South Sudan at its true size

South Sudan covers 644,329 km², number 43 of 235 by area. Home to 12,188,788 people (2025). Sitting near the equator, it is one of the few places Mercator gets almost right.

Equal-area projection · Natural Earth 50m
Area644,329 km² Wikidata
Population12,188,788 World Bank, 2025
Density19 per km²
CapitalJuba
RegionEastern Africa, Africa
StatusIndependent state
CoastLandlocked
CodesSS · SSD · 728

Countries of a similar size

How many times does South Sudan fit into…

Neighbours

Questions about South Sudan

How big is South Sudan?
South Sudan covers 644,329 km², which makes it number 43 of 235 countries and territories by area. About 12,188,788 people live there (2025), 19 per km².
Is South Sudan bigger than France?
South Sudan and France are almost exactly the same size. South Sudan: 644,329 km²; France: 643,801 km².
How much does the Mercator map distort South Sudan?
South Sudan lies close to the equator, so Mercator draws it at nearly its true size. It is the countries far from the equator that Mercator inflates.
Which countries border South Sudan?
South Sudan shares a land border with DR Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Kenya, Uganda.