Territorial evolution of the British Empire


The territorial evolution of the British Empire is considered to have begun with the foundation of the English colonial empire in the late 16th century. Since then, many territories around the world have been under the control of the United Kingdom or its predecessor states.
When the Kingdom of Great Britain was formed in 1707 by the union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England, the latter country's colonial possessions passed to the new state. Similarly, when Great Britain was united with the Kingdom of Ireland in 1801 to form the United Kingdom, control over its colonial possessions passed to the latter state. Collectively, these territories are referred to as the British Empire. When much of Ireland gained independence in 1922 as the Irish Free State, the other territories of the empire remained under the control of the United Kingdom.
From 1714 to 1837, the British throne was held by a series of kings who were also the rulers of the German state of Hanover. However, this was purely a personal union, with Hanover maintaining its political independence otherwise, and so it is not usually considered to have formed part of the British Empire.
The nature of the territories ruled as part of the British Empire varied enormously. In legal terms the territories included those formally under the sovereignty of the British monarch ; various "foreign" territories controlled as protectorates; territories transferred to British administration under the authority of the League of Nations or the United Nations; and miscellaneous other territories, such as the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, a condominium with Egypt. No uniform system of government was applied to any of these.
Several countries within the British Empire gained independence in stages during the earlier part of the 20th century. Much of the rest of the empire was dismantled in the twenty years following the end of the Second World War, starting with the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, and continued until the handover of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China in 1997. There remain, however, fourteen territories around the world known as the British Overseas Territories which remain under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United Kingdom.
Many of the former territories of the British Empire are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Fourteen of these retain the British monarch as head of state. The British monarch is also Head of the Commonwealth, but this is a purely symbolic and personal title; members of the Commonwealth are fully sovereign states.
At its territorial peak in 1920, the British Empire controlled a total area of over or more than 26% of the Earth's land, the largest empire in the world. At this point, the empire's population was over 449 million. The United Kingdom had about 120 colonies throughout its history, the most colonies in the world; the French colonial empire came second with about 80 colonies.

Governance

The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. In addition to the areas formally under the sovereignty of the British monarch, various "foreign" territories were controlled as protectorates; territories transferred to British administration under the authority of the League of Nations or the United Nations; and miscellaneous other territories, such as the condominium of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. The natures of the administration of the Empire changed both by time and place, and there was no uniform system of government in the Empire.

Colonies

Colonies were territories that were intended to be places of permanent settlement, providing land for their settlers. The Crown claimed absolute sovereignty over them, although they were not formally part of the United Kingdom itself. Generally, their law was the common law of England together with whatever British Acts of Parliament were also applied to them. Over time, a number of colonies were granted "responsible government", making them largely self-governing.

Crown Colony

A Crown colony: a type of colonial administration of the English and later the British Empire, whose legislature and administration was controlled by the Crown.
Crown colonies were ruled by a governor appointed by the monarch. By the middle of the 19th century, the sovereign appointed royal governors on the advice of the Secretary of State for the Colonies. This became the main method of creating and governing colonies. Most Crown colonies, especially the white settler colonies had a bicameral legislature, consisting of an upper house usually called the Legislative council, which members were appointed and served a similar purpose as the British House of Lords. There also existed lower houses which were usually named the Legislative Assembly or House of Assembly. The lower house was usually elected, but suffrage was restricted to free white men only, usually with property ownership restrictions. Since land ownership was widespread, most white men could vote. The governor also often had an Executive Council which had a similar function to the Cabinet in England but was not responsible to the colonial lower house. They held a consultative position, however, and did not serve in administrative offices as cabinet ministers do. Members of the Executive Council were not necessarily members of the lower house but were usually members of the upper house. Later as the white colonies gained more internal responsible government, the lower house began to supersede the upper house as the colonial legislature, and the position of Premier emerged.

Charter colony

Charter colony is one of the three classes of colonial government established in the 17th-century English colonies in North America. In a charter colony, the King granted a royal charter to the colonial government establishing the rules under which the colony was to be governed and charter colonies elected their own governors based on rules spelled out in the charter or other colonial legislation.

Proprietary colony

A number of colonies in the 16th and 17th centuries were granted to a particular individual; these were known as proprietary colonies. Proprietary colonies in America were governed by a Lord Proprietor, who, holding authority by virtue of a royal charter, usually exercised that authority almost as an independent sovereign. Eventually these were converted to Crown colonies.

Chartered company

A chartered company is an association formed by investors or shareholders for the purpose of trade, exploration and colonization. Chartered companies were usually formed, incorporated and legitimized under a royal charter. This document set out the terms under which the company could trade, defined its boundaries of influence, and described its rights and responsibilities. Groups of investors formed companies to underwrite and profit from the exploration of Africa, India, Asia, the Caribbean and North America, under the patronage of the state. Some companies like the East India Company, the Hudson's Bay Company, and the Royal African Company ruled large colonial possessions, but the Hudson's Bay Company took control of the Hudson Bay drainage basin in Canada as Rupert's Land, and the Royal African Company started to ship slaves from West Africa to the Americas in the Atlantic slave trade.

Protectorates and protected states

A protectorate is a territory which is not formally annexed but in which, by treaty, grant or other lawful means, the Crown has power and jurisdiction. A protectorate differs from a "protected state". A protected state is a territory under a foreign ruler which enjoys British protection, over whose foreign affairs she exercises control, but in respect of whose internal affairs she does not exercise jurisdiction.

Dominions

Dominions were semi-independent polities that were nominally under the Crown, constituting the British Empire and British Commonwealth, beginning in the later part of the 19th century. The dominions had been previously Crown colonies, and some of the colonies had been united to form dominions such as Union of South Africa and Commonwealth of Australia. The Balfour Declaration of 1926 clarified the status of the dominions, recognizing them as "autonomous Communities within the British Empire, equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs, though united by a common allegiance to the Crown, and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations." The Statute of Westminster 1931 converted this status into legal reality, making them essentially independent members of what was then called the British Commonwealth. Initially, the Dominions conducted their own trade policy, some limited foreign relations, and had autonomous armed forces, although the British government claimed and exercised the exclusive power to declare wars. However, after the passage of the Statute of Westminster, the language of dependency on the Crown of the United Kingdom ceased, and the Crown itself was no longer referred to as the Crown of any place in particular but simply as "the Crown". Arthur Berriedale Keith, in Speeches and Documents on the British Dominions 1918–1931, stated that "the Dominions are sovereign international States in the sense that the King in respect of each of His Dominions is such a State in the eyes of international law". After then, those countries that were previously referred to as "Dominions" became Commonwealth realms where the sovereign reigns no longer as the British monarch, but as monarch of each nation in its own right, and are considered equal to the United Kingdom and one another.

