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Some of the largest countries in the world can also be the smallest. It all depends on what you're measuring a nation against. For example, Saudi Arabia is the biggest country in the world without a river. But it's not the biggest country on the planet per se. In this quiz, we take a look at some contradictions using countries that are the largest and second-largest on the planet depending on a certain characteristic. Confused?
Sit back, click through, and all will become clear. Probably...
While taking seasonal watercourses into account, there are currently 20 nations and 22 territories that do not have a permanent natural river flowing within them. What is the largest and second-largest country in the world without a river?
With a total of 555,000 km2 (214,000 sq mi), Yemen is the second-largest country in the world without a river.
Saudi Arabia, whose total area is 2,149,690 km2 (830,000 sq mi), is the largest country in the world without a river.
According to Statista, forests cover over four billion hectares of the Earth's landmass, around 31% of total land area. What is the largest and second-largest country in the world without a forest?
Oman, located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, has an area of 309,500 km2 (119,500 sq mi). This makes it the second-largest nation without a forest.
The largest country in the world without a forest is Greenland. The country boasts an area of 2,166,086 km2 (836,330 sq mi).
Half of the planet's habitable land is used for agriculture, according to Our World in Data. What is the largest and second-largest country in the world with no land set aside for farming?
With a total area of just 2.08 km2 (0.80 sq mi), Monaco is the second-largest country without farmland.
With an area of 734.3 km2 (283.5 sq mi), Singapore is the largest country in the world bereft of any farmland.
In one of its studies, the World Resources Institute estimates the total length of the world's coastlines at around 1.63 million km. What is the largest and second-largest country in the world with no coastline?
Landlocked Mongolia, with an area of 1,564,116 km2 (603,909 sq mi), is the second-largest country without a coastline.
The largest country in the world without a coastline is Kazakhstan. Its area of 2,724,900 km2 (1,052,100 sq mi) is totally landlocked. Part of the country does border the Caspian Sea, but inland seas are generally viewed as large lakes, although this has been a matter of debate.
According to World Atlas, 24% of the Earth's landmass can be considered mountainous. What is the largest and second-largest country that does not fall into this category?
There are no mountains within Lithuania's 65,300 km2 (25,200 sq mi). The highest point is Aukštojas Hill, at 294 m (965 ft). It's the second-largest country bereft of peaks.
With an area of 207,595 km2 (80,153 sq mi), Belarus is the largest country without any mountains. Its highest point is Dzyarzhynskaya Hara, summiting at 345 m (1,130 ft).
EU Flight Compensation counts over 41,700 airports currently in operation around the world. But what is the largest and second-largest country that isn't served by its own airport?
Liechtenstein is the second-largest country in the world without an airport. Its total area is a mere 160 km2 (62 sq mi).
The largest country in the world without access to its own airport is Andorra. The nation features an area of 467.63 km2 (180.55 sq mi).
According to the 2023 CIA World Factbook, 39 countries and territories do not have a military. What is the largest and second-largest country in the world that doesn't have a standing army?
With an area of 75,417 km2 (29,119 sq mi), Panama is the second-largest country without a standing army. However, the country maintains an armed police force and internal security service.
Iceland, whose area is 103,125 km2 (39,817 sq mi), is the largest nation in the world that doesn't operate a standing army. Instead, the Icelandic Coast Guard maintains defenses for the country.
As of January 2023, there are a total of 1,157 World Heritage Sites located across 167 countries. What is the largest and second-largest country without UNESCO recognition?
There are no UNESCO World Heritage Sites set within South Sudan's 644,329 km2 (248,777 sq mi) of area, making it the second-largest country without such a designation. However, the Sudd wetland remains on the organization's Tentative List.
With an area of 637,657 km2 (246,201 sq mi), Somalia is the largest country in the world without a UNESCO World Heritage Site set within its borders. There are, however, around a dozen archaeological sites in the country that are believed to be potential future candidates for World Heritage status.
There are numerous areas of the world where average rainfall is low. But what is the largest and second-largest country on the planet where annual precipitation is truly below average?
Libya is the second-largest country in the world with the least precipitation. Most of its area of 1,759,541 km2 (679,363 sq mi) receives a minimal 50-55 mm of rainfall annually, though the Green Mountain zone—Jabal al Akhdar—is one place where rainfall can measure up to 600 mm.
Chad, a country whose area measures 1,284,000 km2 (496,000 sq mi), is the largest country in the world to receive minimal rainfall, often less than 50 mm annually. In some areas, it may not rain for years.
Sources: (Statista) (Our World in Data) (World Resources Institute) (World Atlas) (EU Flight Compensation) (CIA World Factbook) (UNESCO)
Countries that don't have armies, airports, rivers, and more
Countries of a certain size bereft of natural wonders or man-made facilities
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Some of the largest countries in the world can also be the smallest. It all depends on what you're measuring a nation against. For example, Saudi Arabia is the biggest country in the world without a river. But it's not the biggest country on the planet per se. In this quiz, we take a look at some contradictions using countries that are the largest and second-largest on the planet depending on a certain characteristic. Confused?
Sit back, click through, and all will become clear. Probably...