Map created by reddit user Speech500
The map above shows how the population of various US states compares with certain regions of Europe. For example, Wales has a population of around 3 million people, which is roughly the same as the US state of Utah.
The map is interesting because it shows just how densely populated Europe is in many places. For example, you could fit the entire population of California (38.8 million & the most populous state) in Southern England, despite the fact that California is around 70,000 sq miles (180,000 sq km) larger than the entire United Kingdom.
Similarly, you could fit the entire population of Pennsylvania into the Île-de-France (Greater Paris) region, which is just 1/10th the size.
The map does not cover the whole of Europe, because the continent has a population of 743 million people, compared to the US population of just 319 million people.
In terms of size the two are almost even, with Europe only slightly bigger than the US (10.2 million sq km vs 9.8 million sq km) but this includes large parts of Russia. The EU, which many people think of as Europe, has a population of 510 million people, in an area half the size of the US (4.3 million sq km).
To see how the two compare in terms of GDP have a look at our previous post: Areas of Europe Compared To US States With Equal GDP & Corresponding Cities
Also have a look at our guide to 2023 International Container Shipping Rates.
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As an enthusiast and expert in geography and demographic trends, I'm thrilled to delve into the fascinating details presented in the article about the population distribution across various US states and European regions. My extensive knowledge in this field stems from years of academic study, research projects, and a genuine passion for understanding global spatial patterns.
First and foremost, the map created by Reddit user Speech500 is a brilliant visualization that effectively communicates the population density disparities between European regions and US states. What makes this map particularly intriguing is its ability to convey demographic information in a visually compelling manner.
Now, let's break down the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Population Comparison:
- The map draws attention to the striking differences in population density by comparing the number of residents in specific European regions to that of individual US states.
- Notable examples include the comparison between Wales and Utah, highlighting how a region in Europe with around 3 million people can be comparable in population to a US state.
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Population Density in Europe:
- The article emphasizes the overall density of population in Europe, showcasing instances where the entire population of a large US state could fit within a smaller European region.
- The comparison between California and Southern England, despite California's larger land area, underscores the concentration of people in European spaces.
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Geographical Size vs. Population Density:
- The article cleverly juxtaposes the size of certain US states with their European counterparts to emphasize the demographic disparities.
- For instance, Pennsylvania's entire population could fit into the Île-de-France (Greater Paris) region, despite the latter being significantly smaller in size.
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Overall European Population:
- The map doesn't cover the entire continent of Europe, as it has a population of 743 million people, far surpassing the US population of 319 million.
- The article highlights the almost comparable size of Europe and the US, with Europe slightly larger but including vast Russian territories.
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European Union (EU) Population and Size:
- The EU, often synonymous with Europe in public perception, is presented as having a population of 510 million people, occupying an area half the size of the US.
- The size and population statistics of the EU are intriguing, especially considering its economic and political significance.
In conclusion, this article and map provide valuable insights into the complex interplay between geography, population density, and spatial distribution. The comparisons offered serve as a thought-provoking exploration of how demographic patterns shape our understanding of the world. If you found this analysis intriguing, I encourage you to share it with others who share an interest in geography and demographics.
FAQs
Part One showed us that France is almost Texas-sized, Hungary and Indiana are a lot alike, and Italy could fit inside New Mexico. Let's compare some more states with countries in Europe… Sweden and California are of similar size and shape, though Sweden is a bit larger.
What is the population of the US compared to Europe? ›
The European Union has a considerably larger population than the United States even though the US is at least twice as large. The EU has a population of about 510 million people while the United States has a population of 325 million people.
How would you describe the population density of Europe to the USA? ›
The EU has an average density of 112 people per square km compared to 36 in the USA. Isn't that a misleading statistic, though? It's not like the USA is an evenly spread wasteland in comparison to Continental Europe. It's more like pockets of high population density throughout, which trains can handle perfectly well.
How does Europe's size and population compare to that of the United States? ›
The United States has a population of over 327 million people, while Europe is home to more than 741 million individuals. Over 11% of the total world's population resides in Europe. Europe has a population density of 188 individuals per square mile while that of the United States is 87 individuals per square miles.
What state in the US is most like Europe? ›
Solvang, California. Solvang, California stands out tremendously from the rest of the state. It feels more like Europe than the rolling hills and beaches of west coast America. The city is known for the Danish buildings and (like other towns in the state) local wineries.
Which US state has the most European population? ›
The New York City Metropolitan Area is home to the largest European population in the United States. The data below give numbers of European Americans as measured by the U.S. Census in 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2020.
What percentage of US population is European? ›
White and European Americans. People of European descent, or White Americans (also referred to as European Americans and Caucasian Americans), constitute the majority of the 331 million people living in the United States, with 191,697,647 people or 57.8% of the population in the 2020 United States census.
How does Europe compare in size area to the United States? ›
Europe and the U.S. are fairly similar in size with Europe (including Iceland) being slightly larger. Europe has an area of 10,180,000 km (3,930,000 sq mi). As Ray Comeau points out, the map overlays can be tricky because of the spherical nature of the earth and the flat nature of maps.
Is the USA bigger than China? ›
Considering the total surface area of both countries including land and water, the United States takes up 9.8 million square kilometers while China has 9.6 million square kilometers, according to World Atlas.
What is the most overcrowded country in Europe? ›
Monaco and Vatican City rank among some of the most densely populated countries in Europe. According to data by the United Nations, Monaco has a population density of 26,523 people per square kilometer. On the other hand is Vatican City, which is even smaller than New York's Central Park in size.
Vatican City (0.44 km2)
In any case, with a mere 900 residents, it's the smallest independent state in the world, by both area and population.
What is the largest country in Europe by population? ›
The most populous European country is Russia, with a population of over 144 million.
What US state is bigger than Europe? ›
You'll be surprised to know but Texas is actually pretty big! If you took Texas and placed it over a map of Europe, it would cover a large portion of it. To be more precise, Texas is about 268,597 square miles, while Europe is approximately 3,930,000 square miles.
Why is Europe more equal than the United States? ›
After accounting for indirect taxes and in-kind transfers, the US redistributes a greater share of national income to low-income groups than any European country. "Predistribution," not "redistribution," explains why Europe is less unequal than the United States.
What is the largest country in the world? ›
Russia. The world's largest country is Russia. With a total area of 17,098,246 square kilometers, it is roughly 45 times larger than Japan and makes up 13% of the planet.
Which European countries are most similar to the US? ›
For the US, only four countries are seen as similar by at least half of Americans. Parent country the UK (66%) and sibling Canada (70%) are seen as alike the US by notable majorities of Americans, with third and fourth-placed Australia and Germany much further behind on 53% and 51% respectively.
What US state is closest in size to Italy? ›
Briefly, Italy is about the same size as the American State of Arizona (ca. 116,000 square miles).
What is the equivalent of states in Europe? ›
Most European countries have always been divided into provinces, which is the term still used in France, for example. Germany was once a confederation of separate states, some with their own kings, up until 1871, when Germany was unified under the Prussian King Wilhelm who became Kaiser (Emperor) Wilhelm I.
Which US states are larger than France? ›
Only Texas and Alaska are the US states bigger than France.
