Top 10 Largest Empires in World History by Land Area
Abbasid Caliphate –
8.0 million km² (850)
→ Islamic empire centered in Baghdad, spanning the Middle East.
Largest Empires in World History by Land Area
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9.
Portuguese Empire –
10.4 million km² (1815)
→ Longest-lasting colonial empire, with global territories.
Largest Empires in World History by Land Area
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8.
Yuan Dynasty –
11.0 million km² (1310)
→ Mongol rule over China and Central Asia.
Largest Empires in World History by Land Area
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7.
Umayyad Caliphate –
11.1 million km² (720)
→ Largest Islamic empire, spanning Spain to India.
Largest Empires in World History by Land Area
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6.
Second French Colonial Empire –
13.5 million km² (1938)
→ Controlled parts of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
Largest Empires in World History by Land Area
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5.
Spanish Empire –
13.7 million km² (1810)
→ Early global empire across the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
Largest Empires in World History by Land Area
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4.
Qing Dynasty –
14.7 million km² (1790)
→ Last imperial dynasty of China, ruling vast territories.
Largest Empires in World History by Land Area
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3.
Russian Empire –
22.8 million km² (1895)
→ Covered Europe, Asia, and North America.
Largest Empires in World History by Land Area
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2.
Mongol Empire
–
24.0 million km² (1270–1309)
→ Largest contiguous empire, from China to Europe.
Largest Empires in World History by Land Area
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1.
British Empire
–
35.5 million km² (1920)
→ Largest in history, spanning Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Largest Empires in World History by Land Area
Image Credit: Unsplash