Vancouver
115 km²
Zurich
88 km²
Canada
Switzerland
Area Comparison
Vancouver is 1.3x larger than Zurich
Population Comparison
Vancouver has 1.5x more people than Zurich
Yes — Vancouver is 1.3x larger than Zurich by area. Vancouver spans 115 km² (44 mi²) while Zurich covers 88 km² (34 mi²) — a difference of 27 km².
To put Vancouver's size in perspective, its area of 115 km² is roughly the same size as San Francisco. Meanwhile, Zurich at 88 km² is about 1.2x smaller than Paris (city proper).
In more relatable units, Vancouver's 115 km² is about 16,000 American football fields, 57 times the area of Monaco, or 34 times the area of Central Park. Zurich, by comparison, equals about 12,000 American football fields, 180 times the area of Vatican City, or 44 times the area of Monaco.
Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the city, up from 631,486 in 2016. The Metro Vancouver area had a population of 2.6 million in 2021, making it the third-largest metropolitan area in Canada. Greater Vancouver, along with the Fraser Valley, comprises the Lower Mainland with a regional population of over 3 million.
Known as "Hollywood North", Vancouver covers 115 km² with a population of 0.7 million. The city was established in 1886. Vancouver is known for Stanley Park, Granville Island, Capilano Suspension Bridge, among other attractions.
Vancouver grew from 631,486 residents in 2016 to 662,248 by the 2021 census, leading all of British Columbia.
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. As of the end of 2024, the municipality had a population of 436,551, while the urban area was home to 1.45 million people (2020), and the Zurich metropolitan area had a total population of 2.1 million (2020). Zurich is a hub for railways, roads, and air traffic.
Zurich has an area of 88 km² and is home to 0.4 million people. Its history stretches back to 15 BC. Visitors come for Lake Zurich, Bahnhofstrasse, Grossmünster, and much more. Getting around is easy with the ZVV (S-Bahn & Tram).
Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and sits at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich in north-central Switzerland.
Vancouver has a population density of 5,739 people per km² — a densely populated city. Zurich, with 4,886 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Both cities have comparable density, though Vancouver is slightly more compact.
Vancouver has a Marine west coast climate climate while Zurich experiences oceanic conditions.
History
Zurich is ~1,901 years older
Vancouver covers 115 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include San Francisco (121 km²), Paris (105 km²), Barcelona (101 km²), Lisbon (100 km²), or Miami (143 km²).
Zurich covers 88 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Copenhagen (91 km²), Lisbon (100 km²), Barcelona (101 km²), Paris (105 km²), or Vancouver (115 km²).
The straight-line distance from Vancouver to Zurich is 8,307 km (5,162 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~10h 16m.
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