Top 10 Biggest European Countries by Area (with Table & Map)
Are you curious about which countries in Europe are the largest and which are the smallest? If you’ve ever wondered whether France is bigger than Germany or how tiny Vatican City really is, you’re in the right place! This page will help you learn all about European countries by area—with fun facts, smart comparisons, and easy tables to master for your next quiz or school test. Let’s travel across Europe together, discovering the biggest and tiniest countries along the way!
Europe’s Map—Who’s The Biggest and Smallest?
Discover Why Area Matters For Countries
A country’s area tells us how much land it covers on Earth. In Europe, countries range from giant Russia in the east to the super-tiny Vatican City tucked inside Italy. Learning these sizes helps with map questions, understanding travel distances, and even spotting which countries have more forests, mountains, or farms. This knowledge is very important for CBSE, IGCSE, and UPSC exams. Plus, it’s just cool to know!
Which European Country Takes Up The Most Space?
Who’s Number 1? It’s Russia… But Not All of It!
Russia is often called both a European and Asian country because part of it lies in Europe and part in Asia. If we count only the European part, Russia is still the largest country in Europe, with an area of about 3,969,100 km². Next comes Ukraine, then France, Spain, and Sweden. Isn’t it wild how one country can cover so much land?
Top 10 Biggest European Countries by Area
| Rank | Country | Area (km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russia* | 3,969,100 |
| 2 | Ukraine | 603,500 |
| 3 | France** | 551,695 |
| 4 | Spain | 505,992 |
| 5 | Sweden | 450,295 |
| 6 | Germany | 357,022 |
| 7 | Finland | 338,455 |
| 8 | Norway | 323,802 |
| 9 | Poland | 312,696 |
| 10 | Italy | 301,340 |
*Note: Only European part of Russia included. **Note: Area of mainland France.
Tiny But Mighty: The Smallest Countries in Europe
- Vatican City is the world’s smallest country – just 0.49 km²! It’s inside Rome, Italy.
- Monaco is next, only about 2 km².
- Followed by San Marino, Liechtenstein, and Malta.
Why Do Exams Ask About Country Areas?
Exam Boards Love This Topic!
| Exam Board | Topic In Syllabus | Marks/Type |
|---|---|---|
| CBSE | Map Skills, Europe by Area | 2–4 marks (objective) |
| UPSC | Geography GS, European Map | 1 marker or MCQs |
| IGCSE | Major countries by size | Map Qs, 1–3 marks |
| SSC | European Geography | 1–2 MCQs |
So, knowing this topic can help you score higher in social studies and general knowledge sections!
Biggest vs. Smallest – Country Area Showdown!
Let’s Compare The Extremes
| Largest | Area (km²) | Smallest | Area (km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russia* | 3,969,100 | Vatican City | 0.49 |
| Ukraine | 603,500 | Monaco | 2.02 |
| France | 551,695 | San Marino | 61 |
| Spain | 505,992 | Liechtenstein | 160 |
| Sweden | 450,295 | Malta | 316 |
Europe or Texas – Which One Wins?
| Entity | Area (km²) |
|---|---|
| Europe (total) | 10,180,000 |
| Texas (USA) | 695,662 |
| Russia (Europe part) | 3,969,100 |
| France | 551,695 |
| Germany | 357,022 |
Europe as a continent is much bigger than Texas (USA) or even any single US state!
Smart Ways To Remember Country Sizes
Tricks, Mnemonics, and Map Magic
- Group the big countries: Russia, Ukraine, France, Spain, Sweden (think: “R U For Studying Swans?” – a funny mnemonic!)
- Remember the middle ones by first letters in order: Germany, Finland, Norway, Poland, Italy (“Great Friends Never Play Indoors”).
- Tiny ones mostly end with "o": Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican.
And always check a blank map for quick practice—drawing helps you memorize them faster!
Fun Facts and Cool Surprises About European Areas
Unusual Area Stories
- The European part of Russia is bigger than any other country in Europe by far!
- The five smallest countries in Europe could all fit inside Paris city!
- Some countries like Turkey and Kazakhstan only have small parts in Europe—the rest is in Asia!
Quiz Yourself! Practice Questions For Smart Kids
- Which country is the third biggest in Europe by area?
- Is Germany larger than Poland?
