How Big is Westeros Compared to the United States?
For Game of Thrones enthusiasts, the question of the size of the fictional land of Westeros has long been a topic of fascination. The question has been brought to the world of reality using Google Maps to compare it with the United States (U.S.). This article examines the size of both Westeros and the U.S. and provides a detailed comparison to shed light on the scale of George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series and the related A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire Visual Companion.
Westeros: An Enormous Fictional Continent
The continent of Westeros in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire is expansive and diverse. While the official dimensions of Westeros have not been precisely defined in the books, Game of Thrones Wiki offers a detailed map that helps provide a fair comparison with the real-world United States. This wiki states that Westeros is around 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers) from north to south and approximately 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) wide at its widest point. Here, we will use these estimates to make an approximation that can be compared with the actual geographical data of the U.S.
Real-World Comparison: The United States
The contiguous United States, which excludes Alaska and Hawaii, spans approximately 2,800 miles (4,506 kilometers) from east to west (along the Tropic of Cancer) and around 1,600 miles (2,575 kilometers) from north to south. This makes the U.S. roughly 4.5 million square miles, or 11.7 million square kilometers, in total land area. However, when we consider only the land mass of the contiguous 48 states (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), the area is approximately 3.6 million square miles (9.4 million square kilometers).
Geographical Similarity and Differences
Just how similar are the dimensions of Westeros and the United States? The Game of Thrones Wiki dimensions of Westeros (3,000 miles from north to south and 1,000 miles wide at its widest point) provide an interesting estimation when compared with the dimensions of the U.S. These sizes suggest that Westeros could be about as large as the contiguous 48 United States if placed side by side, making it approximately 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers) long and 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) wide. However, it's important to note that the geography of Westeros is more complex and less precisely defined compared to real-world locations.
Visual Comparison of Westeros and the United States
To make a more concrete comparison, one can superimpose an outline of Westeros over an outline of the United States. By rotating the Westeros map 90 degrees for better alignment, a visual comparison becomes quite clear. Both continents are roughly rectangular in shape, albeit with different orientations. When this is done, Westeros appears to be slightly larger and more elongated, highlighting the impressive scale of George R. R. Martin's Westeros.
As shown, the total land area of Westeros, based on the estimates from the Game of Thrones Wiki, is slightly larger than the contiguous United States. However, the actual geographical details of Westeros are not as clearly defined within the books, leaving room for interpretation. The exact dimensions of Westeros vary slightly depending on the source, but it is generally accepted that Westeros is larger than the United States in terms of land mass.
Conclusion: Westeros and the United States in Comparative Perspective
In conclusion, while there are some differences in the exact dimensions, Westeros is comparable in size to the United States, with some studies suggesting it might be slightly more extensive. For fans of Game of Thrones, this comparison adds an exciting layer of realism to the world-building of Westeros.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Westeros as large as the U.S.?
Science fiction and fantasy worlds are often larger than the real world for dramatic and narrative purposes. While Westeros is indeed larger than the contiguous United States when considering its land area, it is not always explicitly compared this way in the books. The Game of Thrones Wiki estimates the size of Westeros to be comparable to the U.S., providing a useful reference for fans.
How accurate is the map of Westeros in the Game of Thrones Wiki?
The map in the Game of Thrones Wiki is illustrative and based on fan art and in-universe descriptions. It should be treated as a guide rather than an exact representation of George R. R. Martin's vision. The accuracy of the map can vary, but it is a useful tool for understanding the scale of Westeros.
How do the size of Westeros and the U.S. compare in storytelling?
The size of Westeros is deliberately designed to be much larger than the U.S. in the narrative sense. It encapsulates a range of diverse cultures, landscapes, and political systems, allowing for a rich and multifaceted world within the A Song of Ice and Fire series.