Determining the Size of Pakistan and Afghanistan
Pakistan and Afghanistan are two neighboring countries located in South Asia. Both countries have a rich cultural history and shared border of approximately 2,430 kilometers. One of the most common questions asked about these two countries is which is larger in size, Pakistan or Afghanistan? In this article, we will explore the land area, population, and natural resources of both countries to determine which is bigger.
Geographical Overview: Pakistan and Afghanistan
Pakistan is located in South Asia and shares its borders with India to the east, Afghanistan to the northwest, Iran to the southwest, and China to the northeast. The country has a diverse landscape that includes the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges, as well as the Indus River plain.
Afghanistan is located in South Asia and Central Asia, bordered by Iran to the west, Pakistan to the east and south, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north, and China to the northeast. The country is mostly mountainous, with the Hindu Kush range dominating the landscape.
Measuring Land Area: Square Kilometers
Land area is measured in square kilometers (km²). One square kilometer is equivalent to 0.3861 square miles. It is a standard measurement used to compare the size of countries.
Pakistan’s Size: Land Area and Population
Pakistan has a land area of 796,095 km², making it the 33rd largest country in the world. It has a population of approximately 220 million people, making it the 5th most populous country in the world.
Afghanistan’s Size: Land Area and Population
Afghanistan has a land area of 652,860 km², making it the 40th largest country in the world. It has a population of approximately 38 million people, making it the 38th most populous country in the world.
Comparing Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Land Area
Pakistan is larger in size than Afghanistan, with a land area of 796,095 km² compared to 652,860 km² for Afghanistan. This means that Pakistan is approximately 1.2 times larger than Afghanistan.
Population Density: Pakistan vs Afghanistan
Population density is calculated by dividing the population of a country by its land area, measured in km². Pakistan has a population density of 276 people per km², while Afghanistan has a population density of 58 people per km². This means that Pakistan is more densely populated than Afghanistan.
Natural Resources: Pakistan and Afghanistan
Both Pakistan and Afghanistan have significant natural resources, including natural gas, oil, coal, and minerals such as copper, iron, and gold. Pakistan also has large reserves of arable land and freshwater, while Afghanistan has significant deposits of rare earth minerals.
Agricultural Land: Pakistan vs Afghanistan
Pakistan has approximately 22% of its land area dedicated to agriculture, while Afghanistan has approximately 58% of its land area dedicated to agriculture. This means that Afghanistan has a greater proportion of its land area used for agriculture compared to Pakistan.
The Importance of Strategic Location
Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are strategically located at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. This makes them important countries for regional stability and security.
Conclusion: Pakistan or Afghanistan, Which is Bigger?
Pakistan is larger in size than Afghanistan, with a land area of 796,095 km² compared to 652,860 km² for Afghanistan. However, population density and agricultural land use differ between the two countries, highlighting the unique demographics and resources of each nation.
References: Sources Cited in this Article
- "Pakistan." World Bank. https://data.worldbank.org/country/pakistan
- "Afghanistan." World Bank. https://data.worldbank.org/country/afghanistan
- "Pakistan." CIA World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/pakistan/
- "Afghanistan." CIA World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/afghanistan/
- "List of countries by population density." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population_density
- "List of countries and dependencies by area." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_dependencies_by_area
