Abu Dhabi
972 km²
Lagos
1,172 km²
United Arab Emirates
Nigeria
Area Comparison
Abu Dhabi is 1.2x smaller than Lagos
Population Comparison
Abu Dhabi has 9.8x fewer people than Lagos
In terms of area, Lagos is 1.2x the size of Abu Dhabi. Lagos spans 1,172 km² (453 mi²) while Abu Dhabi covers 972 km² (375 mi²) — a difference of 200 km².
To put Abu Dhabi's size in perspective, its area of 972 km² is roughly the same size as Berlin. Meanwhile, Lagos at 1,172 km² is about 1.3x the size of Berlin.
In more relatable units, Abu Dhabi's 972 km² is about 136,000 American football fields, 16 times the area of Manhattan, or 9 times the area of Paris. Lagos works out to about 164,000 American football fields, 20 times the area of Manhattan, or 11 times the area of Paris.
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's second-most populous city, after Dubai. The city is situated on a T-shaped island, extending into the Persian Gulf from the central-western coast of the UAE.
Abu Dhabi covers 972 km² with a population of 1.6 million. Abu Dhabi is known for Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace, among other attractions.
Abu Dhabi sits on a T-shaped island extending into the Persian Gulf from the UAE's central-western coast.
Lagos, or Lagos City, is a large metropolitan port city in southwestern Nigeria. As of November 2025, the size of the city's population has been estimated to be between 17 and 21 million residents, making Lagos the largest city in Nigeria, the most populous urban area on the African continent, and one of the fastest-growing megacities in the world.
Also known as "Lasgidi", Lagos has an area of 1,172 km² and is home to 15.4 million people. It was established in 1472. Visitors come for Victoria Island, Lekki Conservation Centre, Nike Art Gallery, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Lagos Rail (Blue & Red Lines).
Lagos is the most populous urban area on the African continent, with an estimated 17 to 21 million residents as of 2025.
Abu Dhabi has a population density of 1,615 people per km² — a relatively spread-out city. Lagos, with 13,131 people per km², is an extremely dense urban environment. Lagos is dramatically more crowded, with 8.1x the population density.
Abu Dhabi has a desert climate climate while Lagos experiences tropical savanna conditions.
Density Gap
Lagos is 8.1x more densely populated
Abu Dhabi covers 972 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include San Diego (964 km²), Dallas (997 km²), Berlin (892 km²), Hong Kong (1,114 km²), or Santiago (838 km²).
Lagos covers 1,172 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include San Antonio (1,209 km²), Rio de Janeiro (1,221 km²), Hong Kong (1,114 km²), Rome (1,285 km²), or Los Angeles (1,302 km²).
The straight-line distance from Abu Dhabi to Lagos is 5,777 km (3,590 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~7h 18m.
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