The World's Most Significant Landowners: A Deep Dive Into Global Land Ownership

The total landmass of earth contains 36.8 billion acres of inhabitable land. A large amount of this is owned by just a handful of landowners. Most of the names may not be familiar, but they are mostly the leaders of their countries, including Queen Elizabeth, who through her crown, owns Australia and Canada. The list contains a lot of dictators and monarchs, and presumably, that land will pass on to their successors when the time comes. The list of the 10 largest private landowners is all heads of state. However, if you expand to the 15 largest private landowners, American billionaire Ted Turner just squeaks onto the list.

This article will explore the top landowners around the globe, detailing their holdings and significance. From monarchs to influential politicians, these individuals control vast territories that shape economies and influence international relations. Understanding who owns the most land provides insight into power dynamics and resource distribution in our world.

As we delve into the world of land ownership, we will uncover fascinating facts about each of these leaders and their respective nations. By the end of this article, you will have a clearer picture of how land ownership is concentrated among a select few, and what that means for global governance and environmental stewardship.

Table of Contents

• King Letsie III of Lesotho
• King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan
• King Abdullah II of Jordan
• King Gyanendra of Nepal
• Sultan Qaboos of Oman
• King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand
• King Mohammed VI of Morocco
• Pope Benedict
• King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
• Queen Elizabeth II

King Letsie III of Lesotho – 11,718 Acres

King Letsie owns all the land, including the diamond mines, in his country. This is his second non-consecutive reign as king. He was replaced by his formerly-exiled father in 1995, but resumed the throne in 1996 when his father was killed in a car accident. Lesotho is a country in southern Africa.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan – 15,000 Square Miles

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (say that 10 times fast), like King Letsie, owns all the square miles of his country of Bhutan. The Buddhist kingdom is located on the eastern edge of the Himalayas and is known for its monasteries and landscapes that range from steep mountains to valleys to subtropical plains. King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck attended Philips Andover Academy and has been on the throne since 2008 where he’s been working to democratize the country.

King Abdullah II of Jordan – 35,637 Square Miles

King Abdullah II owns all of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which is one of the few countries that is a member of both The Arab League and The World Trade Organization. Fun fact, Abdullah was once an extra on "Star Trek: The Next Generation." He’s also a loyal ally to the U.S.

King Gyanendra of Nepal – 57,000 Square Miles

Like the other royals on this list, King Gyanendra owns all of his country, which in this case, also includes Mount Everest.

Sultan Qaboos of Oman – 82,030 Square Miles

Oman is a mostly desert region. Sultan Qaboos is a Westernized leader (compared to others in his region) and owns all the square miles within his borders.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand – 128 Million Acres

King Maha Vajiralongkorn has been King of Thailand since 2016. He took the throne after his father, King Bhumibol, passed away. His father was king from 1950 to his death.

King Mohammed VI of Morocco – 175.6 Million Acres

Morocco is uniquely situated as the gateway for trading between Africa and Europe. King Mohammed VI is the first major champion of democracy in the history of Morocco.

Pope Benedict – 110 Acres

The Pope is the de-facto owner of Vatican City as well as another roughly 177 million more acres of lands owned by the Catholic Church.

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia – 830,000 Square Miles

King Abdullah presides over the very oil-rich Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In 2019, the country’s GDP was about $618 billion.

Queen Elizabeth II – 6.6 Billion Acres

As the Queen overseeing Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, and other spots under British rule, Queen Elizabeth II has a staggering amount of land under her control.