Top 10 Largest Countries in the World by Area 2026

Four centuries of eastward expansion from Muscovy across Siberia (largely complete by 1700), plus 19th-century expansion into Central Asia and the Caucasus. The USSR (1922–1991) was 22M+ km²; after dissolution Russia kept the largest share.

Indigenous First Nations and Inuit inhabited for thousands of years before European colonization. French settlement from early 1600s; British control from 1763. Confederation in 1867; full territorial reach with Newfoundland in 1949.

13 original colonies declared independence in 1776. Expansion westward through purchase (Louisiana, Alaska), war (Mexican-American), and treaty. Continental borders by 1853. Alaska and Hawaii added 1959.

Has occupied roughly current borders for centuries. Qing dynasty (1644–1912) reached modern western/northern bounds, incorporating Tibet, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia. PRC established 1949. Hong Kong (1997), Macau (1999) returned.

Portuguese colonization from 1500 over 3+ centuries. Independent empire 1822, republic 1889. Borders largely settled by treaty and arbitration in late 19th/early 20th century. Only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas.

Aboriginal Australians for at least 65,000 years. British colonization from First Fleet at Sydney in 1788. Commonwealth of Australia formed in 1901 through federation of six British colonies.

One of world's oldest continuous civilizations — Indus Valley Civilization dates back 4,500+ years. Modern state created by 1947 partition of British India. World's largest democracy.

Spanish colonization from 16th century. Independence from Spain 1810–1816. Modern borders consolidated by late 19th century. Among world's wealthiest in early 20th century — large European immigration wave.

Historically inhabited by Turkic nomads; key part of the Mongol Empire and successor states. Russian Empire in the 19th century, Soviet Union in 1936. Independence in 1991 — instantly the 9th largest country in the world.

Conquered by Arab invaders in the 7th–8th centuries. Ruled by various Berber/Arab dynasties; in Ottoman Empire from 16th century. French conquest from 1830 — made part of metropolitan France. Independence in 1962 after 8-year war. Africa's largest country since South Sudan separation (2011).