Mandates

Mandates were forms of territory created after the end of the First World War. A number of German colonies and protectorates and Ottoman provinces were held as mandates by the United Kingdom ; and its dominions of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. These territories were governed on behalf of the League of Nations for the benefit of their inhabitants. Most converted to United Nations Trust Territories in 1946.

Indian Empire

The Indian Empire was the imperial political structure in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947, comprising British India and Princely States, governed by Indian princes, under the suzerainty of the British Crown exercised through the Viceroy and Governor-General of India.

British Overseas territories

Within twenty years of the partition and independence in 1947 of India, most of the Empire's territories had achieved full independence. Today 13 former colonies remain under British rule; the term "colonies" is no longer officially used to describe these, although some parts of UK legislation still refer to the term "colony", which explicitly reads that "Her Majesty may by Order in Council direct that this Part shall extend to any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or.
Following the Chagos Archipelago handover agreement, the UK government is also due to introduce legislation to implement the agreement, including amending the British Nationality Act 1981 to reflect that the British Indian Ocean Territory is no longer an overseas territory following Parliament's ratification of the treaty.
Almost all of the British Overseas Territories are islands with a small population; some are in very remote areas of the world. Of the territories with a permanent population, all have at least some degree of internal self-government, with the United Kingdom retaining responsibility for defence and external relations.
The thirteen British Overseas Territories are:
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List of territories that were once a part of the British Empire

