Map of Africa in 1850
In 1850 CE the atlas maps 25 states and empires with territory in Africa. The largest by mapped territory was The British Empire, at about 6.48M km², followed by Muhammad Ali dynasty. The map below is set to 1850 CE; the table lists every state shown, with the modern countries its borders covered.
- States Mapped
- 25
- Largest
- 6.48M km²
- Modern Countries Covered
- 75
- Longest Established
- 1147–1850 CE
Map of Africa in 1850 CE
Borders are drawn for 1850 CE. Drag the timeline to move to another year.
The Major Powers of 1850 CE
The British Empire
1706–1999 CEThe British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, and colonisation attempts by Scotland during the 17th century.
Mapped extent in 1850 CE: 6.48M km²
Muhammad Ali dynasty
1805–1865 CEThe history of Egypt under the Muhammad Ali dynasty (1805–1953) spanned the later period of Ottoman Egypt, the Khedivate of Egypt under British occupation, and the nominally independent Sultanate of Egypt and Kingdom of Egypt, ending with the Revolution of 1952 and the formation of the Republic of Egypt.
Mapped extent in 1850 CE: 1.83M km²
British Colonial Empire
1706–1999 CEThe British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, and colonisation attempts by Scotland during the 17th century.
Mapped extent in 1850 CE: 1.31M km²
The Spanish Empire
1516–1931 CEThe Spanish Empire, sometimes referred to as the Hispanic Monarchy or the Catholic Monarchy, was a colonial empire that existed between 1492 and 1976. In conjunction with the Portuguese Empire, it ushered in the European Age of Discovery.
Mapped extent in 1850 CE: 982,824 km²
Ottoman Tripolitania
1840–1911 CEOttoman Tripolitania, also known as the Regency of Tripoli, was officially ruled by the Ottoman Empire from 1551 to 1912. It corresponded roughly to the northern parts of modern-day Libya in historic Tripolitania and Cyrenaica.
Mapped extent in 1850 CE: 894,407 km²
French Second Republic
1848–1852 CEThe French Second Republic, officially the French Republic, was the second republican formation of the government of France. The republic existed from 1848, when the monarchy fell, until its dissolution only four years later in 1852 upon the proclamation of the Second French Empire.
Mapped extent in 1850 CE: 865,675 km²
Descriptions are the opening of each state's Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
States and Empires in 1850 CE
25 mapped, largest territory first. Dates are the span of each state's mapped borders.
1850 CE by Region
1850 CE: Quick Answers
- What empires and states existed in Africa in 1850 CE?
- The atlas maps 25 states in Africa in 1850 CE. The largest by mapped territory were The British Empire, Muhammad Ali dynasty, British Colonial Empire, The Spanish Empire, Ottoman Tripolitania, French Second Republic.
- What was the largest empire in Africa in 1850 CE?
- The British Empire had the largest mapped territory among states present in Africa in 1850 CE, about 6.48M km², followed by Muhammad Ali dynasty (1.83M km²). Areas are measured from the mapped borders and are approximate.
- What did the map of Africa look like in 1850?
- In 1850 CE the map of Africa was divided between 25 mapped states and empires. The British Empire held the largest territory, followed by Muhammad Ali dynasty. Their borders covered parts of 75 present-day countries.
- How many states are shown on the map for 1850 CE?
- 25. 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.