City Map Compare/Riyadh vs Rome
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Riyadh

1,798 km²

Rome

1,285 km²

Riyadh vs Rome - City Size Comparison

Riyadh vs Rome - City Size Comparison

Riyadh

Saudi Arabia

Area1,798 km²
Population7.01M
Density3,899 /km²
Elevation612 m
Founded1746
Rome

Italy

Area1,285 km²
Population2.87M
Density2,233 /km²
Elevation21 m
Metro Pop.4.3M
Founded753 BC
ClimateMediterranean

Area Comparison

Riyadh is 1.4x larger than Rome

Population Comparison

Riyadh has 2.4x more people than Rome

Is Riyadh Bigger Than Rome?

In terms of area, Riyadh is 1.4x the size of Rome. Riyadh spans 1,798 km² (694 mi²) while Rome covers 1,285 km² (496 mi²) — a difference of 513 km².

To put Riyadh's size in perspective, its area of 1,798 km² is about 1.1x the size of London. Meanwhile, Rome at 1,285 km² is about 1.2x smaller than London.

Riyadh's footprint is roughly about 252,000 American football fields, 30 times the area of Manhattan, or 17 times the area of Paris — pick whichever unit feels intuitive. For Rome, that's about 180,000 American football fields, 22 times the area of Manhattan, or 12 times the area of Paris.

About Riyadh

Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of the Riyadh Province and the centre of the Riyadh Governorate. Located on the eastern bank of Wadi Hanifa, the current form of the metropolis largely emerged in the 1950s as an expansion of the 18th-century walled town, following the dismantling of its defensive fortifications.

Riyadh covers 1,798 km² with a population of 7.0 million. The city was established in 1746. Riyadh is known for Kingdom Centre Tower, Masmak Fortress, Al Faisaliah Tower, among other attractions.

Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, sitting on the eastern bank of Wadi Hanifa.

About Rome

Rome is the capital city and most populated comune (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special comune named Roma Capitale with a population of 2.7 million in an area of 1,287.36 km2 (497.1 mi2), Rome is the third most populous city in the European Union by population within city limits. The Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, with a population of 4.2 million, is the most populous metropolitan city in Italy.

Nicknamed "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's special comune Roma Capitale spans 1,287 km2, making it the third most populous city in the EU within city limits

Population Density

Riyadh has a population density of 3,899 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Rome, with 2,233 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Riyadh is noticeably denser, packing 1.7 times more people per square kilometer.

Key Differences at a Glance

Density Gap

Riyadh is 1.7x more densely populated

History

Rome is ~2,499 years older

Cities Similar in Size to Riyadh

Riyadh covers 1,798 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Houston (1,725 km²), Johannesburg (1,644 km²), Shenzhen (1,997 km²), Bogotá (1,578 km²), or London (1,572 km²).

Cities Similar in Size to Rome

Rome covers 1,285 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Los Angeles (1,302 km²), Phoenix (1,341 km²), Rio de Janeiro (1,221 km²), San Antonio (1,209 km²), or Lagos (1,172 km²).

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is larger, Riyadh or Rome?
Riyadh is 1.4 times larger than Rome by area. Riyadh covers 1,798 km² while Rome spans 1,285 km², a difference of 513 km².
How many times does Rome fit inside Riyadh?
Rome (1,285 km²) fits inside Riyadh (1,798 km²) approximately 1 times. That means Riyadh is 1.4x the area of Rome.
What is the population difference between Riyadh and Rome?
Riyadh has approximately 7.0 million people, while Rome has about 2.9 million. Riyadh has 4.1 million more residents.
Which city is more densely populated, Riyadh or Rome?
Riyadh is more densely populated with 3,899 people per km², compared to 2,233 people per km².
Which city is older, Riyadh or Rome?
Rome is older, founded around -753, while Riyadh was established around 1746 — a difference of about 2499 years.
How does the map comparison work?
Our synchronized map comparison tool displays both cities at the same zoom level. When you zoom in or out on one map, the other automatically adjusts to maintain the same scale, allowing you to directly compare the relative sizes of both cities.
Can I compare other cities?
Yes! Use the city selectors at the top of the page to choose any two cities from our database of 50+ major cities worldwide, or enter custom coordinates for any location.

Distance Between Riyadh and Rome

The straight-line distance from Riyadh to Rome is 3,680 km (2,286 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~4h 50m.

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