British Empire

Country/Territory	Region	Classification	Period of British Influence	Year of First Major British Influence	How British Influence Began	Detailed Information
Thirteen Colonies (later United States)	North America	Crown Colonies	1607-1783	1607	Established as separate colonies for settlement and trade	First permanent English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia in 1607 Gradual establishment of 13 separate colonies along the Atlantic coast Mix of crown colonies, proprietary colonies, and charter colonies Growing tensions with Britain over taxation and representation American Revolution began in 1775 Declaration of Independence in 1776 British recognition of independence with Treaty of Paris in 1783
Canada	North America	Crown Colony, then Dominion	1763-1867 (Colony), 1867-1982 (Dominion)	1763	Acquired from France after Seven Years' War	British control established by Treaty of Paris (1763) Initially governed as Province of Quebec Later divided into Upper and Lower Canada Became a Dominion in 1867 with the British North America Act Gradually gained more autonomy Full independence with the Canada Act 1982
Barbados	Caribbean	Crown Colony	1625-1966	1625	Claimed as uninhabited island by British settlers	First settled by British in 1625 Became crown colony in 1663 Major sugar producer Gained independence in 1966
Jamaica	Caribbean	Crown Colony	1655-1962	1655	Captured from Spain during Anglo-Spanish War	Captured by British expeditionary force in 1655 Became major sugar-producing colony Center of the Atlantic slave trade Gradual emancipation began in 1834 Internal self-government granted in 1944 Full independence achieved in 1962
Bahamas	Caribbean	Crown Colony	1718-1973	1718	Gradually settled and brought under British control	British colonization began in mid-17th century Became crown colony in 1718 Haven for pirates in early years Gained independence in 1973
Dominica	Caribbean	Crown Colony	1763-1978	1763	Ceded by France after Seven Years' War	Ceded to Britain by the Treaty of Paris in 1763 Initially part of the British Windward Islands colony Became a separate crown colony in 1960 Gained independence in 1978
St. Vincent and the Grenadines	Caribbean	Crown Colony	1763-1979	1763	Ceded by France after Seven Years' War	Ceded to Britain by the Treaty of Paris in 1763 Part of the Windward Islands colony until 1969 Became an associated state of the UK in 1969 Achieved full independence in 1979
Grenada	Caribbean	Crown Colony	1763-1974	1763	Captured from France during Seven Years' War	Captured by British forces in 1762 Formally ceded to Britain in 1763 Part of the Windward Islands colony until 1967 Became an associated state of the UK in 1967 Gained independence in 1974
Trinidad and Tobago	Caribbean	Crown Colony	1797-1962	1797	Captured from Spain during French Revolutionary Wars	Trinidad captured from Spain in 1797 Tobago ceded by France in 1814 Merged into single colony in 1889 Gained independence in 1962
Guyana (British Guiana)	South America	Crown Colony	1814-1966	1814	Ceded by Netherlands after Napoleonic Wars	Ceded to Britain by Netherlands in 1814 Became crown colony in 1831 Major producer of sugar and other tropical products Gained independence in 1966
Belize (British Honduras)	Central America	Crown Colony	1862-1981	1862	Initially settled by British loggers, gradually formalized	British settlement for logging began in 17th century Became crown colony in 1862 Renamed from British Honduras to Belize in 1973 Gained independence in 1981
Argentina	South America	Informal Empire	19th century	1800	Economic influence through trade and investment	Significant British investment in railways and agriculture Major trading partner for Britain British community influential in business and society Influence declined after World War II
Gibraltar	Europe	Crown Colony	1713-present	1713	Captured from Spain during War of Spanish Succession	Seized by Anglo-Dutch force in 1704 Formally ceded to Britain by Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 Withstood several sieges, notably the Great Siege of 1779-1783 Remains a British Overseas Territory Ongoing diplomatic tension with Spain
Malta	Europe	Crown Colony	1800-1964	1800	Voluntarily joined British Empire to escape French rule	Maltese requested British protection in 1800 Formally became a British colony in 1813 Served as important naval base Granted independence in 1964