Africa

British Africa
Name of territoryDatesStatusComments
Ashanti1901–1957ColonyBecame a part of the dominion of Ghana
Basutoland1868ProtectorateWanted to join the Cape Colony, but was authorized to join the Colony of Natal instead. Eventually was placed under direct authority of the High Commissioner for South Africa.
Basutoland1871Annexed to Cape Colony
Basutoland1884Colony
Basutoland1965Self-governing colony
Basutoland1966Independent as Lesotho
Bechuanaland Protectorate1884–1965ProtectorateResident Commissioner assigned 1884, but Protectorate status declared after treaties with several chiefs were signed in 1885
Bechuanaland Protectorate1965–66Self-governing protectorate
Bechuanaland Protectorate1966Independent as Botswana
Bight of Benin1852–1861Protectorate
Bight of Benin1861United with Bight of Biafra
Bight of Biafra1849–1861Protectorate
Bight of Biafra1861United with Bight of Benin
Bights of Biafra and Benin1861–1891Protectorate
British Bechuanaland
'
1885–1895Crown colony
British Bechuanaland
'
1895Incorporated into Cape ColonyNow a part of the Northern Cape and North West provinces of South Africa
British Cameroons1916–1919Occupation
British Cameroons1919–1946League of Nations mandated territory
British Cameroons1946–1961United Nations Trust Territory
British Cameroons1961Northern part merged into Nigeria, southern part into the Republic of Cameroon
British East Africa1888–1895Territory leased to the Imperial British East Africa Company by the Sultan of Zanzibar
British East Africa1895–1920ProtectorateTerritory included former IBEAC territories and the strip of Sultan of Zanizbar's dominions on the coast of Kenya which fell within the British sphere of influence
British East Africa1920Became the Colony and Protectorate of KenyaLands of Sultan of Zanzibar on coast administered with the Colony as one unit
British Somaliland1884–1960Protectorate
British Somaliland1960Independent as State of SomalilandAfter 5 days merged with the Trust Territory of Somaliland as Somali Republic, in 1991 independent as Somaliland
Cape Colony1806–1910ColonyBecame a province of the Union of South Africa as the "Cape of Good Hope"
Chinde1891–1923ConcessionAnglo-Portuguese Treaty of 1891 gives Britain a 99-year lease, enabling river steamers to sail to the British Central Africa Protectorate, later Nyasaland
Chinde1923Returned to Portuguese East AfricaConcession abandoned due to erosion, cyclone damage, and development of the port of Beira as a better alternative
Chagos Archipelago2025Due to be returned to Mauritius, initially detached under British rule
Egypt1801–03Occupation
Egypt1882–1914Occupation
Egypt1914–1922Protectorate
Egypt1922Independence
Bioko1827–1855Leased territoryIsland leased from Spain so that Royal Navy could undertake anti-slavery operations on West Coast of Africa. Main settlement was Port Clarence now known as Malabo
Gambia Colony and Protectorate1816–1965ColonyProtectorate declared over hinterland of Gambia River in 1894
Gambia Colony and Protectorate1965Independence
Gold Coast1874–1957Colony
Gold Coast1957Independent as GhanaAlso incorporated British Togoland by plebiscite
Kenya, Colony & Protectorate of1920–1963ColonyPreviously part of British East Africa
Kenya, Colony & Protectorate of1963Independence
Lagos Protectorate1887–1906Protectorate, governed from the Lagos Colony
Lagos Protectorate1906Incorporated into the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria
Southern Nigeria Protectorate1900–1906Protectorate, created from Niger Coast Protectorate and territories of the Royal Niger Company
Southern Nigeria Protectorate1906Incorporated the Lagos Colony to be the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria
Libya, regions of Cyrenicia & Tripolitania only1942–1946British Military administration in Cyrenicia & Tripolitania
Libya, regions of Cyrenicia & Tripolitania only1946–1951Italian forces expelled, UN trusteeship of Cyrenicia & Tripolitania, administered by BritainFezzan region administered by France under trusteeship
Libya, regions of Cyrenicia & Tripolitania only1951Independent as the Kingdom of Libya
Natal1843–1910Colony
Natal1910Became a province of the Union of South AfricaNow part of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Niger Districts1885–1899Protectorate under the Royal Niger Company
Niger Districts1900Became part of Northern Nigeria
Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria1914–1954Created from the Colony & Protectorate of Southern Nigeria and the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria
Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria1954Became the self-governing Federation of Nigeria
Federation of Nigeria1954–1960Autonomous federationFormed from the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria
Federation of Nigeria1960Independenceuntil 1963 was a realm/dominion
Northern Nigeria1900–1914Protectorate governed by the Colony of Southern Nigeria
Northern Nigeria1914Merged with Protectorate of Southern Nigeria to form the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria
Northern Territories of the Gold Coast1901–1957ProtectorateAnnexed to form part of Her Majesty's dominions as part of the dominion of Ghana
Nyasaland
known as the Nyasaland Districts until 1893, and then British Central Africa until 1907
1891–1964Protectorate
Nyasaland
known as the Nyasaland Districts until 1893, and then British Central Africa until 1907
1964Independent as Malawi
Orange River Colony1900–1910Colony
Orange River Colony1907Granted responsible government
Orange River Colony1910Became the Province of the Orange Free State in the Union of South Africa
Rhodesia1964-1965Now Zimbabwe
Matabeleland1888–1894Protectorate under British South Africa Company
Matabeleland1894United with Mashonaland as South Zambezia in 1894
Mashonaland1889–1894Protectorate under BSAC
Mashonaland1894United with Matabeleland as South Zambezia in 1894
South Zambezia1894–95Protectorate under BSAC
South Zambezia1895United with North Zambezia as Rhodesia
Rhodesia1895–1901Protectorate under BSAC
Rhodesia1901Mashonaland and Matabeleland united as Southern Rhodesia
Northern Rhodesia1911–1924Protectorate under BSACAmalgamation of Barotziland-North-Western Rhodesia and North-Eastern Rhodesia
Northern Rhodesia1924–1953Protectorate
Northern Rhodesia1953–1963Part of Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
Northern Rhodesia1964Independent as Zambia
Southern Rhodesia1901–1923Protectorate under BSAC
Southern Rhodesia1923—1953Self-governing colony
Southern Rhodesia1953–1963Part of Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
Southern Rhodesia1964–65Self-governing colony
Rhodesia1965–1970Unilateral declaration of independence, with Elizabeth II as head of stateNot internationally recognised
Rhodesia1970–1979RepublicNot internationally recognised
Zimbabwe-Rhodesia1979Interim state
Zimbabwe-Rhodesia1979–80Crown colony
Zimbabwe-Rhodesia1980Independent as Zimbabwe
Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate1787–1808Freed slave colony organised by Sierra Leone Company
Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate1808–1821Crown colony
Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate1821–1850Part of British West African Settlements
Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate1850–1866Crown colony
Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate1866–1888Part of British West African Settlements
Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate1888–1895Colony
Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate1896–1961Colony and protectorate
Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate1961Independence
South Africa, Union of1910–1961DominionFormed by the federation of the Cape, Natal, Orange River, and Transvaal colonies
South Africa, Union of1961RepublicNot a member of the Commonwealth between 1961 and 1994
Sudan, Anglo-Egyptian1899–1952Condominium with Egypt
Sudan, Anglo-Egyptian1952–1956Self-rule
Sudan, Anglo-Egyptian1956Independent as Republic of Sudan
Swaziland1902–67Protectorate
Swaziland1967–68Protected State
Swaziland1968Independence
Tangier1661Ceded to England by Portugal
Tangier1684Abandoned by England
Tangier International Zone1924Established as condominium between UK, France and Spain
Tangier International Zone1940–1945Spanish occupation
Tangier International Zone1956Zone dissolved, Tangier returned to Morocco
German East Africa1916–1922Occupation
Tanganyika Territory1922–1946League of Nations mandated territory
Tanganyika Territory1946–1961United Nations Trust Territory under Britain
Tanganyika Territory1961IndependenceMerged with Zanzibar in 1964 to form Tanzania
Tati Concessions Land1872–1893Concession
Tati Concessions Land1893Detached from Matabeleland
Tati Concessions Land1893–1911Under protectorate of Bechuanaland
Tati Concessions Land1911Annexed to Bechuanaland
British Togoland1914–1916OccupationWestern half of erstwhile German Togoland occupied by both British and French forces 1914–16
British Togoland1916–1922Administered by British only
British Togoland1922–1946League of Nations Mandate under Britain
British Togoland1946–1957United Nations Trust Territory under Britain
British Togoland1957IndependenceMerged with Ghana upon independence after plebiscite
(French) Togoland1914–16occupationEastern half of erstwhile German Togoland occupied by both British and French forces, then after 1916 administered by France only. In 1922, became LoN Mandate, then UN Trust Territory in 1946, also under France. Now the Republic of Togo since independence in 1960.
Transvaal1877–1884Colony
Transvaal1884–1900Independent as South African Republic
Transvaal1900–1906Colony
Transvaal1906–1910Self-governing colony
Transvaal1910Part of Union of South AfricaNow divided between the provinces of Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West in South Africa
Uganda1890–1893Occupied by British East Africa Company
Uganda1893–94Provisional protectorate
Uganda1894–1962Protectorate
Uganda1962Self-government
Uganda1962Independence
Walvis Bay1795–1878Occupation
Walvis Bay1878–1884Protectorate
Walvis Bay1884Part of Cape ColonyNow part of Namibia
Zanzibar1890–1963Protectorate
Zanzibar1963IndependenceMerged with Tanganyika in 1964 to form Tanzania
Zululand1887–1897Crown colony
Zululand1897Incorporation into Colony of NatalNow part of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

South America

Name of territoryDatesStatusComments
Berbice1781–82Subordinated to Barbados
Berbice1782Occupied by France
Berbice1796–1802Occupied
Berbice1802Restored to the Netherlands
Berbice1803–1814Occupied
Berbice1814–1831Colony
Berbice1831United with Demerara-Essequibo to form British GuianaNow part of Guyana
British Guiana1831–1961ColonyFormed by the merger of the colonies of Berbice and Demerara-Essequibo
British Guiana1961–1966Self-rule
British Guiana1966Independent as Guyana
Demerara1781–82Subordinated to Barbados
Demerara1782French occupation
Demerara1796–1802Occupied
Demerara1802Restored to Netherlands
Demerara1803–1814Occupied
Demerara1814Merged with Essequibo to form Demerara-Essequibo
Demerara-Essequibo1814–1831ColonyFormed by the merger of the separate colonies of Demerara and Essequibo
Demerara-Essequibo1831United with Berbice to form British Guiana
Essequibo1781–82Subordinated to Barbados
Essequibo1782French occupation
Essequibo1796–1802Occupied
Essequibo1802Restored to the Netherlands
Essequibo1803–1814Occupied
Essequibo1814Merged with Demerara to form Demerara-Essequibo
Oyapoc1620SettlementNow in Guyana
Pomeroon1666–67Occupied
Pomeroon1689Occupation
Pomeroon1689Incorporated into EssequiboNow in Guyana
Willoughby1652–1688Settlement
Willoughby1688Dutch occupationNow Paramaribo, in Suriname

