
Empires at their greatest extent
Empire | Maximum land area | Maximum land area | Maximum land area | Maximum land area |
Million km 2 | Million sq mi | % of world | Year | |
British Empire [a] | 35.5 [9] | 13.71 | 26.35% | 1920 [9] |
Mongol Empire [b] | 24.0 [9] [10] | 9.27 | 17.81% | 1270 [10] or 1309 [9] |
Russian Empire [c] | 22.8 [9] [10] | 8.80 | 16.92% | 1895 [9] [10] |
- Persian empire. Also known as the Achaemenian Empire, the kingdom created under Cyrus the Great stretched from Iran into Central Asia and Egypt.
- Han dynasty. ...
- Umayyad Caliphate. ...
- Mongol empire. ...
- Ottoman Empire. ...
- Spanish empire. ...
- Russian Empire. ...
- British Empire.
What is the most powerful empire in history?
This Is The Most Powerful Empire In History
- Ancient Rome lasted for nearly 1,500 years. ...
- The Roman military was the best in the world. ...
- Military expansion pushed a booming Roman economy - for a while. ...
- The early Roman Empire was surprisingly peaceful. ...
- Roman emperors occupied a rich but tenuous position. ...
- The Roman Empire benefited from technological advances. ...
Who had the biggest Empire in history?
The largest empire in history is the British Empire. The British empire was catalyzed by the establishment of trading posts by the London-based trade business known as the East India Company. Just like the Spanish empire, the sun never sets in this empire, occupying at least one territory in each of our modern continents (excluding Antarctica).
What is the greatest empire ever?
Largest Empires In History
- Roman Empire. Widely acknowledged as the greatest Empire the Western world has ever seen, the Roman Empire was the largest empire in the world and one of the longest ...
- Mongol Empire. The Mongol Empire was the world’s largest contiguous empire and thrived during the 13th and 14th centuries.
- Russian Empire. ...
- Holy Roman Empire. ...
- British Empire. ...
- Han Dynasty. ...
What is the largest empire of all time?
The 5 largest empires by land mass consist of the following:
- British Empire: 13 million square miles around 1920
- Mongol Empire: 12.8 million square miles around 1280
- Russian Empire: 8.8 million square miles around 1860
- Spanish Empire: 7.5 million square miles around 1790
- Umayyad Empire: 5.8 million square miles around 700

What was the largest empire in history?
the British EmpireIn 1913, 412 million people lived under the control of the British Empire, 23 percent of the world's population at that time. It remains the largest empire in human history and at the peak of its power in 1920, it covered an astonishing 13.71 million square miles - that's close to a quarter of the world's land area.
What were the 3 powerful empires?
3 historical empires that had a strong impact on global tradeThe Roman Empire – 27 B.C. to 393 A.D. The Roman Empire was one of the largest and most illustrious empires of all time. ... The Mongolian Empire – 1206 A.D. to 1368 A.D. ... The British Empire – 1689 A.D. to 1901 A.D.
Who is No 1 empire in the world of?
Empires at their greatest extentEmpireMaximum land areaMillion km2% of worldBritish Empire35.526.35%Mongol Empire24.017.81%Russian Empire22.816.92%90 more rows
Who conquered most of the world?
Genghis Khan was by far the greatest conqueror the world has ever known, whose empire stretched from the Pacific Ocean to central Europe, including all of China, the Middle East and Russia. So how did an illiterate nomad rise to such colossal power, eclipsing Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and Napoleon?
What was the most powerful ancient empire?
After the fall of the Assyrian Empire in 612 BC, the Babylonian Empire was the most powerful state in the ancient world.
What was the strongest civilization?
The 5 Most Powerful Empires in HistoryThe (First) Persian Empire. The Achaemenid Persian Empire was founded by Cyrus the Great around 550 B.C.E., who went by the title of King of Kings (Shahanshah). ... The Roman Empire. This one should be obvious. ... The Caliphate. ... The Mongol Empire.
Was Ottoman empire the strongest?
