square kilometer
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square kilometer
A unit of measurement for an area that corresponds to a square with side lengths of one kilometer (km²). It is often used to state the size of cities, countries, or other geographic areas.
Die Fläche von Berlin beträgt etwa 892 Quadratkilometer.
The area of Berlin is about 892 square kilometers.
The word is made up of 'Quadrat' (square) and 'Kilometer' (kilometer). The 's' in between is a linking s that connects the two parts of the word. The meaning is literal: a square with side lengths of one kilometer.
Die Insel hat eine Fläche von nur fünf Quadratkilometern.
The island has an area of only five square kilometers.
After a number from two upward, 'Quadratkilometer' (square kilometer) is usually used in the plural without the ending '-n'. This pattern applies to many units of measurement.
Der Nationalpark erstreckt sich über 500 Quadratkilometer.
The national park stretches across 500 square kilometers.
In texts, tables, and on maps, the abbreviation 'km²' is used very frequently. The superscript '²' stands for 'Quadrat' (square).
Die Bevölkerungsdichte beträgt 150 Einwohner pro km².
The population density is 150 inhabitants per km².
kilometer
'der Kilometer' and 'der Quadratkilometer' look similar, but they do not measure the same thing. A kilometer is a length or distance, for example the route from one place to another. A square kilometer is an area, meaning the size of a region. Learners can easily confuse the words because both contain 'Kilometer'. The simple rule is: for routes or distances, use 'Kilometer'. For the size of cities, countries, lakes, or forests, use 'Quadratkilometer'.
Das Naturschutzgebiet ist mehrere Quadratkilometer groß.
The nature reserve is several square kilometers in size.
Nach der Arbeit läuft Max noch fünf Kilometer durch den Park.
After work, Max runs another five kilometers through the park.