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Modern-Day Countries of the British Empire in 1921

Below is a map of modern-day countries that were fully or partially under the British Empire in 1921, how many can you name?
Including Dominions and Protected States which were not formally part of the empire
Thanks to user Dekkie for fact-checking the quiz
Quiz by Vicky
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Last updated: April 12, 2022
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First submittedJune 1, 2019
Times taken83,230
Average score85.1%
Rating4.99
6:00
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Country
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belize
Bhutan
Botswana
Brunei
Cameroon
Canada
China
Cyprus
Dominica
Country
Egypt
Eswatini
Fiji
Gambia
Ghana
Grenada
Guyana
India
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Jamaica
Jordan
Kenya
Kiribati
Country
Kuwait
Lesotho
Libya
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Mauritius
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
New Zealand
Nigeria
Oman
Country
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Qatar
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Saudi Arabia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Country
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Tanzania
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Tuvalu
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Vanuatu
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
+13
Level 69
Sep 29, 2019
I almost didn't see The Gambia
+21
Level 65
Nov 21, 2019
I had a hard time telling apart some countries from screen dirt...
+1
Level 88
Mar 24, 2020
same here
+3
Level 67
Mar 25, 2020
Almost missed the tiny bit of Cameroon
+4
Level 59
Apr 13, 2020
If you click on the map, it zooms in. Difficult to miss individual countries then.
+4
Level 68
Nov 27, 2020
The Gambia refuses to identify as a piece of screen dirt.
+1
Level 66
Oct 31, 2021
@fitheach

Yeah, but what if you don't know what country you're looking for, to zoom in on it?

+1
Level 48
Mar 11, 2024
Click randomly.
+2
Level 51
Oct 10, 2019
This quiz is great! how has this not been starred yet!
+17
Level 70
Feb 24, 2020
Yeah agreed about China. I understand not including Hong Kong as a country, but if you are going with Jetpunk's list of countries, then Hong Kong is part of China, meaning that part of China was definitely in the British Empire.
+6
Level 76
Mar 11, 2020
I'll admit I'm not exactly an expert in Bhutanese history, but I don't think Bhutan was ever a full British colony. I did a quick google search, and all it says is that Britain had control of Bhutan's foreign affairs for a while, which I don't think should count. Anybody care to chime in to clear things up for me?
+12
Level 69
Mar 24, 2020
This! History of Bhutan is quite complicated but even if it was a protectorate, it certainly was never part of the British Empire. Bhutan has simply never been invaded, occupied and therefore colonized, by any country. Britain and the crown did not rule nor administrate Bhutan. The case of Bhutan is a bit similar to what happened to China during colonial ages.
+1
Level 59
Apr 13, 2020
Not all the territories on this quiz were colonies, the Empire didn't consist purely of colonies.
+1
Level 45
Apr 10, 2022
The same is true for Nepal! This is what the Britannica says: Nepal and Bhutan remained nominally independent throughout the British period, though both eventually became British protectorates—Nepal in 1815 and Bhutan in 1866. I know, that many Gurkhas (tribe in Nepal) became soldiers for the British
+1
Level 55
Apr 12, 2022
Nepal was always independent, but a section of land was ceded after the Anglo-Nepal War of 1814 and then returned in 1860 in exchange for service of Nepali mercenaries in 1857 mutiny. They'd been recruited as part of the treaty, but Nepal retained its independence throughout. Only one British observer allowed in the country. (FYI Gurkhas are not a tribe, but an ethnic group from the district of Gorkha; Prithvi Narayan Shah, who united Nepal, was from Gorkha. The name ends up getting used rather generically, like "Sherpa," which is also an ethnic group.) Anyhow - it is not accurate to call it a dominion of the British Empire. Relationship was complicated. I believe that's true of Bhutan, too, but am not sure on that point. Anyhow, quizmaster isn't open to discussion, so ke garne (what to do).
+1
Level 84
Mar 15, 2020
This is also a decent map of the Commonwealth.
+7
Level 72
Mar 23, 2020
I think Tonga does not belong here. The British only controlled their foreign relations. Their sovereignty was never handed to Britain.
+1
Level 28
Aug 21, 2021
agreed
+2
Level 55
Aug 24, 2021
It was however a protected state, which was essentially a de facto protectorate as the foreign policies and finances were under British control. So just like Nepal and Bhutan, it's a complicated situation.
+8
Level 83
Mar 24, 2020
After the latest update the circles for St. Vincent and Grenada are switched. Grenada should be more south.
+3
Level 61
Mar 24, 2020
I thought I was going crazy! I nearly missed it because of this, Grenada was my last country because I typed St Lucia, St Vincent, and St Kitts all in one streak and knew Grenada was lit up.
+2
Level 68
Dec 22, 2021
I wish I were as geographically adept... I can't tell the difference between the Lesser Antilles nations haha
+3
Level 66
Mar 24, 2020
Not too hard (because of the map) but I like it (because of the map).
+2
Level 79
Mar 24, 2020
If the Falklands are on the map, shouldn't Gibraltar also show up?
+2
Level 55
Mar 24, 2020
Gibraltar is way too small to appear on the map.
+1
Level 70
Mar 26, 2020
Size does not matter here, otherwise there would not be Nauru on the list which has roughly the same size as Gibraltar. :-P
+4
Level 68
Apr 12, 2020
Yeah but Nauru has illuminated waters so it doesn't seem invisible.
+2
Level 68
Mar 25, 2020
#IABisthebestquizmaker

