Is Africa bigger than the combined size of America and China?

This is the kind of question that pops up in local radio ‘phone-in quizzes, leaving irate callers purple-faced arguing the toss, until bluntly presented with the facts.

Well, here it is. Hard to believe, yes, but apparently true. For according to this map the African continent is far bigger than we think, as it can contain the area of the United States of America, China, India, Japan and still have room for Europe.

Don’t believe it? Well, let’s do the maths.

The total land area of China, USA, India, Mexico, Peru, France, Spain, Papua New Guinea, Sweden, Japan, Germany, Norway, Italy, New Zealand, UK, Nepal, Bangladesh and Greece is 30.102 (x1000km2)

Africa is 30.221 (x1000km2)

When it comes to Africa, this map shows why understanding scale is important.
 
Via Ken Cargill