Which Is the Third Largest Country in the World? Complete Guide

Imagine a country where you can ski down icy mountains in the morning, explore ancient river valleys by noon, and stand at a volcanic crater by evening. In this place, temperatures range from minus 57 degrees in one region to hot desert heat in another. Over a billion people speak many languages across landscapes that include high plateaus and tropical coasts. Now, think of another country where glaciers touch Pacific beaches, jazz began in bayou towns, and 63 national parks protect some of the world’s most stunning wilderness.

These are not two different continents. These are two countries, and both can rightfully claim the title of the third-largest country in the world.

Which Is the Third Largest Country in the World?

The answer depends entirely on how you measure it, and both methods are scientifically valid.

By total area, including internal water bodies like lakes and rivers, the United States ranks third at 9.83 million square kilometres. By land area alone, China takes third at 9.6 million square kilometres, pushing the USA to fourth at 9.15 million square kilometres. The United Nations and the CIA World Factbook use different methodologies, which is why both answers appear in credible sources simultaneously.

Russia holds first place either way. Canada holds second either way. The third spot is genuinely contested.

By Total Area: The United States

When water bodies are included in the calculation, the United States edges ahead. It's 50 states, non-contiguous landmass including Alaska and Hawaii, and extensive internal lakes and river systems bring the total to 9.83 million square kilometres. It is the only country on earth that contains every major climate type within a single national boundary.

By Land Area: China

Strip out the water, and China moves ahead. At 9.6 million square kilometres of land, China’s vast interior includes the Tibetan Plateau, the Gobi Desert, dense river deltas, and over 14,000 kilometres of coastline. Its sheer geographic diversity across land is what earns it the third position by this measure.

Why the Difference Exists

The gap comes down to water coverage. The United States has an unusually high proportion of internal water area, including the Great Lakes system, which is the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world by total area. When that water is counted, the USA pulls ahead. When it is not, China does. Neither country is misrepresenting anything. They are simply being measured differently.

USA vs China: A Side-by-Side Comparison

This is the section that most blogs on this topic completely skip. Rather than simply declaring one winner, here is how the two countries compare across the dimensions that actually matter.

Geography and Scale

If we compare these two countries based on their geographical and scale data, this is how it looks: 

China’s 60 UNESCO sites make it the joint highest in the world alongside Italy, with landmarks including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Jiuzhaigou Valley. The USA’s 26 sites include Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and the Statue of Liberty.

Population and Density

The contrast here is striking. The United States has a population of approximately 340 million people spread across its vast landmass, giving it a relatively low population density. China, with 1.41 billion people, is one of the most populous nations on earth despite having a slightly smaller land area. The result is a population density roughly four times that of the USA, concentrated heavily along the eastern and southern coastlines, while the western interior remains relatively sparse.

Natural Wonders and Landmarks

Both countries offer natural landscapes that are genuinely difficult to find elsewhere on earth:

• The USA has 63 national parks protecting everything from Yellowstone’s geothermal pools to the towering sequoias of California and the volcanic peaks of Hawaii

• China’s natural wonders include the karst limestone formations of Guilin, the terraced rice fields of Yunnan, the dunes of the Taklamakan Desert, and the high-altitude grasslands of Tibet

• The USA’s Grand Canyon represents 277 miles of exposed geological history, while China’s Zhangjiajie forest pillars inspired the floating mountains of Avatar

• Both countries contain ecosystems found nowhere else on earth, from the Florida Everglades to China’s giant panda habitats in Sichuan

The Top 5 Largest Countries at a Glance

If you quickly want to find out about the top 5 largest countries in the world, here’s a quick snapshot:

USA at a Glance and Top Places to Visit

Before you make up your mind and pack your bags to visit the USA, here’s a short guide for you.

For places to visit, the USA rewards travellers with a variety that is almost impossible to exhaust:

• New York City: It offers the full spectrum of urban energy, from the controlled chaos of Times Square to the quiet green of Central Park

• The Grand Canyon: At sunrise, it is one of those experiences that photographs cannot prepare you for. 

• Yellowstone: Its geothermal pools and roaming bison feel prehistoric in the best possible way. 

• Los Angeles: This place blends Hollywood glamour with genuine beach culture

• New Orleans: It carries a jazz and culinary soul unlike anywhere else in the country

• Hawaii: Its active volcanoes and black sand beaches belong to a category entirely their own.

China at a Glance and Top Places to Visit

Before you make up your mind and pack your bags to visit China, here’s a short guide for you.

