The Reminisces of the Colonial Era
Blog#5
The Overseas Territories and Colonies
The Reminisces
of the Colonial Era
Abstracts:
Many countries in the world have their
territory(s) and colony(s) in different regions of the world. Some have
territory close to them while some have miles away. These territories are used
by the people of the ruling countries to reside there or to achieve some
specific purposes, e.g. using the place for geopolitical/diplomatic gain or to
make their military bases. The colonies are under the control of their homeland
government, but however, some territories are not totally under the control of
their homeland government.
Introduction:
Colony:
A Colony is a group of people who
reside in a new area; away from their homeland but are still controlled under
the political rules of their homeland. The traditions, culture, etc. may be
similar to their homeland, while residing in a new place.
Territories:
Territories are a geographical group
of area that may or may not have the same sovereignty as given to a colony.
These territories are controlled by a sovereign state/country and may vary in
the conditions of governance, policies or degrees of independence.
The United Nations defined the Non-Self Government Territories as
“Whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-governance.
Hereunder, we will be discussing some territories around the world along with
their introduction, location, political status, the administrator country and
other details available with us.
The territories and colonies under:
France:
1.
French Guiana:
French
Guiana a territory of France located on the northern coast, with Brazil and
Suriname as neighboring countries in the east-south and north respectively.
French Guiana the second largest territory of France and is even bigger than
the French Metropolis itself.
Territory: France
Area: 83,534 square kilometers
Population: 306,448 (2021)
Currency: Euro
Language: French
2.
Guadeloupe:
Guadeloupe
is an islands group in the Caribbean, a French Overseas territory. These
islands were firstly inhabited by the indigenous people of America around 3000
BC; but time to time, these people were no more left, and the Arawak people came
to live here. These people were the first unidentified group, which were later
displaced by Kalina-Carib people by 1400s.
Territory: France
Area: 1,628 square kilometers
Population: 0.4 million (2021)
Currency: Euro
Language: French
3. Martinique:
Martinique
is a territory of France in the Caribbean. The economy of the island is based
on many of its market businesses in which tourism is an important one, which
have become more valuable than the agricultural practices as a source of income
in the recent times. Most visitors come from the mainland France, United States
and Canada.
Territory: France
Area: 1,128 square kilometers
Population: 0.4 million (2021)
Currency: Euro
Language: French
4.
Reunion:
Reunion
is an overseas department and region of France in the Indian Ocean. This island
was uninhabited until the French immigrants went to settle in this island in
the 17th century. The first European discovery of this island was
done by a Portuguese sailor Diogo Fernandes Pereira in the year 1507.
Territory: France
Area: 2,512 square kilometers
Population: 966,129 (2021)
Currency: Euro
Language: French
5.
Mayotte:
Mayotte
is an overseas territory, located in the northern part of the Mozambique
Channel in the Indian Ocean, between North-western Madagascar and North-eastern
Mozambique.
Territory: France
Area: 374 square kilometers
Population: 310,022 (2021)
Currency: Euro
Language: French
6.
French Polynesia:
French Polynesia is an overseas
territory in the Pacific Ocean and is also the largest territory of France.
Among the 121 islands of the archipelago, out of which 75 were inhabited during
the 2017 census. Economy of the island is mainly dependent on tourism.
Territory: France
Area: 4,167 square kilometers
Population: 0.3 million (2021)
Currency: Euro
Language: French
7.
New Caledonia:
New
Caledonia is a territory under France in the Southern Pacific Ocean, to east of
Australia and north-west of New Zealand. It is one of the largest economies in
the South Pacific Ocean. The island is divided into three provinces- North,
South and Loyalty Province.
Territory: France
Area: 18,576 square kilometers
Population: 27.1 million (2021)
Currency: Euro
Language: French
8.
Wallis:
Wallis
is a French territory in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies to west to Samoa and
north to Tonga. The highest elevation is Mount Lulu Fakahega, which is about 131-meter
high. Uvea Museum Association is a private museum which had records of the
World War II on the island.
Territory: France
Area: 274 square kilometers
Population: 11,627 (2021)
Currency: Euro
Language: French
9. Saint Martin:
Saint
Martin is a territory under France in the Caribbean which shares its half
boundary with Sint Maarten under Netherlands. This island is also called as ‘The Friendly Island.’ The main
occupation of the island is tourism where about one million people visit the
place every year.
Territory: France
Area: 88.06 square kilometers
Population: 31,948 (2021)
Currency: Euro
Language: French
United Kingdom:
1.
Bermuda
Bermuda
is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is an
archipelago consisting of 181 islands, but the important islands are inhabited
and are joined by bridges and appear to be one single landmass. It is named
after a Spanish explorer Juan de Bermudez, who first discovered the archipelago
in 1505.
