Antique map of Chinese Empire, 1847

"Map of the Chinese empire, compiled from native & foreign authorities" by S.W. Williams, was an important cartographic work from the mid-19th century. Samuel Wells Williams, an American linguist, missionary, and sinologist, compiled this map based on a combination of Chinese and foreign sources.

Williams was known for his expertise in Chinese language and culture, and he made significant contributions to the understanding of China during that time. His map aimed to provide an accurate representation of the Chinese empire, incorporating both indigenous Chinese knowledge and information gathered from foreign sources.

In 1847, the Chinese empire, also known as the Qing Dynasty, was a vast territorial entity in East Asia. It encompassed a large part of modern-day China, as well as territories that are now part of Mongolia, Taiwan, Tibet, and other regions. The Qing Dynasty was ruled by the Manchu ethnic group, which originated from the northeastern part of China.

The empire was divided into provinces, each governed by a local administrative structure. The central government was based in Beijing, which served as the capital of the empire. The Chinese emperor, known as the Qing emperor, held supreme power and was considered the Son of Heaven, ruling with the support of a complex bureaucracy.

During this period, China faced challenges from various foreign powers, particularly in the form of trade and territorial disputes. The Opium Wars, which occurred in the mid-19th century, marked a significant period of conflict with Western powers, such as Britain and France. These conflicts resulted in the cession of territories to foreign powers and the opening of China to foreign trade and influence.

It's important to note that the Chinese empire underwent significant territorial changes throughout its long history. Therefore, the map you mentioned from 1847 might not represent the entirety of the empire's territories during that time.