The 15 largest countries by land area, as measured by the World Bank, reveal stark contrasts in how land is utilized. While Russia leads with 16.4 million square kilometers, China and the U.S. follow closely behind. Notably, Canada drops to fourth place due to its significant freshwater coverage. The dataset also highlights the balance between forested and agricultural land—Brazil boasts the highest forest coverage (59%). At the same time, countries like Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia dedicate most of their land to agriculture. Land use is crucial for evaluating food security, environmental policies, and global economic strategies.
My Take
The top three largest countries—Russia, China, and the U.S.—aren’t just land giants but also global powerhouses. This isn’t a coincidence. A vast landmass often correlates with abundant natural resources, from energy reserves to agricultural output, which fuels economic and geopolitical influence. Russia’s forests and oil reserves, China’s arable land and rare earth minerals, and the U.S.’s diverse natural wealth give them strategic leverage in global affairs. As resource competition intensifies, countries with vast but underutilized land—like Canada, Brazil, and Kazakhstan—could emerge as even more significant players in energy, agriculture, and raw materials markets.
#Geopolitics #Agriculture #Forestry #ClimateChange #Sustainability #LandUse #Economy #DataAnalytics
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Credit: Visual Capitalist
This post reflects my own thoughts and analysis, whether informed by media reports, personal insights, or professional experience. While enhanced with AI assistance, it has been thoroughly reviewed and edited to ensure clarity and relevance.