World Map in 1500
This world map shows state borders in 1500. The largest states and empires were Chagatai Khanate, Ming Chinese Empire, Kalmar Union, Grand Duchy of Moscow and White Horde. The map stays in use until the next recorded border change in 1600.
Open the world in 1500 in the interactive map
Largest states and empires in 1500
Areas are approximate, from the historical border data.
| State | Approx. area | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Chagatai Khanate | 8.37 million km² | Asia |
| Ming Chinese Empire | 4.21 million km² | Asia |
| Kalmar Union | 3.07 million km² | Europe |
| Grand Duchy of Moscow | 2.77 million km² | Europe |
| White Horde | 2.63 million km² | Asia |
| Timurid Emirates | 2.16 million km² | Asia |
| Tibet | 1.98 million km² | Asia |
| Emirate of the White Sheep Turks | 1.82 million km² | Europe |
| Malaysian Islamic states | 1.75 million km² | Asia |
| Inca Empire | 1.55 million km² | – |
| Mamluk Sultanate | 1.47 million km² | Africa |
| Golden Horde | 1.09 million km² | Europe |
| Ottoman Empire | 1.09 million km² | Europe |
| Poland-Lithuania | 1.02 million km² | Europe |
| Sultanate of Delhi | 860,000 km² | Asia |
| Holy Roman Empire | 850,000 km² | Europe |
| Islamic states | 820,000 km² | Asia |
| Oirat Confederation | 810,000 km² | Asia |
| Ayutthaya | 780,000 km² | Asia |
| Burmese kingdoms | 710,000 km² | Asia |
| Khanate of Sibir | 660,000 km² | Asia |
| Mali | 620,000 km² | Africa |
| Songhai | 610,000 km² | Africa |
| Ethiopia | 590,000 km² | Africa |
| Apache | 550,000 km² | – |
| Rajastan | 510,000 km² | Asia |
| Mwenemutapa | 490,000 km² | Africa |
| France | 460,000 km² | Europe |
| Bengal | 450,000 km² | Asia |
| Madagascar | 430,000 km² | Africa |
Regional maps
- Europe in 1500 (map image) · open in the interactive map
- Asia in 1500 (map image) · open in the interactive map
- Africa in 1500 (map image) · open in the interactive map
- Oceania in 1500 (map image) · open in the interactive map
- Europe in 1500: rulers and events
Key events, 1500 to 1599
| Year | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1511 | Portugal takes Malacca | Malacca |
| 1517 | Luther's Ninety-five Theses | Wittenberg |
| 1526 | Battle of Mohács | Battle of Mohács |
| 1526 | Battle of Panipat: the Mughal Empire is founded | Battle of Panipat |
| 1529 | First Siege of Vienna | Vienna |
| 1552 | Ivan the Terrible takes Kazan | Kazan |
| 1555 | Peace of Augsburg | |
| 1569 | Union of Lublin creates the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth | |
| 1571 | Battle of Lepanto | Battle of Lepanto |
| 1588 | Defeat of the Spanish Armada | Battle of Gravelines |
| 1592 | The Imjin War: Battle of Hansando | Battle of Hansando |
Battles and sites in this period
- Wittenberg · 1517
- Battle of Mohács · 1526
- Battle of Panipat · 1526
- Battle of Lepanto · 1571
- Battle of Gravelines · 1588
- Battle of Hansando · 1592