There are a number of dependent territories of the United Kingdom throughout the world. As dependencies they are not part of the UK proper, but nor are they independent states. Each has its own distinct legally defined relationship with the UK, with the British monarch as head of state. The phrase "British Dependent Territories" was formerly used specifically for what are as of 26 February 2002 termed the "British Overseas Territories".[1] These territories fall into two broad categories:-
These former parts of the British Empire are not part of the UK proper, but the British crown and parliament has full sovereignty over each. They have varying degrees of delegated internal self-governance. The UK counts a total of 14 such territories.[2] This includes the UK's view that its Antarctic claim is a dependency, though internationally its legal status is governed by the Antarctic Treaty.
The Crown Dependencies are self-governing possessions of the British Crown with their own legislative assemblies. They were not part of the British Empire, but have a much older relationship as subjects of the English Crown.
