The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for a time was the foremost global power. It was a product of the European age of discovery, which began with the maritime explorations of the 15th century, that sparked the era of the European colonial empires.
By 1921, the British Empire held sway over a population of about 458 million people, approximately one-quarter of the world's population.[1] It covered about 36.6 million km² (14.2 million square miles),[2] about a quarter of Earth's total land area. As a result, its legacy is widespread, in legal and governmental systems, economic practice, militarily, educational systems, sports, and in the global spread of the English language. At the peak of its power, it was often said that "the sun never sets on the British Empire" because its span across the globe ensured that the sun was always shining on at least one of its numerous colonies or subject nations.[3]
During the five decades following World War II, most of the territories of the Empire became independent. Many went on to join the Commonwealth of Nations, a free association of independent states.
| “ | The postmodern, European answer to threats is to extend the system of co-operative empire ever wider. “I have no way to defend my borders but to extend them”, said Catherine the Great—and the European Union sometimes seems to be saying the same. | ” |
| — Robert Cooper, 2003 | ||
| “ | But the next wave of European transformation is only just beginning. The European Union is starting to develop an enormous sphere of influence, extending way beyond its borders, that could be called the “Eurosphere”. This belt of eighty countries covering the former Soviet Union, the Western Balkans, the Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 20 per cent of the world’s population. | ” |
| — Mark Leonard, 2005 | ||
| “ | What we have is the first non-imperial empire...We have twenty-seven countries that fully decided to work together and to pool their sovereignty. I believe it is a great construction and we should be proud of it. | ” |
| — José Manuel Barroso, 2007 | ||
- ^ Angus Maddison. The World Economy: A Millennial Perspective (p. 98, 242). OECD, Paris, 2001.
- ^ Bruce R. Gordon. To Rule the Earth... (See Bibliography for sources used.)
- ^ This phrase had already been used a few centuries before by the king Charles I of Spain, referring to the Spanish Empire.