# World map in 1885

Source page: https://geographichistory.app/map/1885/

148 states share the map in 1885. The largest by mapped area are Russia, United Kingdom and Qing.

Russia is the largest state on the map in 1885, 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 57% of all land with a recorded ruler. 14% of the land on the map has no recorded state. The number of states is about the same as in 1880: 148 against 148.

## Largest states in 1885

| State | Mapped area (km²) | Provinces |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | 21,575,000 | 286 |
| United Kingdom | 14,719,000 | 291 |
| Qing | 11,203,000 | 173 |
| United States of America | 9,350,000 | 219 |
| Brazil | 8,128,000 | 84 |
| Canada | 5,386,000 | 77 |
| Ottoman Empire | 2,815,000 | 96 |
| Argentina | 2,595,000 | 36 |
| France | 2,012,000 | 84 |
| Mexico | 1,942,000 | 57 |

## Changes since 1880

132 provinces changed hands.
- United Kingdom gained about 4.4 million km², mostly from Ottoman Empire and unclaimed land.
- Canada gained about 2.1 million km², mostly from United Kingdom.
- German Empire gained about 880 thousand km², mostly from unclaimed land and Sokoto.
- Argentina gained about 340 thousand km², mostly from unclaimed land.

## Battles 1885 - 1889

- 1885: Bang Bo (Sino French War), won by China
- 1885: Pirot (Serbo-Bulgarian War), won by Bulgaria
- 1885: Slivnitza (Serbo-Bulgarian War), won by Bulgaria
- 1885: Tuyen-Quang (Sino-French War), won by France
- 1885: Abu Klea (British-Sudanese Wars), won by United Kingdom
- 1885: Dong Dang (Sino Chinese War), won by France
- 1885: Hashin (British-Sudan Wars), won by United Kingdom
- 1885: Hoa Moc (Sino French War), won by France
- 1885: Kufit (Sudanese-Ethiopian War), won by Ethiopia
- 1885: Lang Son (Sino-French War), won by China
- 1887: Debra Sina (Sudanese-Ethiopian War), won by The Mahdiyya
- 1889: Gallabat (Sudanese-Ethiopian War), won by The Mahdiyya