Geographic History

World map in 1939

84 states share the map in 1939. 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 1939, 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 50% of all land with a recorded ruler. Nearly all land on the map has a recorded state. The number of states is about the same as in 1930: 84 against 85.

Historical map of the world in 1939 showing the borders of states and empires
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The world in 1939, colored by ruling state. Grey land has no state recorded in the dataset.

Largest states in 1939

StateMapped areaProvinces
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics21 million km²254
United Kingdom15 million km²360
France12 million km²211
United States of America9.7 million km²235
Brazil8.6 million km²83
Canada8.5 million km²84
Australia8.2 million km²43
Republic of China4.9 million km²79
Italy3.7 million km²94
Argentina2.7 million km²38

What changed since 1930

  • On the map, Saudi Arabia takes the place of Diriyah (about 1.4 million km²).
  • On the map, Spanish State takes the place of Kingdom of Spain (about 840 thousand km²).
  • On the map, Thailand takes the place of Siam (about 540 thousand km²).
  • Apart from that, 164 provinces changed hands between 1930 and 1939.
  • Canada gained about 1.8 million km², mostly from land with no recorded state.
  • Empire of Japan gained about 1.6 million km², mostly from Republic of China.
  • Iran gained about 1.6 million km², mostly from Persia.
  • Manchukuo gained about 1.1 million km², mostly from Republic of China.
  • New on the map: Iran, Manchukuo, Iraq, Kuwait and Hatay State.
  • No longer on the map: Ethiopia, Newfoundland and Republic of Ararat.

Battles, 1939

  • 1939Mannerheim Line
    Russo-Finnish War - won by Finland
  • 1939Poland
    World War II - won by Germany
  • 1939Atlantic
    World War II - won by United Kingdom
  • 1939Winter War
    World War II - won by USSR
  • 1939Bzura
    World War II - won by Germany
  • 1939Nanchang
    Sino-Japanese War - won by Japan
  • 1939Nanning
    Sino-Japanese War - won by China
  • 1939Suixiang-Zaoyang
    2nd Sino-Japanese War - won by China
  • 1939Warsaw
    World War II - won by Germany
  • 1939Albania
    World War II, World War II - won by Italy
  • 1939Khalkan Gol
    Russo-Japanese Border Wars - won by USSR
  • 1939Kock
    World War II - won by Germany

Empire maps for this period

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