Rome
1,285 km²
Seoul
605 km²
Italy
South Korea
Area Comparison
Rome is 2.1x larger than Seoul
Population Comparison
Rome has 3.4x fewer people than Seoul
Rome is significantly larger, covering 2.1 times the area of Seoul. Rome spans 1,285 km² (496 mi²) while Seoul covers 605 km² (234 mi²) — a difference of 680 km². You could fit Seoul inside Rome approximately 2 times.
To put Rome's size in perspective, its area of 1,285 km² is about 1.2x smaller than London. Meanwhile, Seoul at 605 km² is about 1.3x smaller than New York City.
Rome's footprint is roughly about 180,000 American football fields, 22 times the area of Manhattan, or 12 times the area of Paris — pick whichever unit feels intuitive. Seoul works out to about 85,000 American football fields, 180 times the area of Central Park, or 10 times the area of Manhattan.
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.
Known as "The Eternal City", Rome covers 1,285 km² with a population of 2.9 million. The city was founded around 753 BC. Rome is known for Colosseum, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is 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
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 2.2x larger than greater Rome at 5,352 km². The Seoul metro area is also more populous, with 25.5 million people compared to 4.3 million.
Rome has a population density of 2,233 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Seoul, with 16,149 people per km², is an extremely dense urban environment. Seoul is dramatically more crowded, with 7.2x the population density.
This comparison spans continents — Rome in Europe versus Seoul in Asia. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Rome has a Mediterranean climate while Seoul experiences humid continental conditions. When it's noon in Seoul, it's 4:00 AM in Rome — a 8-hour time difference.
Size Ratio
Seoul fits inside Rome ~2 times
Density Gap
Seoul is 7.2x more densely populated
Time Difference
8 hours apart
History
Rome is ~735 years older
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).
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 Rome to Seoul is 8,966 km (5,571 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~11h 3m.
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