The United Kingdom is a Western European country located on the British Isles. It is separated from the mainland by the English Channel and the Pas de Calais. However, the United Kingdom includes not only its well-known parts - 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?
Overseas Territory Management
Overseas British territories can be divided into two large categories. Firstly, these are three lands that are not part of the United Kingdom (“crown lands”). Secondly, these are 14 territories officially managed 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. Prior to this, the definition of "British dependent lands" was universally used. Even earlier they were called colonies. Usually they are governed by a governor, a retired English officer. In rare cases, a civil servant is appointed to this post. In fact, the governor manages the territory entrusted to him.
In addition to these 14 possessions, there are other British overseas territories. Their list includes the so-called crown lands. These are 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
The island of Jersey 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 long and 8 km wide. From almost anywhere in 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 among the Channel Islands. It is located 130 km from England. The capital of the island is St. Petersburg. Here, for 16 years, the famous French classic Victor Hugo lived in exile. The main source of income for the islanders is still fishing. And also on the island of Guernsey, medieval buildings have been preserved to this day. The area 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 located in the Irish Sea. It is almost equally distant both 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 amount lives in the capital of the Isle of Man - in the city of Douglas. There is a ferry to Liverpool all year round, and regular flights to the island from the UK. Interestingly, the symbol of the island is a heraldic sign called triskelion. It depicts three running legs bent at the knee. Triskelion has long been a symbol of Sicily.
The British overseas territories, actually located on the lands of the island of Cyprus, are Akrotiri and Dhekelia. They are English military bases with a total area of 254 square meters. km Their population is represented by the British military and their families, therefore Akrotiri and Dhekelia are very densely populated areas - 14.5 thousand people live here. In these areas, Great Britain retains full sovereignty.
English coral islet
The British overseas territories also include a small coral island in the Caribbean - 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 labor - collecting sugarcane. However, the colonialists did not take into account that practically no plants besides coconut palms coexist on coral soils. Therefore, very soon they lost interest in this island. The word "Anguilla" in translation means "eel." In fact, Anguilla anglers rarely get eels out of the water. More often, they produce large lobsters, the weight of which can reach 700 grams. A large number of tourists who are interested in the most picturesque British overseas territories constantly come here. A visa to the island of Anguilla is required. To visit the island, it is enough to issue a British multivisa.
Bermuda
The next territory that is part of British overseas territories is the Bermuda Islands. Bermuda is located in the North Atlantic, near the US state of North Carolina. The capital of the islands is Hamilton. It’s quite possible to get into overseas British territories with a British visa. Therefore, like Anguilla, Bermuda is popular with vacationers. Their total territory is about 54 square meters. km About 64.8 thousand people live here.
English possessions in Antarctica
Interestingly, the British overseas territories are also part of the land of Antarctica. Officially, this region is called the "British Antarctic Territory." The total area of these lands is 660 thousand people, and the population is represented by three hundred scientists. It was created in 1962, and it includes the South Ocni Islands, the Antarctic Peninsula with all surrounding territories, Coat Land, and the South Shetland Islands.
Indian Ocean Islands and Virgin Islands
British Indian Ocean Overseas Territories were formed without UN consent. They include 55 islands located south of the Maldives. Countries such as Mauritius and the Seychelles claim to manage them.
Many islands are included in the overseas territories of Great Britain. The list may be continued by the British Virgin Islands. They are located in the north-eastern part of the Caribbean Sea, and 60 islands are included in their territory. Now here are some of the most exclusive resorts, and earlier pirate freemen were located on these lands. The main city of the Virgin Islands is Rhode Town. Here is an old fortress, which was rebuilt into a 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 got its name from the distorted Arabic expression "Jebel al-Tariq", which means "Mount Tariq." The island received this name back in the 4th century. BC e. Locals call it "rock". One of Gibraltar's most famous landmarks is the 18th-century fort, which has always been considered impregnable. Many defenses were built inside the Rock of Gibraltar itself. It is believed that the intricate underground labyrinth goes towards Mecca, from where views of the Catalan Bay open. During World War II, more than 40 km of deep tunnels were laid here.
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are also considered overseas lands of Great Britain. The area of their territory is 12 173 square meters. km, and the population is only about 3 thousand people. However, their affiliation is still debated. 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. Argentina claims to own the Falkland Islands, arguing that the islands are part of Tierra del Fuego. However, the generally accepted language here is English, which is native to the vast majority of islanders.
Saint Helena
Saint Helena is located in the Atlantic. In fact, this state includes a whole group of islands, such as Ascension, Unapproachable, Nightingel and others. Saint Helena itself is located 2 thousand kilometers west of the African coast. There is no airport on the island - only passenger flights are operated here 22 times a year. 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, about two hundred rare plant species grow here.
Other territories
Cayman Islands are a small archipelago in the Caribbean. They are located 740 km from Cuba. The total area of the islands is about 260 square meters. km They were discovered back in the days of the navigator Columbus and were then called "turtle."
Montserrat is a territory that is part of the Antilles. Under the control of the UK is 102 square meters. km Pitcairn is an English overseas territory located in the Pacific Ocean. Also included 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 the countries of the Commonwealth of Great Britain and Northern Ireland require a visa from visitors. To get it, you must submit the necessary documents to the UK Visa Application Center.