The Largest States in the World in 1880
On the world border map for 1880, the largest state was Russian Empire, with about 21.46 million km² — some 14% of the world's land. It was followed by Manchu Empire and Canada.
The 20 largest states in 1880
| Rank | State | Area | Share of world land | Rank in 1815 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russian Empire | 21.46 million km² | 14.4% | 1 |
| 2 | Manchu Empire | 11.02 million km² | 7.4% | 2 |
| 3 | Canada | 9.37 million km² | 6.3% | 3 |
| 4 | United States of America | 9.36 million km² | 6.3% | new |
| 5 | Kingdom of Brazil | 8.03 million km² | 5.4% | new |
| 6 | British Raj | 4.71 million km² | 3.2% | new |
| 7 | Ottoman Empire | 3.16 million km² | 2.1% | 12 |
| 8 | Argentina | 2.78 million km² | 1.9% | new |
| 9 | Western Australia (UK) | 2.52 million km² | 1.7% | new |
| 10 | Arabia | 2.22 million km² | 1.5% | new |
| 11 | Egypt | 2.04 million km² | 1.4% | – |
| 12 | Mexico | 1.92 million km² | 1.3% | new |
| 13 | Persia | 1.78 million km² | 1.2% | 14 |
| 14 | Netherlands Indies | 1.70 million km² | 1.1% | new |
| 15 | Queensland (UK) | 1.68 million km² | 1.1% | new |
| 16 | Bolivia | 1.48 million km² | 1.0% | new |
| 17 | Colombia | 1.40 million km² | 0.9% | new |
| 18 | Northern Territory (UK) | 1.23 million km² | 0.8% | new |
| 19 | Venezuela | 1.16 million km² | 0.8% | new |
| 20 | South Australia (UK) | 1.12 million km² | 0.8% | 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 | 3.16 million km² |
| 2 | Persia | 1.78 million km² |
| 3 | Sweden–Norway | 780,000 km² |
| 4 | Spain | 600,000 km² |
| 5 | Austria Hungary | 600,000 km² |
Asia
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchu Empire | 11.02 million km² |
| 2 | British Raj | 4.71 million km² |
| 3 | Netherlands Indies | 1.70 million km² |
| 4 | Rattanakosin Kingdom | 840,000 km² |
| 5 | Afghanistan | 650,000 km² |
Africa
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arabia | 2.22 million km² |
| 2 | Egypt | 2.04 million km² |
| 3 | Sokoto Caliphate | 1.01 million km² |
| 4 | Cape Colony | 560,000 km² |
| 5 | Tukular Caliphate | 370,000 km² |
Americas
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canada | 9.37 million km² |
| 2 | United States of America | 9.36 million km² |
| 3 | Kingdom of Brazil | 8.03 million km² |
| 4 | Argentina | 2.78 million km² |
| 5 | Mexico | 1.92 million km² |
Oceania
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Australia (UK) | 2.52 million km² |
| 2 | Queensland (UK) | 1.68 million km² |
| 3 | Northern Territory (UK) | 1.23 million km² |
| 4 | South Australia (UK) | 1.12 million km² |
| 5 | New South Wales (UK) | 820,000 km² |
Questions
What was the largest country in the world in 1880?
Russian Empire, with about 21.46 million km², on the border map for 1880.
What were the five largest states in 1880?
1. Russian Empire (21.46 million km²); 2. Manchu Empire (11.02 million km²); 3. Canada (9.37 million km²); 4. United States of America (9.36 million km²); 5. Kingdom of Brazil (8.03 million km²).
What was the largest state in Europe in 1880?
Ottoman Empire, with about 3.16 million km².
What was the largest state in Asia in 1880?
Manchu Empire, with about 11.02 million km².
What was the largest state in Africa in 1880?
Arabia, with about 2.22 million km².
← Largest states in 1815 · Largest states in 1900 → · Largest empires in history · The world in 1880
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.