I have noticed, though, one thing that I’m terrible at. And that’s in comparing the relative size of US states with foreign countries. I guess it comes from many hours staring at maps of the US and then at maps of Europe, or Asia, or Central America. I must have subconsciously equated the US with those other continents. So, a small country started to look a lot like a small state. And a big country like a big state. But they’re not. Not at all.
So, see if you can guess the following states and countries of the same relative sizes. I’ve superimposed their outlines on top of each other. Ready? Here we go …
Not too hard, right? Both silhouettes are pretty recognizable, non? Here’s your final hint though … The inhabitants of both are a little full of themselves.
So, it’s France and Texas. Yup, Paris to Marseilles is about the same distance as Amarillo to San Antonio. Interesting, huh? Population-wise, though, it’s a bit of a mismatch. France’s 67 million is slightly more than twice as many as Texas’s 29.
Here’s another:
The state’s pretty recognizable, though I have tilted it a little. The country’s a little harder, though it is right side up.
Give up? It’s California and Sweden. Of course, there’s not a whole lot in the northern part of Sweden. But, heck, there’s not a whole lot north of Sacramento either, is there? California’s got Sweden beat when it comes to population though – 39 million to 10.
Here’s your next one:
These shapes are probably a little less familiar, though that weird bit in the upper left might give one of ‘em away. It’s for the country, which just so happens to be an island (with the last word being a hint as well).
And they are Iceland and Ohio. Hard to believe, but Iceland’s got only 300,000 people (and with a third of them in the capital, Reykavik), while Ohio’s got 11 million some.
Now, how about this one:
So, what we’ve got here are Rhode Island and Luxembourg. Who woulda thunk it? I just naturally assumed Luxembourg was about the size of a large American county.
Yup, the distance from Woonsocket to Weekapaug is about the same as the distance from Weiswampach to Differdange. Luxembourg only has about half the people of Rhode Island, though – 590,000 to about one million.
Next one!
Yup, they’re both long and skinny. One of em’s landlocked, however, with the other being right on the Atlantic. One more hint … One of em’s known for basketball, and the other for soccer.
Did you get ‘em? They’re Portugal and Indiana, with the skinnier one being Portugal. They’re a little more similar population-wise, 6.6M Hoosiers to 10.3M Portuguese.
Alright, who’s next?
So, these are definitely getting harder. I can give you one hint for the state – it’s got a northern neighbor with a similar name. As for the country … Well, it’s got something of a twin too. In fact, up to 1993, those two formed one country.
Did you get it? Did you get even one of ‘em? So, what we’ve got here is South Carolina and the Czech Republic. Interestingly, the state’s got almost exactly half the population of the country – 5 million to 10.
Ready for the next one?
Another toughie. All I’m going to tell you here, though, is that the state is pretty darn cold, and the country’s warm and sunny and downright tropical. Also, we’re not in Europe any more.
Give up? How about Vermont and Belize? Yup, those two couldn’t have less in common, could they? Population-wise, though, they’re somewhat close. Both are tiny, but with about 600,000 Vermonters and 400,000 Belizeans.
Alright, who’s next?
These last few are going to be rough. The states, though, should at least give you a fighting chance. As for that particular country, let me just say that we’re still in the Western Hemisphere, just much further south.
Get the state? Yup, it’s the Show Me State, Missouri. As for that blob of a country …? Well, if you guessed Uruguay, you deserve an extra point. Population-wise, it looks like we’ve got another one of those two-to-one deals. This time, though it’s the state doubling up the country, with Missouri at 6.1 million and Uruguay at 3.4M.
Ready for another toughie?
That state should look pretty familiar. As for the country, let me give you a big hint. This baby’s actually got coastlines on two oceans. And, yes, we’re still in the Western Hemisphere.
Did you get the Keystone State? Alright, how about Honduras? Who would’ve guessed? I always assumed Pennsylvania was a big state, a lot bigger than one of those little Central American guys. Surprisingly, they’re also fairly close in population - 13M for Pennsylvania and 9M for Honduras.
One final one for you:
Once again, that state might not be that hard. I do apologize for it’s rather rough outline though – it’s the only one I could find. I’ve got one hint for the country for you … it’s our only one from Asia. Okay, one final hint – they both have coastlines … and on the same ocean no less!
Well, if you guessed Cambodia, I’ve really got to hand it to you. And if you guessed Washington for the state … well, yeah. And here’s our final two-to-one population deal - 16M for Cambodia and 7.5M for Washington.
More geography stuff:
- The meanings of country names
- The meanings of state names
- Crazy demonyms (what you call people from a certain place)
- How many Springfields are there in the US?
- What's wrong with US time zones
- The most and least accessible state capitals
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