The Largest States in the World in 1783
On the world border map for 1783, the largest state was Russian Empire, with about 16.04 million km² — some 11% of the world's land. It was followed by Qing Empire and Viceroyalty of Brazil.
The 20 largest states in 1783
| Rank | State | Area | Share of world land | Rank in 1700 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russian Empire | 16.04 million km² | 10.8% | new |
| 2 | Qing Empire | 12.16 million km² | 8.2% | new |
| 3 | Viceroyalty of Brazil | 8.10 million km² | 5.4% | new |
| 4 | Rupert's Land | 7.85 million km² | 5.3% | new |
| 5 | Viceroyalty of New Spain | 4.09 million km² | 2.7% | 7 |
| 6 | central Asian khanates | 3.42 million km² | 2.3% | 4 |
| 7 | Luisiana | 3.14 million km² | 2.1% | new |
| 8 | Viceroyalty of New Granada | 3.09 million km² | 2.1% | new |
| 9 | Ottoman Empire | 3.08 million km² | 2.1% | 3 |
| 10 | Viceroyalty of Peru | 2.80 million km² | 1.9% | 6 |
| 11 | Denmark-Norway | 2.59 million km² | 1.7% | – |
| 12 | Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata | 2.36 million km² | 1.6% | new |
| 13 | United States of America | 2.30 million km² | 1.5% | new |
| 14 | Dutch East Indies | 1.70 million km² | 1.1% | 11 |
| 15 | Persia | 1.65 million km² | 1.1% | new |
| 16 | Afghanistan | 1.15 million km² | 0.8% | new |
| 17 | Maratha Confederacy | 1.04 million km² | 0.7% | new |
| 18 | Quebec | 950,000 km² | 0.6% | new |
| 19 | Rattanakosin Kingdom | 840,000 km² | 0.6% | new |
| 20 | Sweden | 750,000 km² | 0.5% | 14 |
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 | Ottoman Empire | 3.08 million km² |
| 2 | Sweden | 750,000 km² |
| 3 | Spain | 640,000 km² |
| 4 | Austrian Empire | 620,000 km² |
| 5 | Poland | 550,000 km² |
Asia
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qing Empire | 12.16 million km² |
| 2 | central Asian khanates | 3.42 million km² |
| 3 | Dutch East Indies | 1.70 million km² |
| 4 | Persia | 1.65 million km² |
| 5 | Afghanistan | 1.15 million km² |
Africa
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nejd | 660,000 km² |
| 2 | Segu | 440,000 km² |
| 3 | Madagascar | 430,000 km² |
| 4 | Air | 420,000 km² |
| 5 | Kanem-Bornu | 410,000 km² |
Americas
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viceroyalty of Brazil | 8.10 million km² |
| 2 | Rupert's Land | 7.85 million km² |
| 3 | Viceroyalty of New Spain | 4.09 million km² |
| 4 | Luisiana | 3.14 million km² |
| 5 | Viceroyalty of New Granada | 3.09 million km² |
Oceania
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Papua New Guinea | 420,000 km² |
| 2 | Meru | 40,000 km² |
| 3 | Tuʻi Tonga Empire | 20,000 km² |
| 4 | Dyungungoo (Gubbi Gubbi) | 20,000 km² |
| 5 | Thul Garrie Waja (Bindal) | 0 km² |
Questions
What was the largest country in the world in 1783?
Russian Empire, with about 16.04 million km², on the border map for 1783.
What were the five largest states in 1783?
1. Russian Empire (16.04 million km²); 2. Qing Empire (12.16 million km²); 3. Viceroyalty of Brazil (8.10 million km²); 4. Rupert's Land (7.85 million km²); 5. Viceroyalty of New Spain (4.09 million km²).
What was the largest state in Europe in 1783?
Ottoman Empire, with about 3.08 million km².
What was the largest state in Asia in 1783?
Qing Empire, with about 12.16 million km².
What was the largest state in Africa in 1783?
Nejd, with about 660,000 km².
← Largest states in 1700 · Largest states in 1800 → · Largest empires in history · The world in 1783
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.