supreme judge. The possessions were divided into 20 satrapies, where the king's viceroy ruled in his name. The subjects spoke four languages: Old Persian, Babylonian, Elamite and Aramaic.
In 331 BC, Alexander the Great defeated the hordes of Darius II, the last of the Achaemenid dynasty. Thus ended the history of this great empire.
Peace and love - for all
India. 322-185 BC
Traditions devoted to the history of India and its rulers are very fragmentary. Few information refers to the time when the founder of the religious teachings of Buddha (566-486 BC), the first real person in the history of India, lived.
In the first half of the 1st millennium BC, many small states arose in the northeastern part of India. One of them - Magadha - rose thanks to successful wars of conquest. King Ashoka, who belonged to the Maurya dynasty, expanded his possessions so much that they already occupied almost all of present-day India, Pakistan and part of Afghanistan. The officials of the administration and a strong army obeyed the king. At first, Ashoka was known as a cruel commander, but, becoming a follower of the Buddha, he preached peace, love and tolerance and received the nickname "Converted". This king built hospitals, fought against deforestation, and pursued a soft policy towards his people. His decrees that have come down to us, carved on rocks, columns, are the oldest, precisely dated epigraphic monuments of India, telling about government, social relations, religion and culture.
Even before his rise, Ashoka divided the population into four castes. The first two were privileged - priests and warriors. The invasion of the Bactrian Greeks and internal strife in the country led the empire to collapse.
The beginning of more than two thousand years of history
China. 221-210 BC
During the period called in the history of China Zhanyu, many years of struggle waged by many small kingdoms brought victory to the Qin kingdom. It united the conquered lands and in 221 BC formed the first Chinese empire headed by Qin Shi Huangdi. The emperor carried out reforms that strengthened the young state. The country was divided into districts, military garrisons were established to maintain order and tranquility, a network of roads and canals was being built, the same education was introduced for officials, and a single monetary system operated throughout the kingdom. The monarch approved the order in which people were obliged to work where the interests and needs of the state required it. Even such a curious law was introduced: all wagons must have an equal distance between the wheels so that they move along the same tracks. In the same reign, the Great Wall of China was created: it connected separate sections of defensive structures built earlier by the northern kingdoms.
In 210, Qing Shi Huangdi died. But subsequent dynasties left intact the foundations of empire building laid by its founder. In any case, the last dynasty of emperors of China ceased to exist at the beginning of our century, and the borders of the state remain practically unchanged to this day.
An army that maintains order
Rome. 509 BC - 330 AD
In 509 BC, the Romans expelled the Etruscan king Tarquinius the Proud from Rome. Rome became a republic. By 264 BC, her troops captured the entire Apennine Peninsula. After that, expansion began in all directions of the world, and by 117 AD, the state stretched its borders from west to east - from the Atlantic Ocean to the Caspian Sea, and from south to north - from the rapids of the Nile and the coast of all of North Africa to the borders with Scotland and along the lower Danube.
For 500 years, Rome was ruled by two annually elected consuls and a senate in charge of state property and finances, foreign policy, military affairs and religion.
In 30 BC, Rome becomes an empire headed by Caesar, and in essence - a monarch. The first Caesar was Augustus. A large and well-trained army participated in the construction of a huge network of roads, their total length is more than 80,000 kilometers. Excellent roads made the army very mobile and made it possible to quickly reach the most remote corners of the empire. The proconsuls appointed by Rome in the provinces - governors and officials loyal to Caesar - also helped to keep the country from disintegration. This was facilitated by the settlements of soldiers who served in the service, located in the conquered lands.
The Roman state, unlike many other giants of the past, fully met the concept of "empire". It also became a model for future contenders for world domination. European countries have inherited a lot from the culture of Rome, as well as the principles of building parliaments and political parties.
The uprisings of peasants, slaves and the urban plebs, the ever-increasing pressure of the Germanic and other barbarian tribes from the north forced Emperor Constantine I to move the capital of the state to the city of Byzantium, later called Constantinople. This happened in 330 AD. After Constantine, the Roman Empire was actually divided into two - Western and Eastern, which were ruled by two emperors.
