The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories of the United Kingdom which, although they do not form part of the United Kingdom itself, fall under its jurisdiction.[1] They are remnants of the British Empire that have not acquired independence or have voted to remain British territories. The name "British Overseas Territory" was introduced by the British Overseas Territories Act 2002, and replaced the name British Dependent Territory, which was introduced by the British Nationality Act 1981. Before 1981, the territories were known as Crown colonies.

Apart from the British Antarctic Territory, which contains only research stations, and the Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus and the British Indian Ocean Territory, which are military bases, the overseas territories all have permanent populations. Collectively they encompass an approximate land area of 667, 018 square miles (1, 727, 570 km2) (of which the vast majority, 660, 000 square miles, is British Antarctic Territory) and a population of approximately 260, 000 people.[2][3] The British Antarctic Territory is part of a mutual recognition agreement with 4 other sovereign nations and their Antarctic territories. The UK is a participant in the Antarctic Treaty System.[4]

The territories of Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man, though also under the sovereignty of the British Crown, have a different constitutional relationship with the United Kingdom, and are classed as Crown Dependencies.[5][6][7] The British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies are distinct from the Commonwealth of Nations, a voluntary association of countries which mostly have historic links to the British Empire.