The Largest States in the World in 1938
On the world border map for 1938, the largest state was USSR, with about 21.13 million km² — some 14% of the world's land. It was followed by United States and Canada.
The 20 largest states in 1938
| Rank | State | Area | Share of world land | Rank in 1930 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USSR | 21.13 million km² | 14.2% | 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 | 8.09 million km² | 5.4% | 5 |
| 6 | Chinese warlords | 5.45 million km² | 3.7% | new |
| 7 | British Raj | 4.81 million km² | 3.2% | 7 |
| 8 | French West Africa | 4.63 million km² | 3.1% | 8 |
| 9 | Argentina | 2.77 million km² | 1.9% | 9 |
| 10 | Sudan | 2.51 million km² | 1.7% | 10 |
| 11 | Belgian Congo | 2.35 million km² | 1.6% | new |
| 12 | Algeria (France) | 2.31 million km² | 1.6% | new |
| 13 | Denmark | 2.23 million km² | 1.5% | 14 |
| 14 | French Equatorial Africa | 2.16 million km² | 1.4% | 11 |
| 15 | Union of South Africa | 2.02 million km² | 1.4% | 15 |
| 16 | Saudi Arabia | 2.01 million km² | 1.4% | new |
| 17 | Mexico | 1.91 million km² | 1.3% | 16 |
| 18 | Empire of Japan | 1.79 million km² | 1.2% | – |
| 19 | Dutch East Indies | 1.70 million km² | 1.1% | 17 |
| 20 | Xinjiang | 1.63 million km² | 1.1% | 18 |
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 | 1.60 million km² |
| 2 | Germany | 560,000 km² |
| 3 | France | 550,000 km² |
| 4 | Mesopotamia (GB) | 550,000 km² |
| 5 | Spain | 500,000 km² |
Asia
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chinese warlords | 5.45 million km² |
| 2 | British Raj | 4.81 million km² |
| 3 | Empire of Japan | 1.79 million km² |
| 4 | Dutch East Indies | 1.70 million km² |
| 5 | Xinjiang | 1.63 million km² |
Africa
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | French West Africa | 4.63 million km² |
| 2 | Sudan | 2.51 million km² |
| 3 | Belgian Congo | 2.35 million km² |
| 4 | Algeria (France) | 2.31 million km² |
| 5 | French Equatorial Africa | 2.16 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 | 8.09 million km² |
| 2 | New Zealand | 250,000 km² |
| 3 | Fiji | 20,000 km² |
| 4 | New Caledonia | 20,000 km² |
| 5 | Tonga | 0 km² |
Questions
What was the largest country in the world in 1938?
USSR, with about 21.13 million km², on the border map for 1938.
What were the five largest states in 1938?
1. USSR (21.13 million km²); 2. United States (9.38 million km²); 3. Canada (8.99 million km²); 4. Brazil (8.42 million km²); 5. Australia (8.09 million km²).
What was the largest state in Europe in 1938?
Iran, with about 1.60 million km².
What was the largest state in Asia in 1938?
Chinese warlords, with about 5.45 million km².
What was the largest state in Africa in 1938?
French West Africa, with about 4.63 million km².
← Largest states in 1930 · Largest states in 1945 → · Largest empires in history · The world in 1938
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.