Asia

Name of territoryDatesStatusComments
Aden1839Colony subordinate to Bombay Presidency British India
Aden1932Separate province of British India
Aden1937Separate Crown colony
Aden1963Part of Federation of South Arabia
Afghanistan1879Protected state
Afghanistan1919Independence
Assam1874–1905Province of British India
Assam1905–1912Incorporated into the new province of Eastern Bengal and Assam
Assam1912–1947Province of British IndiaNow a state of the Republic of India
Bahrain1880Protectorate
Bahrain1961–1971Autonomous
Bahrain1971IndependenceInvited to join the Trucial States, but declined
Baluchistan1877–1896Province
Baluchistan1896–1947Province of British India
Baluchistan1947Part of PakistanNow part of Balochistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, in Pakistan
Bantam1603–1609Station
Bantam1609–1617Factory
Bantam1617–1621Presidency
Bantam1621Expelled by the Dutch
Bantam1630–1634Subordinated to Surat
Bantam1634–1652Presidency
Bantam1652–1682Subordinated to Surat
Bantam1682Expelled by the DutchNow in Indonesia
Bencoolen
'
1685–1760Coastal settlements of southwestern Sumatra, subordinated to Madras
Bencoolen
'
1760–1785Presidency
Bencoolen
'
1785–1825Subordinated to Bengal Presidency
Bencoolen
'
1825Part of Dutch East IndiesNow Bengkulu, in Indonesia
Bengal
'
1634–1658Factories
Bengal
'
1658–1681Subordinated to Madras
Bengal
'
1681–82Agency
Bengal
'
1682–1694Presidency of Coromandel and Bengal Settlements
Bengal
'
1694–1698Subordinated to Madras
Bengal
'
1698–1700Presidency of Coromandel and Bengal Settlements
Bengal
'
1700–1774Presidency
Bengal
'
1774–1905Presidency of British India
Bengal
'
1905–1912Partitioned between Bengal and Eastern Bengal and Assam
Bengal
'
1912–1937Presidency of British India
Bengal
'
1937–1947Province of British India
Bengal
'
1947Divided between India and Pakistan Now Bangladesh, and part of West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand, in India
Brunei1888Protectorate
Brunei1967Protected state
Brunei1984Independence
Burma 1824–1852Arakan, Tenasserim
Burma 1852–1886Lower Burma
Burma 1885–1886Upper Burma
Burma 1886Lower and Upper Burma United as province of British India
Burma 1937Separate Crown Colony
Burma 1948IndependenceName changed to Myanmar after a military junta in 1989.
Eastern Bengal and Assam1905–1912Province of British IndiaEstablished upon the partition of Bengal (1905)
Eastern Bengal and Assam1912Partition reversedSplit between the re-established province of Assam and the re-constituted presidency of Bengal
Ceylon1795Ceded by the Dutch and subordinated to the Madras presidency of British India
Ceylon1798Separate Crown colony
Ceylon1948IndependenceNow the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Dansborg1801–02Occupied
Dansborg1808–1815Occupied
Dansborg1845purchased and incorporated into British IndiaNow in Tamil Nadu state, India
Frederiksnagore1801–02Occupied
Frederiksnagore1808–1815Occupied
Frederiksnagore1845Purchased and incorporated into British IndiaNow in West Bengal state, India
Hong Kong1841Hong Kong Island occupied
Hong Kong1843–1982Crown colony
Hong Kong1860Kowloon and Stonecutters Island ceded by China
Hong Kong1898New Territories leased from China for 99 years
Hong Kong1942–1945Occupied by Japan
Hong Kong1945–1946Military administration
Hong Kong1983–1997Dependent territory
Hong Kong1997Handover to China as a special administrative region
Kuwait1899Protectorate
Kuwait1961Independence
Indian Empire (British Raj)1613Company rule in India
Indian Empire (British Raj)1858Crown rule over the Indian Princely states, the Presidencies and provinces of British India
Indian Empire (British Raj)1947Independent as India & Pakistan after partitionIndia stopped being a Dominion of the British Empire/Commonwealth of Nations in 1950
Mandatory Iraq1920–1932League of Nations mandate never passed, replaced by Anglo-Iraqi treaty with the Kingdom of Iraq
Java and the Spice Islands1811–1816Occupiedrestored to the Netherlands
Malaya1824Transferred following Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824
Malaya1824–1867Territory of British East India Company
Malaya1867–1946Straits Settlements, Crown colony
Malaya1895–1946Federated Malay States, protectorate
Malaya1885–1946Johor, protectorate
Malaya1909–1946Kedah, protectorate
Malaya1909–1946Kelantan, protectorate
Malaya1909–1946Perlis, protectorate
Malaya1909–1946Terengganu, protectorate
Malaya1942–1945Japanese occupation
Malaya1945–1946Military Administration
Malaya1946–1948Malayan Union
Malaya1948–1957Federation of Malaya
Malaya1957–1963Independent state
Malaya1963Annex North Borneo and Sarawak forming the renamed federation of Malaysia
North Borneo1882–1946Protectorate
North Borneo1945–1946Military administrationLabuan to British N. Borneo on 15 July 1946
North Borneo1946–1963Crown colonyLabuan to British N. Borneo on 15 July 1946
North Borneo1963Self-government
North Borneo1963Annexed by Malaya into Malaysia
Palestine1920Mandate
Palestine1948British mandate dissolved; proposed partition plans never materialized; Israel established immediately after British withdrawal, with the short-lived All-Palestine government following six months later, and later the partially recognised State of Palestineongoing territorial dispute, see Israeli–Palestinian conflict
Pulo Condore Island 1702Possession of British East India Company
Pulo Condore Island 1705AbandonedNow Côn Đảo, in Vietnam
Sarawak1888–1946Protected States
Sarawak1945–1946Military administration
Sarawak1946–1963Crown colony
Sarawak1963Self-government
Sarawak1963Annexed by Malaya into Malaysia
Straits Settlements1826–1858Possession under British East India CompanyNow divided between Malacca and Penang, in Malaysia, and Singapore
Straits Settlements1858–1867Subordinated to British India
Straits Settlements1867–1946Crown colony
Straits Settlements1942–1945Occupied by Japan
Straits Settlements1946Dissolved
Qatar1916–1971Protectorate
Qatar1971IndependenceInvited to join the Trucial States, but declined
Surat1612–1658Factory
Surat1658–1668Presidency
Surat1668–1685Possession under British East India Company
Surat1685–1703Subordinated to Bombay
Surat1703Incorporated into BombayNow in India
Singapore1824Purchased
Singapore1824Part of Straits Settlements
Singapore1867–1946Part of Straits Settlements
Singapore1946–1955Crown colony
Singapore1955–1959self-governing colony
Singapore1959–1963State of Singapore
Singapore1963–1965Part of Malaysia
Singapore1965Independence
Transjordan1920Part of Palestine MandateNow known as Jordan
Transjordan1923Formally separated from Palestine
Transjordan1928Emirate independent, except military and finance control
Transjordan1946Formal independence as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Trucial States1892Protectorate
Trucial States1971Formation of Federation of Arab EmiratesNow part of the United Arab Emirates
Weihaiwei1898–1930Leased from China
Weihaiwei1930Returned to the Republic of ChinaNow part of the People's Republic of China
West Bengal
1905–1912Province of British IndiaEstablished by the partition of Bengal. Abolished with the reversal of the partition and the creation of the new province of Bihar and Orissa.

