How many countries were in the Empire?
The British Empire was the most extensive Empire in world history in terms of both area and population. It included territories in all continents, including Antarctica. The area covered by the Empire changed as territories were gained and lost and as government systems evolved. Around eighty different territories and countries came under British control at some point in their history. Putting a precise figure on the number of countries is not possible as areas considered part of the Empire by some historians may not be by others. The Empire reached its greatest extent during the first decades of the twentieth century.
