Which country is the largest that the Equator crosses?

Brazil is the largest country crossed by the Equator.

The Equator passes through northern Brazil, including territory in the state of Amapá. With a total area of about 8.52 million square kilometres, Brazil is vastly larger than the other countries associated with the Equator, including Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Colombia.

Brazil’s position can be surprising because Ecuador is the country whose name directly refers to the Equator. Ecuador does lie on the Equator, but it is much smaller. Brazil also has the distinction of being the only country crossed by both the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The Equator crosses land in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, and also passes through island states and territorial waters. Brazil’s enormous share of the Amazon Basin helps explain why it dominates the area comparison among equatorial countries.