Abu Dhabi
972 km²
Madrid
604 km²
United Arab Emirates
Spain
Area Comparison
Abu Dhabi is 1.6x larger than Madrid
Population Comparison
Abu Dhabi has 2.1x fewer people than Madrid
Abu Dhabi is significantly larger, covering 1.6 times the area of Madrid. Abu Dhabi spans 972 km² (375 mi²) while Madrid covers 604 km² (233 mi²) — a difference of 368 km².
To put Abu Dhabi's size in perspective, its area of 972 km² is roughly the same size as Berlin. Meanwhile, Madrid at 604 km² is roughly the same size as Seoul.
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. Madrid, by comparison, equals about 85,000 American football fields, 180 times the area of Central Park, or 10 times the area of Manhattan.
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.
Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. It had a population of over 3.4 million in the city proper in 2025, and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.8 million. Madrid is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), after Berlin, and its metropolitan area is the second-largest in the EU, after Paris. The municipality covers an area of 605.77 square kilometres (233.89 sq mi).
Nicknamed "La Villa y Corte", Madrid has an area of 604 km² and is home to 3.3 million people. Its history stretches back to 852. Visitors come for Royal Palace of Madrid, Prado Museum, Plaza Mayor, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Madrid Metro.
Madrid is the second-largest city in the European Union after Berlin, with over 3.4 million residents in the city proper
Abu Dhabi has a population density of 1,615 people per km² — a relatively spread-out city. Madrid, with 5,513 people per km², is a densely populated city. Madrid is dramatically more crowded, with 3.4x the population density.
Abu Dhabi has a desert climate climate while Madrid experiences hot-summer Mediterranean conditions.
Density Gap
Madrid is 3.4x 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).
Madrid covers 604 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Seoul (605 km²), Mumbai (603 km²), Chicago (606 km²), Toronto (630 km²), or Hyderabad (650 km²).
The straight-line distance from Abu Dhabi to Madrid is 5,624 km (3,495 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~7h 7m.
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