This article provides an overview of the 5 Largest US Embassies in the World. For a detailed overview of US Embassies, read our article, 20 Largest US Embassies In The World.
5. US Embassy Ottawa, Canada
Area Covered (Acres): 30
Stationed in the heart of Ottawa, the United States Embassy is a dynamic center for diplomacy, accommodating a diverse range of offices from the Department of State and other US government agencies under one roof. This collaborative setting fosters seamless communication and coordination across departments, ensuring the effective execution of the mission to advance US interests and serve American citizens in Canada. From fostering economic partnerships to providing consular services, the Embassy’s dedicated staff work diligently to solidify the long-standing bond between the United States and Canada.
4. US Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan
Area Covered (Acres): 36
Recognizing Afghanistan’s independence in 1921, the United States established diplomatic ties in 1935. This initial legation opened in Kabul in 1942 and was elevated to embassy status in 1948. However, safety concerns led to its closure in 1989. Following the fall of the Taliban in 2002, the embassy reopened its doors, with a new compound completed in 2005. Unfortunately, operations were suspended on August 31, 2021. While personnel have been withdrawn, US citizens in Afghanistan requiring routine consular services can contact any US embassy or consulate for assistance. A dedicated team from the Kabul embassy is currently operating from Doha, Qatar, ensuring continued support.
3. US Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan
Area Covered (Acres): 37
Among the first nations to recognize Pakistan’s independence on August 14, 1947, was the United States. Formal diplomatic relations were established on August 15, the following day. The United States and Pakistan share a broad, multifaceted partnership encompassing diverse areas like education, energy, trade, and investment. Additionally, a strong security partnership binds the two nations. The US embassy complex comprises a seven-story chancery for US officials and tenants, a six-story annexe for USAID, three staff residences, a four-story consular annexe, a three-story support annexe, recreational facilities, Marine quarters, a warehouse, parking garage, utility building, and on-site water and waste management infrastructure.
2. US Embassy Beirut, Lebanon
Area Covered (Acres): 43
In 1942, the United States established a quasi-diplomatic presence in Lebanon under French authority by appointing an “Agent and Consul General.” Following Lebanon’s independence in 1944, the U.S. built an embassy in Beirut, with a staggering $1 billion price tag matching the cost of its London mission, the most expensive in its history. This monumental scale suggests unwavering American commitment to the Middle East yet simultaneously underscores the superpower’s complex challenges in the region.
1. US Embassy Baghdad, Iraq
Area Covered (Acres): 104
In 1888, the first American Consul set foot in Baghdad, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. Recognizing Iraq’s independence in 1930, the United States established a Legation the following year, elevating it to Embassy status in 1946. Today, the US embassy in Baghdad reigns as the largest US embassy in the world, occupying a 104-acre site within the heavily fortified Green Zone and boasting a construction cost exceeding $700 million.
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