The Largest States in the World in 1600
On the world border map for 1600, the largest state was central Asian khanates, with about 11.06 million km² — some 7% of the world's land. It was followed by Tsardom of Muscovy and Ming Chinese Empire.
The 20 largest states in 1600
| Rank | State | Area | Share of world land | Rank in 1500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | central Asian khanates | 11.06 million km² | 7.4% | new |
| 2 | Tsardom of Muscovy | 6.85 million km² | 4.6% | new |
| 3 | Ming Chinese Empire | 6.03 million km² | 4.0% | 2 |
| 4 | Ottoman Empire | 5.27 million km² | 3.5% | 13 |
| 5 | Tibet | 2.06 million km² | 1.4% | 7 |
| 6 | Islamic and Hindu states | 1.99 million km² | 1.3% | new |
| 7 | Kazakh Khanate | 1.96 million km² | 1.3% | new |
| 8 | Safavid Empire | 1.61 million km² | 1.1% | new |
| 9 | Mughal Empire | 1.50 million km² | 1.0% | new |
| 10 | Viceroyalty of New Spain | 1.40 million km² | 0.9% | new |
| 11 | Malaysian Islamic states | 1.37 million km² | 0.9% | 9 |
| 12 | Viceroyalty of Peru | 1.17 million km² | 0.8% | new |
| 13 | Khiva Khanate | 940,000 km² | 0.6% | new |
| 14 | Poland-Lithuania | 890,000 km² | 0.6% | 14 |
| 15 | Cree | 890,000 km² | 0.6% | new |
| 16 | Ayutthaya | 730,000 km² | 0.5% | 19 |
| 17 | Songhai | 720,000 km² | 0.5% | – |
| 18 | Sweden | 680,000 km² | 0.5% | new |
| 19 | Holy Roman Empire | 670,000 km² | 0.5% | 16 |
| 20 | Denmark-Norway | 500,000 km² | 0.3% | – |
Areas are measured from the border polygons of the map and are approximate; claimed areas, tributaries and unorganised land are not included.
Largest states by region
Europe
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tsardom of Muscovy | 6.85 million km² |
| 2 | Ottoman Empire | 5.27 million km² |
| 3 | Poland-Lithuania | 890,000 km² |
| 4 | Sweden | 680,000 km² |
| 5 | Holy Roman Empire | 670,000 km² |
Asia
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | central Asian khanates | 11.06 million km² |
| 2 | Ming Chinese Empire | 6.03 million km² |
| 3 | Tibet | 2.06 million km² |
| 4 | Islamic and Hindu states | 1.99 million km² |
| 5 | Kazakh Khanate | 1.96 million km² |
Africa
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Songhai | 720,000 km² |
| 2 | Kanem-Bornu | 490,000 km² |
| 3 | Ethiopia | 490,000 km² |
| 4 | Madagascar | 430,000 km² |
| 5 | Darfur | 360,000 km² |
Americas
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viceroyalty of New Spain | 1.40 million km² |
| 2 | Viceroyalty of Peru | 1.17 million km² |
| 3 | Cree | 890,000 km² |
| 4 | Apache | 340,000 km² |
| 5 | Comanche | 220,000 km² |
Oceania
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meru | 40,000 km² |
| 2 | Tuʻi Tonga Empire | 20,000 km² |
| 3 | Dyungungoo (Gubbi Gubbi) | 20,000 km² |
| 4 | Thul Garrie Waja (Bindal) | 0 km² |
Questions
What was the largest country in the world in 1600?
central Asian khanates, with about 11.06 million km², on the border map for 1600.
What were the five largest states in 1600?
1. central Asian khanates (11.06 million km²); 2. Tsardom of Muscovy (6.85 million km²); 3. Ming Chinese Empire (6.03 million km²); 4. Ottoman Empire (5.27 million km²); 5. Tibet (2.06 million km²).
What was the largest state in Europe in 1600?
Tsardom of Muscovy, with about 6.85 million km².
What was the largest state in Asia in 1600?
central Asian khanates, with about 11.06 million km².
What was the largest state in Africa in 1600?
Songhai, with about 720,000 km².
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Last updated 10 November 2026. Sources: border data from historical-basemaps, land and rivers from Natural Earth; texts written for Chronica Maps from standard reference works. How we make the maps.