Mexico City
1,485 km²
Seoul
605 km²
Mexico
South Korea
Area Comparison
Mexico City is 2.5x larger than Seoul
Population Comparison
Mexico City has 1.1x fewer people than Seoul
In terms of area, Mexico City is 2.5x the size of Seoul. Mexico City spans 1,485 km² (573 mi²) while Seoul covers 605 km² (234 mi²) — a difference of 880 km². You could fit Seoul inside Mexico City approximately 2 times.
To put Mexico City's size in perspective, its area of 1,485 km² is roughly the same size as London. Meanwhile, Seoul at 605 km² is about 1.3x smaller than New York City.
Mexico City's footprint is roughly about 208,000 American football fields, 25 times the area of Manhattan, or 14 times the area of Paris — pick whichever unit feels intuitive. Seoul, by comparison, equals about 85,000 American football fields, 180 times the area of Central Park, or 10 times the area of Manhattan.
Mexico City is the capital and most populous city of Mexico, as well as the most populous city in North America. It is one of the most important cultural and financial centers in the world, and is classified as an Alpha world city according to the Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC) 2024 ranking. Mexico City is located in the Valley of Mexico within the high Mexican central plateau, at an altitude of 2,240 meters.
Known as "CDMX", Mexico City covers 1,485 km² with a population of 9.2 million. The city was established in 1325. Mexico City is known for Zocalo square, Chapultepec Park, Frida Kahlo Museum, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Mexico City Metro.
Mexico City sits at an altitude of 2,240 meters in the Valley of Mexico on the high Mexican central plateau.
Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital and largest city of South Korea, and the largest city in the whole of Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's sixth largest metropolitan economy in 2022, behind New York, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Paris, and London, and hosts more than half of South Korea's population.
Seoul has an area of 605 km² and is home to 9.8 million people. It was founded around 18 BC. Visitors come for Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gangnam district, Myeongdong shopping, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Seoul Metro.
Seoul Metropolitan Area emerged as the world's sixth largest metropolitan economy in 2022, behind only NYC, Tokyo, LA, Paris, and London.
Looking beyond city limits, the Seoul metropolitan area covers 11,704 km², which is 1.5x larger than greater Mexico City at 7,854 km². The Seoul metro area is also more populous, with 25.5 million people compared to 21.8 million.
Mexico City has a population density of 6,202 people per km² — a densely populated city. Seoul, with 16,149 people per km², is an extremely dense urban environment. Seoul is noticeably denser, packing 2.6 times more people per square kilometer.
This comparison spans continents — Mexico City in North America versus Seoul in Asia. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Mexico City has a subtropical highland climate while Seoul experiences humid continental conditions. Winters differ dramatically: Mexico City stays around 13°C while Seoul drops to -3°C. When it's noon in Seoul, it's midnight in Mexico City — a 15-hour time difference.
Size Ratio
Seoul fits inside Mexico City ~2 times
Density Gap
Seoul is 2.6x more densely populated
Time Difference
15 hours apart
History
Seoul is ~1,343 years older
Mexico City covers 1,485 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Delhi (1,484 km²), São Paulo (1,521 km²), Bangkok (1,569 km²), London (1,572 km²), or Bogotá (1,578 km²).
Seoul covers 605 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Chicago (606 km²), Madrid (604 km²), Mumbai (603 km²), Toronto (630 km²), or Hyderabad (650 km²).
The straight-line distance from Mexico City to Seoul is 12,052 km (7,489 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~14h 41m.
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