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Brazil
Italy
Area Comparison
Rio de Janeiro is 1.1x smaller than Rome
Population Comparison
Rio de Janeiro has 2.4x more people than Rome
Yes — Rome is 1.1x larger than Rio de Janeiro by area. Rome spans 1,285 km² (496 mi²) while Rio de Janeiro covers 1,221 km² (471 mi²) — a difference of 64 km².
To put Rio de Janeiro's size in perspective, its area of 1,221 km² is about 1.3x smaller than London. Meanwhile, Rome at 1,285 km² is about 1.2x smaller than London.
Brazil's iconic coastal city known for Carnival. Known as "The Marvelous City", Rio de Janeiro covers 1,221 km² with a population of 6.8 million. The city was established in 1565. Rio de Janeiro is known for Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana Beach, Carnival, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the MetrôRio.
Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue is struck by lightning an average of 6 times per year
Italy's capital and a city of ancient history. Also known as "The Eternal City", Rome has an area of 1,285 km² and is home to 2.9 million people. Its history stretches back to 753 BC. Visitors come for Colosseum, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Rome Metro.
Rome contains an entire independent country within its borders — Vatican City, the world's smallest state
Looking beyond city limits, the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area covers 6,744 km², which is 1.3x larger than greater Rome at 5,352 km². The Rio de Janeiro metro area is also more populous, with 13.5 million people compared to 4.3 million.
Rio de Janeiro has a population density of 5,528 people per km² — a densely populated city. Rome, with 2,233 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Rio de Janeiro is noticeably denser, packing 2.5 times more people per square kilometer.
This comparison spans continents — Rio de Janeiro in South America versus Rome in Europe. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Rio de Janeiro has a tropical savanna climate while Rome experiences Mediterranean conditions. When it's noon in Rome, it's 8:00 AM in Rio de Janeiro — a 4-hour time difference.
Density Gap
Rio de Janeiro is 2.5x more densely populated
Time Difference
4 hours apart
History
Rome is ~2,318 years older
The straight-line distance from Rio de Janeiro to Rome is 9,198 km (5,716 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~11h 19m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.
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