HISTORY38 - British Empire
This article is about the history of the British Empire. The story will cover the period from the creation of the Empire in the early 1700s, through its expansion and world dominance, to its decline in the latter part of the 20 th century. The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It grew out of the overseas possessions and trading posts established by England between the late 16 th and early 18 th centuries. At its height, it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the foremost global power. By 1913, the British Empire held sway over 412 million people, 23% of the world population at the time, and by 1925, it covered 13,500,000 square miles, 24% of the Earth's total land area. As a result, its constitutional, legal, linguistic, and cultural legacy is widespread. At the peak of its power, it was described as &q