When are the British Overseas Territories shown on the map?

The border data draws the British Overseas Territories 2000–2024. The source samples borders at fixed dates, so a span can begin late or run on past the end.

How large were the British Overseas Territories?

At their greatest extent drawn on this map, the British Overseas Territories covered about 20,000 km². That is the largest area the border data gives them across the years they are drawn, not necessarily their greatest extent in history.

South America · The modern republics

British Overseas Territories

drawn on the map 2000–2024

See it on the map → Wikipedia ↗

Shown on the map: 2000–2024
Peak area: 20k km²
Region: South America

Overview

Britain administers several South Atlantic territories claimed as part of the South American sphere. The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are a self-governing British Overseas Territory with their capital at Stanley. Britain reasserted control over the islands in 1833, and they have been continuously administered by the UK since, with a settled, overwhelmingly British-descended population. Argentina has claimed sovereignty throughout, asserting inheritance from Spain.

History

The sovereignty dispute erupted into the Falklands War of 1982 (see entry 30), a decisive British victory that reaffirmed British control. The islanders' preference has been repeatedly and overwhelmingly expressed: in a March 2013 referendum, 99.8% voted to remain a British Overseas Territory (1,513 votes "yes" to 3 "no," on a 92% turnout). Argentina rejected the referendum as legally meaningless, and the dispute continues diplomatically, though both sides are committed to peaceful means.

Later history and present status

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) form a separate British Overseas Territory, uninhabited but for a small official and scientific presence (a former whaling hub at Grytviken; the British Antarctic Survey base at King Edward Point). South Georgia was the first territory recaptured by Britain in 1982 (Operation Paraquet, 25 April 1982), and the South Sandwich Islands (Thule) were retaken in June 1982. These territories anchor British claims and conservation regimes across the far South Atlantic and are also subject to Argentine claims. Together with the Falklands, they represent the enduring presence of a European power in the South American maritime sphere. [FLAG: sovereignty over all these territories remains formally disputed by Argentina.]

Common questions

What were the British Overseas Territories?: Britain administers several South Atlantic territories claimed as part of the South American sphere. The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are a self-governing British Overseas Territory with their capital at Stanley.
When are the British Overseas Territories shown on the map?: The border data draws the British Overseas Territories 2000–2024. The source samples borders at fixed dates, so a span can begin late or run on past the end.
How large were the British Overseas Territories?: At their greatest extent drawn on this map, the British Overseas Territories covered about 20,000 km². That is the largest area the border data gives them across the years they are drawn, not necessarily their greatest extent in history.
Who ruled the British Overseas Territories?: The sovereignty dispute erupted into the Falklands War of 1982 (see entry 30), a decisive British victory that reaffirmed British control. The islanders' preference has been repeatedly and overwhelmingly expressed: in a March 2013 referendum, 99.8% voted to remain a British Overseas Territory (1,513 votes "yes" to 3 "no," on a 92% turnout).
What is the present status of the British Overseas Territories?: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) form a separate British Overseas Territory, uninhabited but for a small official and scientific presence (a former whaling hub at Grytviken; the British Antarctic Survey base at King Edward Point). South Georgia was the first territory recaptured by Britain in 1982 (Operation Paraquet, 25 April 1982), and the South Sandwich Islands (Thule) were retaken in June 1982.

Sources

This compendium cites its sources once for the whole document rather than per territory. It names English Wikipedia, Encyclopaedia Britannica and the World History Encyclopedia as the basis of these profiles, supplemented by academic and museum sources and, for recent events, by reputable news outlets. The article this entry is anchored on:

Wikipedia — British Overseas Territories en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Overseas_Territories

This entry was last updated 12 September 2026.

This entry was researched and drafted with AI from the sources above, and has not been reviewed by a historian. How entries are made

Text available under CC BY-SA 4.0: reuse it with a credit to The World Through Time and a link to this page. Passages drawing on the Wikipedia articles listed above are also licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 by their contributors.

Border geometry for the map itself comes from Cliopatria v0.12 (Seshat Global History Databank, CC-BY-4.0).

See the British Overseas Territories in their world

Open the atlas at 2012 and every neighbour, rival and successor is on screen with it — then drag the slider and watch what happens next.

Open the map at 2012 →