Geographic History

World map in 1940

77 states share the map in 1940. 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 1940, 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. There are fewer states than in 1939: 77 against 84.

Historical map of the world in 1940 showing the borders of states and empires
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The world in 1940, colored by ruling state. Grey land has no state recorded in the dataset.

Largest states in 1940

StateMapped areaProvinces
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics22 million km²277
United Kingdom15 million km²360
France12 million km²200
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 km²95
Argentina2.7 million km²38

What changed since 1939

  • 51 provinces changed hands between 1939 and 1940.
  • Union of Soviet Socialist Republics gained about 380 thousand km², mostly from Poland and Latvia.
  • Empire of Japan gained about 320 thousand km², mostly from France.
  • Nazi Germany gained about 200 thousand km², mostly from Poland and Lithuania.
  • Italy gained about 29 thousand km², mostly from Albania.
  • No longer on the map: Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Albania.

Battles, 1940 - 1941

  • 1940France
    World War II - won by Germany
  • 1940Mannerheim Line
    Russo-Finnish War - won by USSR
  • 1940Hundred Regiments Offensive
    2nd Sino-Japanese War - won by Japan
  • 1940Ardennes
    World War II - won by Germany
  • 1940Belgium
    World War II - won by Germany
  • 1940Dyle Line
    World War II - won by Germany
  • 1941Bryansk
    World War II - won by Germany
  • 1941Rostov
    World War II - won by USSR
  • 1941Vyazma
    World War II - won by Germany
  • 1941Moscow
    World War II - won by USSR
  • 1941Balkans
    World War II - won by Germany
  • 1941Chernigovka
    World War II - won by USSR

Empire maps for this period

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