London vs Rio de Janeiro - City Size Comparison

Is London Bigger Than Rio de Janeiro?

London is significantly larger, covering 1.3 times the area of Rio de Janeiro. London spans 1,572 km² (607 mi²) while Rio de Janeiro covers 1,221 km² (471 mi²) — a difference of 351 km².

About London

Capital of England and the United Kingdom. Known as "The Big Smoke", London covers 1,572 km² with a population of 9.0 million. The city was established in 43. London is known for Big Ben, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the London Underground.

London was the first city to have an underground railway, opening in 1863

About Rio de Janeiro

Brazil's iconic coastal city known for Carnival. Nicknamed "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

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the London metropolitan area covers 8,382 km², which is 1.2x larger than greater Rio de Janeiro at 6,744 km². The London metro area is also more populous, with 14.3 million people compared to 13.5 million.

Population Density

London has a population density of 5,712 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 London is slightly more compact.

Climate & Time Zone

London has a oceanic climate while Rio de Janeiro experiences tropical savanna conditions. Winters differ dramatically: Rio de Janeiro stays around 21°C while London drops to 5°C. When it's noon in London, it's 9:00 AM in Rio de Janeiro — a 3-hour time difference.