Perspective

Here are some numbers that shocked me. These are based on land area -- not population!
I think this really offers some perspective on the USA's relationship with the world.

I live in the USA in Seattle, Washington, which is in King County. Washington is larger than every state east of the Mississippi River, but is the smallest state west of the Mississippi. King County is a fairly large county, and Seattle is a fairly small city. I routinely ride my bicycle out of the city and county and leave the state about once a month, (although rarely on a bike).

Almost all (98.4%) of the countries in the world (189 countries) are smaller than the USA (3,540,939 sq mi, about the size of China or Brazil)

One half (53.9%) of the countries in the world (104 countries) are smaller than the State of Washington (66,511 sq mi, about the size of Cambodia, Uruguay, Tunisia or Suriname)

One sixth (16.1%) of the countries in the world (31 countries) are smaller than King County (2,126 sq mi, about the size of Brunei or Trinidad and Tobago)

... and ... drumroll

One eighteenth (5.7%) of the countries in the world (11 countries) are smaller than the City of Seattle (145 sq mi, about the size of Andorra, Seychelles, Antigua & Barbunda, Barbados, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Grenada or Malta)

The top nine countries make up 50% of the area of the world (excluding Antarctica): Russia, Canada, China, United States, Brazil, Australia, India, Argentina

Four countries make up 33% of the area of the world: Russia, Canada, China, United States

written: 1994

posted: 1996

edited: 2002

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