Borders fixed by international law
The Soviet Union and Yugoslavia have broken up, adding more than 20 countries to the map in three years.
Explore 1994 on the mapAreas calculated from the map outlines (≈). Share of Earth's land area including Antarctica.
| # | State or people | Area | Share of land |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russia | 16,568,511 km² (6,397,138 sq mi) | 11.1% |
| 2 | Canada | 9,508,823 km² (3,671,377 sq mi) | 6.4% |
| 3 | China | 9,334,627 km² (3,604,120 sq mi) | 6.3% |
| 4 | United States | 9,254,118 km² (3,573,035 sq mi) | 6.2% |
| 5 | Brazil | 8,420,242 km² (3,251,074 sq mi) | 5.7% |
| 6 | Australia | 7,661,590 km² (2,958,157 sq mi) | 5.1% |
| 7 | India | 3,151,330 km² (1,216,735 sq mi) | 2.1% |
| 8 | Argentina | 2,769,706 km² (1,069,390 sq mi) | 1.9% |
| 9 | Kazakhstan | 2,708,330 km² (1,045,692 sq mi) | 1.8% |
| 10 | Sudan | 2,508,088 km² (968,378 sq mi) | 1.7% |
| 11 | Zaire | 2,346,328 km² (905,922 sq mi) | 1.6% |
| 12 | Algeria | 2,309,544 km² (891,720 sq mi) | 1.6% |
Comparing the two snapshots. Some differences reflect improved mapping rather than real events, especially before 1500.
Formalized the same year · Évian Accords
An eight-year war (1954–62) ends 132 years of French rule. The Évian Accords are signed in March and independence comes on 5 July 1962.
See it on the 1994 mapNever formally settled
Sinai was returned to Egypt under the 1979 peace treaty, with withdrawal completed in 1982. The West Bank, East Jerusalem and Golan remain disputed. UN Security Council Resolution 497 (1981) declared Israel's extension of its law to the Golan null and void.
See it on the 1994 map3 years from control to formal recognition · Pakistan's recognition
Independence is declared in March 1971, and the war ends in December. Pakistan recognizes Bangladesh in 1974.
See it on the 1994 mapNever formally settled
The north declares itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983. Only Türkiye recognizes it.
See it on the 1994 mapNever formally settled
After the Green March and the 1975 Madrid Accords, Morocco takes control of most of the territory, and the Polisario Front holds the east. The UN still lists Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory.
See it on the 1994 map27 years from control to formal recognition · Independence after the 1999 UN-run referendum
The UN never recognized Indonesia's 1976 annexation. After a 1999 vote for independence, Timor-Leste becomes independent in May 2002.
See it on the 1994 mapFormalized the same year · Treaty on the Final Settlement (Two Plus Four)
East Germany joins the Federal Republic on 3 October 1990, three weeks after the four wartime Allies give up their rights.
See it on the 1994 mapFormalized the same year · Belovezha Accords and Alma-Ata Protocol
The Soviet flag comes down over the Kremlin on 25 December 1991, and the USSR formally ceases to exist the next day.
See it on the 1994 map1 year from control to formal recognition · European Community recognition of Slovenia and Croatia
Slovenia and Croatia declare independence in June 1991, and wars follow through 1995. Montenegro (2006) and Kosovo (2008) are the last to split off.
See it on the 1994 map2 years from control to formal recognition · UN-monitored referendum
The Eritrean People's Liberation Front takes Asmara in May 1991. A 1993 referendum makes independence official.
See it on the 1994 mapAgreed 1 year before control changed hands · Constitutional Act on the dissolution (November 1992)
Parliament votes for the split in 1992, and two countries exist from 1 January 1993.
See it on the 1994 mapNever formally settled
Both regions break from Georgian control in early-1990s wars. After the August 2008 war Russia recognizes them, but almost no other country does.
See it on the 1994 map