Cyprus	Europe	Strategic Base	1878-1960	1878	Leased from Ottoman Empire, later annexed	Leased from Ottoman Empire in 1878 Annexed by Britain in 1914 Became a crown colony in 1925 Gained independence in 1960
India	South Asia	Company Rule, then Crown Colony	1757-1858 (Company), 1858-1947 (Crown)	1757	East India Company gradually expanded control	British influence began with East India Company trading posts Company rule expanded after Battle of Plassey (1757) Crown took direct control following the Indian Rebellion of 1857 British Raj lasted until 1947 Partition and independence in 1947
Sri Lanka (Ceylon)	South Asia	Crown Colony	1815-1948	1815	Captured from Dutch during Napoleonic Wars	Coastal areas captured from Dutch in 1796 Became a crown colony in 1802 Entire island under British control by 1815 Gained independence in 1948
Myanmar (Burma)	Southeast Asia	Province of British India, then Colony	1824-1937 (India), 1937-1948 (Colony)	1824	Gradual annexation after Anglo-Burmese Wars	First Anglo-Burmese War in 1824-1826 Gradually annexed in stages between 1824 and 1886 Administered as part of British India until 1937 Became separate colony in 1937 Gained independence in 1948
Singapore	Southeast Asia	Crown Colony, Strategic Base	1819-1963	1819	Established as trading post by Sir Stamford Raffles	Founded as British trading post in 1819 Became part of Straits Settlements in 1826 Separate crown colony in 1946 Gained self-government in 1959 Briefly part of Malaysia (1963-1965) Full independence in 1965
Malaysia	Southeast Asia	Colony and Protectorate	1867-1957	1867	Gradual expansion from Straits Settlements	Straits Settlements (including Singapore) established as crown colony in 1867 Gradual expansion through treaties with Malay sultans Malayan Union formed in 1946 Replaced by Federation of Malaya in 1948 Independence achieved in 1957
Brunei	Southeast Asia	Protectorate	1888-1984	1888	Gradual increase of British influence, formalized in treaties	Became British protectorate in 1888 Retained internal self-government under sultans Major oil producer from 1920s Gained full independence in 1984
Hong Kong	East Asia	Crown Colony	1842-1997	1842	Ceded by China after First Opium War	Hong Kong Island ceded in perpetuity by Treaty of Nanking (1842) Kowloon Peninsula added in 1860 New Territories leased for 99 years in 1898 Entire territory returned to China in 1997 "One Country, Two Systems" principle implemented
China (parts)	East Asia	Informal Empire, Leased Territories	19th-early 20th century	1842	Unequal treaties after Opium Wars, economic influence	Hong Kong ceded after First Opium War (1842) Treaty ports opened to British trade Weihaiwei leased 1898-1930 British influence in Shanghai International Settlement
Australia	Oceania	Crown Colony, then Dominion	1788-1901 (Colony), 1901-1986 (Dominion)	1788	Established as penal colony after loss of American colonies	First British settlement at Sydney Cove in 1788 Gradually expanded into separate colonies Federation in 1901 created the Commonwealth of Australia as a dominion Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942 and Australia Act 1986 completed independence process
New Zealand	Oceania	Crown Colony, then Dominion	1840-1907 (Colony), 1907-1986 (Dominion)	1840	Treaty of Waitangi with Māori chiefs	British sovereignty proclaimed in 1840 following Treaty of Waitangi Became self-governing colony in 1852 Dominion status granted in 1907 Statute of Westminster adopted in 1947 Constitutional ties fully severed by 1986
Fiji	Oceania	Crown Colony	1874-1970	1874	Ceded to Britain by local chiefs	Ceded to Britain by Fijian chiefs in 1874 Became a crown colony Gained independence in 1970
Solomon Islands	Oceania	Protectorate	1893-1978	1893	Declared protectorate to counter German influence	Southern Solomon Islands became protectorate in 1893 Northern islands added in 1900 Scene of intense fighting in World War II Gained independence in 1978
Tuvalu	Oceania	Protectorate	1892-1978	1892	Declared protectorate to counter German influence	Became British protectorate as part of Gilbert and Ellice Islands in 1892 Separated from Gilbert Islands (Kiribati) in 1975 Gained independence in 1978
