Fun with Maps ISSUE 2025-053

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (March 24, 2025) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps, it’s a empirical history lesson.

The Empire

There have been many empires.

The largest by area is the British Empire, with 27% of the world being controlled by it at its zenith-per the census released on March 24, 1906.

There were other great empires – The Mongol Empire at about 1300, just marginally smaller, but they had to conquer on horseback.  And then there were the various Chinese Empires, but they didn’t venture much beyond today’s China.   Similarly, the Roman Empire kept close to the familiar, which was the Mediterranean Sea.

The French, Spanish and the Russians all managed to put together respectable Empires.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire, however short lived it was 1867-1918 managed to be possibly the most unique.  It was ahead of its time.  It had dual capitals of Vienna and Budapest and required all state employees to learn over 100 words in all the languages of the people within its borders.  The latter point might seem insignificant to you, but at the time it was a big deal.

This map of the British Isles, the start of the Empire, is from 1792 by Elwe.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.