The Largest States in the World in 1960
On the world border map for 1960, the largest state was USSR, with about 21.75 million km² — some 15% of the world's land. It was followed by United States and Canada.
The 20 largest states in 1960
| Rank | State | Area | Share of world land | Rank in 1945 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USSR | 21.75 million km² | 14.6% | 1 |
| 2 | United States | 9.38 million km² | 6.3% | 2 |
| 3 | Canada | 9.37 million km² | 6.3% | 3 |
| 4 | Brazil | 8.42 million km² | 5.7% | 4 |
| 5 | China | 8.20 million km² | 5.5% | 6 |
| 6 | Australia | 7.66 million km² | 5.1% | 5 |
| 7 | India | 3.20 million km² | 2.2% | 7 |
| 8 | Argentina | 2.77 million km² | 1.9% | 8 |
| 9 | Sudan | 2.51 million km² | 1.7% | 9 |
| 10 | Zaire | 2.35 million km² | 1.6% | 10 |
| 11 | Algeria | 2.31 million km² | 1.6% | 11 |
| 12 | Saudi Arabia | 1.92 million km² | 1.3% | 13 |
| 13 | Mexico | 1.91 million km² | 1.3% | 14 |
| 14 | Indonesia | 1.70 million km² | 1.1% | 18 |
| 15 | Libya | 1.62 million km² | 1.1% | new |
| 16 | Iran | 1.61 million km² | 1.1% | 16 |
| 17 | Mongolia | 1.57 million km² | 1.1% | 17 |
| 18 | Peru | 1.30 million km² | 0.9% | 19 |
| 19 | Chad | 1.27 million km² | 0.9% | 20 |
| 20 | Mali | 1.25 million km² | 0.8% | – |
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 | 1.61 million km² |
| 2 | Turkey | 790,000 km² |
| 3 | France | 550,000 km² |
| 4 | Spain | 500,000 km² |
| 5 | Iraq | 440,000 km² |
Asia
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 8.20 million km² |
| 2 | India | 3.20 million km² |
| 3 | Indonesia | 1.70 million km² |
| 4 | Mongolia | 1.57 million km² |
| 5 | Tibet | 1.14 million km² |
Africa
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sudan | 2.51 million km² |
| 2 | Zaire | 2.35 million km² |
| 3 | Algeria | 2.31 million km² |
| 4 | Saudi Arabia | 1.92 million km² |
| 5 | Libya | 1.62 million km² |
Americas
| Rank | State | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 9.38 million km² |
| 2 | Canada | 9.37 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 1960?
USSR, with about 21.75 million km², on the border map for 1960.
What were the five largest states in 1960?
1. USSR (21.75 million km²); 2. United States (9.38 million km²); 3. Canada (9.37 million km²); 4. Brazil (8.42 million km²); 5. China (8.20 million km²).
What was the largest state in Europe in 1960?
Iran, with about 1.61 million km².
What was the largest state in Asia in 1960?
China, with about 8.20 million km².
What was the largest state in Africa in 1960?
Sudan, with about 2.51 million km².
← Largest states in 1945 · Largest states in 1994 → · Largest empires in history · The world in 1960
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.