In short
Who colonized which country?
European powers claimed roughly 84% of the world's land surface at some point between 1492 and 1914. Britain held the largest share, followed by France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Italy, with Japan and the United States as non-European empires. Pick a country below for the coloniser, the dates and the independence date.
Region
South Asia
- Who colonized Bangladesh?Britain, Pakistan (1947–71) · 16 December 1971
- Who colonized India?Britain, Portugal, France · 15 August 1947
- Who colonized Pakistan?Britain · 14 August 1947
- Who colonized Sri Lanka?Portugal, Netherlands, Britain · 4 February 1948
Region
Central Africa
- Who colonized Cameroon?Germany, France, Britain · 1 January 1960
- Who colonized Democratic Republic of the Congo?Belgium · 30 June 1960
Region
North Africa
- Who colonized Algeria?France · 5 July 1962
- Who colonized Egypt?Britain, Ottoman Empire (suzerainty), France (1798–1801) · Nominal 28 February 1922; British troops out 1956
- Who colonized Libya?Italy, Ottoman Empire (previously) · 24 December 1951
- Who colonized Morocco?France, Spain · 2 March 1956
- Who colonized Sudan?Britain, Egypt · 1 January 1956
- Who colonized Tunisia?France · 20 March 1956
Region
Southeast Asia
- Who colonized Indonesia?Netherlands, Japan (1942–45 occupation) · Declared 17 August 1945; recognised 27 December 1949
- Who colonized Malaysia?Portugal, Netherlands, Britain, Japan (1941–45 occupation) · 31 August 1957
- Who colonized Myanmar?Britain, Japan (1942–45 occupation) · 4 January 1948
- Who colonized Philippines?Spain, United States, Japan (1942–45 occupation) · 4 July 1946
- Who colonized Vietnam?France, Japan (1940–45 occupation) · Declared 2 September 1945; French rule ended 1954
Region
West Africa
- Who colonized Ghana?Portugal, Netherlands, Denmark, Britain · 6 March 1957
- Who colonized Nigeria?Britain · 1 October 1960
- Who colonized Senegal?France · 4 April 1960
Region
East Africa
- Who colonized Ethiopia?Italy (occupation 1936–41 only) · Never colonised; occupation ended 1941
- Who colonized Kenya?Britain · 12 December 1963
- Who colonized Rwanda?Germany, Belgium · 1 July 1962
- Who colonized Tanzania?Germany, Britain · 9 December 1961 (Tanganyika)
- Who colonized Uganda?Britain · 9 October 1962
Region
Caribbean
- Who colonized Cuba?Spain, United States · 20 May 1902; Platt Amendment repealed 1934
- Who colonized Haiti?Spain, France · 1 January 1804
- Who colonized Jamaica?Spain, Britain · 6 August 1962
- Who colonized Puerto Rico?Spain, United States · Not independent; US territory since 1898
Region
Southern Africa
- Who colonized Angola?Portugal · 11 November 1975
- Who colonized Mozambique?Portugal · 25 June 1975
- Who colonized Namibia?Germany, South Africa · 21 March 1990
- Who colonized South Africa?Netherlands, Britain · Union 1910; majority rule April 1994
- Who colonized Zambia?Britain · 24 October 1964
- Who colonized Zimbabwe?Britain · 18 April 1980
Region
Oceania
- Who colonized Australia?Britain · Federation 1901; full legal autonomy 1942/1986
- Who colonized New Zealand?Britain · Dominion 1907; full legal autonomy 1947
Region
Europe
- Who colonized Ireland?England, Britain · 6 December 1922 (Free State); republic 1949
Region
South America
- Who colonized Bolivia?Spain · 6 August 1825
- Who colonized Brazil?Portugal, Netherlands (1630–54, northeast) · 7 September 1822
- Who colonized Peru?Spain · Declared 28 July 1821; secured 1824
Region
North America
- Who colonized Canada?France, Britain · Confederation 1867; full legal autonomy 1931/1982
- Who colonized Mexico?Spain · 27 September 1821
Region
Middle East
- Who colonized Iraq?Britain, Ottoman Empire (previously) · 3 October 1932
- Who colonized Palestine?Britain, Ottoman Empire (previously) · Mandate ended 1948; statehood unresolved
Region
East Asia
- Who colonized Korea?Japan · 15 August 1945
Questions
Frequently asked
- Which countries were colonised?
- By the twentieth century, European powers had claimed roughly 84% of the world's land surface at some point. This index answers the question country by country, naming the coloniser, the dates of rule and the date of independence.
- Which country colonised the most territory?
- Britain, at its peak around 1920, governed roughly a quarter of the world's land and population. France was second, followed by Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.
- Which countries were never colonised?
- Ethiopia is the strongest case in Africa, having defeated Italy at Adwa in 1896. Japan, Thailand, Iran, Nepal, Bhutan, Tonga and Liberia are also commonly listed, though several endured occupation, unequal treaties or heavy foreign control.