Throughout history, several empires have risen to great power and established vast territories. Here are some of the largest empires in the world, based on their territorial extent:
British Empire (1815-1914): At its height, the British Empire was the largest empire in history, spanning approximately 13.71 million square miles (35.5 million square kilometers). It included territories in North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. The empire encompassed about 23% of the world’s population at the time.
Mongol Empire (1206-1368): Founded by Genghis Khan, the Mongol Empire became the largest contiguous empire in history, covering around 12.7 million square miles (32.9 million square kilometers). It extended across Asia, including present-day Mongolia, China, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.
Russian Empire (1721-1917): The Russian Empire, also known as the Tsardom of Russia, expanded over 8.8 million square miles (22.8 million square kilometers). It encompassed the majority of Eastern Europe, Siberia, Central Asia, and parts of Northern Asia and North America.
Spanish Empire (1492-1975): The Spanish Empire was one of the most extensive empires in history, spanning around 7.5 million square miles (19.4 million square kilometers). It included territories in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The empire reached its height during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Qing Dynasty (1644-1912): The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China, and it controlled an empire covering approximately 5.68 million square miles (14.7 million square kilometers). The empire expanded over East Asia, including present-day China, Mongolia, Taiwan, and parts of Siberia.
Umayyad Caliphate (661-750): The Umayyad Caliphate was an Islamic empire that stretched across 5.65 million square miles (14.6 million square kilometers) at its peak. It encompassed the Middle East, North Africa, Spain, and parts of Central Asia.
It’s important to note that the extent and duration of these empires varied over time, and different sources may provide slightly different measurements. Additionally, there were other notable empires throughout history, such as the Ottoman Empire, the French colonial empire, and the Roman Empire, which, although not among the largest, left significant historical and cultural legacies.
