A British Overseas Territory (BOT) is a jurisdiction under British sovereignty but not part of the [[United Kingdom (UK)]] itself. These territories retain connections to the UK while maintaining significant self-governance.
Key features:
- British sovereign control
- Local self-government
- UK responsible for:
* Defense
* International relations
* Ensuring good governance
* Ultimate responsibility
Current territories include:
- Caribbean: [[Bermuda]], [[Cayman Islands]], [[British Virgin Islands (BVI)]]
- Mediterranean: [[Gibraltar]]
- Atlantic: [[Falkland Islands]]
- Indian Ocean: [[British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)]]
- Others: Including various smaller territories
Status:
- British citizenship rights
- UK protection
- Independent domestic policy
- Own legal systems
- Usually tax-neutral jurisdictions
These territories often serve as significant financial centers while maintaining British legal traditions and protection.