Ireland is a captivating country filled with lush landscapes, historical sites, and vibrant culture. However, many people are surprised to learn how small Ireland actually is. When compared to the vast expanse of the United States, Ireland’s size might seem modest. In this article, we’ll dive deep into Ireland’s size relative to U.S. states, offering detailed comparisons, facts, and insights to give you a complete picture.
Ireland’s Size: Key Facts
To begin, here’s a quick overview of Ireland’s size:
- Total Area: 84,421 square kilometers (32,595 square miles).
- Length: Approximately 486 kilometers (302 miles) from north to south.
- Width: About 275 kilometers (171 miles) at its widest point.
- Population: Around 5 million people as of 2024.
This makes Ireland the 20th largest island in the world but relatively small compared to the U.S., where the states vary widely in size and population.
Quick Overview of U.S. Size
The United States is one of the largest countries in the world, with vast differences in geography and size across its 50 states. Here’s a quick look at its overall size:
- Total Area: 3.8 million square miles (9.8 million square kilometers).
- Population: Over 330 million people (as of 2023).
- Largest State: Alaska, at 663,300 square miles (1,717,854 square kilometers).
- Smallest State: Rhode Island, at 1,214 square miles (3,144 square kilometers).
Comparing Ireland’s Size to U.S. States
To better understand Ireland’s scale, let’s compare it to some familiar U.S. states, focusing on size, population, and travel times.
A. Ireland vs. Texas
- Texas Size: 695,662 square kilometers (268,596 square miles).
- Comparison: Texas is about 8.2 times larger than Ireland.
- Travel Times:
- Driving from El Paso to Houston in Texas takes over 12 hours.
- Driving across Ireland from Cork to Donegal takes only about 6 hours.
Fun Fact: You could fit Ireland into Texas more than eight times, and Texas would still have room for a few other European countries!
B. Ireland vs. California
- California Size: 423,967 square kilometers (163,696 square miles).
- Comparison: California is about 5 times larger than Ireland.
- Population: California has nearly 39 million people, almost 8 times Ireland’s population.
Interesting Point:
- California’s vast terrain includes deserts, mountains, and beaches, similar to Ireland’s varied landscapes but on a much larger scale.
C. Ireland vs. New York State
- New York State Size: 141,297 square kilometers (54,555 square miles).
- Comparison: New York is about 1.7 times larger than Ireland.
- Population: New York State’s population is 19.5 million, significantly larger than Ireland’s.
Highlight:
- New York City alone has 8.8 million people, more than Ireland’s entire population.
D. Ireland vs. South Carolina
- South Carolina Size: 82,933 square kilometers (32,020 square miles).
- Comparison: South Carolina is slightly smaller than Ireland, making it one of the most similar U.S. states in size.
- Population: South Carolina’s population is about 5.2 million, very close to Ireland’s.
E. Ireland vs. Maine
- Maine Size: 91,646 square kilometers (35,385 square miles).
- Comparison: Maine is about 8% larger than Ireland.
- Population: Maine has only 1.4 million people, far fewer than Ireland.
Fun Fact: Both Maine and Ireland share a love for the sea, fishing, and stunning coastal landscapes.
F. Ireland vs. West Virginia
- West Virginia Size: 62,756 square kilometers (24,230 square miles).
- Comparison: Ireland is about 1.35 times larger than West Virginia.
- Similarities:
- Both regions are known for their rolling hills and rugged terrain.
- Outdoor activities like hiking are popular in both areas.
U.S States Closest in Size to Ireland
A few U.S. states are almost identical to Ireland in size. Here’s how they compare:
| State | Size (sq. km) | Comparison to Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 82,933 | Slightly smaller than Ireland |
| Maine | 91,646 | Slightly larger than Ireland |
| Indiana | 94,321 | About 10% larger than Ireland |
These states are the best benchmarks for visualizineg how Ireland compares to the U.S.
Ireland Compared to Smaller US States
Some US states are closer in size to Ireland, making them better comparisons:
- West Virginia
- Size: 24,230 square miles (62,756 square kilometers).
- Ireland is 33% larger than West Virginia.
- South Carolina
- Size: 32,020 square miles (82,933 square kilometers).
- South Carolina is almost the same size as Ireland.
- Maine
- Size: 35,380 square miles (91,646 square kilometers).
- Ireland is slightly smaller than Maine by about 10%.
- Hawaii
- Size: 10,931 square miles (28,311 square kilometers).
- Ireland is about three times larger than Hawaii.
Travel and Accessibility Ireland Vs U.S. States
Driving in Ireland
One of the perks of Ireland’s small size is that it’s easy to travel across.
- Longest Drive: From Cork (south) to Donegal (north) takes about 6 hours.
- Shortest Drive: From Dublin (east) to Galway (west) takes about 2.5 hours.