Christianity - the stronghold of the empire
Byzantium. 330-1453 AD
Byzantium arose from the eastern remnants of the Roman Empire. The capital was Constantinople, founded by Emperor Constantine I in 324-330 on the site of the colony of Byzantium (hence the name of the state). From that moment began the isolation of Byzantium in the depths of the Roman Empire. An important role in the life of this state was played by the Christian religion, which became the ideological foundation of the empire and the stronghold of Orthodoxy.
Byzantium existed for over a thousand years. It reached its political and military power during the reign of Emperor Justinian I, in the 6th century AD. It was then that, having a strong army, Byzantium conquered the western and southern lands of the former Roman Empire. But within these limits, the empire did not last long. In 1204, Constantinople fell under the blows of the Crusaders, which never rose again, and in 1453 the Ottoman Turks captured the capital of Byzantium.
in the name of Allah
Arab Caliphate. 600-1258 AD
The sermons of the Prophet Muhammad laid the foundation for the religious and political movement in Western Arabia. Called "Islam", it contributed to the creation of a centralized state in Arabia. However, soon as a result of successful conquests, a vast Muslim empire, the Caliphate, was born. The presented map shows the greatest extent of the conquests of the Arabs, who fought under the green banner of Islam. In the East, the Caliphate included the western part of India. The Arab world has left indelible marks in the history of mankind, in literature, mathematics and astronomy.
From the beginning of the 9th century, the Caliphate gradually began to fall apart - the weakness of economic ties, the vastness of the territories subordinated to the Arabs, which had their own culture and traditions, did not contribute to unity. In 1258, the Mongols conquered Baghdad, and the Caliphate broke up into several Arab states.
Ten states with the largest area in the world are listed. They are in different parts of the planet, and economically they are too different.
10. Sudan. With an area of 2,505,815 sq. km. Sudan is the tenth largest country in the world and the largest in . It is located in the northeastern part of the continent, on the shores of the Red Sea. Most of Sudan is predominantly dry and barren desert.
9. Kazakhstan. The former Soviet republic covers an area of 2,717,300 sq. km. in the western part of the continent. The country has access to the Caspian Sea. Most of Kazakhstan is occupied by steppes and deserts.
Despite this, there are large mineral deposits in the bowels of the earth, which turn Kazakhstan into a country with a bright future.
7. India. With an area of 3,287,263 sq. km. seventh largest country in the world. It completely occupies the Indian subcontinent in Asia. The country is surrounded by the waters of the warm Indian Ocean, and in the north it reaches the Himalayas.
Despite its large area, India is an overpopulated state as it is home to over 1 billion inhabitants. In what is now India, one of the richest and most exciting cultures on our planet flourished.
European Union. Despite the fact that it is not a state, it is a highly integrated community, which is united by economic and political principles. The European Union is one of the most influential organizations in the world.
If the EU were a state, it would be the 7th largest country in the world after Australia, and even economically superior to the US. The EU covers an area of 4,325,675 square kilometers, but it continues to expand.
6. Australia. With an area of 7,682,300 sq. km. the sixth largest country in the world and at the same time one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. The average population density is about 2 people per square kilometer.
The reason is that the interior of the country is extremely sparsely populated. Australia is the only country that completely occupies the territory of one continent.
5. Brazil. With an area of 8,574,404 sq. km. largest country in the southern hemisphere and in Latin America. It occupies the middle of South America, and on its territory there are the most abundant river in the world and the most extensive equatorial forest on the planet.
The country has a wide outlet to the Atlantic Ocean. Due to its large area and wealth of resources, Brazil is now among the fastest growing and promising economies of the 21st century.
2. Canada. With its area of 9,970,610 sq. km. second largest country in the world. Similar to the US, Canada also has access to three oceans. The country is the largest in the western hemisphere and is known worldwide for its beautiful scenery.
Some of the most extensive pine forests on the planet stretch here. Since Canada is a northern country with a harsh climate, most of the population lives in the southern border regions.
1. Russia. covers an area of 17,075,400 sq. km. It is the largest country in the world. Russia occupies vast territories in Asia, and stretches from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean.
In the north, the coast of the Arctic Ocean stretches for a thousand kilometers. On its vast territory, Russia has inexhaustible natural resources, which are the basis of the Russian economy.
Here are the most extensive coniferous forests on the planet. Huge areas of the Russian Federation are almost uninhabited due to harsh climatic conditions.
