Evolution of the French colonial empire


From the 16th to the 17th centuries, the First French colonial empire stretched from a total area at its peak in 1680 to over, the second largest empire in the world at the time behind only the Spanish Empire. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the French colonial empire was the second largest colonial empire in the world only behind the British Empire; it extended over of land at its height in the 1920s and 1930s. In terms of population however, on the eve of World War II, France and her colonial possessions totaled only 150 million inhabitants, compared with 330 million for British India alone. The total area of the French colonial empire, with the first and second, the French colonial empires combined, reached, the second largest in the world. The French colonial empire had an enormous impact on world history. France had about 80 colonies throughout its history, the second most colonies in the world behind only the British Empire. Around 40 countries gained independence from France throughout its history, the second most in the world behind only the British Empire. Over 50% of the world's borders today, were drawn as a result of British and French imperialism.
This is a list of all territories that were part of the French colonial empires in the last 500 years, either entirely or in part, either under French sovereignty or as mandate or protectorate. When only a part of the country was under French rule, that part is listed in parentheses after the country. When there are no parentheses, it means the whole country was formerly part of any one of the French colonial empires. Countries listed are those where French sovereignty applied effectively. Areas that were only claimed, but not effectively controlled are not listed.
;N.B.:
  • "1st" means the country/territory was part of the first French colonial empire.
  • "2nd" means the country/territory was part of the second French colonial empire.
  • "Now" means this is a territory still part of the French Republic today.

The Americas

North America

Caribbean

South America

Africa

North Africa

Name of territoryDatesStatusComments
Algeria1830Colony
Algeria1848annexed to France
Algeria1962Independent
Morocco1912protectorate
Morocco1956Independent
Egypt1798protectorate
Egypt1801Independent
Tunisia1881protectorate
Tunisia1956Independent

West Africa

Equatorial Africa

Indian Ocean

Red Sea

Asia

Middle East

South Asia

East Asia

South East Asia

Oceania

Antarctic Ocean