Europe

Name of territoryDatesStatusComments
Akrotiri and Dhekelia1960–presentSovereign Base Areas
Alderney1198–1204Lordship
Alderney1204Fiefdom
Alderney1205Fiefdom
Alderney1206–1279Fiefdom
Alderney1279Briefly occupied by France
Alderney1279–1660Part of bailiwick of Guernsey
Alderney1660–1825Seigneurie
Alderney1825Subordinated to Guernsey
Alderney1940–1945Occupied by Germany
Alderney1945Restored to Britain
Cyprus1878Administration while nominally remaining part of the Ottoman Empire
Cyprus1914Annexation
Cyprus1925Crown colony
Cyprus1960IndependenceTwo sovereign base areas remain under British sovereignty; see under "Akrotiri and Dhekelia"
Dunkirk1658–1662Town and surrounding hinterland
Dunkirk1662Incorporated into France
England927Kingdom formed
England1282Conquest of principality of Gwynedd
England1536Annexation of Principality of Wales and Marcher Lordships into England
England1603Personal union with Scotland
England1649Republic as the Commonwealth of England. Scotland and Ireland united with England
England1660End of Republic. Scotland independent again but in personal union with England
England1707Political union with Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain

Antarctic Region

Name of territoryDatesStatusComments
British Antarctic Territory1962–1982Colony
British Antarctic Territory1983–2002Dependent territory
British Antarctic Territory2002–presentBritish Overseas Territory

Atlantic

Name of territoryDatesStatusComments
Ascension Island1815–1922Possession
Ascension Island1922–2009Dependency of St Helena
Ascension Island2009–presentPart of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Bermuda1612–1684Colony
Bermuda1684–1968Crown colony
Bermuda1968–1982Self-governing colony
Bermuda1983–2002Dependent territory
Bermuda2002–presentBritish Overseas Territory
Falkland Islands1766West Falkland settled
Falkland Islands1774Settlement withdrawn
Falkland Islands1774–1833Claimed
Falkland Islands1833Settlement re-established
Falkland Islands1841–1892Crown colony
Falkland Islands1892–1908Colony
Falkland Islands1908–1962Colony
Falkland Islands1962The Falkland Islands Dependencies of South Shetland, South Orkney, and Graham Land are established as the separate colony of British Antarctic Territory
Falkland Islands1962–1982Colony
Falkland Islands1983–2002Dependent territory
Falkland Islands2002–presentBritish Overseas Territory
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
'
1588–1673St Helena claimed
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
'
1673–1815Possession of the East India Company
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
'
1815–1821Crown colony
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
'
1821–1834Possession of British East India Company
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
'
1834–1982Crown colony
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
'
1983–2002Dependent territory
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
2002–presentBritish Overseas Territory
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands1775–1908Claimed
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands1908–1985Dependency of the Falkland Islands
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands1985–2002Dependent territory
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands2002–presentBritish Overseas Territory
Tristan da CunhaDependency of the Cape Colony
Tristan da Cunha1938–2009Dependency of St. Helena
Tristan da Cunha2009–presentPart of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Indian Ocean