Kiribati	Oceania	Protectorate	1892-1979	1892	Declared protectorate to counter German influence	Became British protectorate as Gilbert Islands in 1892 Phoenix and Line Islands added later Separated from Ellice Islands (Tuvalu) in 1975 Gained independence in 1979
Tonga	Oceania	Protectorate	1900-1970	1900	Treaty of Friendship with Britain	Treaty of Friendship signed in 1900 Tonga never fully colonized, retained indigenous monarchy British protectorate status ended in 1970
Vanuatu (New Hebrides)	Oceania	Condominium (with France)	1906-1980	1906	Joint Anglo-French condominium established	Anglo-French condominium established in 1906 Unusual joint rule arrangement Gained independence in 1980
Egypt	Africa	Protectorate, then Informal Empire	1882-1922 (Protectorate), 1922-1956 (Informal)	1882	British occupation following Anglo-Egyptian War	Occupied by Britain in 1882 to protect financial interests and Suez Canal Became protectorate in 1914 Granted independence in 1922 Britain retained significant influence until 1956 Suez Crisis
Sudan	Africa	Condominium (with Egypt)	1899-1956	1899	Anglo-Egyptian invasion after Mahdist War	Anglo-Egyptian condominium established in 1899 Joint British-Egyptian administration Sudanese nationalism grew after World War II Gained independence in 1956
South Africa	Africa	Colony, then Dominion	1806-1910 (Colony), 1910-1961 (Dominion)	1806	Captured from Dutch during Napoleonic Wars	Cape Colony seized from Dutch in 1795, briefly returned, then recaptured in 1806 Natal annexed in 1843 After Boer Wars, Union of South Africa formed in 1910 as dominion Became republic and left Commonwealth in 1961
Nigeria	Africa	Chartered Company, then Protectorate	1886-1900 (Company), 1901-1960 (Protectorate)	1886	Royal Niger Company's territories taken over by British government	Royal Niger Company chartered in 1886 British government took over administration in 1900 Northern and Southern Nigeria amalgamated in 1914 Gained independence in 1960
Kenya	Africa	Crown Colony	1920-1963	1888	Initially administered by British East Africa Company	British East Africa Company charter granted in 1888 Became East Africa Protectorate in 1895 Became Crown Colony in 1920 Mau Mau Uprising (1952-1960) Independence achieved in 1963
Uganda	Africa	Protectorate	1894-1962	1894	Originally administered by British East Africa Company	British influence began with explorers and missionaries Buganda Agreement of 1894 established protectorate Expanded to include other kingdoms and territories Gained independence in 1962
Zimbabwe (Southern Rhodesia)	Africa	Chartered Company, then Self-governing Colony	1889-1923 (Company), 1923-1980 (Self-governing)	1889	British South Africa Company under Cecil Rhodes	British South Africa Company granted charter in 1889 Became self-governing colony in 1923 Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965 Internationally recognized independence in 1980
Zambia (Northern Rhodesia)	Africa	Chartered Company, then Protectorate	1889-1924 (Company), 1924-1964 (Protectorate)	1889	British South Africa Company under Cecil Rhodes	Administered by British South Africa Company from 1889 Became protectorate under direct British control in 1924 Gained independence in 1964
Malawi (Nyasaland)	Africa	Protectorate	1891-1964	1891	Proclaimed British protectorate	Proclaimed a British protectorate in 1891 Part of Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1953-1963) Gained independence in 1964
Ghana (Gold Coast)	Africa	Colony and Protectorate	1874-1957	1874	British forts and settlements gradually expanded influence	British forts established from 17th century Became crown colony in 1874 Expanded to include Ashanti and Northern Territories First sub-Saharan African country to gain independence in 1957
Sierra Leone	Africa	Crown Colony and Protectorate	1808-1961	1808	Originally established as settlement for freed slaves	Freetown settled by freed slaves in 1787 Became a crown colony in 1808 Protectorate established over interior in 1896 Gained independence in 1961
Gambia	Africa	Colony and Protectorate	1888-1965	1888	Gradually expanded from coastal trading posts	British trading posts established from 17th century Became a crown colony in 1888 Protectorate established over interior Gained independence in 1965
