Territorial change of British Empire

“British Empire” — appears in this map’s data from AD 1757 to 1858. Its territory was largest in AD 1856, at ≈ 4.18 million km².

Territory by period

Outline at its largest extent

Outline of the territory in AD 1856 – 1856 (map drawing). Neighbouring countries are not drawn.

Area and rank by frame

For each frame in which borders change: this country’s territory and its rank by area among the countries that have territory in that frame.

Its highest rank was in AD 1853: number 144 of 4.

Neighbouring countries

In order of the number of frames in which they share a border (a parent state, its colonies and other names of the same country are counted as one group).

• Kingdom of France — 379 frames
• Dutch Republic — 248 frames
• Crown of Castile — 241 frames
• Kingdom of Portugal — 165 frames
• United States — 117 frames
• Nepal — 89 frames
• Ottoman Empire — 84 frames
• Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932) — 81 frames
• Guatemala — 80 frames
• German Empire — 75 frames
• Qing dynasty — 70 frames
• Bhutan — 68 frames
• Liberia — 63 frames
• Tsardom of Russia — 62 frames
• Mexico — 57 frames
• Maratha Empire — 55 frames
• Belgium — 53 frames
• Mughal Empire — 52 frames
• Denmark–Norway — 51 frames
• Saudi Arabia — 51 frames

Territory exchanged with

Computed from changes in territory between frames (only changes of about 20,000 km² or more are counted; these are not actual routes of advance). Top 24 by area.

Preceded and succeeded by

Preceded by: English overseas possession

Source: Wikidata (CC0)

Wikipedia summary

The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states.

Wikipedia (English) “British Empire”, introduction (first sentences) · text under CC BY-SA 4.0 · read more on Wikipedia

Show on the map — open the AD 1856 frame