Name of territoryDatesStatusComments
Andaman and Nicobar Islands1789British take possession of the Andaman Islands
Andaman and Nicobar Islands1848British take possession of the Nicobar Islands
Andaman and Nicobar Islands1942–1945Japanese occupation
Andaman and Nicobar Islands1947Became part of India upon its independenceNow a union territory of India
Ashmore Island1878Annexed
Ashmore Island1931Transferred to AustraliaNow administered as part of the Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Cartier Island1909–1931Annexed
Cartier Island1931Transferred to AustraliaNow administered as part of the Ashmore and Cartier Islands
British Indian Ocean Territory1810–1814Occupied
British Indian Ocean Territory1814Ceded to the United Kingdom by the Treaty of Paris
British Indian Ocean Territory1814–1903Part of the colony of Seychelles
British Indian Ocean Territory1903–1965Part of colony of Mauritius
British Indian Ocean Territory1965–1982Colony
British Indian Ocean Territory1976The Aldabra Group, the Des Roches islands, and the Farquhar Group/Des Roches are restored to the Seychelles
British Indian Ocean Territory1983–2002Dependent territory
British Indian Ocean Territory2002–presentBritish Overseas Territory
Christmas Island1888Annexed
Christmas Island1889–90Leased
Christmas Island1900–1942Dependency of the colony of Straits Settlement
Christmas Island1942–1945Japanese occupation
Christmas Island1945–46Military administration
Christmas Island1946–1958Dependency of the colony of Singapore
Christmas Island1958Crown colony
Christmas Island1958Transferred to Australia
Cocos Islands1825;
1826–1831
Settlement
Cocos Islands1831–1857Fiefdom
Cocos Islands1857–1878Crown colony
Cocos Islands1878–1886Part of Ceylon
Cocos Islands1886–1942Part of the colony of the Straits Settlements
Cocos Islands1942–1946Part of Ceylon
Cocos Islands1946–1955Dependency of the Colony of Singapore
Cocos Islands1955transferred to AustraliaNow the Australian territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Heard Island and McDonald Islands1833–1947Claimed
Heard Island and McDonald Islands1947Transferred to AustraliaNow the Australian territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Maldives1796–1953Protectorate
Maldives1953–54Republic
Maldives1954–1965ProtectorateSee also the United Suvadive Republic
Maldives1965Independence
Mauritius1809Occupation of Rodrigues
Mauritius1810–1968Colony
Mauritius1814Formal cession by the Treaty of Paris
Mauritius1965The Chagos Archipelago is transferred to the British Indian Ocean Territory
Mauritius1968Independence
Seychelles1794–1810Occupied
Seychelles1810–1814Colony subordinated to Mauritius
Seychelles1814Formal cession by the Treaty of Paris
Seychelles1814–1903Colony
Seychelles1903–1970Crown colony
Seychelles1970–1975Self-governing colony
Seychelles1975–76Self-rule
Seychelles1976Independence

Australasia and the Pacific

Name of territoryDatesStatusComments
Australia1901–1942Dominion
Australia1942-presentAdopted the Statute of Westminster into domestic lawStill continues as a realm/dominion
Baker Island1886–1934ClaimedNow a territory of the United States
Bonin Islands1827–1876Claimed
Bonin Islands1876Annexed by Japan
British New Guinea1884–1886Protectorate
British New Guinea1886–1906Colony
British New Guinea1906Transferred to AustraliaNow part of Papua New Guinea
Cook Islands1888–1891Protectorate
Cook Islands1891–1900Federation
Cook Islands1900Annexed by New Zealand
Cook Islands1965Self-governance
Coral Sea Islands1879–1969Part of Queensland, Australia
Coral Sea Islands1969Became an Australian external territory
Fiji1874–1877Colony
Fiji1877–1952Colony administered as part of the British Western Pacific Territories
Fiji1952–1970Colony
Fiji1970Independence
Friendly Islands
1889–1900Tripartite protectorate
Friendly Islands
1900–1952Protectorate administered as part of the British Western Pacific Territories
Friendly Islands
1952–1970Protectorate
Friendly Islands
1970Independence
Gilbert and Ellice Islands1892–1916Protectorate
Gilbert and Ellice Islands1916–1975Crown colony administered as part of the British Western Pacific Territories until 1971
Gilbert and Ellice Islands1975The Gilbert and Ellice Islands are split into the two separate colonies of the Gilbert Islands and Tuvalu
Gilbert Islands1975–76Crown colony
Gilbert Islands1976–1979Colony
Gilbert Islands1979Independent as "Kiribati"
Howland Island1886–1935ClaimedNow a territory of the United States
Jarvis Island1889–1935AnnexedNow a territory of the United States
Lord Howe Island1788–1834Claimed
Lord Howe Island1834–1855SettlementNow part of New South Wales
Macquarie Island1810–1890Part of the colony of New South Wales
Macquarie Island1890–presentPart of Tasmania
Nauru---
Nauru1920–1942League of Nations mandate
Nauru1942–1945Japanese occupation
Nauru1945–1947League of Nations mandate
Nauru1947–1968United Nations Trust Territory
Nauru1968Independence
New Hebrides1824–1878Protectorate
New Hebrides1878–1887Neutral territory
New Hebrides1887–1906Joint naval commission
New Hebrides1906–1976Condominium with France, administered as part of the British Western Pacific Territories
New Hebrides1976–1980Condominium
New Hebrides1980Independent as "Vanuatu"
New South Wales1788–1900Colony
New South Wales1901–presentState of Australia
New Zealand1769–1788Claimed
New Zealand1788–1835Part of New South Wales
New Zealand1835Declared independence
New Zealand1835–1840Protectorate
New Zealand1840–41Part of New South Wales
New Zealand1841–1907Colony
New Zealand1907–1947Dominion of New Zealand
New Zealand1947Adopted the Statute of Westminster into domestic lawStill a realm/dominion
Niue1889–1900Tripartite protectorate
Niue1900–01Protectorate administered as part of the British Western Pacific Territories
Niue1901Annexed to New Zealand
Norfolk Island1788–1844Part of New South Wales
Norfolk Island1844–1856Part of Van Diemen's Land
Norfolk Island1856–1897Subordinated to New South Wales
Norfolk Island1897Dependency of New South Wales
Palmyra Atoll1889Annexed
Palmyra Atoll1898Annexed by the United States
Pitcairn Islands1838–1887Protectorate
Pitcairn Islands1887–1898Colony
Pitcairn Islands1898–1970Colony administered as part of the British Western Pacific Territories
Pitcairn Islands1970–1982Colony
Pitcairn Islands1983–2002Dependent territory
Pitcairn Islands2002–presentBritish Overseas Territory
Queensland1824–1859Part of the colony of New South Wales
Queensland1859–1900Colony
Queensland1901–presentState of Australia
Samoan Islands1889–1900Tripartite protectorate
Sandwich Islands1794 – 10 February 1843Protectorate
Sandwich Islands10 February 1843 – 31 July 1843Ceded to Britain
Solomon Islands1889–1893Tripartite protectorate
Solomon Islands1893–1942Protectorate administered as part of the British Western Pacific Territories
Solomon Islands1942–1943Japanese occupation
Solomon Islands1943–1971Protectorate administered as part of the British Western Pacific Territories
Solomon Islands1971–1973protectorate
Solomon Islands1973–1976Autonomy
Solomon Islands1975Renamed from "British Solomon Islands" to "Solomon Islands"
Solomon Islands1976–1978Self-government
Solomon Islands1978Independence
South Australia1788–1836Part of the colony of New South Wales
South Australia1836–1900Province
South Australia1901–presentState of Australia
Tasmania
1803–1825Part of New South Wales
Tasmania
1825–1900Colony
Tasmania
1856Renamed as "Tasmania"
Tasmania
1901–presentState of Australia
Tokelau
1889–1898Protectorate
Tokelau
1898–1916Protectorate administered as part of the British Western Pacific Territories
Tokelau
1916–1949Part of colony of Gilbert and Ellice IslandsTransferred to New Zealand
Tokelau
1949Transferred to New Zealand
Torres Strait Islands1879–presentPart of Queensland
Tuvalu1975–76Colony administered with the same Governor of Gilbert Islands colony
Tuvalu1976–1978Colony
Tuvalu1978Independence
Victoria1839–1851Part of colony of New South Wales
Victoria1851–1900Colony
Victoria1901–presentState of Australia
Western Australia1791–1829King George Sound settled
Western Australia1829–1832Swan River Colony
Western Australia1832–1900Colony
Western Australia1901–presentState of Australia

