Mongol Empire

The Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan and his successors (1206-1368) was the largest contiguous land empire in history, controlling 24 million square kilometres — approximately 16% of Earth's total land area. It connected Europe and China through Pax Mongolica, enabling trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Road, but also caused the deaths of an estimated 40 million people — roughly 10% of the world's population at the time.