What state is Ireland comparable to in size? This question often comes up when people are trying to visualize the size of Ireland in relation to other countries. While Ireland may not be the first country that comes to mind, there are several states across the world that share a similar land area with Ireland. In this article, we will explore some of these states and discuss their geographical and cultural similarities with Ireland.
Ireland, with an area of approximately 70,273 square kilometers (27,136 square miles), is often compared to several states in terms of size. One of the most comparable states is Maine, United States. Maine, located in the northeastern part of the United States, covers an area of about 86,300 square kilometers (33,300 square miles). Both Ireland and Maine have long, narrow shapes, stretching from north to south, with a significant coastline along the Atlantic Ocean.
Another state that shares a similar size with Ireland is New Mexico, United States. New Mexico spans an area of approximately 315,195 square kilometers (121,590 square miles), which is roughly four and a half times larger than Ireland. However, when considering the population density, Ireland and New Mexico are more comparable. New Mexico has a lower population density than Ireland, with only about 20 people per square kilometer (52 per square mile), compared to Ireland’s 111 people per square kilometer (289 per square mile).
In Europe, Ireland’s size is more closely matched with the Netherlands. The Netherlands has an area of about 41,528 square kilometers (16,030 square miles), which is slightly smaller than Ireland. The Netherlands is known for its flat landscape, which is a characteristic shared by Ireland. Both countries have a rich history of cultural heritage, including their languages, literature, and music.
Moving to the African continent, Namibia is another state that can be compared to Ireland in terms of size. Namibia covers an area of approximately 824,292 square kilometers (318,261 square miles), which is nearly twelve times larger than Ireland. However, Namibia’s population density is low, with only about 2.6 people per square kilometer (6.8 per square mile), making it a more sparsely populated country compared to Ireland.
While Ireland may not be the largest country in the world, its size is comparable to several states across different continents. By exploring these comparisons, we can better understand the geographical and cultural similarities between Ireland and other countries. Whether it’s the long, narrow shape, the flat landscape, or the shared cultural heritage, these comparisons highlight the unique characteristics of Ireland and its place in the global community.
