The UK overseas territories are a unique aspect of our political system, and provide a whole new area of employment in relations, governance and the management of these territories.
The United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs) are a group of fourteen territories under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United Kingdom. Each territory has its own unique characteristics, history, and governance structures. Here’s a guide to the UK Overseas Territories:
Anguilla: Located in the Caribbean Sea, Anguilla is known for its stunning beaches and turquoise waters. It is a British Overseas Territory with a population of around 15,000 people.
Bermuda: Situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda is famous for its pink sand beaches and subtropical climate. It is a self-governing British Overseas Territory with a population of approximately 65,000 people.
British Antarctic Territory: This territory consists of the region of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom. It is the largest of the UKOTs by land area but has no permanent population.
British Indian Ocean Territory: Located in the Indian Ocean, this territory comprises the Chagos Archipelago. It is home to a significant US military base on Diego Garcia and has no indigenous population.
British Virgin Islands: These Caribbean islands are known for their lush landscapes and vibrant coral reefs. The British Virgin Islands are a British Overseas Territory with a population of around 30,000 people.
Cayman Islands: Situated in the western Caribbean Sea, the Cayman Islands are famous for their financial services industry and stunning diving spots. It is a British Overseas Territory with a population of approximately 65,000 people.
Falkland Islands: Located in the South Atlantic Ocean, the Falkland Islands are known for their rugged terrain and abundant wildlife, including penguins and seals. The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory with a population of around 3,000 people.
Gibraltar: This territory is located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula and is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar. It has a population of approximately 34,000 people and is a strategic naval base for the UK.
Montserrat: Montserrat is a Caribbean island known for its active volcano, which erupted in the 1990s, causing significant damage to the island’s infrastructure. It is a British Overseas Territory with a population of around 5,000 people.
Pitcairn Islands: Situated in the South Pacific Ocean, the Pitcairn Islands are one of the most remote territories in the world. The islands are inhabited by descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers and have a population of around 50 people.
Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha: This territory comprises three distinct island groups in the South Atlantic Ocean. Saint Helena is known for being Napoleon Bonaparte’s place of exile, Ascension Island hosts a British military base, and Tristan da Cunha is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world. The total population of this territory is around 5,000 people.
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands: These remote and uninhabited islands are located in the South Atlantic Ocean. They are known for their stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife, including penguins and seals.
Turks and Caicos Islands: Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, the Turks and Caicos Islands are known for their beautiful beaches and coral reefs. It is a British Overseas Territory with a population of around 35,000 people.
Akrotiri and Dhekelia: These are two British sovereign base areas on the island of Cyprus. They are used as military bases and have a combined population of around 15,000 people.
These territories vary greatly in terms of geography, culture, and economy, but they all share a connection to the United Kingdom through their status as British Overseas Territories.