The biggest country in the world of all time?

Answer 1

How big is big and what constitutes a country may require definition prior to reaching a conclution. Area and population generally define big, but they should also be balanced against known, estimated and guess-timated populations. Historical time frames also mandate certain consideration. Allowed autonomy as a result of tribute paid, become a vital part of Empire and often distorts big.

Today, Russia remains number one in area, even after the break up of the USSR. China ranks first in population and covers less acerage then Russia. Canada has more acres then the US, but less people. Bigger is better is an axiom that is not true in every area of society. The Roman Empire was big and a force to be reckoned with in its time, but the British Empire was much larger and extremely powerful in the years following WWI. By the end of WWII, the US and the USSR were the only super powers. Big like powerful has a few virtues, but they may be fleeting in nature. Oil rich nations hold great economic power and influence today, but that may also change with time.

Vatican City is tiny, but has great power. The Mongol Empire had control of much of the known world under Kublai Khan by 1265, but that great power ended. The Vikings had their moment of great power through fear. The Ottomans conqured everything in their paths and Spain led the planet on the basis of pillaged wealth for a brief period. Hitler made a try at empire, and so did Stalin, the Egyptians ruled a vast territory as did the Inca and the Aztecs in the America's.

Big bombs and big battalions have been consistent in creating big Empires, but not in maintaining them. The biggest country probably lived in the mind of some unknown explorer.