Geographic History

World map in 1923

86 states share the map in 1923. The largest by mapped area are Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom and France.

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is the largest state on the map in 1923, a position it has held since 1920 (before that: United Kingdom). It stays in first place until 1991, when Russian Federation takes over. The five largest states hold 51% of all land with a recorded ruler. 2% of the land on the map has no recorded state. The number of states is about the same as in 1920: 86 against 89.

Historical map of the world in 1923 showing the borders of states and empires
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The world in 1923, colored by ruling state. Grey land has no state recorded in the dataset.

Largest states in 1923

StateMapped areaProvinces
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics21 million km²251
United Kingdom15 million km²369
France12 million km²212
United States of America9.7 million km²235
Brazil8.6 million km²83
Australia8.2 million km²43
Republic of China8 million km²149
Canada6.4 million km²81
Argentina2.7 million km²38
Italy2.5 million km²65

What changed since 1920

  • On the map, Turkey takes the place of Ottoman Empire (about 420 thousand km²).
  • Apart from that, 108 provinces changed hands between 1920 and 1923.
  • Union of Soviet Socialist Republics gained about 3.9 million km², mostly from Russia and Far Eastern Republic.
  • Kingdom of Egypt gained about 980 thousand km², mostly from United Kingdom.
  • Russia gained about 390 thousand km², mostly from Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
  • Canada gained about 390 thousand km², mostly from land with no recorded state.
  • New on the map: Kingdom of Egypt.
  • No longer on the map: Far Eastern Republic, Shammar, Dervish and Warsangali.

Battles, 1923 - 1929

  • 1924Chaouen
    Spanish Rif War - won by Rifs
  • 1924Taif
    Saudi-Hashemite Wars - won by Saudis
  • 1925Alhucemas
    Spanish Rif War - won by Spain
  • 1927Longtan, China
    2nd Chinese Revolutionary Civil War - won by Kuomintang
  • 1927Shantou
    2nd Chinese Revolutionary Civil War - won by Chinese Nationalists
  • 1928Baoding
    2nd Chinese Revolutionary Civil War - won by Kuomintang
  • 1928Canton
    2nd Chinese Revolutionary Civil War - won by Chinese Nationalists
  • 1928Ching Kan Shan
    2nd Chinese Revolutionary Civil War - won by Chinese Nationalists
  • 1928Nanchang
    2nd Chinese Revolutionary Civil War - won by Chinese Communists
  • 1929Sabalah
    Ikhwan Rebellion - won by Saudis
  • 1929Chalainoer
    Sino-Russian Border War - won by USSR
  • 1929Charasia
    Afghan Civil War - won by Nadir Shah

Empire maps for this period

More world maps

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