Borders fixed by international law
173 states, peoples and territories are mapped in 1878. The largest are Russian Empire, Manchu Empire, Canada.
Explore 1878 on the mapAreas calculated from the map outlines (≈). Share of Earth's land area including Antarctica.
| # | State or people | Area | Share of land |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russian Empire | 21,459,728 km² (8,285,648 sq mi) | 14.4% |
| 2 | Manchu Empire | 11,012,527 km² (4,251,961 sq mi) | 7.4% |
| 3 | Canada | 9,508,823 km² (3,671,377 sq mi) | 6.4% |
| 4 | United States of America | 9,239,917 km² (3,567,552 sq mi) | 6.2% |
| 5 | Empire of Brazil | 8,031,263 km² (3,100,888 sq mi) | 5.4% |
| 6 | British Raj | 4,712,400 km² (1,819,468 sq mi) | 3.2% |
| 7 | Ottoman Empire | 3,155,767 km² (1,218,449 sq mi) | 2.1% |
| 8 | Western Australia (UK) | 2,514,184 km² (970,732 sq mi) | 1.7% |
| 9 | Arabia | 2,227,127 km² (859,899 sq mi) | 1.5% |
| 10 | Greenland | 2,091,253 km² (807,437 sq mi) | 1.4% |
| 11 | Egypt | 2,039,105 km² (787,303 sq mi) | 1.4% |
| 12 | Mexico | 1,923,707 km² (742,747 sq mi) | 1.3% |
Comparing the two snapshots. Some differences reflect improved mapping rather than real events, especially before 1500.
3 years from control to formal recognition · Adams–Onís Treaty (signed 1819, ratified 1821)
Andrew Jackson's 1818 incursion shows Spain cannot hold Florida. The treaty also fixes the US–Spanish border all the way to the Pacific.
See it on the 1878 map28 years from control to formal recognition · Oregon Treaty
Britain and the US jointly occupy Oregon Country from 1818, then split it along the 49th parallel.
See it on the 1878 map15 years from control to formal recognition · Santa María–Calatrava Treaty
Independence follows the Treaty of Córdoba in 1821, but Spain does not formally recognize Mexico for another 15 years.
See it on the 1878 map9 years from control to formal recognition · London Protocol
The revolt begins in 1821. Britain, France and Russia guarantee independence in 1830, and the borders are fixed in 1832.
See it on the 1878 map3 years from control to formal recognition · Treaty of Rio de Janeiro
Pedro I declares independence and is crowned emperor. Portugal recognizes the Empire of Brazil three years later.
See it on the 1878 mapNever formalized
Algiers falls in 1830, and the interior is subdued over decades. Algeria is declared part of France in 1848.
See it on the 1878 map12 years from control to formal recognition · Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Republic of Texas wins at San Jacinto in 1836. Mexico never recognizes it, the US annexes it in 1845, and Mexico only accepts the Rio Grande border after losing the 1846–48 war.
See it on the 1878 mapFormalized the same year · Treaty of Waitangi
British and Māori chiefs sign, but the English and Māori texts differ on sovereignty. The meaning of what was agreed is still debated and is the basis of settlements today.
See it on the 1878 map1 year from control to formal recognition · Treaty of Nanking
Occupied during the First Opium War and ceded in 1842. Kowloon follows in 1860, and the New Territories are leased for 99 years in 1898.
See it on the 1878 map2 years from control to formal recognition · Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
US forces occupy California and New Mexico in 1846–47. Mexico cedes about 1.36 million km². Counting Texas, Mexico lost about half its territory between 1836 and 1848.
See it on the 1878 mapFormalized the same year · Gadsden Purchase Treaty (signed Dec 1853)
The US buys about 77,000 km² of southern Arizona and New Mexico for a southern railroad route.
See it on the 1878 map2 years from control to formal recognition · Treaty of Aigun (1858) and Convention of Peking (1860)
Qing China cedes the land north of the Amur and east of the Ussuri. Russia founds Vladivostok there in 1860.
See it on the 1878 map2 years from control to formal recognition · Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy
The kingdom is proclaimed in March 1861. Venice joins in 1866, and Rome is taken in September 1870.
See it on the 1878 mapFormalized the same year · Treaty of Cession
The US buys about 1.5 million km² from Russia for $7.2 million. The flag changes at Sitka on 18 October 1867.
See it on the 1878 mapFormalized the same year · British North America Act
Four provinces confederate. Rupert's Land (1870), British Columbia (1871) and Newfoundland (1949) later make it the world's second-largest country.
See it on the 1878 map1 year from control to formal recognition · Treaty of Frankfurt
The empire is proclaimed at Versailles in January 1871. France cedes Alsace-Lorraine in May. France takes it back in 1918.
See it on the 1878 map1 year from control to formal recognition · Treaty of Berlin
After the Russo-Turkish War, the great powers recognize three Balkan states and shrink Ottoman Europe.
See it on the 1878 map