Change My Mind

+2
Level 62
Mar 25, 2020
Hong Kong (China) should be included too. It is way more important and popular than some barren land in Libya
+4
Level 72
Mar 26, 2020
Grenada and Saint Vincent are the wrong way around
+1
Level 24
Mar 26, 2020
So that's why all of those tiny countries exist...
+4
Level 58
Apr 5, 2020
Grenada and St Vincent are swapped I think
+1
Level 62
Apr 12, 2020
Cool that this has been featured now!
+2
Level 71
Apr 12, 2020
No one complains about Ireland? Then I will.

Republic of Ireland was de facto independent since 1919, and the recognition by the UK came exactly in 1921.

Therefore, I'd suggest to have it taken out (or at least put a "disputed" disclaimer).

+5
Level 58
Nov 2, 2020
This quiz is based in 1921 and the Anglo-Irish treaty was signed on December 6th, and it transitioned to a self governing dominion in 1922, and since there is a caveat including dominions, Ireland still counts even then. Ireland gained full independence in the 30's.
+1
Level 45
Apr 12, 2020
Whew! 23 seconds left! Great quiz, by the way.
+1
Level 65
Apr 13, 2020
Great quiz, like the others, I think that China should be included on account of Hong Kong, especially where a section of Libya was included in the quiz. My 2c, but otherwise I really enjoyed the quiz.
+1
Level 45
Apr 13, 2020
Nice, 69/70. I missed Samoa.
+1
Level 84
Apr 13, 2020
This is a great quiz, IAB! Interesting to see the north to south swath through Africa.
+1
Level 81
Apr 14, 2020
"cape to cairo"
+2
Level 63
Apr 14, 2020
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada have switched places.
+1
Level 45
Apr 15, 2020
Agh, didn't see the islands in the Indian ocean. And Malta.
+1
Level 69
Apr 15, 2020
Didn't know if it was dirty on my screen or islands lol
+3
Level 55
Apr 17, 2020
saint vincent and grenadines and grenada are in wrong places
+3
Level 68
Apr 20, 2020
3% of people didn't get the UK... great job!
+3
Level 57
Jun 5, 2020
lol
+2
Level 35
Jun 25, 2020
69/70 noice.
+1
Level 64
Jun 29, 2020
Beautiful, what a sight to behold.
+3
Level 62
Jul 9, 2020
Please remove Bhutan.
+4
Level 56
Jul 20, 2020
Why?
+2
Level 55
Sep 27, 2020
Why is the thumbnail Nicolas II of RUSSIA?? Nice quiz doe
+6
Level 55
Sep 27, 2020
That's King George V.
+2
Level 60
Feb 22, 2021
Lmao
+1
Level 64
Oct 2, 2020
Great quiz. Such a glorious map.

