Do You Know the British Overseas Territories?

The United Kingdom (UK) is an island nation located in Western Europe. It has a long history of worldwide exploration and it is known for its historic colonies around the world. The UK's mainland consists of the island of Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Northern Ireland. In addition, there are 14 overseas territories of Britain that are remnants of former British colonies. These territories are not officially a part of the UK, as most are self-governing (but they do remain under its jurisdiction).

List of British Territories

The following is a list of the 14 British Overseas Territories arranged by land area. For reference, their populations and capital cities have also been included.

1. British Antarctic Territory

Area: 660,000 square miles (1,709,400 sq km)

Population: No permanent population

Capital: Rothera

2. Falkland Islands

Area: 4,700 square miles (12,173 sq km)

Population: 2,955 (2006 estimate)

Capital: Stanley

3. South Sandwich and the South Georgia Islands

Area: 1,570 square miles (4,066 sq km)

Population: 30 (2006 estimate)

Capital: King Edward Point

4. Turks and Caicos Islands

Area: 166 square miles (430 sq km)

Population: 32,000 (2006 estimate)

Capital: Cockburn Town

5. Saint Helena, Saint Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

Area: 162 square miles (420 sq km)

Population: 5,661 (2008 estimate)

Capital: Jamestown

6. Cayman Islands

Area: 100 square miles (259 sq km)

Population: 54,878 (2010 estimate)

Capital: George Town

7. Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia

Area: 98 square miles (255 sq km)

Population: 14,000 (date unknown)

Capital: Episkopi Cantonment

8. The British Virgin Islands

Area: 59 square miles (153 sq km)

Population: 27,000 (2005 estimate)

Capital: Road Town

9. Anguilla

Area: 56.4 square miles (146 sq km)

Population: 13,600 (2006 estimate)

Capital: The Valley

10. Montserrat

Area: 39 square miles (101 sq km)

Population: 4,655 (2006 estimate)

Capital: Plymouth (abandoned); Brades (center of government today)

11. Bermuda

Area: 20.8 square miles (54 sq km)

Population: 64,000 (2007 estimate)

Capital: Hamilton

12. British Indian Ocean Territory

Area: 18 square miles (46 sq km)

Population: 4,000 (date unknown)

Capital: Diego Garcia

13. Pitcairn Islands

Area: 17 square miles (45 sq km)

Population: 51 (2008 estimate)

Capital: Adamstown

14. Gibraltar

Area: 2.5 square miles (6.5 sq km)

Population: 28,800 (2005 estimate)

Capital: Gibraltar