British Overseas Territories

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The British Overseas Territories (BOTs) are fourteen dependent territories of the United Kingdom (UK) that lie outside the British Islands. These territories are remnants of the former British Empire, which remained under British sovereignty following decolonisation, albeit with varying constitutional statuses. Britain is notably the only country to still have territories in every continent on earth, except the continent of Australia. The permanently inhabited territories exercise varying degrees of internal self-governance, although the UK retains ultimate constitutional oversight, and authority over defence, foreign relations and internal security. Three territories, namely the British Antarctic Territory, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and the British Indian Ocean Territory, have no permanent civilian population and are staffed primarily by scientific, administrative, or military personnel. The remainder host substantial civilian populations. All fourteen territories recognise...

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