Square Kilometer (km²)
The square kilometer, or km², is equal to one million square meters. It was designed for measuring large areas when the metric system was introduced. Square kilometers are often used in geography, maps, and environmental studies to represent the size of places such as cities, forests, and countries. For example, a country’s size is typically measured in square kilometers (km²). Its ease of use and simple conversions make it important for sharing global information.
Square Mile (mi²)
The square mile, or mi², is the area of a square one mile on each side, or 640 acres. Its history dates back to the mile, which originated in Roman times. The square mile became a set measurement in England. It is still widely used in the US and the UK for large areas, such as cities, counties, and parks. Most countries use square kilometers, but in English-speaking regions, the square mile remains common, especially in historical and legal contexts.