Geographic History

World map in 1960

124 states share the map in 1960. The largest by mapped area are Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United States of America and People's Republic of China.

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is the largest state on the map in 1960, 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 44% of all land with a recorded ruler. Nearly all land on the map has a recorded state. There are more states than in 1950: 124 against 100.

Historical map of the world in 1960 showing the borders of states and empires
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The world in 1960, colored by ruling state. Grey land has no state recorded in the dataset.

Largest states in 1960

StateMapped areaProvinces
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics22 million km²284
United States of America9.4 million km²221
People's Republic of China9.4 million km²159
Canada8.9 million km²90
Brazil8.6 million km²83
Australia8 million km²41
United Kingdom3.8 million km²86
India3.1 million km²123
France3 million km²78
Argentina2.7 million km²38

What changed since 1950

  • On the map, Egypt takes the place of Kingdom of Egypt (about 980 thousand km²).
  • On the map, Morocco takes the place of French protectorate in Morocco (about 360 thousand km²).
  • On the map, Egypt takes the place of Syria (about 190 thousand km²).
  • Apart from that, 255 provinces changed hands between 1950 and 1960.
  • Sudan gained about 2.5 million km², mostly from United Kingdom.
  • Dem. Rep. Congo gained about 1.8 million km², mostly from Belgium.
  • Libya gained about 1.6 million km², mostly from Italy.
  • People's Republic of China gained about 1.4 million km², mostly from Tibet and Taiwan.
  • New on the map: Sudan, Dem. Rep. Congo, Libya, Chad and Mali.
  • No longer on the map: Tibet and Bundelkhand.

Battles, 1960 - 1969

  • 1960Vientiane
    Laotian Civil War - won by Laotian Rightists
  • 1965Lahore
    2nd Indo-Pakistan War - won by India
  • 1965Sialkot
    2nd Indo-Pakistan War
  • 1966Dau Tieng
    Vietnam War - won by United States, South Vietnam
  • 1967Abu Ageila
    Six Day War - won by Israel
  • 1967Con Thien (1st)
    Vietnam War - won by United States
  • 1967Con Thien (2nd)
    Vietnam War - won by United States
  • 1967Golan Heights
    Arab Israeli Six Day War - won by Israel
  • 1967Iron Triangle
    Vietnam War - won by United States, South Vietnam
  • 1967Khe Sanh
    Vietnam War - won by United States, South Vietnam
  • 1967Mitla Pass
    Arab-Israeli Six Day War - won by Israel
  • 1968Tet Offensive
    Vietnam War - won by United States, South Vietnam

Empire maps for this period

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