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China
USA
Area Comparison
Guangzhou is 42.0x larger than Washington D.C.
Population Comparison
Guangzhou has 27.1x more people than Washington D.C.
In terms of area, Guangzhou is 42.0x the size of Washington D.C.. Guangzhou spans 7,434 km² (2,870 mi²) while Washington D.C. covers 177 km² (68 mi²) — a difference of 7,257 km². You could fit Washington D.C. inside Guangzhou approximately 42 times.
To put Guangzhou's size in perspective, its area of 7,434 km² is about 1.2x the size of Shanghai. Meanwhile, Washington D.C. at 177 km² is roughly the same size as Washington D.C..
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
Capital of the United States. Also known as "D.C.", Washington D.C. has an area of 177 km² and is home to 0.7 million people. The city dates back to 1790. Visitors come for The White House, Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian museums, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Washington Metro.
D.C. has more free museums than any other city in the US — all 19 Smithsonian museums charge no admission
Looking beyond city limits, the Washington D.C. metropolitan area covers 14,412 km², which is 1.9x larger than greater Guangzhou at 7,434 km². The Guangzhou metro area is also more populous, with 18.7 million people compared to 6.3 million.
Guangzhou has a population density of 2,513 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Washington D.C., with 3,898 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Washington D.C. is noticeably denser, packing 1.6 times more people per square kilometer.
This comparison spans continents — Guangzhou in Asia versus Washington D.C. in North America. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Both cities share a humid subtropical climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each. When it's noon in Guangzhou, it's midnight in Washington D.C. — a 13-hour time difference.
Size Ratio
Washington D.C. fits inside Guangzhou ~42 times
Density Gap
Washington D.C. is 1.6x more densely populated
Time Difference
13 hours apart
History
Guangzhou is ~2,004 years older
The straight-line distance from Guangzhou to Washington D.C. is 13,034 km (8,099 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~15h 50m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.
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