Beijing
16,411 km²
Melbourne
9,993 km²
China
Australia
Area Comparison
Beijing is 1.6x larger than Melbourne
Population Comparison
Beijing has 4.2x more people than Melbourne
Beijing is significantly larger, covering 1.6 times the area of Melbourne. Beijing spans 16,411 km² (6,336 mi²) while Melbourne covers 9,993 km² (3,858 mi²) — a difference of 6,418 km².
To put Beijing's size in perspective, its area of 16,411 km² is about 2.6x the size of Shanghai. Meanwhile, Melbourne at 9,993 km² is about 1.6x the size of Shanghai.
In more relatable units, Beijing's 16,411 km² is about 2,300,000 American football fields, 160 times the area of Paris, or 140 times the area of San Francisco. Melbourne, by comparison, equals about 1,400,000 American football fields, 170 times the area of Manhattan, or 95 times the area of Paris.
Beijing, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 22 million residents, it is the world's most populous national capital city, as well as China's second-largest city by urban area, after Shanghai. It is located in Northern China, and is governed as a municipality under the direct administration of the State Council with 16 urban districts.
Known as "Northern Capital", Beijing covers 16,411 km² with a population of 21.5 million. The city was founded around 1045 BC. Beijing is known for Forbidden City, Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Beijing Subway.
With over 22 million residents, Beijing is the world's most populous national capital city.
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second most-populous city in Australia. The city's name generally refers to a 9,993-square-kilometre (3,858 sq mi) area, comprising an urban agglomeration of 31 local government areas. The name is also used to specifically refer to the local government area named City of Melbourne, whose area is centred on the Melbourne central business district and some immediate surrounds.
Melbourne has an area of 9,993 km² and is home to 5.1 million people. The city dates back to 1835. Visitors come for Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Melbourne Trams & Metro.
Melbourne's metropolitan area spans 9,993 square kilometers across 31 local government areas, making it Australia's second-most-populous city.
Looking beyond city limits, the Beijing metropolitan area covers 16,411 km², which is 1.6x larger than greater Melbourne at 9,993 km². The Beijing metro area is also more populous, with 21.5 million people compared to 5.1 million.
Beijing has a population density of 1,313 people per km² — a relatively spread-out city. Melbourne, with 508 people per km², is a relatively spread-out city. Beijing is noticeably denser, packing 2.6 times more people per square kilometer.
This comparison spans continents — Beijing in Asia versus Melbourne in Oceania. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Beijing has a humid continental climate while Melbourne experiences oceanic conditions. When it's noon in Melbourne, it's 10:00 AM in Beijing — a 2-hour time difference.
Density Gap
Beijing is 2.6x more densely populated
History
Beijing is ~2,880 years older
Beijing covers 16,411 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Hangzhou (16,854 km²), Brisbane (15,826 km²), Chengdu (14,378 km²), Sydney (12,368 km²), or Xi'an (10,097 km²).
Melbourne covers 9,993 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Xi'an (10,097 km²), Wuhan (8,569 km²), Sydney (12,368 km²), Guangzhou (7,434 km²), or Chengdu (14,378 km²).
The straight-line distance from Beijing to Melbourne is 9,119 km (5,666 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~11h 14m.
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