This is the Biggest Country in the World
When you travel as much as I do, it’s easy to forget just how vast our planet really is. But if there’s one country that constantly reminds you of Earth’s incredible scale, it’s Russia – the proud holder of the title of the largest country in the world.
A Land That Stretches Across Two Continents
To say that Russia is a big country is such an understatement. The country is almost unimaginable in size. Covering more than 17 million square kilometers (6.6 million square miles), it sits across both Europe and Asia, making it a country where East truly meets West and of course a transcontinental country too.
When I first learned that traveling across Russia by train could take nearly a week, I couldn’t believe it. Imagine sitting on the Trans-Siberian Railway, watching landscapes change from snow-covered forests to endless plains and ancient towns. That’s the kind of adventure that makes you feel the weight of distance and the beauty of connection.
11 Time Zones and 14 Neighbors
Russia stretches across 11 time zones. When it’s morning in one part of the country, it’s already night in another. No other nation on Earth has that kind of geographical reach. Furthermore, it also shares borders with 14 countries, including China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Finland, and Norway. This mix of neighbors gives Russia a unique cultural flavor that blends European sophistication with Asian depth.
Nature on a Grand Scale
If you love nature like I do, Russia feels like another planet. It’s home to vast forests, dramatic mountains, and some of the most incredible lakes in the world. The one that fascinates me most is Lake Baikal, which holds around 20 percent of the world’s fresh water. Standing near it must feel like standing beside a living ocean in the middle of the continent.
Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia, the world’s deepest and oldest freshwater lake, holding about 20% of the planet’s fresh water.
Then there’s the Kamchatka Peninsula, a wild and volcanic region filled with untouched wilderness. I’ve seen images of its fiery craters and remote landscapes, and every time I think, “This is what raw Earth looks like.”
Cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg tell a completely different story. Moscow’s skyline mixes modern high-rises with centuries-old cathedrals, while Saint Petersburg feels more European, full of art, history, and pastel-colored palaces. Traveling across Russia is like flipping through the pages of a world atlas, all within one country.
For travelers, Russia reminds us of how vast and diverse our planet is. You can experience Arctic cold, subtropical beaches, ancient monasteries, and futuristic cities without crossing a border.
Quick Facts About Russia
- Continent: Europe and Asia
- Area: 17.1 million km²
- Capital: Moscow
- Population: Around 146 million
- Language: Russian
- Currency: Russian Ruble (RUB)
- Borders: 14 countries
- Time Zones: 11
The Other Giants of the World
Of course, Russia isn’t alone when it comes to massive land size. Right after it comes Canada, a country of icy wilderness and countless lakes that I’ve always admired for its pure natural beauty. Then there’s China and the United States, both global powerhouses that stretch across a variety of climates and landscapes.
Brazil brings in the tropical touch with the Amazon rainforest, while Australia stands out as a continent-sized island with deserts, beaches, and wildlife found nowhere else. India, Argentina, Kazakhstan, and Algeria complete the list of the world’s top ten biggest countries.
The top 10 largest countries in the world:
- Russia – 17.1 million km²
- Canada – 9.98 million km²
- China – 9.6 million km²
- United States – 9.52 million km²
- Brazil – 8.51 million km²
- Australia – 7.69 million km²
- India – 3.29 million km²
- Argentina – 2.78 million km²
- Kazakhstan – 2.72 million km²
- Algeria – 2.38 million km²
