Square kilometre

Last updated
square kilometre
Comparison of units of area.png
The square kilometre (red square) compared to other areas, including a square mile (the entire yellow square)
General information
Unit system SI units
Unit of area
Symbolkm2
Conversions
1 km2in ...... is equal to ...
    SI units    
  • 1000000 m2
  • 100 ha
    Imperial/US    
  • 0.3861 sq mi
  • 247.1 acres

The square kilometre (square kilometer in American spelling; symbol: km2) is a multiple of the square metre, the SI unit of area or surface area.

Contents

1 km2 is equal to:

It is also approximately equal to:

Conversely:

The symbol "km2" means (km)2, square kilometre or kilometre squared and not k(m2), kilo–square metre. For example, 3 km2 is equal to 3×(1,000m)2 = 3,000,000 m2, not 3,000 m2.

Examples of areas of 1 square kilometre

Topographical map grids

Part of an Ordnance Survey map, published 1952. The grid lines are at one-kilometre intervals, giving each square an area of one square kilometre. The map shows that the area of the island is about two square kilometres. Caldey Island map 1952.jpg
Part of an Ordnance Survey map, published 1952. The grid lines are at one-kilometre intervals, giving each square an area of one square kilometre. The map shows that the area of the island is about two square kilometres.

Topographical map grids are worked out in metres, with the grid lines being 1,000 metres apart.

In each case, the grid lines enclose one square kilometre.

Medieval city centres

Map of Delft, Netherlands, dated 1659. The walls enclosed an area of about 1 square kilometre. Dimensions of the old city of Delft.svg
Map of Delft, Netherlands, dated 1659. The walls enclosed an area of about 1 square kilometre.

The area enclosed by the walls of many European medieval cities were about one square kilometre. These walls are often either still standing or the route they followed is still clearly visible, such as in Brussels, where the wall has been replaced by a ring road, or in Frankfurt, where the wall has been replaced by gardens. The approximate area of the old walled cities can often be worked out by fitting the course of the wall to a rectangle or an oval (ellipse). Examples include:

The walled city of Delft was approximately rectangular.
The approximate length of rectangle was about 1.30 kilometres (0.81 mi). [6]
The approximate width of the rectangle was about 0.75 kilometres (0.47 mi). [6]
A perfect rectangle with these measurements has an area of 1.30×0.75 = 0.9 km2
The medieval city is roughly rectangular with rounded north-east and north-west corners.
The maximum distance from east to west is 1.36 kilometres (0.85 mi). [6]
The maximum distance from north to south is 0.80 kilometres (0.50 mi). [6]
A perfect rectangle of these dimensions would be 1.36×0.80 = 1.088 km2.
The medieval city of Bruges, a major centre in Flanders, was roughly oval or elliptical in shape with the longer or semi-major axis running north and south.
The maximum distance from north to south (semi-major axis) is 2.53 kilometres (1.57 mi). [6]
The maximum distance from east to west (semi-minor axis) is 1.81 kilometres (1.12 mi). [6]
A perfect ellipse of these dimensions would be 2.53 × 1.81 × (π/4) = 3.597 km2.
Chester is one of the smaller English cities that has a near-intact city wall. [7]
The distance from Northgate to Watergate is about 855 metres. [6]
The distance from Eastgate to Westgate is about 589 metres. [6]
A perfect rectangle of these dimensions would be (855/1000) × (589/1000) = 0.504 km2.

Parks

Parks come in all sizes; a few are almost exactly one square kilometre in area. Here are some examples:

Golf courses

Using the figures published by golf course architects Crafter and Mogford, a course should have a fairway width of 120 metres and 40 metres clear beyond the hole. Assuming a 6,000-metre (6,600 yd) 18-hole course, an area of 80 hectares (0.8 square kilometre) needs to be allocated for the course itself. [17] [Note 1] Examples of golf courses that are about one square kilometre include:

Other areas of one square kilometre or thereabouts

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Assume that each hole requires (6000÷18 + 40) = 373 metres in length. The area needed is (18 × 373 × 120 ÷ 10,000) = 80.64 ha (1 hectare = 10,000 square metres).

