City Map Compare/Chicago vs Lima
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Chicago

606 km²

Lima

2,672 km²

Chicago vs Lima - City Size Comparison

Chicago vs Lima - City Size Comparison

Chicago

USA

Area606 km²
Population2.70M
Density4,455 /km²
Elevation176 m
Metro Pop.9.5M
Founded1833
Climatehumid continental
Lima

Peru

Area2,672 km²
Population9.94M
Density3,720 /km²
Elevation154 m
Founded1535
Climatedesert climate

Area Comparison

Chicago is 4.4x smaller than Lima

Population Comparison

Chicago has 3.7x fewer people than Lima

Is Chicago Bigger Than Lima?

Lima is significantly larger, covering 4.4 times the area of Chicago. Lima spans 2,672 km² (1,032 mi²) while Chicago covers 606 km² (234 mi²) — a difference of 2,066 km². You could fit Chicago inside Lima approximately 4 times.

To put Chicago's size in perspective, its area of 606 km² is roughly the same size as Seoul. Meanwhile, Lima at 2,672 km² is roughly the same size as Luxembourg.

Picture Chicago another way: its area is large enough to fit about 85,000 American football fields, 180 times the area of Central Park, or 10 times the area of Manhattan. Lima works out to about 374,000 American football fields, 45 times the area of Manhattan, or 25 times the area of Paris.

About Chicago

Chicago is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the third-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 2.74 million at the 2020 census. The Chicago metropolitan area has 9.41 million residents and is the third-largest metropolitan area in the country. Chicago is the seat of Cook County, the second-most populous county in the U.S.

Known as "The Windy City", Chicago covers 606 km² with a population of 2.7 million. The city was established in 1833. Chicago is known for Willis Tower, Millennium Park Bean, Navy Pier, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the CTA (L train).

Chicago is the third-most populous city in the United States with 2.74 million residents at the 2020 census.

About Lima

Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru, as well as a primate city. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín Rivers, in the desert zone of the central coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The city is considered the political, cultural, financial and commercial center of Peru. Due to its geostrategic importance, the Globalization and World Cities Research Network has categorized it as a "beta" tier city.

Also known as "City of Kings", Lima has an area of 2,672 km² and is home to 9.9 million people. It was established in 1535. Visitors come for Plaza Mayor de Lima, Miraflores district, Larco Museum, and much more.

Lima sprawls across the desert valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín Rivers along Peru's Pacific coast.

Population Density

Chicago has a population density of 4,455 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Lima, with 3,720 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Both cities have comparable density, though Chicago is slightly more compact.

Climate & Time Zone

Chicago has a humid continental climate while Lima experiences desert climate conditions.

Key Differences at a Glance

Size Ratio

Chicago fits inside Lima ~4 times

History

Lima is ~298 years older

Cities Similar in Size to Chicago

Chicago covers 606 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Seoul (605 km²), Madrid (604 km²), Mumbai (603 km²), Toronto (630 km²), or Hyderabad (650 km²).

Cities Similar in Size to Lima

Lima covers 2,672 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Moscow (2,511 km²), Cape Town (2,455 km²), Cairo (3,085 km²), Tokyo (2,194 km²), or Hanoi (3,359 km²).

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is larger, Chicago or Lima?
Lima is 4.4 times larger than Chicago by area. Lima covers 2,672 km² while Chicago spans 606 km², a difference of 2,066 km².
How many times does Chicago fit inside Lima?
Chicago (606 km²) fits inside Lima (2,672 km²) approximately 4 times. That means Lima is 4.4x the area of Chicago.
What is the population difference between Chicago and Lima?
Lima has approximately 9.9 million people, while Chicago has about 2.7 million. Lima has 7.2 million more residents.
Which city is more densely populated, Chicago or Lima?
Chicago is more densely populated with 4,455 people per km², compared to 3,720 people per km².
Which city is older, Chicago or Lima?
Lima is older, founded around 1535, while Chicago was established around 1833 — a difference of about 298 years.
How does the map comparison work?
Our synchronized map comparison tool displays both cities at the same zoom level. When you zoom in or out on one map, the other automatically adjusts to maintain the same scale, allowing you to directly compare the relative sizes of both cities.
Can I compare other cities?
Yes! Use the city selectors at the top of the page to choose any two cities from our database of 50+ major cities worldwide, or enter custom coordinates for any location.

Distance Between Chicago and Lima

The straight-line distance from Chicago to Lima is 6,095 km (3,787 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~7h 40m.

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