Top 10 Fascinating Islands That Are Remnants Of The British Empire

The British Empire was vast—immense, in fact. It began as a handful of colonies during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign and expanded steadily through the 17th and 18th centuries. It faced a major blow in 1776 when some North American colonies opted for self-governance. However, the Empire continued to grow, and by 1922, it spanned more than 20 percent of the Earth's land and included a quarter of the global population.

Countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland gained independence between the two World Wars. The trend gained momentum after World War II, as India and several African and Asian nations gained their freedom. By the late 1960s, much of the Empire had dissolved.

Yet, some remnants still exist. These are now known as ‘British Overseas Territories,’ a term that replaced the more politically charged words ‘empire’ and ‘colony.’ These territories cover a mere 21,000 square kilometers (8,000 square miles) and have a population of about 250,000—quite a shift in less than a century.

The majority of these territories are islands, each with its own remarkable history to share.

10. Tristan Da Cunha: A Place To Escape From It All

This volcanic island could easily be considered the most isolated inhabited place on Earth. Located in the southern Atlantic Ocean, it sits 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) away from its closest inhabited neighbor, Saint Helena, which is itself small and remote.

To reach a continent, you’d need to travel 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles) east to South Africa or 3,400 kilometers (2,100 miles) west to South America. With no airport, the only access comes from supply ships that arrive about once a month. Around 300 residents from 80 families call Tristan da Cunha their home.

Satellite images reveal a nearly circular island, dominated by a volcanic cone. The views resemble something straight out of a computer-generated animation. The volcano is still active, and an eruption in 1961 forced the entire population to evacuate to Britain. It took two years before they were able to return.

So, what do 300 people living in such an isolated place do? Primarily, they focus on sheep and cattle farming, growing potatoes, and fishing. The island also generates income through the sale of specially designed stamps, which are highly sought after by collectors.

Tristan da Cunha’s society is organized in a near-utopian manner. The land is collectively owned, with each household assigned a plot for growing potatoes. Families also manage their own livestock, but the number of animals is regulated to ensure no one family dominates.

If this way of life appeals to you, there's a catch. Outsiders (the other seven billion of us) are prohibited from settling or purchasing land on the island—but you’re welcome to visit.

9. Diego Garcia: Forced Relocations and the Military Presence

While several islands on this list may be described as tropical havens, with their inhabitants leading seemingly perfect lives, Diego Garcia stands apart. Tropical—yes. Paradise—not quite. The island hosts a large US–UK military base, with visible features including runways, fuel storage tanks, and hangars.

Diego Garcia is situated in the heart of the Indian Ocean, just south of the equator. It lies 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles) east of Africa and 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) south of India. It is part of the Chagos Archipelago and is a low-lying atoll.

In 1965, as Mauritius gained self-governing status, Britain purchased the Chagos Islands for £3 million. The islands were then designated the “British Indian Ocean Territory.” The following year, the United States agreed to lease Diego Garcia for 50 years, without any payment. In return, the UK received a $14 million discount on the Polaris missiles it was about to purchase.

Approximately 1,000 people, known as the Chagossians, once lived on Diego Garcia. Between 1968 and 1971, the UK government “encouraged” them to leave. This included barring those who had already left from returning and cutting off food and medicine supplies. Eventually, the last few inhabitants were forcibly removed. It wasn’t a proud moment for the UK.

The US military soon took control, establishing an “unsinkable aircraft carrier.” The island is home to two 3,700-meter (12,000-foot) runways, a vast fuel storage area, and naval ship anchorages within the lagoon. Now known as Camp Thunder Cove, the base has been part of many military operations. Allegedly, the CIA has also used Diego Garcia for illegal “black ops.”

The Chagossians have been engaged in a lengthy legal fight to return to their homeland. However, at the close of 2016, the US extended its lease for another 20 years, making it unlikely that the evicted residents will return before 2036.

