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The '''British Empire''' was a global empire acquired and ruled by [[Great Britain]] (or, from 1801 onwards, the [[United Kingdom]]). Its origins can perhaps be dated to the English discovery of [[Newfoundland]] in 1493, and its demise may be variously dated to 1947 (when [[India]] was granted independence), to 1956 (when the [[Suez Crisis]] revealed that Britain was no longer a world power), to the 1960s (when the UK withdrew from most of its remaining colonies), or to as recently as 1997 (when [[Hong Kong]], the last major colony, was returned to [[China|Chinese]] rule).

The '''British Empire''' was a global empire acquired and ruled by [[Great Britain]] (or, from 1801 onwards, the [[United Kingdom]]). Its origins can perhaps be dated to the English discovery of [[Newfoundland]] in 1493, and its demise may be variously dated to 1947 (when [[India]] was granted independence), to 1956 (when the [[Suez Crisis]] revealed that Britain was no longer a world power), to the 1960s (when the UK withdrew from most of its remaining colonies), or to as recently as 1997 (when [[Hong Kong]], the last major colony, was returned to [[China|Chinese]] rule).

In its heyday, the British Empire was the largest empire in history: by the eve of the First World War, it spanned a quarter of the world's total land mass (though much of this consisted of vast, uninhabited areas of northern Canada). Its constituent parts included [[India]], [[Canada]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], Malaya (now [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]), [[South Africa]], [[Egypt]], [[Nigeria]], [[Kenya]], [[Uganda]] and [[Hong Kong]].

In its heyday, the British Empire was the largest empire in history: by the eve of the First World War, it spanned a quarter of the world's total land mass (though much of this consisted of vast, uninhabited areas of northern Canada and Australia). Its constituent parts included [[India]], [[Canada]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], Malaya (now [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]), [[South Africa]], [[Egypt]], [[Nigeria]], [[Kenya]], [[Uganda]] and [[Hong Kong]].

The various parts of the Empire were granted independence by the UK (peacefully or otherwise) at different times. The thirteen North American colonies that formed the original [[United States of America]] had won their freedom by 1783. Most of Ireland went its separate way in 1922. The remaining "settler colonies" that were inhabited mainly by white people of British descent were formally granted self-government in 1931, though they had been self-governing for some years prior to that date. The remaining colonies were granted independence in the decades following the Second World War, and the last remaining colony of importance, Hong Kong, left British rule in 1997.

The various parts of the Empire were granted independence by the UK (peacefully or otherwise) at different times. The thirteen North American colonies that formed the original [[United States of America]] had won their freedom by 1783. Most of Ireland went its separate way in 1922. The remaining "settler colonies" that were inhabited mainly by white people of British descent were formally granted self-government in 1931, though they had been self-governing for some years prior to that date. The remaining colonies were granted independence in the decades following the Second World War, and the last remaining colony of importance, Hong Kong, left British rule in 1997.

Fourteen small territories that formed part of the Empire, such as the [[Cayman Islands]], [[Bermuda]], [[Anguilla]], the [[Falkland Islands]] and [[St. Helena]], remain under British rule. They are legally known as the "British Overseas Territories". Most former colonies are members of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]].

Fourteen small territories that formed part of the Empire, such as the [[Cayman Islands]], [[Bermuda]], [[Anguilla]], the [[Falkland Islands]] and [[St. Helena]], remain under British rule. They are legally known as the "British Overseas Territories". Most former colonies are members of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]].