Due do Mercator projection, the maps we are all used to are distorted. The further from the equator, the countries appear to be relatively bigger. For example, did you know that USA and Australia are very similar in size?
The page that allows you to play with the maps is here:
Let me know about your interesting findings!
If you don’t include the US state of Alaska, then both Australia and China are larger than the US.
The US without the states of Alaska and Hawaii are sometimes called the “contiguous states”, or the “lower 48 states”. It is also sometimes called the “continental states”. This is technically an incorrect term, but it’s sometimes said and understood.