How Big Is Riyadh?
Saudi Arabia
Area
1,798 km²
694 mi²
Population
7.0M
Density
3,899/km²
Founded
1746
Riyadh Size Overview
Riyadh covers an area of 1,798 km² (694 mi²) in Saudi Arabia. Capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. To put this in perspective, Riyadh is about 1.1x the size of London. In more relatable units, that's about 252,000 American football fields, 30 times the area of Manhattan, or 17 times the area of Paris.
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of the Riyadh Province and the centre of the Riyadh Governorate. Located on the eastern bank of Wadi Hanifa, the current form of the metropolis largely emerged in the 1950s as an expansion of the 18th-century walled town, following the dismantling of its defensive fortifications.
With a population of 7.0 million, Riyadh has a population density of 3,899 people per km².
Riyadh has a history stretching back to 1746. The city is renowned for Kingdom Centre Tower, Masmak Fortress, Al Faisaliah Tower, and Diriyah historic district.
Did You Know?
- Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, sitting on the eastern bank of Wadi Hanifa.
- Modern Riyadh largely emerged in the 1950s after dismantling the fortifications of its 18th-century walled town.
- Riyadh serves as the centre of both the Riyadh Province and the Riyadh Governorate.
Compare Riyadh with Other Cities
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Cities Similar in Size to Riyadh
Riyadh covers 1,798 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Houston (1,725 km²), Johannesburg (1,644 km²), Shenzhen (1,997 km²), Bogotá (1,578 km²), or London (1,572 km²).