British Empire
The British Empire was, at its peak, the largest empire in history; it controlled just short of a quarter of the world's land area and a quarter of the population. There was a saying that "the sun never sets on the British Empire" because there were colonies all around the world.
It was primarily a maritime empire; from the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 well into the 20th century Britain was by far the world's greatest naval power ("Britannia rules the waves"), and a great trading nation as well.
UnderstandWider still and wider shall thy bounds be set;God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet,God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet.
DestinationsVarious parts of coastal France — notably the ports Calais, Dunkirk and Bordeaux plus some territory around them — were under British rule for part of their history.
Former British ColoniesRule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves: Britons never will be slaves.
British Overseas TerritoriesAlthough the term 'British Empire' is rarely used today, some destinations do remain in the form of 'overseas territories'.
Commonwealth countriesThe Commonwealth of Nations is a loose grouping of 56 countries, most of which are former British colonies.
EatIn numerous countries that were once part of the British Empire, a culture surrounding beverages and cuisine flourished. Tea, in particular, holds a special place in daily life in some former British colonies.
RespectThe legacy of British colonial rule is a complex one that differs significantly based on location, political leanings, as well as ethnic background.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "British Empire" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0