Could someone redo this quiz including all territories that were once part of the Empire. Seems a bit unusual to put a date on it.

+3
Level 62
Oct 5, 2020
The Sun never sets on the British Empire.
+1
Level 76
Aug 24, 2021
And it still doesn't!
+1
Level 74
Nov 4, 2020
Got all on the first try.
+1
Level 65
Dec 7, 2020
Geez U.K., you tried ruling every country???
+1
Level 45
Apr 8, 2022
Apart from the huge swathes of territory ruled by the French, Spanish, Dutch, and even the Belgians.
+1
Level 60
Feb 22, 2021
I GOT 100 PERCENT. Almost missed Dominica, had to look at the country list.
+3
Level 69
Mar 2, 2021
Everyone's going on about Hong Kong, while I'm wondering why Bhutan was included, but not Nepal. Both countries had a rather weird relationship with the British Empire... so it's always the sources you base your quiz on who dictate whether they should be included, but never did I encounter one where one but not the other was
+1
Level 55
Apr 12, 2022
Nepal was not colonized. A section of Nepal at the border of India was taken by the British in the early 1800s and then given back after Gurkhas were being recruited; but the recruitment of Gurkhas has nothing to do with colonization or British control. British weren't even allowed to live in Nepal, except for one observer in Kathmandu.
+1
Level 60
Jun 4, 2021
I ran out of time at 54. I think this needs like three more minutes
+1
Level 66
Jul 6, 2021
Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are flipped
+1
Level 84
Aug 24, 2021
They're both made up of islands. Island tend to float around a bit. It happens. : )
+2
Level 66
Jul 22, 2021
Australia, New Zealand and Canada were independent then, and China should be added because of Hong Kong. Nice quiz though!
+2
Level 66
Jul 29, 2021
Nope, They were all dominions of the British Empire in 1921 - essentially (mostly) independent but legally still parts of the empire.
+1
Level 74
Apr 7, 2022
No they weren't. The Commonwealth was formed in 1931, which is when the founding members were each recognised as sovereign countries. In 1921, they were all still imperial dominions - fairly autonomous, but part of the empire.
+1
Level 28
Oct 2, 2021
Missed Spain Because Of Gilbraltar
+4
Level 55
Oct 2, 2021
Gibraltar is not Spanish.
+2
Level 39
Mar 7, 2022
Gibraltar is still part of the UK
+2
Level 64
Apr 7, 2022
Not to be pedantic but this is Jetpunk so I'm compelled to be. Gibraltar is not part of the UK, it is a British Overseas Territory.
+1
Level 28
Oct 2, 2021
USA For 13 Colonies
+5
Level 55
Oct 2, 2021
The Thirteen Colonies were long gone by this point, bud.
+2
Level 43
Oct 29, 2021
I didnt see the gambia in the map, please add a point on it
+1
Level 41
Nov 24, 2021
If you like this quiz, there's a funny book called "All the countries we've ever invaded (and the few that we never got round to)" by Stuart Laycock. If the title makes you giggle, give it a read.
+1
Level 65
Jan 14, 2022
Why was parts Turkey included? Out of all my history, I'm blanking on when the U.K. was owning Turkey. Not asking it to be removed, just wondering about the history.
+1
Level 65
Jan 14, 2022
Ok, found it. Seems like an invasion of the Ottomans in Constantinople during WW1.
+4
Level 33
Feb 13, 2022
Nepal and Bhutan were never colonized by British.
+4
Level 64
Apr 7, 2022
Great quiz. Still so proud of our Empire. Thanks!
+2
Level 71
Apr 7, 2022
Sorry, but what part of the Empire is there to be proud of? Taking over lands that don't belong to you without the consent of its inhabitants? Pillaging and looting precious historic sites? Causing mass famines? Using torture and violence to put down peaceful protests?

