Geographic History

World map in 1870

171 states share the map in 1870. The largest by mapped area are Russia, United Kingdom and Qing.

Russia is the largest state on the map in 1870, a position it has held since 1633 (before that: Spanish Empire). It stays in first place until 1917, when United Kingdom takes over. The five largest states hold 58% of all land with a recorded ruler. 16% of the land on the map has no recorded state. There are fewer states than in 1861: 171 against 199.

Historical map of the world in 1870 showing the borders of states and empires
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The world in 1870, colored by ruling state. Grey land has no state recorded in the dataset.

Largest states in 1870

StateMapped areaProvinces
Russia21 million km²275
United Kingdom16 million km²276
Qing11 million km²173
United States of America8.9 million km²211
Brazil8.1 million km²84
Ottoman Empire4.9 million km²146
Argentina2.3 million km²32
Mexico1.9 million km²57
Colombia1.7 million km²22
Persia1.7 million km²38

What changed since 1861

  • On the map, Austria-Hungary takes the place of Austria (about 630 thousand km²).
  • On the map, Empire of Japan takes the place of Tokugawa (about 260 thousand km²).
  • On the map, Italy takes the place of Sardinia Piedmont (about 230 thousand km²).
  • Apart from that, 150 provinces changed hands between 1861 and 1870.
  • United States of America gained about 2.4 million km², mostly from Russia and land with no recorded state.
  • Russia gained about 2.2 million km², mostly from land with no recorded state and Kokand.
  • United Kingdom gained about 950 thousand km², mostly from land with no recorded state and Lesotho.
  • Canada gained about 860 thousand km², mostly from United Kingdom.
  • New on the map: Canada and Romania.
  • No longer on the map: Zafunu, Butua, Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, Wallachia and Kazakh Khanate.

Battles, 1870

  • 1870Gravelotte
    Franco-Prussian War - won by Prussia
  • 1870Metz
    Franco-Prussian War - won by Prussia
  • 1870Noiseville
    Franco-Prussian War - won by Prussia
  • 1870Paris
    Franco-Prussian Wars - won by Prussia
  • 1870Sedan
    Franco-Prussian War - won by Prussia
  • 1870Villiers
    Franco-Prussian War - won by Wurtemberg, Saxony
  • 1870Spicheren
    Franco-Prussian War - won by Prussia
  • 1870Artenay
    Franco-Prussian War - won by Prussia, Bavaria
  • 1870Bagneux
    Franco-Prussian War - won by Prussia
  • 1870Bapaume
    Franco-Prussian War - won by France
  • 1870Bazeilles
    Franco-Prussian War - won by Bavaria
  • 1870Beaumont-en-Argonne
    Prussian War - won by Saxony

Empire maps for this period

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