How is western cordillera smaller than the Appalachians?

The Western Cordillera is typically considered smaller than the Appalachians in terms of length and overall land area. The Appalachians stretch over 1,500 miles from Alabama to Canada, while the Western Cordillera spans about 3,000 miles along the western coast of North and South America. Additionally, the Western Cordillera is generally narrower in width compared to the broader Appalachian mountain range.