In 16. century, Great Ottoman Empire was strongest and biggest state on the world. Afterthe death of Emperor Selim II, Murad III became Sultan of Ottomans.
Was the Roman Empire the most powerful?
Rome became the most powerful state in the world by the first century BCE through a combination of military power, political flexibility, economic expansion, and more than a bit of good luck. This expansion changed the Mediterranean world and also changed Rome itself.
What was the Islamic empire of Süleyman the Magnificent?from britannica.com
At its height, between the 16th and 17th centuries CE, the Islamic empire of Süleyman the Magnificent covered portions of three continents: Southeastern Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. The Ottoman Empire collapsed in the early years of the 20th century.
How much land did the British Empire cover in 1913?from vividmaps.com
By 1913 the British Empire covered 35.5 million sq km or 13.7 million sq mi (24 percent of the planets’ total land area). In 1920, the Empire’s population was over 413 million people (23% of the world population).
How big was the Russian Empire in 1895?from britannica.com
At its greatest extent, in 1895, the Russian Empire reached 8.9 million square miles. Because of its size and influence, the empire had played an integral role in halting Napoleon ’s conquest of Europe.
What was the largest empire in the world?from vividmaps.com
Alex British Empire, UK. The British Empire began with England’s overseas settlements and trading posts between the late 16th and early 18th centuries. At its height, it was the largest Empire in history. By 1913 the British Empire covered 35.5 million sq km or 13.7 million sq mi (24 percent of the planets’ total land area).
Why was Sudan ruled by Britain?from vividmaps.com
Moreover, Sudan, previously known as the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, was jointly ruled by Britain’s Empire and Egypt because they had colonized it.
What was the impact of the destruction of Britain's influence on the world?from vividmaps.com
In WWII, Britain’s colonies in Asia were controlled by Japan. Despite Great Britain and its allies’ final victory, the destruction of British influence helped stimulate the Empire’s decay.
What countries are in East Africa?from vividmaps.com
In East Africa – Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zanzibar (Tanzania).
How big was the Spanish Empire in the late 1700s?
At its height, in the late 1700s, the Spanish empire comprised 5.3 million square miles and wielded tremendous economic and military power.
What percentage of the world population did the British Empire have?
British Empire. At its greatest extent, early in the 20th century, the British Empire comprised nearly a quarter of the planet and an equal percentage of its population. Many of the territories it colonized have since gained independence, though several remain part of what is known as the Commonwealth of Nations today.
What was the name of the empire that Cyrus created?
Also known as the Achaemenian Empire, the kingdom created under Cyrus the Great stretched from Iran into Central Asia and Egypt.
When did the Mongol Empire spread?
One of the largest contiguous land empires in history, the Mongol empire spread throughout the 13th and 14th centuries CE.
Who was the leader of the Mongol Empire?
The empire’s best-known leader was Genghis Khan, who founded the empire in 1206 CE.
What was the first foreign dynasty to rule all of China?
It was the first foreign dynasty to rule all of China and lasted from 1271–1368 C.E. Extending about 11 million km 2. VIII. The Umayyad Caliphate. The Umayyad Caliphate, also spelled Omayyad, was the second of the four major caliphates established after the death of Muhammad.
What is the greatest extent of the Qing Dynasty?
It’s greatest extent being 13.7 million km 2. IV. The Qing dynasty. The Qing dynasty, officially the Great Qing, also called the Qing Empire by itself or the Manchu dynasty by foreigners, was the last imperial dynasty of China, established in 1636 and ruling China from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917.
What was the Russian Empire?
III.The Russian Empire. One of the largest empires in world history, stretching over three continents. The rise of the Russian Empire happened in association with the decline of neighboring rival powers: the Swedish Empire, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Persia and the Ottoman Empire. It played a major role in 1812–1814 in defeating Napoleon’s ...
What was the Portuguese Empire?
The Portuguese Empire , also known as the Portuguese Overseas, was one of the largest and longest-lived empires in world history and the first colonial empire of the Renaissance. It existed for almost 600 years from the capture of Ceuta in 1415 to the grant of sovereignty to East Timor in 2002.
