The Largest States in the World in 1920
On the world border map for 1920, the largest state was USSR, with about 21.36 million km² — some 14% of the world's land. It was followed by United States and Canada.
The 20 largest states in 1920
| Rank | State | Area | Share of world land | Rank in 1914 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USSR | 21.36 million km² | 14.3% | new |
| 2 | United States | 9.38 million km² | 6.3% | 2 |
| 3 | Canada | 8.99 million km² | 6.0% | 3 |
| 4 | Brazil | 8.42 million km² | 5.7% | 4 |
| 5 | Australia | 7.66 million km² | 5.1% | 5 |
| 6 | Chinese Warlords | 5.45 million km² | 3.7% | new |
| 7 | British Raj | 4.81 million km² | 3.2% | 8 |
| 8 | French West Africa | 4.63 million km² | 3.1% | 7 |
| 9 | Argentina | 2.77 million km² | 1.9% | 9 |
| 10 | Sudan | 2.51 million km² | 1.7% | new |
| 11 | French Equatorial Africa | 2.49 million km² | 1.7% | – |
| 12 | Zaire (Belgium) | 2.35 million km² | 1.6% | new |
| 13 | Algeria | 2.31 million km² | 1.6% | 11 |
| 14 | Denmark | 2.13 million km² | 1.4% | 13 |
| 15 | Union of South Africa | 2.03 million km² | 1.4% | new |
| 16 | Mexico | 1.91 million km² | 1.3% | 14 |
| 17 | Dutch East Indies | 1.70 million km² | 1.1% | new |
| 18 | Xinjiang | 1.63 million km² | 1.1% | 18 |
| 19 | Libya (IT) | 1.62 million km² | 1.1% | new |
| 20 | Iran | 1.59 million km² | 1.1% | 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 | Iran | 1.59 million km² |
| 2 | France | 550,000 km² |
| 3 | Mesopotamia (GB) | 550,000 km² |
| 4 | Italy | 510,000 km² |
| 5 | Spain | 490,000 km² |
Asia
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chinese Warlords | 5.45 million km² |
| 2 | British Raj | 4.81 million km² |
| 3 | Dutch East Indies | 1.70 million km² |
| 4 | Xinjiang | 1.63 million km² |
| 5 | Mongolia | 1.57 million km² |
Africa
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | French West Africa | 4.63 million km² |
| 2 | Sudan | 2.51 million km² |
| 3 | French Equatorial Africa | 2.49 million km² |
| 4 | Zaire (Belgium) | 2.35 million km² |
| 5 | Algeria | 2.31 million km² |
Americas
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 9.38 million km² |
| 2 | Canada | 8.99 million km² |
| 3 | Brazil | 8.42 million km² |
| 4 | Argentina | 2.77 million km² |
| 5 | Mexico | 1.91 million km² |
Oceania
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 7.66 million km² |
| 2 | Papua New Guinea | 420,000 km² |
| 3 | New Zealand | 250,000 km² |
| 4 | Fiji | 20,000 km² |
| 5 | Tonga | 0 km² |
Questions
What was the largest country in the world in 1920?
USSR, with about 21.36 million km², on the border map for 1920.
What were the five largest states in 1920?
1. USSR (21.36 million km²); 2. United States (9.38 million km²); 3. Canada (8.99 million km²); 4. Brazil (8.42 million km²); 5. Australia (7.66 million km²).
What was the largest state in Europe in 1920?
Iran, with about 1.59 million km².
What was the largest state in Asia in 1920?
Chinese Warlords, with about 5.45 million km².
What was the largest state in Africa in 1920?
French West Africa, with about 4.63 million km².
← Largest states in 1914 · Largest states in 1930 → · Largest empires in history · The world in 1920
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.