Just to add to your point, as far as I can find, the entire European Union is only about 4.3 million sq. km.

If Spain were added as a 51st US State it would be the 3rd largest, between Texas and California. Same with France (largest in the EU), but it’s much closer to overtaking 2nd place. I had no idea those countries were so large.

Still, we have 50 of those country sized areas.