Geographic History

World map in 1540

337 states share the map in 1540. The largest by mapped area are Spanish Empire, Ming and Ottoman Empire.

Spanish Empire is the largest state on the map in 1540, a position it has held since 1534 (before that: Ming). It stays in first place until 1633, when Russia takes over. The five largest states hold 26% of all land with a recorded ruler. 52% of the land on the map has no recorded state. The number of states is about the same as in 1530: 337 against 349.

Historical map of the world in 1540 showing the borders of states and empires
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The world in 1540, colored by ruling state. Grey land has no state recorded in the dataset.

Largest states in 1540

StateMapped areaProvinces
Spanish Empire5.1 million km²179
Ming3.8 million km²103
Ottoman Empire3 million km²115
Kazakh Khanate2.6 million km²32
Russia2.2 million km²43
Safavid Persia1.9 million km²47
Songhai1.8 million km²26
Sibir1.6 million km²14
Mongolia1.6 million km²12
Oirat Horde1.4 million km²10

What changed since 1530

  • 145 provinces changed hands between 1530 and 1540.
  • Spanish Empire gained about 3.2 million km², mostly from land with no recorded state and Muisca.
  • Ottoman Empire gained about 560 thousand km², mostly from Safavid Persia and Aden.
  • Denmark gained about 470 thousand km², mostly from Norway.
  • Adal gained about 240 thousand km², mostly from Ethiopia and Hadiya.
  • New on the map: Inca Empire, Kaabu, Brazil and Wurttemberg.
  • No longer on the map: Norway, Aden, Muisca, Tarascan and Sofala.

Battles, 1540 - 1549

  • 1540Kanauj
    Mughal Conquest of Northern India - won by Suri Empire
  • 1541Algiers
    Turkish Habsburg Wars - won by Ottoman Empire, Arabs
  • 1542Solway Moss
    Anglo-Scottish Royal Wars - won by England
  • 1543Nice
    Turkish Habsburg Wars - won by Ottoman Empire
  • 1543Wayna Daga
    Adal-Ethiopian War - won by Ethiopia, Portugal
  • 1544Ceresole
    4th Habsburg-Valois War - won by France, Switzerland
  • 1544Boulogne
    French War - won by England
  • 1545Ancrum Moor
    Anglo-Scottish Royal Wars - won by Scotland
  • 1545Kawagoe
    Warring States Period in Japan - won by Hojo
  • 1547Muhlberg
    War of the German Reformation - won by Habsburg Empire, Saxony
  • 1547Pinkie
    Anglo-Scottish Royal Wars - won by England
  • 1547Drakenburg
    Schmalkaldic War - won by Schmalkaldic League

Empire maps for this period

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