9th place: - a state with an area of 2,724,902 km², located in the center of Eurasia, most of which belongs to Asia, and a smaller part to Europe. Kazakhstan is the fourth largest country in Asia.
8th place: - a state in South America with an area of 2,766,890 km². Argentina is the second largest country in South America. Argentina claims part of the territory of Antarctica, but it is not included in the total territory of the country, because. By international standards, Antarctica is a neutral territory.
7th place: - a state in South Asia with an area of 3,287,263 km². India is the third largest country in Asia.
6th place: - a state in the Southern Hemisphere, occupying mainland Australia, the island of Tasmania and several other islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The area of Australia is 7,692,024 km².
5th place: - a state in South America with an area of 8,514,877 km². Brazil - largest country in South America.
4th place: USA is the second largest state in North America. You can find different data on the area of the United States. The CIA World Book of Facts gives a figure of 9,826,675 km², which puts the United States in third place in terms of territory among the countries of the world, but the CIA data take into account the area of territorial waters (5.6 km from the coasts). The Encyclopedia Britannica indicates the area of the United States, excluding territorial and coastal waters, as 9,526,468 km². Thus, the United States is still smaller than China in area.
3rd place: - a state in East Asia with an area of 9,598,077 km² (including Hong Kong and Macau). China is the second largest country in Asia.
2nd place: Canada is the largest country in North America by area. with an area of 9,984,670 km².
The largest country in the world - Russia, its area for 2019 is 17,124,442 km² (with Crimea) . Russia is both in Europe and in Asia. The area of the European part of Russia is about 3.986 million km², which is 7 times larger than the area of the second European country in terms of this indicator - Ukraine. The European part of Russia makes up about 40% of the entire territory of Europe. 77% of the territory of Russia is located in Asia, the Asian part of Russia has an area of 13.1 million km², which is also much larger than the area of any Asian country. In this way,Russia is the largest country in terms of area in both Europe and Asia.
Map of Russia in 2019 (with Crimea):
Russia (with Crimea) on the globe:
The largest states by area by continents and parts of the world
The largest country in Asia - Russia (the area of the Asian part of Russia is 13.1 million km²)
The largest country in Europe - Russia (the area of the European part of Russia is 3.986 million km²)
The largest country in Africa is Algeria (area 2.38 million km²)
The largest country in South America is Brazil (area 8.51 million km²)
The largest country in North America is Canada (area 9.98 million km²)
The largest country in Oceania is Australia (area 7.69 million km²)
The largest countries in the world by population
10th place: Japan - an island state in East Asia with a population of 126.4 million people.
8th place: Bangladesh - a state in South Asia with a population of 169.5 million people.
7th place: Nigeria - a state in West Africa with a population of 198.6 million people.
6th place: Brazil - population 209.5 million people.
5th place: Pakistan - a state in South Asia with a population of 212.7 million people.
4th place: Indonesia - a state in Southeast Asia with a population of 266.3 million people.
3rd place: USA - population 327.2 million people.
2nd place: India - population 1.357 billion people.
The largest country in the world by population is China. Population - 1.394 billion people. But, according to scientists, China will lose its leadership in this indicator in 2022, because. it will be surpassed by India, which has a higher population growth rate. At the beginning of 2019, the population of India is 97% of the population of China.
The largest states in terms of population by continent and parts of the world
Asia's largest country in terms of population is China (1.394 billion people)
The largest country in Europe in terms of population is Russia (the population of the European part of Russia is 114 million people)
Africa's largest country in terms of population - Nigeria (198.6 million people)
The largest country in South America by population is Brazil (209.5 million people)
The largest country in North America by population is the USA (327.2 million people)
The largest country in Oceania by population is Australia (25.2 million people)
This list presents the 10 largest countries in the world solely by area. Keep in mind that the countries are listed in descending order, and only the area of the territory is estimated, without taking into account the population, standard of living, gross domestic product and other factors. Of course, the largest country in the world in terms of territory is Russia. Each country will be accompanied by a photo with the most popular attraction, or just a beautiful view.
1. Russia
The largest country in the world, with an impressive area of 17,098,242 square kilometers. The photo shows a cult landmark - St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. 