8. Pitcairn Island: Mutineers and Women’s Suffrage

The mutiny aboard HMS Bounty has been retold countless times. The most recent film adaptation, released in 1984, featured Mel Gibson as Fletcher Christian. In 1789, the Bounty was on a mission to the West Indies carrying breadfruit plants from Tahiti. First Mate Christian led a mutiny and cast Captain William Bligh and 18 crew members adrift in a longboat.

The mutineers returned to Tahiti, where most chose to stay. However, Fletcher Christian and eight others decided to flee and find a hidden sanctuary, knowing the Royal Navy would eventually pursue them. They were joined by 18 Polynesians, six men and twelve women. On January 15, 1790, the Bounty reached Pitcairn Island. They unloaded everything of value from the ship, including the masts, then set fire to the hull.

Pitcairn Island is located about 2,200 kilometers (1,350 miles) from Tahiti in the South Pacific. It is a volcanic island covering just a few square miles, with no airport or harbor. Supplies are brought to the island by small boats that unload at Bounty Bay.

By the time an American whaling ship discovered the settlement in 1808, only one mutineer, John Adams, was still alive. The Royal Navy arrived in 1814 and was greeted by Adams and Fletcher Christian’s son, who went by the distinctive name of Thursday October Christian. In 1838, Pitcairn became a British colony and became the first British territory to grant women the right to vote in elections.

The population of Pitcairn Island has varied throughout the years, with periods where it reached several hundred residents. However, a crisis is unfolding. In 2014, only 56 people lived there, with many of the younger generation choosing to relocate 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles) to New Zealand. If this trend continues, Pitcairn will be uninhabited by 2050. Efforts are now underway to attract new settlers.

7. Montserrat: A Volcanic Wonderland

Like several other small British territories, Montserrat is a volcanic island. Situated in the Caribbean, it boasts lush greenery and has earned the nickname the “Emerald Isle,” a title it shares with Ireland.

In the 1970s, record producer George Martin, best known for his work with The Beatles, visited Montserrat. He was so captivated by the island's charm that he established a recording studio. Throughout the 1980s, AIR Studios became a hotspot for hit albums, attracting legendary artists such as Dire Straits, The Police, and the Rolling Stones. However, the studio's creative era came to an abrupt end in 1989, when Hurricane Hugo severely damaged the facilities, leading to their closure.

In 1995, six years after the studio's closure, Montserrat's long-dormant volcano erupted. In a matter of weeks, the capital city of Plymouth was buried under a thick blanket of ash, and a large portion of the island's population had to be evacuated.

Volcanic activity has continued to disrupt the island, with major eruptions occurring in 2006, 2008, and 2010. As of now, the island is divided in two, with the southern volcanic region designated as an exclusion zone, accessible only to volcanologists.

6. Saint Helena: The Exile of Napoleon

In 1814, after more than a decade of war across Europe, Napoleon Bonaparte faced his defeat. As punishment, he was exiled to the Mediterranean island of Elba. However, just 300 days later, Napoleon made a daring escape, returned to France, raised an army, and marched into Belgium to face the British and Prussian forces. Their armies clashed at the infamous Battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon was once again defeated.

This time, Napoleon was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Escape was nearly impossible, and he passed away on Saint Helena in 1821. His residence, Longwood House, where he died, is now a museum owned by the French government.

Approximately 4,500 people currently reside on Saint Helena, relying on a supply ship that visits the island every few weeks. Between 2012 and 2016, the island saw the construction of a new airport, which cost over £200 million, in hopes of boosting tourism.

However, a critical mistake was made during the planning phase. No one foresaw how difficult the wind conditions would make landing on the island. As a result, by April 2017, no airline was willing to establish regular flights. The newly built terminal remains eerily quiet.

5. Ascension Island: Creating A Forest

Whenever our GPS helps us find our way, we should silently thank Ascension Island. One of the four ground antennas that support the entire GPS system is stationed on this island. Even astronauts aboard the International Space Station rely on it, as NASA operates an observatory on Ascension to track potentially hazardous debris orbiting Earth.

Located in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 800 kilometers (500 mi) south of the equator, Ascension Island was initially a Royal Navy base starting in 1815. When the island was first discovered, it was barren, with no trees or significant plant life to speak of.

