| Britlink - For British Citizens & Expats Worldwide |
Almost one in 10 British citizens is living overseas, according to a study of people coming in and out of the UK.
Studies by the Institute for Public Policy Research, indicate that at least 5.5m British-born people live abroad. Figures suggest the rate of departure has been so great that population falls are only masked by immigration.
While Australia and Spain are the top locations, increasing numbers are heading to major Asian economies.
The study found 5.5 million expat Britons - a number that rises to six million if those who live or work part of the year abroad are included. Taken together, they represent approximately 10% of British citizens. Until now, tentative government estimates of expats had ranged from 4.5 million to 14 million.
Over the course of 40 years, some 67,500 more Britons have left the UK every year than have returned - a population loss that has been balanced out by increasing immigration.
The majority of expats live in Australia, Spain, the US and other English speaking nations. But in all some 41 nations each have at least 10,000 permanent British residents. The IPPR's figures have been calculated from official sources, such as census data, counts of pensions paid overseas, passport applications and other statistics.
Those most likely to leave the UK are young workers without families, along with those seeking to retire |
Britlink is also covers the British Overseas Territories along with the Crown Dependencies of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. None of these territories are part of the United Kingdon, all have British citizenship and are therefore, covered by Britlink.
Find information, photos and maps about all these islands at Britlink.org.
Please note, work will continue for some time at Britlink, if you have any comments, corrections or information about any of the islands or territories please email us. |
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| British Islands & Territories |
| The Channel Islands |
Situated just off the coast of France on the edge of the English Channel, the beautiful Channel Islands, a British Crown dependency since 1066, are fiercely independent and justifiably proud of their history and traditions.
This popular tourist destination is also an attractive offshore tax haven (for many companies), and as a result the islands have a thriving financial industry.
In addition, they're known worldwide for locally grown flowers and for their prized purebred Guernsey cows.
The local language and pubs may be English, but the islands were once a part of Normandy, so many of the place names and roads, as well as the food are decidedly French.
The Channel Islands fall into two separate self-governing Bailiwicks. Both the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey are British crown dependencies, though neither is part of the United Kingdom. They have been part of the Duchy of Normandy since the 10th century and Queen Elizabeth II is often referred to by her traditional and conventional title of Duke of Normandy.
A bailiwick is the area of jurisdiction of a bailiff. The term was also applied to a territory in which the sheriff's functions were exercised by a privately appointed bailiff under a Crown grant. |
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| The Isle of Man - Ellan Vannin |
The Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin in Manx), a British Crown Dependency, lies in the Irish Sea almost an equil distance from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
With an area of 572 km² (221 square miles) and a population of around 76,315 (2001 Census) it arguably has the "Oldest Continuous Parliament in the World" (a claim made by several other countries) - the Tynwald - supposedly founded in 979.
Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland, the island came under the British crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx Gaelic language, the native language for the Isle of Man.
English is now the only language spoken on the island. The Isle of Man is a dependency of the British Crown, it is not part of the United Kingdom or a member of the EU.
The island is also famous for the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Race, which is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man since 1907. The tailless Manx cat originated on the island. |
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| The British Overseas Territories |
The British Overseas Territories are territories that are under the sovereignty and formal control of the United Kingdom, though not part of the United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland). Overseas territories should be distinguished from crown dependencies (the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, which have a different constitutional relationship with the United Kingdom), and protectorates (which were not formally under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom).
They should also not be confused with Commonwealth realms, which are independent states sharing the same sovereign as the United Kingdom.
At one time, most crown colonies were directly administered by officials appointed by the British government.
Today, however most overseas territories are self-governingerritories, only relying on Britain for defence, foreign affairs, and some trade issues.
Overseas territories have never been considered integral parts of the United Kingdom, and have never had representation in the British Parliament, on the grounds that they are separate jurisdictions. |
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| Some sections are not online at present. |
Please note, that the British Overseas Territories section is currently being updated.
Some pages are unavailable at present. |
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