2. Canada
The second largest country in the world and the largest in the Americas with 9,984,670 square kilometers. Canada is a country with a huge water cover (8.93% of the country's territory is covered by water bodies). Pictured is the skyline of the city of Toronto with the famous CN Tower. 
3. China
China - The third largest country in the world and the largest in Asia: 9,706,961 sq. km. Shanghai is one of the most densely populated metropolitan areas in the world. 
4. USA
The United States of America is the fourth largest country in the world, with an area of 9,629,091 sq. km, the US is only slightly inferior to China. 
5. Brazil
Brazil is the 5th largest in the world and the largest country in South America and the southern hemisphere, with an area of 8,514,877 sq. km. The photo shows a statue of Christ the Redeemer. 
6. Australia
Australia is the sixth largest country on Earth, and the largest in Oceania. It is also the largest country without any land borders. The area of Australia is 7,692,024 square kilometers. Pictured is the Sydney Bridge. 
7. India
India ranks seventh on this list. The country is almost half the size of Australia and covers 3,166,414 square kilometers. km. You probably recognized the Taj Mahal in the photo, one of the most beautiful palaces in the world. 
8. Argentina
Argentina, with an area of 2,780,400 sq. km., occupies the eighth place in this list. It is one of the largest countries in South America.
9. Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is only slightly inferior to Argentina, and ranks 9th among the largest countries in the world, with an area of 2,724,900 kilometers. In the photo - the city of Astana. 
10. Algiers
Closes the top ten countries Algeria, which is the largest country in Africa, covering 2,381,741 square kilometers. 
If you are not a fan of statistics and all sorts of numbers, we hope you did not get bored admiring the breathtaking photographs. In continuation, read also about the smallest countries in a separate feed.
The area of our planet is about 510.073 million km². Water occupies an area of 361.132 million km², that is, 71.8% of the total area of the planet. Land occupies 148.94 million km², that is, 29.2% of the planet's area. Almost half of all land is occupied by the 12 largest countries in the world. In our rating, we will briefly talk about these countries, about what area they occupy, and what role they play on the geographical map of the world.
12
The twelfth place in the list of the largest countries in the world is occupied by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - the largest state on the Arabian Peninsula. This country covers an area equal to 2.218 million km², which is approximately 1.4% of all land on the planet. Administratively, it is divided into 13 provinces (103 districts). Saudi Arabia borders on many countries: Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen. It is washed by the Persian Gulf in the northeast and the Red Sea in the west. Saudi Arabia's economy is based on oil exports, as it has 25% of the world's reserves.
11
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the second largest country on the African continent with an area of approximately 2.345 million kilometers km², which is approximately 1.57% of all land on earth. In the southwest it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, it borders on Angola, Congo, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and Zambia. The country is divided into 26 provinces. The country has the world's largest reserves of cobalt, germanium, tantalum, diamonds, Africa's largest reserves of uranium, tungsten, copper, zinc, tin, significant deposits of oil, coal, ores, iron, manganese, gold and silver. Large hydropower resources and forests.
10
The People's Democratic Republic of Algiers is the largest state on the African continent, with an area of about 2.381 million km², which is approximately 1.59% of the entire land mass. Algeria borders Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Libya and Tunisia. About 80% of the country's territory is occupied by the Sahara desert, which consists of separate sandy and rocky deserts. Algeria has such natural resources as ferrous and non-ferrous ores, manganese and phosphorite. Algeria's economy is based on gas and oil. They provide 30% of GDP, 60% of state budget revenues and 95% of export earnings. In terms of gas reserves, Algeria ranks 8th in the world and 4th in the world in gas exports. In terms of oil reserves, Algeria ranks 15th in the world and 11th in terms of its exports.
9
On the ninth line of the list of the largest countries is the Republic of Kazakhstan - a state located in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. The territory of the country has an area of about 2.725 million km², which is approximately 1.82% of all land on the planet. Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country. It borders on the Russian Federation, China, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. It is washed by the waters of the Caspian and Aral Seas. According to the administrative-territorial basis, it is divided into 14 regions. Kazakhstan ranks first in the world in terms of explored reserves of zinc, tungsten and barite, second in silver, lead and chromite, third in copper and fluorite, fourth in molybdenum, sixth in gold.