In the 1850s, the Royal Navy started importing and planting trees on the island. This initiative proved to be so successful that within just 30 years, the island’s mountain was home to a thriving forest. The current population of around 800 residents is primarily employed at scientific and tracking facilities or at the military airfield, which is jointly operated by the UK and the US.

4. South Georgia: A Destination for Cool Adventurers

While many remnants of the British Empire are known for their tropical climates, South Georgia offers a very different experience for those who enjoy cooler weather. Situated in the South Atlantic Ocean, not far from the Antarctic Circle, this island sees even its warmest northern coast with summer temperatures rarely surpassing 9 degrees Celsius (48 °F), and winter temperatures seldom climbing above freezing.

No one resides permanently on the island. Staff at the scientific research stations rotate every few months, and in summer, the museum located at the old whaling station in Grytviken opens to welcome cruise ship passengers. Additionally, the grave of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton is situated within the small settlement.

3. The Turks and Caicos Islands: Could They Be the Next Province of Canada?

This cluster of islands, with eight of them being inhabited, is the perfect example of a “tropical Caribbean paradise.” It’s no surprise that tourism is the backbone of the islands’ economy, with hotels and cruise ports accommodating nearly a million visitors annually—roughly 20 visitors for every resident.

A large number of visitors come from Canada, sparking discussions about the possibility of the islands becoming a Canadian province. The initial proposal from Canada dates back to 1917. In 1974, the islands made a formal offer to join Canada. Over the years, the idea has been revisited, and it remains plausible that Canada might one day have a province with a much warmer climate.

2. Anguilla: A Land of Gentle Revolutions

Ending an empire is never a straightforward task. Anguilla, a Caribbean island, was located around 100 kilometers (60 miles) from two other British-controlled islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis. In 1967, a British Foreign Office official proposed that combining these three islands into a single state would be a simple way to grant another part of the empire its independence. The toughest part of the plan seemed to be the name for the new nation—Saint Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla. This idea sparked two revolutions.

For the people of Anguilla, the thought of being dominated by the other two islands was intolerable. In May 1967, the police force from Saint Kitts was ousted from the island. A provisional government was formed, and by July, 99.7 percent of the population voted to separate from Saint Kitts and Nevis. A public declaration of independence followed.

After two years of discussions with the British, no agreement could be reached on the island's governance. As a result, in 1969, a second vote was held. This time, 99.8 percent of the population expressed their desire to sever ties with Saint Kitts and Nevis, leading to the declaration of the 'Republic of Anguilla.'

A British envoy was sent to resolve the situation, but was promptly expelled from the island. This led to the arrival of British troops and 40 officers from London’s Metropolitan Police Force. Whether this was seen as an invasion or a peaceful effort to restore order depends on your perspective.

No violence occurred, and the revolution came to an end. However, the Anguillans achieved their goal. Saint Kitts and Nevis became an independent nation, while Anguilla stayed under British rule. Today, Anguilla thrives as both a popular vacation spot and a tax haven.

1. Bermuda: Shipwrecks and Shorts

Bermuda lies 1,000 kilometers (650 mi) off the east coast of the United States and was originally settled and governed by the English Virginia Company, which had also established Jamestown, Virginia, a few years prior.

The colonization was accidental, resulting from a shipwreck in 1609 that stranded 150 people on the island. The event was documented in A True Reportory of the Wracke and Redemption of Sir Thomas Gates, a narrative thought to have inspired Shakespeare's play The Tempest.

Bermuda officially became an English colony in 1684, serving as a crucial stopover for ships traveling between Britain and North America's colonies. Following the American Revolutionary War, it became an important Royal Navy base, and during the War of 1812, it was a launching point for attacks on Washington, DC, and Chesapeake Bay.

Today, Bermuda thrives on tourism and operates as an offshore tax haven. The island also contributed to global fashion with its iconic Bermuda shorts. This unique attire combines a formal shirt, jacket, and tie with shorts and long socks, making it a distinctive style statement.