Greenland vs South America: Lakes and rivers permanent water area

Greenland
17,316 kmsq
in 2022
South America
136,082 kmsq
in 2022
Greenland rank
16th
South America rank
18th

Lakes and rivers permanent water area over time

  • Greenland
  • South America
050.0k100.0k150.0k200020112022

How they compare

South America currently reports 136,082 kmsq against 17,316 kmsq in Greenland, a difference of 118,766 kmsq.

That makes South America's figure about 7.9 times Greenland's.

Across all 23 years both countries report, South America has been ahead every year.

Greenland ranks 16th and South America ranks 18th of 252 countries.

South America has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Greenland South America Difference Ahead
2000s 18,685 kmsq 141,632 kmsq 122,947 kmsq South America
2010s 21,676 kmsq 139,176 kmsq 117,500 kmsq South America
2020s 17,068 kmsq 136,830 kmsq 119,762 kmsq South America

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher lakes and rivers permanent water area, Greenland or South America?
South America, at 136,082 kmsq against 17,316 kmsq in Greenland as of 2022.
What is the difference in lakes and rivers permanent water area between Greenland and South America?
118,766 kmsq, with South America ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Greenland and South America?
23 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2022.
How do Greenland and South America rank globally for lakes and rivers permanent water area?
Greenland ranks 16th and South America ranks 18th of 252 countries.
Where does this data come from?
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as Lakes and rivers permanent water area (square kilometres). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Greenland vs South America: Lakes and rivers permanent water area. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 05 September 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/compare/lakes-and-rivers-permanent-water-area-square-kilometres/greenland/south-america/

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About this data

Indicator
Lakes and rivers permanent water area (square kilometres)
Unit
kmsq
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
291 places, 6,691 data points, 2000–2022
Last refreshed