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Mexico
China
Area Comparison
Mexico City is 4.3x smaller than Shanghai
Population Comparison
Mexico City has 2.7x fewer people than Shanghai
Shanghai is significantly larger, covering 4.3 times the area of Mexico City. Shanghai spans 6,341 km² (2,448 mi²) while Mexico City covers 1,485 km² (573 mi²) — a difference of 4,856 km². You could fit Mexico City inside Shanghai approximately 4 times.
To put Mexico City's size in perspective, its area of 1,485 km² is roughly the same size as London. Meanwhile, Shanghai at 6,341 km² is about 1.5x the size of Los Angeles metro.
Mexico's capital and largest city. 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 Zócalo plaza, Chapultepec Castle, Frida Kahlo Museum, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Mexico City Metro.
Mexico City is sinking 50 cm per year because it was built on a lake bed
China's largest city and a global financial hub. Often called "The Pearl of the Orient", Shanghai has an area of 6,341 km² and is home to 24.9 million people. It was established in 1291. Visitors come for The Bund waterfront, Pudong skyline, Yuyuan Garden, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Shanghai Metro.
Shanghai's Maglev train reaches 431 km/h, the fastest commercial train in the world
Looking beyond city limits, the Mexico City metropolitan area covers 7,854 km², which is 1.2x larger than greater Shanghai at 6,341 km². The Shanghai metro area is also more populous, with 28.5 million people compared to 21.8 million.
Mexico City has a population density of 6,202 people per km² — a densely populated city. Shanghai, with 3,922 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Mexico City is noticeably denser, packing 1.6 times more people per square kilometer.
This comparison spans continents — Mexico City in North America versus Shanghai 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 Shanghai experiences humid subtropical conditions. Summers are notably different: Shanghai averages 28°C compared to 18°C in Mexico City. When it's noon in Shanghai, it's midnight in Mexico City — a 14-hour time difference.
Size Ratio
Mexico City fits inside Shanghai ~4 times
Density Gap
Mexico City is 1.6x more densely populated
Time Difference
14 hours apart
The straight-line distance from Mexico City to Shanghai is 12,908 km (8,021 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~15h 41m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.
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