The First Census of Which Records are Preserved is Taken in China during the Han Dynasty

2 CE
Map of the Western Han dynasty in 2 CE. Darker blue area represents principalities and centrally-administered commanderies. Lighter blue represents protectorate of the Western Regions (Tarim Basin). From Barnes, Mapping History: World History, London, 2007.
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org
Map of the Western Han dynasty in 2 CE. Darker blue area represents principalities and centrally-administered commanderies. Lighter blue represents protectorate of the Western Regions (Tarim Basin). From Barnes, Mapping History: World History, London, 2007.

A map of Eastern China, the territories of the Han Dynasty highlighted in dark brown.

In 2 CE, the first census of which records are preserved was taken in China during the Han Dynasty. At that time there were 57.5 million people living in Han China— the world’s largest population.

Timeline Themes

Mathematics / Logic
Survival of Information / Philology
Statistics / Demography