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Portugal
Brazil
Area Comparison
Lisbon is 12.2x smaller than Rio de Janeiro
Population Comparison
Lisbon has 12.3x fewer people than Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is significantly larger, covering 12.2 times the area of Lisbon. Rio de Janeiro spans 1,221 km² (471 mi²) while Lisbon covers 100 km² (39 mi²) — a difference of 1,121 km². You could fit Lisbon inside Rio de Janeiro approximately 12 times.
To put Lisbon's size in perspective, its area of 100 km² is roughly the same size as Paris (city proper). Meanwhile, Rio de Janeiro at 1,221 km² is about 1.3x smaller than London.
Portugal's capital, one of Europe's oldest cities. Known as "City of Seven Hills", Lisbon covers 100 km² with a population of 0.6 million. The city was founded around 1200 BC. Lisbon is known for Belém Tower, Pastéis de nata, Tram 28, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Lisbon Metro.
Lisbon is older than Rome by about 400 years, making it one of the oldest cities in Western Europe
Brazil's iconic coastal city known for Carnival. Also known as "The Marvelous City", Rio de Janeiro has an area of 1,221 km² and is home to 6.8 million people. The city dates back to 1565. Visitors come for Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana Beach, Carnival, and much more. Getting around is easy with the MetrôRio.
Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue is struck by lightning an average of 6 times per year
Looking beyond city limits, the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area covers 6,744 km², which is 2.2x larger than greater Lisbon at 3,015 km². The Rio de Janeiro metro area is also more populous, with 13.5 million people compared to 2.9 million.
Lisbon has a population density of 5,500 people per km² — a densely populated city. Rio de Janeiro, with 5,528 people per km², is a densely populated city. Both cities have comparable density, though Rio de Janeiro is slightly more compact.
This comparison spans continents — Lisbon in Europe versus Rio de Janeiro in South America. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Lisbon has a Mediterranean climate while Rio de Janeiro experiences tropical savanna conditions. When it's noon in Lisbon, it's 9:00 AM in Rio de Janeiro — a 3-hour time difference.
Size Ratio
Lisbon fits inside Rio de Janeiro ~12 times
Time Difference
3 hours apart
History
Lisbon is ~2,765 years older
The straight-line distance from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro is 7,715 km (4,794 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~9h 35m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.
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