Johannesburg
1,644 km²
Riyadh
1,798 km²
South Africa
Saudi Arabia
Area Comparison
Johannesburg is 1.1x smaller than Riyadh
Population Comparison
Johannesburg has 1.5x fewer people than Riyadh
Riyadh is significantly larger, covering 1.1 times the area of Johannesburg. Riyadh spans 1,798 km² (694 mi²) while Johannesburg covers 1,644 km² (635 mi²) — a difference of 154 km².
To put Johannesburg's size in perspective, its area of 1,644 km² is roughly the same size as London. Meanwhile, Riyadh at 1,798 km² is about 1.1x the size of London.
Johannesburg's footprint is roughly about 230,000 American football fields, 28 times the area of Manhattan, or 16 times the area of Paris — pick whichever unit feels intuitive. Riyadh, by comparison, equals about 252,000 American football fields, 30 times the area of Manhattan, or 17 times the area of Paris.
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.
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.
Riyadh has an area of 1,798 km² and is home to 7.0 million people. The city dates back to 1746. Visitors come for Kingdom Centre Tower, Masmak Fortress, Al Faisaliah Tower, and much more.
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, sitting on the eastern bank of Wadi Hanifa.
Johannesburg has a population density of 2,920 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Riyadh, with 3,899 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Both cities have comparable density, though Riyadh is slightly more compact.
Density Gap
Riyadh is 1.3x more densely populated
History
Riyadh is ~140 years older
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).
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).
The straight-line distance from Johannesburg to Riyadh is 5,998 km (3,727 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~7h 33m.
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