Exercise 1 (9/17)

The British Empire consists of dominions, colonies, protectorates and other

territories ruled or administered by the UK.  It originated with the overseas
colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early
17th centuries.  The largest empire in history was also a global power.

By 1922 the British Empire ruled over 500 million people, about 25% of the
world's population at that time, and covered almost a quarter of the Earth's
total land mass. As a result, its political, linguistic and cultural legacy is
widespread. At the peak of its power, it was often said that "the sun never sets
on the British Empire" because the sun was always shining on at least one of
its numerous territories.

During the Age of Exploration Britain, France and Spain began

to found colonies and trade networks in the Americas and Asia. After a series
of wars with the Netherlands and France, England became
the dominant colonial power in North America and India. Following Napoleon
had been defeated in 1815, Britain enjoyed a century of almost unrivaled
dominance, and expanded its empire across the globe.
The growth of Germany and the United States led to the decline of Britain's
economy by the end of the 19th century. During the Second World War
Britain's colonies in Southeast Asia were occupied by Japan.  This damaged
British prestige and accelerated the downfall of the Empire. India, Britain's
most populous colony, was granted independence in 1947.

After World War II most of the territories of the British Empire were granted
independence, ending with the handover of Hong Kong to the People's
Republic of China in 1997.  Fourteen overseas territories remain under British
sovereignty.  After independence, many former British colonies joined the
Commonwealth of Nations, a free association of 54 independent member
states. Sixteen of these nations recognise their head of state, Queen
Elizabeth II, as Commonwealth countries.

The Commonwealth Games, which are held every four years, are the
Commonwealth's most visible activity.