Maps change more often than we think. Entire countries and kingdoms have risen, fallen, and faded into history. Whether erased by war, politics, or time itself, these 9 places no longer exist but you can still trace their footprints today.
9. Kingdom of Sikkim (1642-1975)
Nestled in the Himalayas, the Kingdom of Sikkim remained a sovereign monarchy for over 300 years, ruled by the same dynasty throughout its history. In a surprising turn of events, the population voted to abolish the monarchy and join India, becoming its 22nd state. You can visit the former royal palace and ancient monasteries like Rumtek to get a glimpse of this lost Himalayan kingdom.
8. Tanganyika (pre-colonial-1964)
This East African nation had a rich history stretching back to ancient coastal settlements. After periods of German and British colonial rule, Tanganyika gained independence in 1961. However, it merged with the island of Zanzibar in 1964, creating the modern nation of Tanzania. Explore Tanganyika’s past at the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara.
7. The Nabataean Kingdom (c. 3rd Century BC – 106 AD)
The Nabataeans were masters of the desert and they once controlled the frankincense trade, building a kingdom of immense wealth. Their capital, Petra, was known to be carved from rose-red sandstone cliffs and engineered with a system of secret cisterns to survive the arid climate. You can walk through the Siq to the Treasury at Petra in modern-day Jordan, a stunning reminder of a civilization that thrived where others couldn’t.
6. The Srivijaya Empire (c. 7th – 13th Century)
For over 600 years, the Srivijaya Empire dominated maritime trade in Southeast Asia, and its influence stretched from Sumatra to the Malay Peninsula. Its capital at Palembang, Indonesia was a major center for Buddhist learning, hosting thousands of monks. Though the empire mysteriously vanished from historical records for centuries, you can now visit the Muaro Jambi Temple Compounds, one of the largest ancient temple complexes in Southeast Asia.
5. The Khmer Empire (802-1431)
The Khmer Empire’s capital, Angkor, was once the largest pre-industrial city in the world, sprawling over an area the size of Paris. Its rulers constructed huge temples, including the Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious structure. Today, the Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia is a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site.
4. Carthage (c. 814 BC – 146 BC)
This Phoenician city-state in modern-day Tunisia was a dominant Mediterranean power, so wealthy it was the envy of the ancient world. Its famous general, Hannibal, crossed the Alps with war elephants to challenge Rome. After three Punic Wars, Rome finally conquered and destroyed Carthage in 146 BC. The ruins, now a UNESCO site, include the massive Antonine Baths and the eerie Sanctuary of Tophet.
3. Austria-Hungary (1867-1918)
The Austro-Hungarian Empire was a mosaic of eleven different ethnic groups. As a major European power, its complex politics led to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the event that triggered World War I. The empire’s collapse in 1918 created five new countries. Its grandeur lives on in the magnificent palaces of Vienna and Budapest.
2. The Ethiopian Empire (Abyssinia) (1137-1974)
One of only two African nations to resist European colonization, the Ethiopian Empire was an Christian kingdom with a history that stretched back to the 1st century. Its rulers claimed direct descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. You can explore its history at the churches of Lalibela and the ancient stelae fields of Aksum, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
1. Prussia (1525-1947)
Prussia had a formidable army, which prompted many to say that it was “not a state with an army, but an army with a state.” This powerful kingdom was the force behind German unification in the 19th century. After World War II, the Allies abolished the state of Prussia, completely erasing it from the map. Its legacy can be explored at the Malbork Castle in Poland, the world’s largest brick castle, and the ruins of Königsberg Cathedral in Kaliningrad, Russia.