British empire, a worldwide system of dependencies — colonies, protectorates, and other territories—that over a span of some three centuries was brought under the sovereignty of the crown of great britain and the administration of the british government. While retaining control of british north america (now canada) and territories in and near the caribbean in the british west indies, british colonial expansion turned towards asia, africa, and the pacific. British colonies in north america and a guide to each of the 13 original colonies, including essential facts, dates, events, and people, plus links to content on american history central.
The thirteen colonies were a collection of british colonies located along the eastern coast of north america The original 13 colonies of north america in 1776, at the united states declaration of independence. They included the new england colonies, middle colonies, and southern colonies.