Which are the Largest and Smallest States in India in Terms of Area?

India is a large country, consisting of 29 states and 7 union territories. According to the census 2011, the largest and smallest states in India are Rajasthan and Goa respectively.

Rajasthan spreads about 3,42,238 square kilometres in the north-western part of the country, comprising of 10.41% of the whole land of India. In terms of its geographical area, the state is comparable to the European country Germany. Although, largest in the area, it is seventh largest in population. It was formed in 1949 after Rajputana was joined with the Dominion of India. Its largest city and capital is Jaipur. Other major cities include Udaipur, Ajmer, Bikaner, Kota, and  Jodhpur.

The state has parts of Thar Desert which is also known as Great Indian Desert and Rajasthan Desert. It shares the border with Pakistan and 5 Indian states, namely, Gujarat to the southwest, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to the northeast, and Punjab to the north. The significant attractions of this state include the Keoladeo National Park, the Dilwara Temples,  ruins of the Indus Valley Civilisation, and 3 tiger reserves, namely, Ranthambore National Park,  Mukundra Hill Tiger Reserve, and Sariska Tiger Reserve.

The second and the third largest state in India are Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra respectively. The former was the largest state in India until Chhattisgarh was declared a state.

Goa, on the other hand, is the smallest state in India. Covering 3,702 square kilometres in the country, it occupies 0.11% of the total land of the country. Situated on the west coast of the country, it is surrounded by Karnataka to the south & east and Maharashtra to the north. The Arabian Sea forms the western coast of it. By population, it is the fourth smallest state in the country. Its capital is Panaji and the largest city of the state is Vasco da Gama. Goa was under the rule of Portugal for many years that the Portuguese influence is still visible today. The main appeals of this state are World Heritage-listed architecture, rich flora and fauna, nightlife, white sand beaches, and places of worship.