How long did the Yuan Dynasty last?
It existed for almost 600 years from the capture of Ceuta in 1415 to the grant of sovereignty to East Timor in 2002. Extending for about 10.4 million km 2. IX. The Yuan dynasty. The Yuan dynasty, officially the Great Yuan, was the empire or ruling dynasty of China established by Kublai Khan, leader of the Mongolian Borjigin clan.
How many people did the British Empire have in 1913?
At its height, it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the foremost global power.By 1913, the British Empire held sway over 412 million people,and by 1920, it covered 35 million km 2 .
Why is the phrase "the empire on which the sun never sets" used?
At the peak of its power, the phrase “the empire on which the sun never sets” was often used to describe the British Empire, because its expanse around the globe meant that the sun was always shining on at least one of its territories. - Advertisement -. Related.
What was the first Muslim-led dynasty?
The Umayyad caliphate is the first great Muslim-led dynasty. The Arabization program of this dynasty is credited for the spread of Islam and the Arabic language in a huge part of the world.
What was the Golden Age of Islam?
The three-century rule of this caliphate cultivated intellectual and cultural developments in the Middle East during the period known as the Golden Age of Islam. This caliphate remained in power until the Mongol invasion in 1258 put an end to its reign. 6. Second French Empire.
What caused the Red Turban Rebellion?
The Red Turban Rebellion led the overthrowing of this empire, with the Red Turbans blaming the rule of the Yuan Dynasty for the natural disasters they experienced .
Why is the Orient important to Spain?
Access to the Orient will allow them to participate in the spice trade. A sea route to the Orient will allow them to bypass the coastline constraints, being situated next to Spain in the east and due to the Treaty of Tordesillas which created a duopoly between the two countries.
What was the Portuguese Empire?
The Portuguese Empire (1415-1999) was the first of the European colonial empires. It also happens to be the longest-lived, spanning a total of six centuries. During the 1400s, developments in navigation, cartography, and maritime technology were taken advantage of by the Portuguese to explore the unknown waters in the south and west.
Which empire was founded in 1206?
The February Revolution which sparked from the strain on Russia due to the World War I ended this empire. 2. Mongol Empire. While the second in the list, the Mongol Empire (1206-1638) is the largest contiguous land empire in history. This empire was founded in 1206 by Genghis Khan.
Which dynasty took over the Mongol Empire?
The Mongol Empire started disintegrating in 1368 and was eventually taken over by the Chinese Ming Dynasty. 1. British Empire. The largest empire in history is the British Empire. The British empire was catalyzed by the establishment of trading posts by the London-based trade business known as the East India Company.
How many people did the Umayyad Caliphate have?
The Umayyad Caliphate covered 5.02 million square miles of land - more than 8% of the earth's landmass. The empire had 62 million people between 720 and 750 — nearly 30% of the world's population.
How much land did the Rashidun Caliphate cover?
The Rashidun Caliphate covered over 3 million square miles of land - almost 6% of the earth's land-mass. This empire began when Mohammad died in 632 AD and his followers scrambled to acquire his empire while the great prophets family prepared for his funeral.
What is an icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders?
An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile.
What does an envelope mean in email?
An envelope. It indicates the ability to send an email.
What does a magnifying glass mean?
A magnifying glass. It indicates, "Click to perform a search".
How much land did the British Empire cover?
The British Empire covered 13.01 million square miles of land - more than 22% of the earth's landmass.The empire had 458 million people in 1938 — more than 20% of the world's population.
How many people were in the Mongol Empire?
The Mongol Empire covered 9.15 million square miles of land - more than 16% of the earth's landmass.The empire had 110 million people between 1270 and 1309 — more than 25% of the world's population. The largest contiguous empire in history, the Mongol Empire emerged from the unification of Mongol and Turkish tribes under Genghis Khan.
What was the largest maritime empire in history?
The Empire of Japan was one of the largest maritime empires in history, spanning 2.86 million square miles at its peak in 1942 before surrendering to the Allies on September 2, 1945. Photo: Wikimedia.
How much land did the Spanish Empire control?