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Square metre</span> SI-derived unit of area

The square metre or square meter is the unit of area in the International System of Units (SI) with symbol m2. It is the area of a square with sides one metre in length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Munds Park, Arizona</span> CDP in Coconino County, Arizona

Munds Park is an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) in Coconino County, Arizona, United States. The year round population was 631 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pike Creek, Delaware</span> CDP in Delaware, United States

Pike Creek is a census-designated place (CDP) in New Castle County, Delaware, United States and is part of the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Metropolitan statistical area. In 2007, CNN's Money Magazine ranked Pike Creek number 1 on its list of the 100 Best Places to Live in the United States. Pike Creek was the only community in Delaware to appear on the list. The population was 7,808 at the 2020 Census. Local attractions include Middle Run Natural Area, White Clay Creek State Park, Carousel Farm Park and Equestrian Center, Golf and Restaurants. Pike Creek is approximately five miles from downtown Newark, which contains the University of Delaware. Pike Creek is connected to the University of Delaware campus and the Newark downtown area by several bike trails. Pike Creek is approximately 10 miles west of the state's largest city, Wilmington, which is a national financial center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Webster City, Iowa</span> City in Iowa, United States

Webster City is a city in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 7,825 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Hamilton County. Webster City is known as 'Boone River Country', as the Boone River meanders along the east side of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Independence Township, Michigan</span> Charter township in Michigan, United States

Independence Township is a charter township of Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 36,686 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stansbury Park, Utah</span> CDP and Township in Utah, United States

Stansbury Park is a census-designated place (CDP) in Tooele County, Utah, United States. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 9,851, up from the 2010 figure of 5,145.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharm El Sheikh</span> City in South Sinai, Egypt

Sharm El Sheikh, alternatively rendered Sharm el-Sheikh, Sharm el Sheikh, or Sharm El-Sheikh, is an Egyptian city on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, in South Sinai Governorate, on the coastal strip along the Red Sea. Its population is approximately 13,000 as of 2023. Sharm El Sheikh is the administrative hub of Egypt's South Sinai Governorate, which includes the smaller coastal towns of Dahab and Nuweiba as well as the mountainous interior, St. Catherine and Mount Sinai. It was historically a fishing town and military base, and was developed into a commercial and tourist-centric city in 1968 by Israel. Today, the city and holiday resort is a significant centre for tourism in Egypt, while also attracting many international conferences and diplomatic meetings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Anau</span> Town in Southland, New Zealand

Te Anau is a town in the Southland region of the South Island of New Zealand. In Māori, Te-Anau means the Place of the Swirling Waters. It is on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau in Fiordland. Te Anau is 155 kilometres north of Invercargill and 171 kilometres to the southwest of Queenstown. Manapouri lies 21 kilometres to the south. Te Anau lies at the southern end of the Milford Road, 117 kilometres to the south of Milford Sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alyth</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Alyth is a town in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, five miles northeast of Blairgowrie and about 17 miles northwest of Dundee. In 2016 the town had an estimated population of 2,400.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guildford, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Guildford is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Guildford is located 27 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Cumberland City Council. Guildford is part of the Western Sydney region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grant Devine Dam</span> Dam and reservoir in Saskatchewan, Canada

The Grant Devine Dam, formerly Alameda Dam, is an embankment dam located in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan near Alameda and Oxbow. It was constructed in 1994 to control flows on Moose Mountain Creek and Souris River. It provides flood protection and irrigation for this area of Saskatchewan, along with protection for Minot, North Dakota. The Grant Devine Reservoir provides opportunities for recreational use such as boating and fishing. At the full supply level of 562 metres (1,844 ft), the reservoir holds 105,000,000 m3 (3.7×109 cu ft) of water. The project is owned and operated by the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (formerly Saskatchewan Watershed Authority).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rural Municipality of Canwood No. 494</span> Rural municipality in Saskatchewan, Canada

The Rural Municipality of Canwood No. 494 is a rural municipality (RM) in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan within Census Division No. 16 and SARM Division No. 5. The RM is located in the north-central portion of the province, west of the city of Prince Albert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo Pound Provincial Park</span> Provincial park in Saskatchewan, Canada

Buffalo Pound Provincial Park is in southern Saskatchewan, Canada, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) north-east of Moose Jaw and 86 kilometres (53 mi) north-west of the city of Regina. Access to the provincial park is from Highways 301 and 202.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chichester Dam</span> Dam in Dungog, New South Wales

Chichester Dam is a minor concrete gravity dam across the Chichester and Wangat rivers, upstream of Dungog, in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. The dam's main purpose is water supply for the Lower Hunter region. A mini hydro-electric power station operates at times of peak flow and is connected to the national grid. The impounded reservoir is Lake Chichester.

Shell Lake is a village in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan within the Rural Municipality of Spiritwood No. 496 and Census Division No. 16. This village is 90 kilometres west of the City of Prince Albert. It was formerly part of the Rural Municipality (RM) of Shell Lake No. 495 before it was absorbed by the RM of Spiritwood No. 496. It is the administrative centre of the Ahtahkakoop Cree First Nation band government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elbow, Saskatchewan</span> Village in Saskatchewan, Canada

Elbow is a village in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan within the Rural Municipality of Loreburn No. 254 and Census Division No. 11. Elbow was founded in 1909, near what is now Lake Diefenbaker. It is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) north-west of Mistusinne, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) north-west of Douglas Provincial Park, and 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) south-east of Loreburn. The village got its name from its position on the elbow of the South Saskatchewan River.

