How long was The British Empire?

The British Empire lasted 418 years (1583 – 1997) across 5 major phases.

Duration Overview

Duration

418 years

Start

1583 AD

End

1997 AD

First Empire (Americas) 200 years

1583 AD – 1783 AD

Colonization of Americas, Caribbean sugar islands, slave trade.

Second Empire (Asia & Africa) 131 years

1783 AD – 1914 AD

India, Australia, Africa. 'Empire on which the sun never sets.'

Peak & World Wars 31 years

1914 AD – 1945 AD

Maximum territory after WWI mandates. WWII bankrupts Britain.

Decolonization 25 years

1945 AD – 1970 AD

India (1947), Africa (1960s), Caribbean. Rapid withdrawal.

Final Remnants 27 years

1970 AD – 1997 AD

Falklands (1982). Hong Kong handover (1997). 14 territories remain.

That's 418 years — about 17 generations. No one alive at the start could have known anyone alive at the end.

How long was The British Empire?

414 years (1583-1997). From Newfoundland to Hong Kong handover. At peak (1920): 35.5 million km², 25% of world population.

When did The British Empire start and end?

The British Empire began in 1583 and ended in 1997, spanning 418 years.