Don't get me wrong--I have nothing against Britain, and if anything I'd consider myself something of an Anglophile. I'm also willing to concede that there were some positives from imperialism, like improvements in education and the adoption of English as a universal language. That doesn't make up for the massive human rights abuses of the Empire though. You can be proud of your country for many reasons, but the Empire should not be one of them.

+1
Level 79
Apr 18, 2022
I agree. Pride in a country is weird anyway. After all many Americans are proud of the USA despite the fact that it was created from genocide of the indigenous population, mass slavery and aggressive wars of conquest against weaker neighbors.
+1
Level 33
Nov 10, 2022
Oh boy...Could we just NOT extol ANY nation prior to 2000? We thought Canada was good until we started finding those schools with um, you get the point.

(Just a joke btw)

+1
Level 54
Apr 7, 2022
Missed Gambia so little on the phone

With one miss 5 points are welcomed

+2
Level 57
Apr 7, 2022
If Turkey's included because of the immediate post-WW1 military occupation, Germany should also be included given the UK's part in the occupation of the Rhineland.
+2
Level 56
Apr 7, 2022
Can you please accept ROC for China
+1
Level 75
Apr 12, 2022
what
+1
Level 33
Nov 10, 2022
That's literally longer than China.
+1
Level 67
Apr 7, 2022
Gambia should be marked with an orange circle. I couldn’t see it on my smartphone and could see everything else.
+1
Level 57
Apr 7, 2022
Aksai Chin is missing
+1
Level 27
Apr 11, 2022
It's part of India but controlled by China presently. It isn't an independent country.
+1
Level 57
Apr 13, 2022
was still controlled by the brits at the time tho
+1
Level 68
May 29, 2022
And is not in the map
+1
Level 75
Apr 7, 2022
Since the various Chinese concessions are included, you might be interested in the Gambela Concession in Ethiopia, held between 1902 and 1956.

>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambela_(city)#British_concession_(1902%E2%80%931956)

+1
Level 65
Apr 12, 2022
one time when i was in cancun i saw a british person and he invaded my personal space so please add mexico to the answer list this is such a big mistake.
+1
Level 60
Dec 5, 2022
Personal space is about the only thing a British person wouldn't invade.
+1
Level 21
May 7, 2022
plss add some sort of dot for the Gambia, had like 2 extra minutes and couldn't find what I got wrong. So, instead I got everything except for the Gambia.
+1
Level 64
May 19, 2022
If you ever feel stupid, just remember that the UK's guess rate on this quiz is not 100%
+1
Level 62
Nov 12, 2022
it's kind of dumb that the uk itself is less guessed than canada
+1
Level 49
Jun 27, 2023
Why Palestine is not there?
+2
Level 54
Jul 20, 2023
How haven’t you figured out that Jetpunk doesn’t consider Palestine a country at level 48?
+2
Level 33
Jul 11, 2023
Hi. Nepal was never ruled by British or any other countries either. We were independent by ourselves
+1
Level 44
Nov 1, 2023
Why is Canada guessed by literally everyone but the UK is 98%???

Yeah I know petty but Canada didn't control the empire, the UK did

+1
Level 56
Dec 7, 2023
I don't think Nepal or Bhutan were part of the empire
+1
Level 43
Mar 5, 2024
missed seychelles and mauritius :c
+1
Level 26
Mar 21, 2024
its funny how less people know about nauru on jetpunk and even outside despite it boing on so many 'most...' lists