The Spanish Empire governed 13% of the world’s land — 7.5 million square miles — at its height in the 18th century before losing much territory in the 19th century Spanish-American wars of independence. The Russian Empire spanned 8.8 million square miles at its peak in 1866.
What is a hovering device?
A hovering device to give the ship a 360-degree view of the battlespace around the ship, complete with electromagnetic sensors to detect enemy ships. The quad-copter itself could be armed for fights in close quarters around the ship.
How many square miles was the Ming Dynasty?
The Ming Dynasty spanned 2.51 million square miles at its height in 1450, but economic breakdown and natural disasters contributed to its collapse in the early 17th century. The Sasanian Empire spanned 2.55 million square miles at its peak in 621 and was the last Iranian empire before the rise of Islam.
What country did Brazil gain independence from?
After declaring independence from Portugal, the empire of Brazil spanned 3.28 million square miles at its height in 1822, but it would soon lose the territories that make up modern Uruguay, and the empire would fall in an 1889 coup. Photo: Wikimedia.
How big was the Turkic Khaganate?
The Turkic Khaganate spanned 2.32 million square miles at its height in 557 until a civil war contributed to its collapse in 581. Photo: Wikimedia. The Han imperial dynasty spanned 2.51 million square miles at its peak in 100 B.C. It collapsed by A.D. 220 after a series of coups and revolutions. Photo: Wikimedia.
Did the Empires crumble?
Each empire seemed unstoppable for an age, but they all crumbled in the end. Indeed, the age of empires may have ended with World War II, as world powers have moved on from colonization and conquest in favor of geopolitical and commercial influence.
What is the most enduring empire in history?from guinnessworldrecords.com
The Roman Empire is considered to have been the most enduring in history. The formal start date of the empire remains the subject of debate, but most historians agree that the clock began ticking in 27 BC, when the Roman politician Octavian overthrew the Roman Republic to become Emperor Augustus. Although Rome later fell to the Germanic “Barbarians” in AD 476, the ensuing “Eastern Empire” based at Constantinople is widely regarded as a continuation of the original Roman one. It wasn’t until the fall of the city in AD 1453 that the curtain finally came down on the empire, ending a period of dominance across Europe and beyond that had lasted for almost 1,500 years.
Which empire was based in Constantinople?from guinnessworldrecords.com
Although Rome later fell to the Germanic “Barbarians” in AD 476, the ensuing “Eastern Empire” based at Constantinople is widely regarded as a continuation of the original Roman one.
What was the Romanian imperialism?
The issue of "Romanian imperialism" (as Romanian leading politician Iuliu Maniu put it) was further exacerbated by the 1941 creation of the Romanian Transnistria Governorate from parts of the Ukrainian SSR, under the rule of " Conducător " Ion Antonescu. These new borders lasted until 1944.
Which empire was founded by Cyrus the Great?
Iran. Pasargadae, Ecbatana, Persepolis, Susa, Babylon. 550 BC. 330 BC. 220. The first Persian empire , and the fourth largest List of largest empires (after Xiongnu Empire, Han Dynasty and the First Turkic Khaganate) in classical antiquity time period, founded by Cyrus the Great . Cyrus the Great.
Who was the most imposing ruler in Latin Christendom?
As one historian put it: "When the 11th century began its fourth decade, Canute was, with the single exception of the Emperor, the most imposing ruler in Latin Christendom. ... [H]e was lord of four important realms and the overlord of other kingdoms.

X. The Portuguese Empire
IX. The Yuan Dynasty
VIII. The Umayyad Caliphate
VII. The Abbasid Caliphate
VI. The French Colonial Empire
v. The Spanish Empire
- The Spanish Empire was one of the largest empires in history. It reached the peak of its military, political and economic power under the Spanish Habsburgs, through most of the 16th and 17th centuries, and its greatest territorial extent under the House of Bourbon in the 18th century, when it was the largest empire in the world. The Spanish Empire ...
IV. The Qing Dynasty
III.The Russian Empire
II.The Mongol Empire
I. The British Empire