Treaties and acts of Parliament, etc.

This is a listing of the more important treaties, acts of Parliament, and other legal instruments and events affecting the nature and territorial extent of the British Empire.
Effective dateName of treaty, etc.Territorial effect
1536/1543Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542Wales annexed to the Kingdom of England
1606First Virginia CharterGranted the Virginia Company the right to colonize the modern-day East Coast of the United States, with the London Company establishing the Colony of Virginia at Jamestown and the Plymouth Company receiving the right to colonize what would become New England
1613–1753Covenant ChainSeries of treaties and alliances between Native American tribes such as the Iroquois Confederacy and British America
1621Mayflower CompactEstablished the legal and constitutional system of the Plymouth Colony
1628Charter of the Massachusetts Bay CompanyEstablished the Massachusetts Bay Company to colonize the region
1639Fundamental Orders of ConnecticutEstablished English towns in the Connecticut River Valley as the Connecticut Colony
1651–1696Navigation ActsRegulated trade between England and its overseas colonies through mercantilist policies, prohibiting them each from importing certain commodities to countries outside the British Empire and from producing certain products imported by the other
1663Rhode Island Royal CharterGranted legal recognition to the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
1664Articles of Surrender of New NetherlandAnnexed the Dutch colony of New Netherland to England as the Province of New York
16521652 Articles of Peace and FriendshipCeded Susquehannock land at the mouth of the Susquehanna River to white settlers from the Province of Maryland
1682Frame of Government of PennsylvaniaEstablished political and constitutional system of Province of Pennsylvania
1669Fundamental Constitutions of CarolinaEstablished political and constitutional system of Province of Carolina
1691Massachusetts CharterEstablished the Massachusetts Bay Colony
1701Nanfan TreatyGranted British recognition of Iroquois control of land seized in Beaver Wars
1707Acts of Union 1707Scotland and England unite as the Kingdom of Great Britain
1713Treaty of UtrechtSpain cedes Gibraltar to Britain. France cedes Newfoundland, Hudson Bay and Acadie to Britain.
1749–1764New Hampshire GrantsAllowed for colonization in what would become Vermont
1758Treaty of EastonReturned Ohio Country to undisputed Native American control in exchange for assistance in French and Indian War
1763Treaty of ParisFrance cedes all its territories in America to Britain except Saint Pierre and Miquelon Islands.
1763Royal Proclamation of 1763Established trans-Appalachia as an "Indian Reserve" and prohibited white colonization west of the Appalachian Mountains
1765Stamp ActIssued direct tax on stamped paper in British America, led to the beginning of the American Revolution due to opposition to "taxation without representation"
1766Declaratory ActRepealed the stamp tax but declared that the Parliament of Great Britain virtually represented colonies and could pass legally biding legislation and taxes on their behalf
1767–1768Townshend ActsSeries of legislation introducing taxes on British America
1768Treaty of Fort StanwixEstablished Line of Property dividing the Indian Reserve from the Thirteen Colonies, as well as adding modern-day Kentucky and West Virginia to it
1773Regulating Act 1773Reformed Company rule in India
1774Intolerable ActsSeries of laws to punish the Thirteen Colonies for the Boston Tea Party protest during the American Revolution, major cause of the American Revolutionary War
1776Declaration of Independence of the United StatesThe Thirteen Colonies assert independence
1783Second Treaty of ParisGreat Britain formally recognises the independence of the United States. End of the American Revolution.
1784Pitt's India ActEstablished Crown political control over Company rule in India
1788New South Wales is established by settlement as a penal colony
1791Constitution ActThe Province of Quebec is divided in two sections Upper Canada and Lower Canada.
1801Act of Union 1800Ireland unites with Great Britain to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
1813Charter Act 1813Renewed the British East India Company's royal charter but discontinued its commercial monopoly over India with the exception of tea, opium, and trade with China
1814Third Treaty of ParisFrance cedes the Seychelles to Britain and Malta officially becomes a colony
1835Declaration of the Independence of New ZealandAsserted the sovereign independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand
1840Treaty of WaitangiNew Zealand becomes a British colony
1850Australian Constitutions Act 1850Separated Port Phillip District from Colony of New South Wales to form the Colony of Victoria, and provided for similar processes to occur in Van Diemen's Land and South Australia
1852New Zealand Constitution Act 1852Granted responsible government to the Colony of New Zealand
1858Government of India Act 1858Ended Company rule in India by transferring political authority over the presidencies and provinces of British India from the British East India Company directly to the British Crown, creating the British Raj
1865Colonial Laws Validity Act 1865Allowed all colonial legislation to have full effect in the colonies as long as it did not interfere with Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom extending to the colony, preventing colonial statutes from being judicially overruled under English law
1867British North America Act 1867 The Province of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia federate as Canada
1870Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory are annexed to Canada
1871British Columbia becomes a province of Canada
1876Proclamation under the Royal Titles Act 1876Queen Victoria adopts the title "Empress of India"
1899Joint British-Egyptian condominium established over Sudan
1901Proclamation under the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act The Commonwealth of Australia is formed by the federation of the colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania
1910Proclamation under the South Africa Act 1909Union of South Africa formed by the federation of the colonies of the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Transvaal, and the Orange River Colony
1912Government of India Act 1912Issued political reforms in the aftermath of the partition of Bengal
1914Government of Ireland Act 1920Granted Irish Home Rule, with autonomous devolved government to take control of Ireland
1914Suspensory Act 1914Delayed Irish Home Rule until the end of World War I
1914Cyprus Order in Council 1914Cyprus formally annexed
1916Proclamation of the Irish RepublicThe Irish Volunteers, Irish Citizen Army, and Irish Republican Brotherhood proclaim the Irish Republic.
1919Irish Declaration of IndependenceThe Dáil Éireann declares the independence of the Irish Republic, which is not recognized by the British government and begins the Irish War of Independence.
1919Government of India Act 1919Granted limited responsible government for India, including a reformed Imperial Legislative Council and Provincial Councils
1920Kenya Order in Council 1920Most of the East Africa Protectorate is annexed as the Colony of Kenya
1920Government of Ireland Act 1920Partitioned Ireland into autonomous regions of Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland due to Irish War of Independence
1922Anglo-Irish TreatySouthern Ireland is separated from the United Kingdom as the Irish Free State
1922Unilateral Declaration of Egyptian IndependenceEgypt becomes independent
1926Balfour Declaration of 1926Declared the Dominions to be "autonomous Communities within the British Empire, equal in status" and established the Commonwealth of Nations
1930Purna SwarajThe Indian National Congress declared the Indian subcontinent's right to independence.
1931Statute of WestminsterCanada, the Irish Free State, and the Union of South Africa obtain effective sovereignty
1934Financial difficulties result in Newfoundland losing its status as a dominion
1935Government of India Act 1935Permitted limited provincial autonomy and autonomous institutions for India incl. the princely states, as well as separating Burma from India
1942Australia adopts the Statute of Westminster, backdated to 1939
1947New Zealand Constitution Amendment (Request and Consent) Act 1947New Zealand adopts the Statute of Westminster
1947Indian Independence Act 1947India is partitioned into the independent dominions of India and Pakistan
1948Republic of Ireland Act 1948Abolished the Irish monarchy and replaced it with a democratically elected President of Ireland, severing final constitutional links between the United Kingdom and Ireland
1948King George VI relinquishes the title "Emperor of India"
1948Israeli Declaration of IndependenceThe Jewish community of Mandatory Palestine declares independence as the State of Israel
1949Ireland Act 1949British Parliament recognizes the Republic of Ireland Act 1948
1949Newfoundland ActNewfoundland becomes a province of Canada
1949London DeclarationAllowed continued Indian membership in the Commonwealth of Nations after the abolition of the Indian monarchy
1955Buganda Agreement (1955)Reestablished Mutesa II as constitutional monarch of Kingdom of Buganda after the Kabaka crisis
1957Malayan Declaration of IndependenceThe Federation of Malaya declares independence.
1957–1958Lancaster House Agreements (Nigeria)Negotiated independence of Nigeria from the British Empire as well as its post-colonial legal and constitutional system
1960The Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria becomes independent
1960–1963Lancaster House Agreements (Kenya)Negotiated independence of Kenya from the British Empire as well as its post-colonial legal and constitutional system
1961Buganda Agreement (1965)Negotiated independence of Uganda from the British Empire as well as its post-colonial legal and constitutional system
1962Jamaica becomes independent
1963Malaysia AgreementTransferred North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore from the British Empire to Malaya, renamed Malaysia under the agreement
1965Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of IndependenceDeclared independence of Rhodesia from the British Empire, not recognized by the British government under principle of no independence before majority rule
1966Barbados Independence Act 1966Declared independence of Barbados from the British Empire
1970Instruments of IndependenceFiji becomes independent
1971Singapore DeclarationIdentified the Commonwealth of Nations as a "voluntary association of independent sovereign states"
1979Lancaster House AgreementAgreement between Zimbabwe Rhodesia and the black nationalist groups ZANU and ZAPU ending the Rhodesian Bush War and temporarily resuming British control in preparation for majority rule and independence as Zimbabwe
1982Canada Act 1982Completed patriation of Constitution of Canada by ending British Parliament's authority to make laws and constitutional amendments related to Canada, severing final constitutional links between the two
1983The status of "colony" is renamed "dependent territory"
1986Constitution Act 1986Severed final constitutional links between Britain and New Zealand, including the British Parliament's abilities to make laws related to New Zealand
1986Australia Act 1986Severed final constitutional links between Britain and Australia, including the British Parliament's abilities to make laws related to Australia.
1997Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Hong Kong is transferred to the People's Republic of China
2002The status of "British Dependent Territory" is renamed "British Overseas Territory"

