The Largest States in the World in 1815
On the world border map for 1815, the largest state was Russian Empire, with about 19.97 million km² — some 13% of the world's land. It was followed by Manchu Empire and Canada.
The 20 largest states in 1815
| Rank | State | Area | Share of world land | Rank in 1800 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russian Empire | 19.97 million km² | 13.4% | 1 |
| 2 | Manchu Empire | 11.02 million km² | 7.4% | new |
| 3 | Canada | 9.37 million km² | 6.3% | new |
| 4 | Viceroyalty of Brazil | 8.10 million km² | 5.4% | 3 |
| 5 | United States | 5.64 million km² | 3.8% | new |
| 6 | Viceroyalty of New Spain | 4.61 million km² | 3.1% | 5 |
| 7 | New South Wales | 3.83 million km² | 2.6% | new |
| 8 | Viceroyalty of New Granada | 3.08 million km² | 2.1% | 8 |
| 9 | Viceroyalty of Peru | 2.80 million km² | 1.9% | 10 |
| 10 | Maratha Confederacy | 2.39 million km² | 1.6% | 17 |
| 11 | United Provinces of the Río de la Plata | 2.36 million km² | 1.6% | new |
| 12 | Ottoman Empire | 2.26 million km² | 1.5% | 9 |
| 13 | Denmark | 2.23 million km² | 1.5% | new |
| 14 | Persia | 2.11 million km² | 1.4% | 15 |
| 15 | Turan | 2.04 million km² | 1.4% | new |
| 16 | central Asian khanates | 1.03 million km² | 0.7% | 6 |
| 17 | British East India Company | 1.02 million km² | 0.7% | new |
| 18 | Fulani Empire | 930,000 km² | 0.6% | new |
| 19 | Rattanakosin Kingdom | 840,000 km² | 0.6% | 19 |
| 20 | Sweden–Norway | 780,000 km² | 0.5% | new |
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 | 2.26 million km² |
| 2 | Sweden–Norway | 780,000 km² |
| 3 | Spain | 640,000 km² |
| 4 | Austrian Empire | 600,000 km² |
| 5 | France | 540,000 km² |
Asia
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchu Empire | 11.02 million km² |
| 2 | Maratha Confederacy | 2.39 million km² |
| 3 | Persia | 2.11 million km² |
| 4 | Turan | 2.04 million km² |
| 5 | central Asian khanates | 1.03 million km² |
Africa
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fulani Empire | 930,000 km² |
| 2 | Egypt | 740,000 km² |
| 3 | Nejd | 660,000 km² |
| 4 | Kaarta | 510,000 km² |
| 5 | Somalia | 330,000 km² |
Americas
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canada | 9.37 million km² |
| 2 | Viceroyalty of Brazil | 8.10 million km² |
| 3 | United States | 5.64 million km² |
| 4 | Viceroyalty of New Spain | 4.61 million km² |
| 5 | Viceroyalty of New Granada | 3.08 million km² |
Oceania
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New South Wales | 3.83 million km² |
| 2 | Tuʻi Tonga Empire | 20,000 km² |
Questions
What was the largest country in the world in 1815?
Russian Empire, with about 19.97 million km², on the border map for 1815.
What were the five largest states in 1815?
1. Russian Empire (19.97 million km²); 2. Manchu Empire (11.02 million km²); 3. Canada (9.37 million km²); 4. Viceroyalty of Brazil (8.10 million km²); 5. United States (5.64 million km²).
What was the largest state in Europe in 1815?
Ottoman Empire, with about 2.26 million km².
What was the largest state in Asia in 1815?
Manchu Empire, with about 11.02 million km².
What was the largest state in Africa in 1815?
Fulani Empire, with about 930,000 km².
← Largest states in 1800 · Largest states in 1880 → · Largest empires in history · The world in 1815
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.