Loading map...
Loading map...
China
Nigeria
Area Comparison
Guangzhou is 6.3x larger than Lagos
Population Comparison
Guangzhou has 1.2x more people than Lagos
Guangzhou is significantly larger, covering 6.3 times the area of Lagos. Guangzhou spans 7,434 km² (2,870 mi²) while Lagos covers 1,172 km² (453 mi²) — a difference of 6,262 km². You could fit Lagos inside Guangzhou approximately 6 times.
To put Guangzhou's size in perspective, its area of 7,434 km² is about 1.2x the size of Shanghai. Meanwhile, Lagos at 1,172 km² is about 1.3x the size of Berlin.
A major port city and trade hub in southern China. Known as "Canton", Guangzhou covers 7,434 km² with a population of 18.7 million. The city was founded around 214 BC. Guangzhou is known for Canton Tower, Cantonese cuisine (dim sum), Canton Fair, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Guangzhou Metro.
Guangzhou has been a major trading port for over 2,000 years and was a key stop on the Maritime Silk Road
Nigeria's largest city and economic hub of West Africa. Nicknamed "Eko", Lagos has an area of 1,172 km² and is home to 15.4 million people. The city dates back to 1472. Visitors come for Afrobeats music scene, Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos Island, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Lagos Rail (Blue & Red Lines).
Lagos is projected to become the world's largest city by population by 2100
Looking beyond city limits, the Guangzhou metropolitan area covers 7,434 km², which is 2.7x larger than greater Lagos at 2,706 km². The Lagos metro area is also more populous, with 21.0 million people compared to 18.7 million.
Guangzhou has a population density of 2,513 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Lagos, with 13,131 people per km², is an extremely dense urban environment. Lagos is dramatically more crowded, with 5.2x the population density.
This comparison spans continents — Guangzhou in Asia versus Lagos in Africa. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Guangzhou has a humid subtropical climate while Lagos experiences tropical savanna conditions. When it's noon in Guangzhou, it's 5:00 AM in Lagos — a 7-hour time difference.
Size Ratio
Lagos fits inside Guangzhou ~6 times
Density Gap
Lagos is 5.2x more densely populated
Time Difference
7 hours apart
History
Guangzhou is ~1,686 years older
The straight-line distance from Guangzhou to Lagos is 11,724 km (7,285 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~14h 18m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.
Want to explore more? Compare city sizes for any two cities worldwide, or share your location live with friends.