Seoul
605 km²
Tehran
730 km²
South Korea
Iran
Area Comparison
Seoul is 1.2x smaller than Tehran
Population Comparison
Seoul has 1.1x more people than Tehran
Tehran is significantly larger, covering 1.2 times the area of Seoul. Tehran spans 730 km² (282 mi²) while Seoul covers 605 km² (234 mi²) — a difference of 125 km².
To put Seoul's size in perspective, its area of 605 km² is about 1.3x smaller than New York City. Meanwhile, Tehran at 730 km² is roughly the same size as New York City.
In more relatable units, Seoul's 605 km² is about 85,000 American football fields, 180 times the area of Central Park, or 10 times the area of Manhattan. Tehran, by comparison, equals about 102,000 American football fields, 12 times the area of Manhattan, or 7 times the area of Paris.
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 covers 605 km² with a population of 9.8 million. The city was founded around 18 BC. Seoul is known for Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gangnam district, Myeongdong shopping, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is 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.
Tehran is the capital and largest city of Iran. It is also the capital of Tehran province and the administrative center for Tehran County and its Central District. With a population of around 9 million in the city, and 16.8 million in the metropolitan area, Tehran is the most populous city in Iran and West Asia, the second-largest metropolitan area in the Middle East after Cairo, and the 24th-most-populous metropolitan area in the world.
Tehran has an area of 730 km² and is home to 9.1 million people. The city dates back to 1524. Visitors come for Azadi Tower, Milad Tower, Golestan Palace, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Tehran Metro.
Tehran's metropolitan area holds 16.8 million people, making it the second-largest metropolitan area in the Middle East after Cairo.
Looking beyond city limits, the Seoul metropolitan area covers 11,704 km², which is 5.2x larger than greater Tehran at 2,235 km². The Seoul metro area is also more populous, with 25.5 million people compared to 16.0 million.
Seoul has a population density of 16,149 people per km² — an extremely dense urban environment. Tehran, with 12,507 people per km², is an extremely dense urban environment. Both cities have comparable density, though Seoul is slightly more compact.
Both cities are in Asia, but they represent different national approaches to urban development. Seoul (South Korea) and Tehran (Iran) offer a fascinating regional contrast.
Seoul has a humid continental climate while Tehran experiences hot-summer Mediterranean conditions. When it's noon in Seoul, it's 6.5:00 AM in Tehran — a 5.5-hour time difference.
Time Difference
5.5 hours apart
History
Seoul is ~1,542 years older
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).
Tehran covers 730 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Singapore (733 km²), Bangalore (741 km²), Hamburg (755 km²), Nairobi (696 km²), or New York (783 km²).
The straight-line distance from Seoul to Tehran is 6,554 km (4,073 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~8h 13m.
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