Mapping the 10 countries with the most overseas territories

Al JazeeraCenterEN 5 min read 100% complete by Hanna DuggalJanuary 22, 2026 at 12:44 PM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

A recent Al Jazeera report maps the top 10 countries with the most overseas territories, remnants of colonial empires maintained for strategic, military, economic, and historical reasons. The United Kingdom leads with 14 territories across the Atlantic, Caribbean, Pacific, and polar regions, some self-governing and others used for military or scientific purposes. The UK recently ceded sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a move criticized by US President Trump who stated the US needs "ownership" of Greenland to defend itself from adversaries like China and Russia. These territories vary in autonomy, with the UK responsible for defense and foreign affairs in many. The UK maintains a joint military base with the US on Diego Garcia.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

World Economic Forum 40% Kingdom of Denmark 50% Mauritius 50% Russia 60% British Indian Ocean Territory ×260% Diego Garcia 60% China 60% United States ×470% Greenland 70% Donald Trump ×280% UK ×890%

Keywords

overseas territories 100% united kingdom 80% colonial empires 70% strategic and military purposes 60% british indian ocean territory 60% diego garcia 50% economic stability 50% self-government 50% sovereignty 40%