China ranks fourth worldwide by total area, behind Russia, Canada, and the United States.
China covers roughly 9.6 million square kilometres. Its exact position can look different in reference works because measurements may treat inland waters, territorial claims, and border areas differently. In the standard global ranking, however, China is fourth.
China is the world’s largest country located entirely in Asia by total area, and it has a very long land frontier. It borders 14 countries, including Mongolia, Russia, India, and Pakistan. Its landscape ranges from the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau to deserts, grasslands, river plains, and densely settled eastern lowlands.
People sometimes confuse China’s area rank with its population rank. China has one of the world’s largest populations, but area rankings measure physical territory rather than inhabitants. Russia remains much larger because it spans much of northern Eurasia.