Geographic History

World map in 1914

85 states share the map in 1914. The largest by mapped area are Russia, United Kingdom and France.

Russia is the largest state on the map in 1914, 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 49% of all land with a recorded ruler. 3% of the land on the map has no recorded state. The number of states is about the same as in 1910: 85 against 83.

Historical map of the world in 1914 showing the borders of states and empires
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The world in 1914, colored by ruling state. Grey land has no state recorded in the dataset.

Largest states in 1914

StateMapped areaProvinces
Russia21 million km²281
United Kingdom13 million km²341
France11 million km²187
United States of America9.7 million km²235
Brazil8.6 million km²83
Republic of China8 million km²148
Australia7.9 million km²40
Canada6 million km²80
German Empire3.6 million km²122
Argentina2.7 million km²38

What changed since 1910

  • On the map, Portugal takes the place of Kingdom of Portugal (about 1.5 million km²).
  • On the map, French protectorate in Morocco takes the place of Sultanate of Morocco (about 360 thousand km²).
  • Apart from that, 259 provinces changed hands between 1910 and 1914.
  • Republic of China gained about 8 million km², mostly from Qing.
  • Mongolian Khanate gained about 1.8 million km², mostly from Qing.
  • Italy gained about 1.6 million km², mostly from land with no recorded state and Ottoman Empire.
  • Tibet gained about 1.3 million km², mostly from Qing.
  • New on the map: Republic of China, Mongolian Khanate, Tibet, South Africa and Albania.
  • No longer on the map: Qing, Korea, Cree and Luxembourg.

Battles, 1914 - 1917

  • 1914Frontiers
    World War I - won by Germany
  • 1914Marne
    World War I - won by France
  • 1914Ypres
    World War I - won by United Kingdom, France
  • 1914Aisne
    World War I - won by United Kingdom
  • 1914Galicia
    World War I - won by Russia
  • 1915Lutsk
    World War I
  • 1915Salonika
    World War I - won by United Kingdom, France, Serbia
  • 1916Brusilov Offensive
    World War - won by Russia
  • 1916Somme
    World War I
  • 1917Caporetto
    World War - won by Austria-Hungary, Germany
  • 1917Isonzo (2nd)
    World War I - won by Italy
  • 1917Nivelle Offensive
    World War I - won by Germany

Empire maps for this period

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