8
The Argentine Republic is the second largest state in South America with an area of about 2.767 million km², which is approximately 1.85% of the entire land mass of our planet. It borders with Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay. In the east it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Argentina is a federal republic divided into 23 provinces and 1 federal capital district. The country is distinguished by reserves of uranium, manganese, copper ores, beryllium; there are lead-zinc, tungsten and iron ores. In terms of uranium ore reserves, Argentina is among the top ten countries in the world.
7
The Republic of India is a state in South Asia with a territory of about 3.287 million km², which is approximately 2.2% of the entire land mass. India shares borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The country consists of 25 states and 7 union territories. The Indian subcontinent is home to many ancient civilizations and religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. India's main natural resources are arable land, bauxite, coal, diamonds, iron ore, limestone, manganese, gas, oil and titanium ores. The main exports are textiles, jewelry, engineering products and software. The main imports are oil, machinery, fertilizers and chemicals.
6
Australia is a state in the Southern Hemisphere, occupying mainland Australia, the island of Tasmania and several other islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, which in total is about 7.692 million km² or 5.16% of the entire land area. The country borders East Timor, Indonesia, Guinea, Vanuatu, Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Zealand. Australia is made up of six states, three mainland territories and other smaller territories. Australia's endowment with natural resource potential is 20 times higher than the world average. The country ranks 1st in the world in bauxite, zirconium and uranium reserves, 6th in coal reserves. It has significant reserves of manganese, gold, diamonds and minor deposits of oil and natural gas.
5
The Federative Republic of Brazil is the largest state in South America in terms of area and covers approximately 8.514 million km², which is about 5.71% of the entire land mass. It borders with all the states of South America, except Chile and Ecuador: with French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay. From the east, the shores are washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Brazil also includes several archipelagos. Brazil is divided into 26 states and 1 federal district. More than 40 types of minerals are mined in Brazil. The most significant are iron and manganese ores. Brazil is a supplier of strategic raw materials: tungsten, niobium, zirconium, etc. The Amazon has significant gold reserves.
4
The United States of America is in fourth place in the list of the largest countries in the world with approximately 9.519 million km², which is about 6.39% of all land on earth. The United States borders Canada and Mexico, and also has a maritime border with Russia. They are washed by the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Administratively, the country is divided into 50 states and the District of Columbia, and a number of island territories are also subordinate to the United States. On the territory of the uninhabited atoll of Palmyra, the US constitution operates. The rest of the territories have their own basic legislation. The largest of these territories is Puerto Rico. The United States is the largest economy in the world, with many natural resources, including energy and raw materials.
3
The top three largest countries in the world are closed by the People's Republic of China with approximately 9.597 million km² or 6.44% of all land on the planet. China is the largest country in terms of population (1.3 billion), and the Chinese civilization is one of the oldest in the world. The country borders North Korea, Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. It is washed by the waters of the western seas of the Pacific Ocean. The People's Republic of China is divided into 22 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities and 2 special administrative regions. China is rich in fuel and raw materials. Of great importance are the reserves of oil, coal, metal ores and precious metals.
2
The second place is occupied by the northern neighbor of the United States Canada with an area of 9.985 million km² or 6.7% of the total land mass. The country has borders with the United States, Denmark (Greenland) and France (Saint Pierre and Miquelon). Canada's border with the United States is the longest common border in the world. It is washed by the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans. Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. Canada is one of the richest and one of the ten most trading countries in the world. The country is a net energy exporter with huge natural gas and oil deposits in Alberta and the Athabasca region, making Canada the second largest oil country in the world after Saudi Arabia.
1
The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world and with its 17.152 million km², or about 11.5% of the total land area on the planet, is almost twice the size of Canada. It is subdivided into 87 administrative-territorial units, 46 of which are regions, 23 are republics, 9 are territories, 4 are federal cities, 4 are autonomous districts and 1 is an autonomous region. Russia borders on 18 countries: Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Abkhazia, Georgia, South Ossetia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, North Korea. Russia has the world's largest proven natural gas reserves and is also its largest producer. The country is in the top three in terms of oil production, and in terms of its exports, it ranks second. There are large deposits of coal, iron ore, nickel, tin, gold, diamonds, platinum, lead and zinc.
