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How large was the German Empire when it was founded in 1871?

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Map showing the German Empire as it existed from 1871 to 1918, with its borders outlined and regions color-coded. The map highlights the Kingdom of Prussia in green and the full extent of the German Empire in yellow, including regions such as Bavaria, Saxony, Westphalia, and East Prussia. Neighboring countries like France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria-Hungary, and the Russian Empire are also labeled. Major cities such as Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg are marked. — German Empire The German Empire, 1871–1918.

When the German Empire was founded on January 18, 1871, it occupied an area of 208,825 square miles (540,854 square km). At the time of its inception, the nation had a population of more than 41 million people.12

Within this new state, Prussia served as the dominant force, accounting for more than three-fifths of both the total land area and the population.132