Map of Africa in 1900
In 1900 CE the atlas maps 21 states and empires with territory in Africa. The largest by mapped territory was The British Empire, at about 27.34M km², followed by British Colonial Empire. The map below is set to 1900 CE; the table lists every state shown, with the modern countries its borders covered.
- States Mapped
- 21
- Largest
- 27.34M km²
- Modern Countries Covered
- 99
- Longest Established
- 1147–1900 CE
Map of Africa in 1900 CE
Borders are drawn for 1900 CE. Drag the timeline to move to another year.
The Major Powers of 1900 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 1900 CE: 27.34M 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 1900 CE: 13.69M km²
British Africa
1885–1960 CEThe Scramble for Africa was the invasion, conquest, and colonisation of most of Africa by seven Western European powers, which were driven by the Second Industrial Revolution during the late 19th and early 20th centuries through the era of "New Imperialism". Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom were the contending powers.
Mapped extent in 1900 CE: 7.62M km²
French Third Republic
1871–1939 CEThe French Third Republic was the system of government adopted in France from 4 September 1870, when the Second French Empire collapsed during the Franco-Prussian War, until 10 July 1940, after the Fall of France during World War II led to the formation of the Vichy government. The French Third Republic was a parliamentary republic.
Mapped extent in 1900 CE: 5.82M km²
French Africa
1846–1957 CEFrench Africa includes all the historic holdings of France on the African continent.
Mapped extent in 1900 CE: 4.49M km²
Belgian Congo
1890–1962 CEThe Belgian Congo was a Belgian colony in Central Africa from 1908 until independence in 1960. It is today the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Mapped extent in 1900 CE: 2.31M km²
Descriptions are the opening of each state's Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
States and Empires in 1900 CE
21 mapped, largest territory first. Dates are the span of each state's mapped borders.
1900 CE by Region
1900 CE: Quick Answers
- What empires and states existed in Africa in 1900 CE?
- The atlas maps 21 states in Africa in 1900 CE. The largest by mapped territory were The British Empire, British Colonial Empire, British Africa, French Third Republic, French Africa, Belgian Congo.
- What was the largest empire in Africa in 1900 CE?
- The British Empire had the largest mapped territory among states present in Africa in 1900 CE, about 27.34M km², followed by British Colonial Empire (13.69M km²). Areas are measured from the mapped borders and are approximate.
- What did the map of Africa look like in 1900?
- In 1900 CE the map of Africa was divided between 21 mapped states and empires. The British Empire held the largest territory, followed by British Colonial Empire. Their borders covered parts of 99 present-day countries.
- How many states are shown on the map for 1900 CE?
- 21. 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.