- What’s the total area of Europe compared to the USA east of the Mississippi?
- Name two microstates found in Europe!
Common Mistakes Everyone Makes
Big Mix-Ups To Avoid
- Confusing France’s full area with only its European part—overseas areas count separately!
- Mixing up capitals and countries: for example, Monaco is a country AND its capital!
- Thinking all of Russia is European (only about 25% is in Europe).
Ask and Answer: Fun GK Examples
Let’s Solve Like in Exams
- Q: What’s the second-largest country in Europe?
A: Ukraine, with about 603,500 km². - Q: Is Europe as a whole larger than Texas?
A: Yes, Europe is way bigger—almost 15 times the size!
Quick Facts Table
| Feature | What It Means | Fun to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Largest Country | Russia (European part) | About 3.9 million km² |
| Smallest Country | Vatican City | Less than 1 km² |
| Top 5 (in order) | Russia, Ukraine, France, Spain, Sweden | Easy to memorize! |
Where To Discover More GK Wonders?
- Learn about the largest mountain ranges in the world.
- Test yourself with the fastest birds quiz.
- Explore the Prime Ministers of India for general knowledge.
A Friendly Wrap-up: Master Europe’s Map With Vedantu!
Now you know the secrets to which are the biggest and smallest European countries by area—super helpful for your school exams and general curiosity. Start with the top five and the tiniest five, make your own mnemonics, and you’ll never get confused again! For more amazing, exam-ready GK facts, keep exploring Vedantu’s GK Topic Pages.
Happy learning and map-hunting!
FAQs on European Countries by Area: Complete Size Ranking & Comparison
1. What is the largest country in Europe by area?
Russia (European part) is the largest country in Europe by area.
Key facts:
- Russia (European part): Approximately 3,969,100 km² (covers the western part of Russia that lies within Europe).
- This area is the most significant landmass among all European countries.
- For exam prep, always specify only the European part is considered.
2. What are the top 10 largest countries in Europe by area?
The top 10 biggest countries in Europe by area are:
- Russia (European part): 3,969,100 km²
- Ukraine: 603,500 km²
- France (Metropolitan): 551,695 km²
- Spain: 505,992 km²
- Sweden: 450,295 km²
- Germany: 357,022 km²
- Finland: 338,455 km²
- Norway: 323,802 km²
- Poland: 312,696 km²
- Italy: 301,340 km²
3. Is France bigger than Germany?
Yes, France (Metropolitan) is larger than Germany in terms of area.
- France: 551,695 km²
- Germany: 357,022 km²
4. Is Europe bigger than Texas?
Europe as a continent is much larger than Texas.
- Europe: About 10,180,000 km²
- Texas (USA): About 695,662 km²
5. Which are the smallest countries in Europe by area?
The smallest countries in Europe by area are microstates often asked in competitive exams:
- Vatican City: 0.49 km²
- Monaco: 2.02 km²
- San Marino: 61 km²
- Liechtenstein: 160 km²
- Malta: 316 km²
6. Are European countries generally bigger or smaller than US states?
European countries vary widely, but most are smaller than US states like Texas or California except for the European part of Russia.
- Only Russia (European part), Ukraine, and France surpass many US states in size.
- Many countries like Luxembourg and Malta are much smaller.
7. How can I memorize the order of largest European countries for exams?
To memorize the largest European countries by area, use mnemonic techniques and repetition:
- Create a mnemonic with first letters: RUFSSGFNPI (Russia, Ukraine, France, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Norway, Poland, Italy).
- Practice by drawing blank maps and filling countries in order.
- Quiz yourself regularly with flashcards listing top 10 by area.
8. Does the distinction between geographical and political Europe affect area rankings?
Yes, the distinction between geographical and political Europe affects country area rankings.
- Geographical Europe: Includes all territories west of the Ural Mountains (so the western part of Russia).
- Political Europe: May exclude Russia and include microstates or semi-recognized territories.
- Always check your exam syllabus for which definition applies.
9. Which is bigger: Ukraine or France?
Ukraine is larger than France by area.
- Ukraine: 603,500 km²
- France (Metropolitan): 551,695 km²
10. What are the "Big Four" countries in Europe and why are they important?
The "Big Four" European countries include Russia, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, recognized for both area and economic influence.
- Russia (European part)
- France
- Germany
- United Kingdom