Concessions in China

CountryConcessionLocation Year establishedYear dissolvedNote
InternationalShanghai International SettlementShanghai18631945Formed from the British and American concessions
InternationalBeijing Legation QuarterBeijing18611945
InternationalKulangsu International SettlementXiamen19031945
United KingdomNew Territories, Hong KongHong Kong18981997
United KingdomWeihaiwei leased territoryWeihai18981930Liugong Island remained under British control as a separate territory until 1940
United KingdomLiugong IslandWeihai19301940Formerly part of Weihaiwei leased territory since 1898
United KingdomBritish concession of TianjinTianjin18601945
United KingdomBritish concession of HankouHankou18611927
United KingdomBritish Concession of JiujiangJiujiang18611929
United KingdomBritish concession of ZhenjiangZhenjiang18611929
United KingdomBritish concession of Shamian Island, GuangzhouGuangzhou18611945
United KingdomBritish concession of AmoyXiamen18521930
United KingdomBritish concession of DalianDalian18581860
United KingdomBritish concession of ShanghaiShanghai18461863Merged to form Shanghai International Settlement
United KingdomTrading warehouses at Tengchong YunnanLate 19th/early 20th century.Still standing, with bullet holes. British diplomat Augustus Margary was murdered here in 1875. Consulate built 1921.

Additionally, there were more concessions were planned but never completed.
CountryPlanned ConcessionLocation
United KingdomBritish concession of YingkouYingkou
United KingdomBritish concession of JiangningNanjing
United KingdomBritish concession of YichangYichang
United KingdomBritish concession of WuhuWuhu
United KingdomBritish concession of WenzhouWenzhou

Territorial claims in Antarctica