Territory: United Kingdom
Area: 53.2 square kilometers
Population: 63,867 (2021)
Currency: Bermudian Dollar
Language: English
2.
Falkland Island
Falkland
Islands is a Self-governing Overseas Territory under United Kingdom, which is
located on the Eastern Side of South Africa. Before the United Kingdom, this
island was an overseas territory of the European Union.
Territory: United Kingdom
Area: 12,173 square kilometers
Population: 3,662 (2021)
Currency: Pound
Language: English
3.
Gibraltar
Gibraltar
is a British overseas territory, in the south of Spain and north of Morocco.
The name of the territory has been given after an Arabic word (Romanized: Jabal
Tariq) i.e. ‘Mount of Tariq’, which
has been named after a Moorish military leader of the 8th century-
Tariq ibn Ziyad.
Territory: United Kingdom
Area: 6.8 square kilometers
Population: 32,669 (2021)
Currency: Pound
Language: English
4.
British Virgin Islands
The
British Virgin Islands is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean. The
island is also called Virgin Islands, but the prefix ‘British’ is often used to define the head of state, because US also
has a territory named Virgin Island. The two main bases on which the island is
dependent are- tourism (roughly 40-45 %) and financial services (about 55-60 %).
Territory: United Kingdom
Area: 153 square kilometers
Population: 31,122 (2021)
Currency: United States Dollar
Language: English
5.
Cayman Islands
Cayman
Islands is a self-governing British overseas territory in the Caribbean. The
currency of Cayman Islands is the 7th strongest in the world, as 1
US $ is equivalent to 0.80 E. Caribbean $. The economy of the island is dominated
by mainly financial services and tourism.
Territory: United Kingdom
Area: 264 square kilometers
Population: 68,136 (2021)
Currency: Cayman Island Dollar
Language: English
6.
Anguilla
Anguilla
is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean. The population is majorly
black, who are the native people of South Africa who were brought there as
slaves. During 2000s, only 72 % of the population was Anguillan, whereas 28 %
of the population was non-Anguillan.
Territory: United Kingdom
Area: 102 square kilometers
Population: 15,753 (2021)
Currency: E. Caribbean Dollar
Language: English
Netherlands:
1.
Aruba
Aruba is
a Constituent country under Netherlands. Some matters such as defense and
foreign affairs are controlled by Netherlands. The name Aruba derived from a word, Oruba
which means ‘well situated island.’ A
common misunderstanding is that people think that the name Aruba has derived from Spanish words Oro Hubo which means ‘there
was gold once.’
Territory: Netherlands
Area: 0.2 thousand square
kilometers
Population: 1.07 lakhs (2021)
Currency: Aruban Florin
Language: Dutch
2.
Bonaire
Bonaire
is a special municipality of Netherlands in the Caribbean. The island has parched
climate which attracts tourists in a huge amount every year, which enhances the
economy of the island in a vast manner. Some common tourist attracting spots
include snorkeling and scuba diving destinations.
Territory: Netherlands
Area: 288 square kilometers
Population: 21,745 (2021)
Currency: United States Dollar
Language: Dutch
3.
Curacao
Curacao is a constituent
country of Netherlands in the Caribbean. Collectively the islands- Aruba,
Bonaire and Curacao form the ABC islands. Curacao is the largest island of the
ABC islands of the Caribbean, both in terms of area and population.
Territory: Netherlands
Area: 444 square kilometers
Population: 1,90,338 (2021)
Currency: Antillean Guilder
Language: Papiamentu
4.
Saba
Saba is a special
municipality of Netherlands in the Caribbean. The economy of the island
includes agriculture of some categories of vegetables; tourism contributes to
the economy more than any sector does. More than 15,000 tourists come every
year in this island. Transportation and energy supply also contributes to the
economy of the island.
Territory: Netherlands
Area: 13 square kilometers
Population: 1,911 (2021)
Currency: United States Dollar
Language: Dutch
5.
Sint Eustatius
Sint Eustatius is a
special Municipality of Netherlands in the Caribbean. During 18th
century, this island was one of the most important islands of the Dutch and
also had a great source of wealth earned by trading. During this time period,
the island was known as ‘Golden Rock’ due
to its enormous wealth.
Territory: Netherlands
Area: 21 square kilometers
Population: 3,142 (2021)
Currency: United States Dollar
Language: English
6.
Sint Maarten
Sint Maarten is a
constituent country of the Netherlands; located in the Caribbean. Till 10th
October 2010, this island was known as The
Island Territory of Sint Maarten.
Territory: Netherlands
Area: 34 square kilometers
Population: 42,446 (2021)
Currency: Euro
Language: Dutch
Spain:
1.
