British overseas territory

British Overseas Territory

A British Overseas Territory (pronunciation: /ˈbrɪtɪʃ oʊvərˈsiːz ˈtɛrɪtɔːri/) is a territory that is under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United Kingdom, but not part of the UK itself.

Etymology

The term "British Overseas Territory" was introduced by the British Nationality Act 1981 to replace the term "British Crown Colony".

Definition

British Overseas Territories are territories under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United Kingdom. They are those parts of the former British Empire that have not acquired independence or have voted to remain British territories. These territories do not form part of the United Kingdom and, with the exception of Gibraltar, are not part of the European Union.

List of British Overseas Territories

There are 14 British Overseas Territories including Bermuda, Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, and the Cayman Islands among others. Each territory has its own leadership and governance, under the ultimate authority of the British Crown.

Related Terms

• Crown Dependencies: These are three island territories off the coast of Britain that are self-governing possessions of the Crown.
• Commonwealth: This is a political association of 54 member states, nearly all of which are former territories of the British Empire.
• Decolonization: This is the process by which colonies become independent of the colonizing country.

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