British Overseas Territories: List

The United Kingdom of Great Britain is a Western European state located on the British Isles. It is separated from the great continent by the English Channel and the Pas de Calais. However, the UK includes not only well-known parts of it - Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. Under the sovereignty of this country are three more lands, as well as 14 overseas territories. What are these lands?

Management of Overseas Territories

Overseas British territories can be divided into two broad categories. First, these are three lands that are not part of the United Kingdom ("crown lands"). Secondly, these are 14 territories officially administered by the Queen of Great Britain (now it is Elizabeth II). In each of these regions, the Queen appoints her own representatives to exercise executive power.

The name "British Overseas Territories" became generally accepted only in 2002. Until then, the definition of "British dependent lands" was universally used. Even earlier they were called colonies. Usually they are governed by a governor - an English officer who is retired. In rare cases, a civil servant is appointed to this post. In fact, the governor exercises control over the territory entrusted to him.

In addition to these 14 possessions, there are other British overseas territories. The list includes the so-called crown lands. This is Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man. As indicated, they are not part of the UK, although they are under its sovereignty.

Jersey and Guernsey Islands

Jersey Island is located in the southern part of the Channel Islands, 160 km from the English coast. The population of the island is 87 thousand people. The size of the island is 14 km in length and 8 km in width. Almost from any point of the island you can see the picturesque landscapes of the Atlantic Ocean. Jersey is divided into 12 administrative districts. The capital of Jersey is St. Helier.

Guernsey is the second largest in the Normandy Islands. He is at a distance of 130 km from England. The capital of the island is the city of St. Peter. Here for 16 years, lived in exile, the famous French classic Victor Hugo. The main source of income for the islanders is still fishing. And also on the island of Guernsey to this day preserved medieval buildings. The area of the island of Guernsey is 78 square meters. Km. The population of the island is only 62 711 people.

Isle Of Man

The Isle of Man is territorially located in the Irish Sea. It is almost equally removed from England, and from other lands - Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales. Its area is 570 square meters. Km, and the population is about 76 thousand people. Almost a third of this number lives on the territory of the capital of the Isle of Man - in the city of Douglas. All year round the ferry to Liverpool runs from here, and the island is connected with the UK by regular air flights. It is interesting that the symbol of the island is a heraldic sign called Triskelion. It shows three legs bent at the knee. Triskelion for a long time was a symbol of Sicily.

The British overseas territories, actually located on the lands of the island of Cyprus, are Akrotiri and Dhekelia. They are British military bases with a total area of 254 square kilometers. Km. Their population is represented by the British military and their families, so Akrotiri and Dhekelia are very densely populated areas - 14.5 thousand people live here. In these areas Great Britain retains full sovereignty.

English coral island

In the British overseas territories is also a small coral island in the Caribbean Sea - Anguilla. Its area is a little more than 100 square meters. Km. The population is about 15 thousand people. All of them are descendants of Creoles, who were brought here for slave work - collecting sugar cane. However, the colonialists did not take into account that practically no plants co-exist on coral soils, except for coconut palms. So very soon they lost interest in this islet. The word "Anguilla" in translation means "eel". In fact anglers Anguilla rarely get out of the water eels. Much more often they produce large lobsters, the weight of which can reach 700 grams. It is constantly visited by a large number of tourists who are interested in the most picturesque British overseas territories. A visa to the island of Anguilla is compulsory. To visit the island is enough to issue a British multivisa.

Bermuda

The next territory that is part of the British overseas territories is the islands of Bermuda. Bermuda is located in the northern part of the Atlantic, near the American state of North Carolina. The capital of the islands is Hamilton. In the overseas British territories on a British visa to get quite real. Therefore, like Anguilla, Bermuda is popular with holidaymakers. Their total area is about 54 square kilometers. Km. Here live about 64.8 thousand people.

English possessions in Antarctica

It is interesting that the British overseas territories are also part of the lands of Antarctica. Officially, this region is called "British Antarctic Territory". The total area of these lands is 660 thousand people, and the population is represented by three hundred scientists. It was established in 1962, and it includes the South Islands Okni, the Antarctic Peninsula with all surrounding territories, the Land of Coat, and the South Shetland Islands.

Islands of the Indian Ocean and the Virgin Islands

British overseas territories in the Indian Ocean were formed without the consent of the United Nations. They include 55 islands south of the Maldives. To control them, countries like Mauritius and Seychelles are claiming.

Many islands are included in the overseas territories of Great Britain. The list can be continued by the British Virgin Islands. They are located in the north-east of the Caribbean Sea, and their territory includes 60 islands. Now here are some of the most exclusive resorts, and earlier on these lands were pirate freemen. The main city of the Virgin Islands is Rod Town. Here is an ancient fortress, which was rebuilt in prison.

Gibraltar is a strategic point

Another overseas territory of Britain is Gibraltar. It is the base of NATO. It is believed that the Gibraltar Peninsula derives its name from the distorted Arabic expression "Jebel al-Tarik", which means "Tariq Mountain". This name was given to the island back in the 4th century. BC. E. The locals call it "rock". One of the most famous landmarks of Gibraltar is the fort of the 18th century, which was always considered impregnable. Many defensive structures were built inside the Gibraltar Rock itself. It is believed that the intricate underground labyrinth goes in the direction of Mecca, from where views over the Catalan Gulf open. During the Second World War more than 40 km of deep tunnels were laid here.

Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands are also considered the overseas lands of Great Britain. The area of their territory is 12 173 square meters. Km, and the population - only about 3 thousand people. However, disputes still exist about their belonging. The islands are an archipelago in the south of the Atlantic. They are also the most important transit point from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The possession of the Falkland Islands claims Argentina, arguing that the islands are part of the Tierra del Fuego. However, the common language here is English, which is native to the overwhelming majority of islanders.

Saint Helena

St. Helena is located in the Atlantic. In fact, this state includes a whole group of islands, such as the Ascension Island, the Inaccessible, the Nightingale and others. St. Helena is located 2,000 kilometers west of the African coast. There is no airport on the island - here only 22 times a year there are only passenger flights. The population is about 4,5 thousand people. Its area is 122 square meters. Km. The island is completely isolated from other territories, which contributed to the development of unique natural conditions. For example, here grows about two hundred rare species of plants.

Other areas

The Cayman Islands are a small archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. They are located 740 km from Cuba. The total area of the islands is about 260 square meters. Km. They were discovered even during the time of the explorer Columbus and were then called "tortoise".

Montserrat is the territory that enters the Antilles. Under the UK is 102 square. Km. Pitcairn is an English overseas territory that is located in the Pacific Ocean. Also in the list of overseas territories are Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as South Georgia. Tourists should remember that the UK, overseas territories and countries of the Commonwealth of Great Britain and Northern Ireland require a visa for visitors. To receive it, you need to submit the necessary documents to the British Visa Center.