Israel Is One Quarter the Size of Maine

When you think of Israel, you might picture a major geopolitical player, a hub of innovation, or a land steeped in thousands of years of history. What you probably don't picture is the state of Maine. But here's a perspective-shifter: Israel is roughly one-quarter the size of Maine, coming in at about 8,522 square miles compared to Maine's 35,380 square miles.

To put that in context, you could fit four Israels inside Maine and still have a little room left over for a lighthouse or two. Despite its small footprint, Israel punches far above its weight class on the world stage.

The Geography of a Tiny Giant

Israel's compact size means you can drive from the Mediterranean coast to the Jordanian border in about two hours on a good day. The entire country stretches only about 290 miles from north to south, and at its narrowest point, it's a mere 9 miles wide. For comparison, Maine stretches 320 miles north to south and up to 210 miles east to west.

But what Israel lacks in square mileage, it makes up for in diversity. Within those 8,522 square miles, you'll find:

• Mediterranean beaches along the coast
• The Negev Desert covering more than half the country
• The mountainous Golan Heights in the north
• The Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth at 1,410 feet below sea level
• Lush valleys and the Sea of Galilee

Maine's landscape is equally varied, with its rocky coastline, dense forests, and lake country, but it has the luxury of spreading those features across a much larger canvas.

Population Density: A Different Story

Here's where the comparison gets interesting. While Israel is geographically tiny, it's home to approximately 9.8 million people (as of 2025). Maine, with four times the land area, has a population of just 1.4 million. That means Israel has nearly seven times more people packed into a quarter of the space.

This population density has shaped everything from Israel's urban planning to its agricultural innovations. When you're working with limited land, you get creative—hence Israel's world-leading desalination technology, drip irrigation systems, and vertical farming techniques.

Why the Confusion?

If you're surprised by how small Israel actually is, you're not alone. The country's outsized global presence—in terms of politics, technology, and cultural influence—creates a perception that doesn't match the physical reality. Israel ranks in the top 20 globally for high-tech startups per capita, and its GDP rivals that of much larger nations. It's a reminder that geographic size doesn't determine importance or impact.

Meanwhile, Maine remains the largest state in New England, a place where you can still find towns with populations in the double digits and stretches of wilderness where moose outnumber people. Different vibe entirely.