How many square miles of land are on Mars? I've read that Mars has as much land as Earth...?

Question

Obviously this is because even though Mars is smaller, most the Earth is in fact covered by water so it evens out. I was curious if a) this was true and b) how big the expanse of land exactly is.

Answer 1

surface area = 4 pi r^2

remember that earth's surface is 2/3 ocean, while mars has no oceans.

Answer 2

There is land at the bottom of all of earth's oceans and when we learn to live in underwater cities we will be able to utilize that.

That should come long before we colonize Mars.

Answer 3

all of 'em.  no oceans at all.

http://www.universetoday.com/guide-to-sp...

mars is a bit over 1/2 of earth's diameter, and since area is related to the square, the area will be a bit over 1/4 that of earth.

but then the land area of earth is a bit over 1/4, so they're fairly close, if we ignore the oceans.

Answer 4

Yes, it is true.  At least, the figures are close enough for government work.

Google "surface area of Mars."

Answer 5

Earth’s surface is nearly 70% ocean.  

I have to disagree with the previous answer.  They have been talking about colonising the ocean for as long as they have moon and Mars.  More probes go into space than go to the ocean floor.  

One reason is that going from surface to space, there is a pressure change of 1 atmosphere.  Going from surface to the deepest ocean depth, the pressure change is 1000 atmospheres.  Consequently, it is far easier and safer to build a domed city on the moon than on the ocean bed.