Ceuta
Ceuta
is an autonomous territory of Spain which is bordered by Morocco near
Gibraltar, near the boundary of Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. It is one
of the numerous territories in Africa. The economy majorly works under the
influence of transport systems and hospitals.
Territory: Spain
Area: 18.5 square kilometers
Population: 84,071 (2021)
Currency: Euro
Language: Spanish
2.
Melilla
Melilla
is the autonomous region of Spain in North Africa. The etymology of Melilla is
uncertain. This island has been active in beekeeping and producing honey in the
past, hence the name has been related to honey. This is certainly backed up to
the coin inscription featuring a bee and the inscriptions of RSADR and RSA as
well.
Territory: Spain
Area: 13.2 square kilometers
Population: 86,450 (2021)
Currency: Euro
Language: Spanish
3.
Canary Islands
Canary
Islands are the archipelagic autonomous community region under Spain, located
in the Atlantic Ocean. San Cristobal de La Laguna is the third largest city in
Canary Islands and also a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
Territory: Spain
Area: 7,492 square kilometers
Population: 2 million (2021)
Currency: Euro
Language: Spanish
4.
Balearic Islands
The
Balearic Islands are an archipelago which is under Spain, located in the
Mediterranean Sea, East to Spain. These are well known for its beaches, scenic
coastlines and also the Serra de Tramuntana mountains in the north of Mallorca Island.
Territory: Spain
Area: 4,992 square kilometers
Population: 1.2 million (2021)
Currency: Euro
Language: Spanish
United States of America:
Every territory under the control of
United States has its own culture, tradition, and relationship with United
States,
1.
Puerto Rico
Puerto
Rico is an unincorporated territory and self-governing commonwealth under
Unites States. The population is commonly consisting of the US citizens, but
these people do not have full voting representation in the US Elections held.
The area has an own local government with Constitution.
Territory: United States
Area: 8,897 square kilometers
Population: 3.3 million (2021)
Currency: US Dollar
Language: English
2.
US Virgin Islands
US Virgin Islands is an
unincorporated territory and self-governing territory in the Caribbean under
Unites States. The population is commonly consisting of the US citizens, but
these people do not have full voting representation in the US Elections held.
The area has an own local government with Constitution.
Territory: United States
Area: 364.4 square kilometers
Population: 1 million (2021)
Currency: US Dollar
Language: English
3.
Guam
Guam
is an unincorporated corporation in the Pacific Ocean under United States. The
population is commonly consisting of the US citizens, but these people do not
have full voting representation in the US Elections held. The area has an own
government with Constitution.
Territory: United States
Area: 549 square kilometers
Population: 0.1 million (2021)
Currency: US Dollar
Language: English
4.
Northern Mariana Islands
Northern
Mariana Islands is an unincorporated corporation commonwealth in the Pacific
Ocean under United States. The population is commonly consisting of the US
citizens, but these people do not have full voting representation in the US
Elections held. The area has an own local government.
Territory: United States
Area: 464 square kilometers
Population: 49,481 (2021)
Currency: US Dollar
Language: English
5.
American Samoa
American
Samoa is an unincorporated Territory in the Pacific Ocean under United States.
The area has its own government with Constitution. The population is majorly
considered as the US Nationals but not as US Citizens, as a birth right.
Territory: United States
Area: 199 square kilometers
Population: 45,035 (2021)
Currency: US Dollar
Language: English
6.
Minor Outlying Islands
All the minor and small islands
captured by United States come under this category. The islands are mostly
uninhabited and are under the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s jurisdiction.
Territory: United States
Area: 49.26 square kilometers
Population: Uninhabited
Currency: US Dollar
Language: English
Japan:
1.
Ogasawara Islands (Bonin
Islands)
These islands are a remote
archipelago, situated to the South of the Japan mainland, as a part of the
Tokyo Metropolis. With a small area and population, these islands are under the
Japanese Administration.
Territory: Japan
Area: 106.1 square kilometers
Population: 2,560 (2021)
Currency: Yen
Language: Japanese
2.
Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa)
These
islands comprise several islands of the Ryukyu archipelago chain, including
Okinawa Islands, Miyako Islands, and Yaeyama Islands. However, the history,
culture and traditions of the islands of Ryukyu chain differs from the mainland
of Japan. Okinawa hosts a significant US Military camps and bases under the
bilateral agreement of both the countries, Japan and United States as
well.
Territory: Japan
Area: 49 square kilometers
Population: 1.47 million (2021)
Currency: Yen
Language: Japanese
3.
Northern Territories
(Southern Kuril)
The
Kuril Islands is part of Russia; however, Japan claims the southern four
islands known as Northern Territories and Southern Kuril in Japan and Russia
respectively, which are under current control of Russia. The disputes between
Japan and Russia have been continued from the end of World War II.
