The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts established by England between the late 16th and early 18th centuries. At its height it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the foremost global power. By 1913, the British Empire held sway over 412 million people, 23 per cent of the world population at the time, and by 1920, it covered 35.5 million km2 (13.7 million sq mi), 24 per cent of the Earth's total land area. As a result, its constitutional, legal, linguistic, and cultural legacy is widespread. At the peak of its power, it was described as "the empire on which the sun never sets", as the Sun was always shining on at least one of its territories.
See also: United Kingdom
Alternate versions of the British Empire have been discovered throughout the multiverse:
- British Empire (Alternate Asia)
- British Empire (Britannia Shall Rule All!)
- British Empire (British Commonwealth)
- British Empire (British Victory)
- British Empire (Central Victory)
- British Empire (Cherry, Plum, and Chrysanthemum)
- British Empire (Cinco De Mayo)
- British Empire (Dawn of Hope)
- British Empire (Franz Lives!)
- British Empire (How many Sixes does Adolf Nazi have to Roll?)
- British Empire (Let's Kill Hitler)
- British Empire (Maple Uprising)
- British Empire (Mughal Glory)
- British Empire (Napoleon's World)
- British Empire (Next Ice Age)
- British Empire (No Napoleon's Elba)
- The British Empire (Oldenburg Sweden)
- British Empire (Pax Britannia!)
- British Empire (Think Before You Act)
- British Empire (The Unexpected Kingdom)
- British Empire (Vivat Rex)
- The British Empire (The Warsaw Union)
- British Union (Axis Triumph)
- Great British Empire (1935-1997)
- Holy Britannian Empire (World of the Rose)
- Imperial Federation