City Map Compare/Lima vs Washington D.C.
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Lima

2,672 km²

Washington D.C.

177 km²

Lima vs Washington D.C. - City Size Comparison

Lima vs Washington D.C. - City Size Comparison

Lima

Peru

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

USA

Area177 km²
Population0.69M
Density3,898 /km²
Elevation22 m
Metro Pop.6.3M
Founded1790
Climatehumid subtropical

Area Comparison

Lima is 15.1x larger than Washington D.C.

Population Comparison

Lima has 14.4x more people than Washington D.C.

Is Lima Bigger Than Washington D.C.?

In terms of area, Lima is 15.1x the size of Washington D.C.. Lima spans 2,672 km² (1,032 mi²) while Washington D.C. covers 177 km² (68 mi²) — a difference of 2,495 km². You could fit Washington D.C. inside Lima approximately 15 times.

To put Lima's size in perspective, its area of 2,672 km² is roughly the same size as Luxembourg. Meanwhile, Washington D.C. at 177 km² is roughly the same size as Washington D.C..

In more relatable units, Lima's 2,672 km² is about 374,000 American football fields, 45 times the area of Manhattan, or 25 times the area of Paris. Washington D.C. works out to about 25,000 American football fields, 88 times the area of Monaco, or 52 times the area of Central Park.

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.

Known as "City of Kings", Lima covers 2,672 km² with a population of 9.9 million. The city was established in 1535. Lima is known for Plaza Mayor de Lima, Miraflores district, Larco Museum, among other attractions.

Lima sprawls across the desert valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín Rivers along Peru's Pacific coast.

About Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia and commonly known as simply Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River across from Virginia and shares land borders with Maryland to its north and east. It was named after George Washington, a Founding Father and the first president of the United States.

Often called "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 White House, U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Washington Metro.

Washington D.C. sits on the Potomac River across from Virginia and is bordered by Maryland to its north and east

Population Density

Lima has a population density of 3,720 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Washington D.C., with 3,898 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Both cities have comparable density, though Washington D.C. is slightly more compact.

Climate & Time Zone

Lima has a desert climate climate while Washington D.C. experiences humid subtropical conditions.

Key Differences at a Glance

Size Ratio

Washington D.C. fits inside Lima ~15 times

History

Lima is ~255 years older

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).

Cities Similar in Size to Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. covers 177 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Stockholm (188 km²), Brussels (161 km²), Buenos Aires (203 km²), Minneapolis (149 km²), or Helsinki (214 km²).

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is larger, Lima or Washington D.C.?
Lima is 15.1 times larger than Washington D.C. by area. Lima covers 2,672 km² while Washington D.C. spans 177 km², a difference of 2,495 km².
How many times does Washington D.C. fit inside Lima?
Washington D.C. (177 km²) fits inside Lima (2,672 km²) approximately 15 times. That means Lima is 15.1x the area of Washington D.C..
What is the population difference between Lima and Washington D.C.?
Lima has approximately 9.9 million people, while Washington D.C. has about 0.7 million. Lima has 9.3 million more residents.
Which city is more densely populated, Lima or Washington D.C.?
Washington D.C. is more densely populated with 3,898 people per km², compared to 3,720 people per km².
Which city is older, Lima or Washington D.C.?
Lima is older, founded around 1535, while Washington D.C. was established around 1790 — a difference of about 255 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 Lima and Washington D.C.

The straight-line distance from Lima to Washington D.C. is 5,667 km (3,521 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~7h 10m.

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