China’s travel offerings are anchored by its ancient history and extraordinary natural geography. Here are some of the places to visit in China, you cannot afford to miss:  

• The Great Wall: One of the seven wonders of the world, stretching across northern mountain ridges, it is as powerful in person as its reputation suggests

• The Forbidden City: The world's largest imperial palace complex, serving as the ceremonial and political heart of China for nearly 500 years across 24 Ming and Qing dynasty emperors

• Zhangjiajie’s sandstone pillars: These pillars, which rise through the clouds, are among the most surreal landscapes on earth

• Xi’an’s Terracotta Army: A vast underground mausoleum army of over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, built to guard China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife

• Guilin’s karst river scenery: Dramatic limestone peaks rise from misty rivers and rice paddies, creating one of China's most iconic and otherworldly landscapes

• Lijiang Old Town, Yunnan: A UNESCO-listed ancient Naxi town of cobblestone lanes, wooden architecture, and flowing canals, nestled at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Travelling to the USA and China from India

Getting the visa right is the most important practical step for Indian travellers visiting either country.

For the United States:

• Complete the DS-160 online application form

• Pay the non-refundable MRV fee of USD 185, approximately Rs. 15,350

• Attend an in-person interview at the US Embassy or Consulate including biometric collection

• Enrol in EVUS if travelling on a 10-year visa, which is free and done online

• Processing typically takes two to twelve weeks depending on the consulate and season

For China:

• Apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre or via the e-visa portal

• Single entry visa fee is approximately Rs. 2,900, double entry Rs. 4,400, and six-month multiple entry Rs. 5,900 under reduced rates extended through 2025

• E-visa processing for Indians takes approximately 15 to 30 days

• No visa-on-arrival is available for Indian passport holders

• 144-hour transit visa-free arrangements exist at select airports but do not apply to Indian nationals directly

One important note: the reduced Chinese visa fees introduced to boost post-pandemic tourism were extended through December 2025. Standard rates, which are roughly double, may resume after that. Apply early and check current rates before booking.

Plan Your Visit: Travel Smart

Both the USA and China are extraordinary destinations. Both also carry specific risks that Indian travellers are often underprepared for.

In the United States, healthcare costs for uninsured international visitors are among the highest in the world. A single emergency room visit can cost anywhere between USD 10,000 and USD 100,000 depending on the treatment. A hospitalisation runs to USD 50,000 or more without coverage. This is not a worst-case scenario. It is the routine reality of the American healthcare system for visitors without insurance.

In China, while healthcare costs are lower, language barriers in medical settings can complicate treatment significantly. Travel disruptions from weather events, particularly in coastal regions during typhoon season, and the physical demands of high-altitude travel in areas like Tibet and Yunnan are also worth planning for.

For both destinations, a comprehensive international travel insurance plan is not optional. It is the difference between a disrupted trip and a financially devastating one. Niva Bupa’s international travel insurance covers medical emergencies, hospitalisation, evacuation, and trip cancellations for both destinations, giving you the kind of protection that lets you focus entirely on the experience rather than the what-ifs.

Read More : Which Is the Largest Country in the World?

A Final Thought

The debate over which is the third largest country in the world is genuinely interesting because there is no single wrong answer. The United States earns the title by one valid measure. China earns it by another. What both countries share is a scale that reshapes how you think about geography, history, and human civilisation.

Whether you are drawn to the national parks of the American west, the ancient silk road cities of China, or simply want to understand what it means for a country to be truly enormous, both destinations reward curiosity with experiences that stay with you long after you return home. Go prepared, travel insured, and make the most of wherever your third-largest-country curiosity takes you.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is China’s rank in the list of world’s largest countries?

China is considered to be 4th in the list based on total area (land and water). But if territorial waters are included, its ranked 3rd in the list. All of it comes to what method of measurement is used.

2. Which is the third largest country by population?

The United States is 3rd in the list of most populas countries in the world. With an estimated population of over 347-349 million people it follows India and China, which are the top two, while Indonesia ranks 4th.

3. What is the smallest country in the world?

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, with only 0.44 square kilometers (about 0.19 square miles) of land and a population of about 800–900 people. It is an independent city-state within Rome, Italy, and is the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church. 

4. What countries have more than 1 billion people? 

As of early 2026, only India and China have populations of more than 1 billion. India being the most populous country holds approximately 1.47–1.48 billion people, followed closely by China with over 1.41 billion, together they account for about 35% of the world's total population.