The ten largest empires in history and their lasting influence

The legacy of the world's great empires

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

Empires have risen and fallen through history, leaving an impact that resonates even today. By expanding not only their borders but also their culture, political influence, and economic power, they transformed the regions under their control.

What factors defined the largest empires in history?

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

The size of an empire depended on factors such as its duration, military strength, territorial size, population, and political and economic influence.

The ten largest empires

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

Many empires laid the foundation for languages, religions, and cultural traditions that remain influential in the world today. In this gallery, we'll explore the ten largest empires in terms of territorial expanse and their momentous historical impact.

1. The British Empire

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

The British Empire stands out as the largest in history; it dominated, at the beginning of the 20th century, a quarter of the world's landmass and a quarter of the world's population.

Home to more than 500 million people

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

At its peak in the 1920s, it stretched across 33.7 million square kilometers (20.9 million square miles)and was home to more than 500 million people, from Canada to Australia, and from Egypt to India, according to National Geographic.

The rise and fall of the British Empire

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

Founded by King Henry VII of England in 1497, the empire was noted for its impressive advances in exploration. Its large-scale practice of colonialism gave it unprecedented power. The British Empire finally collapsed in 1997, when the vast majority of its colonies achieved independence.

2. The Mongol dynasty

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

Founded by Genghis Khan in 1206, the Mongol Empire became the largest in history, gaining control of 25% of the world's population by the 13th century. Its vast territory stretched from Siberia to Central Europe, including China, Mongolia, parts of Russia, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Eastern Europe.

The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

The vast Eurasian steppe was home to nomadic and horse-riding peoples, such as the Mongols and, centuries earlier, the Scythians and Sarmatians, who even supplied valuable horsemen to the Roman Empire.

3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, was not only the fifth emperor of the Mongol Empire, but also founded the Yuan Dynasty (pictured, statue of a Taoist god) after the division of the Mongol Empire.

14 million square kilometers

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

The Yuan Dynasty reached its peak in 1310, covering 14 million square kilometers (or roughly 8.6 million square miles), similar to the Ming Dynasty but several centuries earlier. Kublai Khan, its first emperor, quickly conquered the Song Dynasty capital and unified China under his rule.

4. The Russian Empire

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

The Russian Empire, at its height, between 1721 and 1917, spanned 22.8 million square kilometers (14.6 million square miles), encompassing territories including Russia, Alaska, Persia, Manchuria, Finland, and Poland.

More than a hundred ethnic groups

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

With 176 million inhabitants, it represented 9.8% of the world's population in 1917. More than 100 ethnic groups coexisted within its borders, although Russians constituted 44% of the total population.

Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

Peter and Catherine the Great were influential Tsars during the empire's rule. Peter was known for implementing aspects of the European system, while Catherine privatized many state functions.

5. The Umayyad Caliphate

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

Before the Spanish conquest of the Americas, the Spanish city of Córdoba was the capital of a great empire, the Umayyad Caliphate, along with Damascus. Founded by Mu'awiya in 661, the Umayyad Caliphate had its capital in Damascus and stretched from the Caucasus to the Maghreb and the Iberian Peninsula.

The Emirate of Córdoba

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

At its height, it covered some 13 million square kilometers (8 million square miles). Around 750, following the Abbasid Revolution, Abd-ar-Rahman I fled to al-Andalus and founded the Emirate of Córdoba, which lasted until 1031.

Expansion and power in the Middle East

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

The Umayyad Caliphate, the second of the four caliphates that emerged after the death of Muhammad, was notable for its rapid expansion and consolidation of Islam in the Middle East.

6. The Abbasid Caliphate

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

Founded in 750 by Abu al-Abbas, the Abbasid Caliphate replaced the Umayyad dynasty and moved the capital to Baghdad, which became a major cultural center. At its height, the caliphate covered the Arabian Peninsula, Syria, Iraq, parts of Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, and Turkey.

Scientific advances and administrative reorganization

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

The Abbasid Caliphate introduced advances in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. It also established an administrative and legal system that profoundly influenced governmental structures in the Islamic world. Its fall occurred in 1258 with the Mongol conquest of Baghdad and the death of the last caliph, al-Mu'tasim.

7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

The last of China's imperial dynasties, the Qing Dynasty, lasted nearly three centuries, from 1644 to 1912, and laid the foundations for modern China. It reached its peak in 1790, covering 14.7 million square kilometers (9.13 million square miles). Its territory included present-day China, Mongolia, Manchuria, parts of Russia, and Taiwan.

Population boom and territorial expansion

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

Founded by Emperor Shunzhi, the Qing Dynasty was notable for its population growth driven by policies that improved living conditions. It ended in 1912 with the establishment of the Republic of China.

8. The Spanish Empire

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

The Spanish Empire was the most powerful in the world between the 16th and 17th centuries, covering 20.4 million square kilometers (12.67 million square miles) in Europe, America, Africa, and Asia. In the 17th century, its population reached 68 million, roughly 12.3% of the world's population.

Exploration and expansion

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

The Spanish Empire, which included modern-day territories such as Mexico, Venezuela, Germany, Cuba, Peru, Belgium, Jamaica, and Paraguay, redefined colonial imperialism by spreading Spanish culture throughout Africa and the Americas.

9. The Portuguese Empire

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

The Portuguese Empire, which began in the 15th century with the conquest of Ceuta, expanded under Henry the Navigator, reaching its peak in 1815 with 10.4 million square kilometers (6.4 million square miles). Its decline began with Brazil's independence in 1822, although it retained colonies such as Angola and Mozambique until 1999.

10. The French Empire

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

France competed with Spain and the United Kingdom to become Europe's leading imperial power. However, Paris never surpassed its rivals in size. The French Empire reached its greatest expansion in the 19th and 20th centuries.

From Africa to Indochina

The legacy of the world's great empires, What factors defined the largest empires in history?, The ten largest empires, 1. The British Empire, Home to more than 500 million people, The rise and fall of the British Empire, 2. The Mongol dynasty, The Eurasian steppe: cradle of the horse-riding peoples, 3. The Chinese Yuan Dynasty, 14 million square kilometers, 4. The Russian Empire, More than a hundred ethnic groups, Peter and Catherine the Great, leaders of the Russian Empire, 5. The Umayyad Caliphate, The Emirate of Córdoba, Expansion and power in the Middle East, 6. The Abbasid Caliphate, Scientific advances and administrative reorganization, 7. The Chinese Qing Dynasty, Population boom and territorial expansion, 8. The Spanish Empire, Exploration and expansion, 9. The Portuguese Empire, 10. The French Empire, From Africa to Indochina

From Algeria and Tunisia, France extended its dominion across North, West, and Central Africa, with territories such as Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Niger, and Chad. In the 20th century, it expanded to Syria, Lebanon, Togo, Cameroon, and Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia).

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