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Roughly how large was the Mongol Empire at its 1279 peak — and what was its distinction in world history?
At its 1279 peak under Kublai Khan, the Mongol Empire encompassed approximately 24 million square kilometres — from the Pacific to the Black Sea — and ruled approximately 110 million people. It remains the largest contiguous land empire in recorded history. The British Empire was larger in total area (~35 million km²) but was a maritime empire of scattered overseas territories.
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The Mongol Empire The Mongol Empire was the largest contiguous land empire in history, founded by Genghis Khan in 1206 and reaching its greatest extent under his successors by 1279. It controlled, at peak, approximately 24 million square kilometres of central and eastern Eurasia and approximately 110 million people.
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