Somaliland	Africa	Protectorate	1884-1960	1884	Treaties with local Somali sultans	British Somaliland Protectorate established in 1884 Administered from Aden, then India, finally Colonial Office Briefly occupied by Italy during WWII United with Italian Somaliland to form Somalia in 1960
Mauritius	Africa	Crown Colony	1810-1968	1810	Captured from France during Napoleonic Wars	Captured from France in 1810 Became crown colony in 1814 Important strategic naval base Gained independence in 1968
Swaziland (Eswatini)	Africa	Protectorate	1903-1968	1903	British administration after Second Boer War	Became British protectorate in 1903 Previously under South African Republic influence Internal self-government achieved in 1967 Full independence in 1968
Lesotho	Africa	Crown Colony	1868-1966	1868	Requested British protection from Boers	Became British protectorate in 1868 Known as Basutoland Remained crown colony when Union of South Africa formed Gained independence in 1966
Botswana	Africa	Protectorate	1885-1966	1885	Requested British protection from Boers	Became British protectorate in 1885 Known as Bechuanaland Remained separate from South Africa Gained independence in 1966
Maldives	South Asia	Protectorate	1887-1965	1887	Treaty of protection with British government in Ceylon	Became British protectorate in 1887 Administered from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Brief period of independence in 1953-1954 Gained full independence in 1965
Palestine	Middle East	Mandate	1920-1948	1920	Former Ottoman territory, mandated after WWI	Mandated to Britain by League of Nations in 1920 Significant Jewish immigration Increasing Arab-Jewish tensions British withdrawal in 1948 Followed by establishment of Israel and Arab-Israeli conflict
Jordan	Middle East	Mandate	1921-1946	1921	Former Ottoman territory, mandated after WWI	Created as Emirate of Transjordan in 1921 Part of British Mandate of Palestine Granted formal independence in 1946
Iraq	Middle East	Mandate	1920-1932	1920	Former Ottoman territory, mandated after WWI	British Mandate established in 1920 Faisal I installed as king in 1921 Granted independence in 1932 British influence continued, including military bases Monarchy overthrown in 1958 coup
Kuwait	Middle East	Protectorate	1899-1961	1899	Treaty of protection with local sheikh	Anglo-Kuwaiti Agreement of 1899 established protectorate Remained nominally part of Ottoman Empire until 1914 Oil discovered in 1938 Gained independence in 1961
Bahrain	Middle East	Protectorate	1861-1971	1861	Treaty of protection with local sheikh	Became British protectorate in 1861 First Gulf state to discover oil in 1932 British withdrew from Gulf region in early 1970s Gained independence in 1971
Qatar	Middle East	Protectorate	1916-1971	1916	Treaty of protection with local sheikh	Became British protectorate in 1916 Previously under Ottoman influence Oil discovered in 1940 Gained independence in 1971
United Arab Emirates	Middle East	Protectorate	1892-1971	1892	Separate treaties with various local sheikhs	Trucial States became British protectorates from 1892 Comprised seven separate emirates Oil discovered in 1950s United and gained independence in 1971
Oman	Middle East	Protectorate	1891-1971	1891	Treaty of friendship, gradual increase of influence	Treaty of friendship signed in 1891 British influence increased over time Oil discovered in 1964 British protection ended in 1971
Yemen (Aden)	Middle East	Colony, then Protectorate	1839-1967	1839	Captured as coaling station for ships	Aden captured in 1839 as coaling station Became crown colony in 1937 Protectorates established in hinterland Joined Federation of South Arabia, independence in 1967
Iran	Middle East	Informal Empire	19th-early 20th century	1857	Economic and political influence, oil concessions	Anglo-Persian Oil Company founded in 1908 British political influence through advisors and military Anglo-Soviet invasion in 1941 Influence declined after nationalization of oil industry in 1951
Thailand	Southeast Asia	Informal Empire	19th-early 20th century	1855	Political influence as buffer between British and French territories	Remained independent as buffer state British influence in court and administration Bowring Treaty of 1855 opened trade Conceded some territory to British Malaya

United Kingdom

United States

France

Germany

Ancient