Territory: Russia and Japan
Area: 10,503 square kilometers
Population: 21,501 (2021)
Currency: Yen
Language: Russian and Japanese
China:
1.
Hong Kong
Hong
Kong has been a part of the British Colony until 1997, when it became a part of
the Special Administrative Region (SAR)
of China. It became so by the ‘one
country, two systems’ principle. It is more autonomous political system and
freedom in comparison to the mainland of China, but during recent times, Hong
Kong has come across some issues and changes about the preservation of its
autonomy.
Territory: China
Area: 78.59 square kilometers
Population: 74.1 square kilometers
Currency: Hong Kong Dollar
Language: Chinese
2.
Macau
Macau
has been a part of the Portuguese Colony until 1999, when it became a part of
the ‘Special Administrative Regions
(SAR)’ of China, as following similar to Hong Kong. It became so by the ‘one country, two systems’ principle
under the degree of autonomy in its political, legal and economic systems.
Territory: China
Area: 118 square kilometers
Population: 0.7 million (2021)
Currency: Macanese Pataca
Language: Chinese
3.
Taiwan
Taiwan
is sometimes considered as the ‘Republic of
China (ROC)’; Taiwan has its own military, government, and economy.
Nevertheless, China considers Taiwan as its own territory and claims
sovereignty over it. However, the United
Nations also does not recognize Taiwan as an independent country.
Territory: Claimed by China
Area: 36,197 square kilometers
Population: 23.9 million (2021)
Currency: New Taiwan Dollar
Language: Taiwanese Hokkien
4.
Tibet
China
claims Tibet as its territory, but the region was illegally occupied by China
in 1950, from then the struggle for independence is going on by the Tibetan
people. A government (in exile) is also in function whose headquarter is
situated in Dharmshala, State of Himachal Pradesh, Bharat. whereas debates are
going on about the autonomy of the indigenous Tibetan population on various
international forums.
Territory: China
Area: 1.2 million square
kilometers
Population: 3.7 million (2021)
Currency: Chinese Yuan
Language: Tibetan
5.
Xinjiang
Xinjiang
is officially known as ‘Xinjiang Uygur
Autonomous Region’, and also a home to several ethnic groups, including
majorly Uighurs. There have been several controversies on the subject of human
rights abuse and ill treatment of minor ethnic groups in the regions.
Territory: China
Area: 1.7 million square
kilometers
Population: 26 million (2021)
Currency: Chinese Yuan
Language: Uyghur
New Zealand:
1.
Tokelau
Tokelau
is a territory of New Zealand, which consists of three atolls in the Pacific
Ocean with self-governance in most matters. New Zealand is the administrative center;
however, it is distinct from being a colony.
Territory: New Zealand
Area: 10.2 square kilometers
Population: 1,849 (2021)
Currency: New Zealand Dollar
Language: English
2.
Cook Islands
The
Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand. However, they have their
own self-government in most matters; meanwhile they also maintain a good
relation with New Zealand, as in areas like of defense and foreign affairs.
Territory: New Zealand
Area: 236 square kilometers
Population: 15,040 (2021)
Currency: New Zealand Dollar
Language: English
3.
Niue
Niue
is in free association with New Zealand. It has claimed a degree of
self-governance; however, this island maintains a good relationship with New
Zealand for certain fields, such as that of foreign and defense affairs.
Territory: New Zealand
Area: 261 .5 square kilometers
Population: 1,937 (2021)
Currency: New Zealand Dollar
Language: English
Australia:
1.
Norfolk Islands
Norfolk
islands, located in the Pacific Ocean, are an authority under the Australian
government, but it has its own legislative assembly.
Territory: Australia
Area: 5,371 square kilometers
Population: 0.2 million (2021)
Currency: Australian Dollar
Language: English
2.
Christmas Islands*
Territory: Australia
Area: 134.7 square kilometers
Population: 1,692 (2021)
Currency: Australian Dollar
Language: English
3.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands*
Territory: Australia
Area: 14 square kilometers
Population: 593 (2021)
Currency: Australian Dollar
Language: English
Australian
Capital Territories (ACT)
These
have special administrative status in comparison to that of others, ACT is the
place where the capital, Canberra is present, has its own self-governing legislative
assembly.
Territory: Australia
Area: 2,358 square kilometers
Population: 0.2 million (2021)
Currency: Australian Dollar
Language: English
*these
territories are the external territories of Australia in the Indian Ocean.
Conclusion:
The overseas territories and colonies
have been scattered here and there. Some territories want freedom whereas some
are happy in their situations. Some countries have built strong economy on the
basis of their tourist junction spots, and also the common building blocks for
their economy.
Total Words: 3120
Sources of Data:
Wikipedia
World
Bank websites
Other
course materials
Static
Times websites
Google
and other websites
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