Map of the World in 1500
In 1500 CE the atlas maps 133 states and empires across the world. The largest by mapped territory was Mongol Khanate, at about 4.55M km², followed by The Ming Dynasty. The map below is set to 1500 CE; the table lists every state shown, with the modern countries its borders covered.
- States Mapped
- 133
- Largest
- 4.55M km²
- Modern Countries Covered
- 124
- Longest Established
- 207–1500 CE
Map of the World in 1500 CE
Borders are drawn for 1500 CE. Drag the timeline to move to another year.
The Major Powers of 1500 CE
The Ming Dynasty
1375–1644 CEThe Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming was the last imperial dynasty of China ruled by the Han people, the majority ethnic group in China.
Mapped extent in 1500 CE: 4.34M km²
Khanate of Sibir
1429–1587 CEThe Khanate of Sibir was a Siberian Tatar state in western Siberia. It was founded at the end of the 15th century, following the break-up of the Golden Horde.
Mapped extent in 1500 CE: 2.82M km²
Grand Principality of Moscow
1294–1546 CEThe Grand Principality of Moscow, before 1389 the Principality of Moscow, also known by the exonym Muscovy, was a late medieval Russian monarchy. Its capital was the city of Moscow.
Mapped extent in 1500 CE: 2.14M km²
The Inca Empire (Tawantinsuyu)
1440–1571 CEThe Inca Empire, officially known as the Realm of the Four Parts, was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. The administrative, political, and military center of the empire was in the city of Cusco.
Mapped extent in 1500 CE: 2.10M km²
Timurid Empire
1375–1528 CEThe Timurid Empire was a late medieval Turco-Mongol, culturally Persianate, Muslim empire that dominated Greater Iran in the early 15th century, comprising modern-day Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, much of Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and parts of contemporary Pakistan, North India, and Turkey. The empire had a syncretic culture and combined Turkic, Mongolic, and Persian influences, with the last members of the dynasty being regarded as "ideal Perso-Islamic rulers".
Mapped extent in 1500 CE: 1.95M km²
Kazakh Khanate
1468–1847 CEThe Kazakh Khanate, also known as the Kazakh Khanates or Qazaq Khanate was a nomadic state in Central Asia that existed from c. 1465 to the early 19th century.
Mapped extent in 1500 CE: 1.86M km²
Descriptions are the opening of each state's Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
States and Empires in 1500 CE
133 mapped, largest territory first. Dates are the span of each state's mapped borders.
1500 CE by Region
1500 CE: Quick Answers
- What empires and states existed in 1500 CE?
- The atlas maps 133 states in 1500 CE. The largest by mapped territory were Mongol Khanate, The Ming Dynasty, Khanate of Sibir, Grand Principality of Moscow, The Inca Empire (Tawantinsuyu), Timurid Empire.
- What was the largest empire in 1500 CE?
- Mongol Khanate had the largest mapped territory in 1500 CE, about 4.55M km², followed by The Ming Dynasty (4.34M km²). Areas are measured from the mapped borders and are approximate.
- What did the world map look like in 1500?
- In 1500 CE the map of the World was divided between 133 mapped states and empires. Mongol Khanate held the largest territory, followed by The Ming Dynasty. Their borders covered parts of 124 present-day countries.
- How many states are shown on the map for 1500 CE?
- 133. The map shows the states recorded in the atlas's dated border dataset for that year; states and peoples absent from that dataset are not shown.