This compact size means visitors can experience a variety of landscapes in a single day, from coastal cliffs to rolling countryside.
Driving in U.S. States
By contrast, some U.S. states are so large that traveling across them can take days:
- Texas: Driving from El Paso to Houston takes 12+ hours.
- California: Driving from San Diego to Redding takes nearly 10 hours.
Population Density Comparison Ireland Vs U.S. States
Ireland has a higher population density than most U.S. states.
| Region | Population Density (people/sq. km) |
|---|---|
| Ireland | 70 |
| Texas | 42 |
| California | 97 |
| Alaska | 0.5 |
While Ireland feels bustling compared to rural U.S. states, it’s far less crowded than places like New Jersey, which has over 460 people per square kilometer.
Landscape and Geography
Ireland’s Terrain
- Mountains: Ireland’s tallest peak, Carrauntoohil, is 1,038 meters (3,406 feet).
- Coastline: Over 3,000 kilometers of rugged cliffs and sandy beaches.
- Forests: Only about 11% of Ireland is forested, much lower than the U.S. average of 33%.
U.S. Comparison
In the U.S., states like Colorado have towering mountains over 4,000 meters, while Minnesota is famous for its 10,000+ lakes. Ireland’s natural features are beautiful but on a smaller scale.
Fun Facts: Ireland vs. U.S. States
A. Size Comparisons
- Ireland is roughly the size of Lake Superior, the largest Great Lake.
- It’s smaller than Alaska’s largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias (53,321 square kilometers).
B. Population Comparisons
- Ireland’s population is smaller than Los Angeles County, which has 10 million residents.
- The country has fewer people than cities like Houston, Chicago, or Phoenix.
Why Size Matters for Visitors
For tourists, Ireland’s smaller size offers several advantages:
- Convenience: See more in less time.
- Cost: Less driving means lower fuel and travel costs.
- Diversity: Experience cities, countryside, and coastlines in one trip.
By comparison, traveling in larger U.S. states often requires careful planning and more time.
A Detailed Size Comparison Table
| Aspect | Ireland | Texas | South Carolina | Maine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area (sq. km) | 84,421 | 695,662 | 82,933 | 91,646 |
| Population | 5 million | 29 million | 5.2 million | 1.4 million |
| Driving Across | 6 hours (N-S) | 12+ hours (N-S) | 4 hours (N-S) | 5 hours (N-S) |
FAQs
How big is Ireland compared to the U.S. states?
Ireland is 84,421 square kilometers (32,595 square miles) in size. When compared to U.S. states, it’s much smaller than places like Texas (695,662 square kilometers) or California (423,967 square kilometers), but it’s similar in size to South Carolina or slightly larger than Maine.
What U.S. state is closest in size to Ireland?
South Carolina is the U.S. state that is closest in size to Ireland, with a land area of 82,933 square kilometers. It’s slightly smaller than Ireland, which is 84,421 square kilometers.
Can you drive across Ireland in one day?
Yes, you can drive across Ireland in one day. For example, driving from Cork in the south to Donegal in the north takes approximately 6 hours. This is far shorter than driving across larger U.S. states like Texas or California, where it can take a full day or more.
How does Ireland’s population density compare to U.S. states?
Ireland has a population density of about 70 people per square kilometer. This is higher than Texas (42 people per square kilometer) but lower than California, which has 97 people per square kilometer. The U.S. state with the lowest density, Alaska, has just 0.5 people per square kilometer.
Is Ireland’s terrain similar to any U.S. states?
Ireland’s terrain, characterized by rolling hills, rugged coastlines, and low mountains, is similar to states like West Virginia and Maine, which also have mountainous regions and lush landscapes. However, Ireland’s highest peak, Carrauntoohil, is much smaller than the towering mountains in states like Colorado or California.
Conclusion
Ireland may be small compared to U.S. states, but its compact size is part of its charm. It allows residents and visitors to enjoy a wide range of experiences without the long travel times associated with larger regions. Whether you’re planning a trip or simply curious about how Ireland stacks up, understanding its size offers valuable perspective.
In the end, while Ireland might not match the vastness of Texas or California, it more than makes up for it with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality.
Hi, I’m Tanvir, the founder and author of Explore Ireland Now. With a deep love for Ireland and its rich culture, history, and landscapes, I created this site to share everything that makes this beautiful country worth exploring. Whether you’re a local looking for hidden gems or a traveler planning your next adventure, I provide insightful guides, tips, and recommendations to help you experience Ireland to the fullest.
From stunning landscapes to vibrant cities and quaint villages, Ireland is full of wonders waiting to be discovered. Through my personal experiences and research, I aim to bring you the most up-to-date information and inspiration for your journey.
Thank you for visiting Explore Ireland Now—I hope my content helps you uncover all that this incredible country has to offer! If you have any questions or need travel advice, feel free to reach out.
