British Empire, Historical empire based in the United Kingdom
The British Empire was a global network of colonies and territories governed from the United Kingdom, active from the 16th century to the mid-20th century. At its height, it covered parts of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania.
The British Empire grew out of early sea voyages in the 1500s and expanded through trade, war, and settlement over the following centuries. After World War One, a long decline set in, and most territories became independent during the 20th century.
In many countries that were once part of the empire, people still drive on the left side of the road, a direct carry-over from British administration. Legal systems modeled on British law and parliamentary structures are also still in operation across those countries.
The effects of the empire are still visible in many countries through colonial-era courthouses, British-style universities, and old government buildings. Visiting such sites gives a concrete sense of how British structures shaped local life.
The United Kingdom itself has never had a written constitution, yet it exported constitutional law to a large part of the world through its empire. Many former colonies have written constitutions drafted with British legal input, while Britain itself does not.
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