City Map Compare/Johannesburg vs Lima
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Johannesburg

1,644 km²

Lima

2,672 km²

Johannesburg vs Lima - City Size Comparison

Johannesburg vs Lima - City Size Comparison

Johannesburg

South Africa

Area1,644 km²
Population4.80M
Density2,920 /km²
Elevation1,753 m
Founded1886
Lima

Peru

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

Area Comparison

Johannesburg is 1.6x smaller than Lima

Population Comparison

Johannesburg has 2.1x fewer people than Lima

Is Johannesburg Bigger Than Lima?

Yes — Lima is 1.6x larger than Johannesburg by area. Lima spans 2,672 km² (1,032 mi²) while Johannesburg covers 1,644 km² (635 mi²) — a difference of 1,028 km².

To put Johannesburg's size in perspective, its area of 1,644 km² is roughly the same size as London. Meanwhile, Lima at 2,672 km² is roughly the same size as Luxembourg.

In more relatable units, Johannesburg's 1,644 km² is about 230,000 American football fields, 28 times the area of Manhattan, or 16 times the area of Paris. Lima works out to about 374,000 American football fields, 45 times the area of Manhattan, or 25 times the area of Paris.

About Johannesburg

Johannesburg, colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg or "The City of Gold", is the most populous city in South Africa. The City of Johannesburg itself has a population of 5,538,596, while the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality has a population of 6,599,190, making it one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, and seat of the country's highest court, the Constitutional Court.

Known as "Jozi", Johannesburg covers 1,644 km² with a population of 4.8 million. The city was established in 1886. Johannesburg is known for Apartheid Museum, Soweto township, Constitutional Court, among other attractions.

Johannesburg ranks among the world's 100 largest urban areas, with a metro population of about 6.6 million.

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. The city dates back to 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

Johannesburg has a population density of 2,920 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 Lima is slightly more compact.

Key Differences at a Glance

History

Lima is ~351 years older

Cities Similar in Size to Johannesburg

Johannesburg covers 1,644 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Bogotá (1,578 km²), London (1,572 km²), Bangkok (1,569 km²), Houston (1,725 km²), or São Paulo (1,521 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

Is Johannesburg bigger than Lima?
Lima is 1.6 times larger than Johannesburg by area. Lima covers 2,672 km² while Johannesburg spans 1,644 km², a difference of 1,028 km².
How many times does Johannesburg fit inside Lima?
Johannesburg (1,644 km²) fits inside Lima (2,672 km²) approximately 1 times. That means Lima is 1.6x the area of Johannesburg.
What is the population difference between Johannesburg and Lima?
Lima has approximately 9.9 million people, while Johannesburg has about 4.8 million. Lima has 5.1 million more residents.
Which city is more densely populated, Johannesburg or Lima?
Lima is more densely populated with 3,720 people per km², compared to 2,920 people per km².
Which city is older, Johannesburg or Lima?
Lima is older, founded around 1535, while Johannesburg was established around 1886 — a difference of about 351 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 Johannesburg and Lima

The straight-line distance from Johannesburg to Lima is 10,877 km (6,759 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~13h 18m.

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