Goodsoil is a village in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan within the Rural Municipality of Beaver River No. 622 and Census Division No. 17. The Goodsoil Historical Museum Site is a municipal heritage property on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. It is the western gateway to Meadow Lake Provincial Park.

Pasatiempo is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Cruz County, California, United States, located along State Route 17 between Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz. Bus service is provided by Santa Cruz Metro and the Highway 17 Express. Pasatiempo sits at an elevation of 394 feet (120 m). The 2020 United States census reported Pasatiempo's population was 1,093.

Bryntirion Estate is an estate in Pretoria, South Africa. It incorporates the Mahlamba Ndlopfu residence of the president of South Africa, the vice president's residence, the presidential guest house, many homes of cabinet ministers, 15 tennis courts, and a 9 hole presidential golf course with a helipad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katepwa Beach</span> Community in Saskatchewan, Canada

Katepwa Beach is a former resort village in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan within Census Division No. 6. It is now part of the District of Katepwa. Katepwa Beach is on the eastern shore of Katepwa Lake in the RM of Abernethy No. 186, approximately 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) south-east of the town of Fort Qu'Appelle on Highway 56.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "UnitConversion.org Area Converter". web page. UnitConversion.org. 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  2. ↑ There are 0.386102159 international square miles in a square kilometer while there are 0.386100614 US Survey square miles in the same measure. This is because the US Survey measures are very slightly larger than the international measures. [1]
  3. ↑ There are 247.105381467 international acres in a square kilometre while there are only 247.104393047 of the very slightly larger US Survey acres. [1]
  4. ↑ An International square mile equals 2.58998811 km2 while the slightly larger US Survey square mile equals 2.58999847 km2. [1]
  5. ↑ 1 acre (International) = 0.004046856 km2 while 1 acre (US Survey) = 0.004046873 km2 [1]
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Measurements taken from Google Earth
  7. ↑ Howe, Steve. "Chester: A Virtual Stroll around the Walls" . Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  8. ↑ "Medway Council Riverside Country Park". web page. Medway Council. 2012. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  9. ↑ "Ashfield Brierley Forest Park". web page. Ashfield District Council. 2012. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  10. ↑ "California Department of Parks and Recreation Rio de Los Angeles State Park". web page. State of California. 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  11. ↑ "Parks & Recreation Central Park, Center Junction, Iowa". web page. Jones County Tourism Association. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  12. ↑ "A History of Kiest Park". web page. Friends of Oak Cliff Parks. 2010. Archived from the original on 5 June 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  13. ↑ "Hole-in-the-Wall Park & Campground". web page. Hole-in-the-Wall Park & Campground. 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  14. ↑ "BC Parks Downing Provincial Park". web page. British Columbia Ministry of Environment. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  15. ↑ "Citadel Park". web page. Poland Travel. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  16. ↑ "Sydney Olympic Park Parklands Fact Sheet". web page. Sydney Olympic Park Authority. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  17. ↑ "Golf Course Safety" (PDF). Crafter + Mogford, golf course architects. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  18. 1 2 "Visitor Information [Manchester Golf Club]". web page. Manchester Golf Club Ltd. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  19. ↑ "Welcome to the Trophy Club". web page. The Trophy Club. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  20. ↑ "Arabian Ranches Golf Club". 7 Days in Dubai. Catchpole Communications FZ-LLC, Al Sidra Media LLC. Archived from the original on 2012-09-08. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  21. ↑ "Sharm el Sheikh Golf Courses: Sharm el Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt". web page. TravelSmart Ltd: World Guides. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  22. ↑ "Belmont Golf Club, Lake Macquarie, History". web page. Belmont Golf Club. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  23. ↑ "Jerusalem - The Old City". web page. The American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012. Actually, about 89 hectares.
  24. ↑ "Science Vale UK". web page. Abbey House. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  25. ↑ "Invest in Poland". web page. Polish information and foreign investment agency. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  26. ↑ "Guildford Grammar School". waterhall.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  27. ↑ "39th National Conference on Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Power". web page. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT). Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  28. ↑ "MauritiusAttraction". Amity Institute of Higher Education, Mauritius. Amity Institute of Higher Education. 2011. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  29. ↑ "Peng Chau<Leisure Line - Barrier-Free Information Website - Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth". e-cgo.org.hk.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.