Evolution of the French Empire

From the 16th to the 17th centuries, the First French colonial empire stretched from a total area at its peak in 1680 to over 10,000,000 km² (3,900,000 sq mi), the second largest empire in the world at the time behind only the Spanish Empire.[1][2] During the 19th and 20th centuries, the French colonial empire was the second largest colonial empire in the world only behind the British Empire; it extended over 13,500,000 km² (5,200,000 sq mi)[3][4] of land at its height in the 1920s and 1930s. In terms of population however, on the eve of World War II, France and her colonial possessions totaled only 150 million inhabitants, compared with 330 million for British India alone. The total area of the French colonial empire, with the first (mainly in the Americas and Asia) and second (mainly in Africa and Asia), the French colonial empires combined, reached 24,000,000 km² (9,300,000 sq mi), the second largest in the world (the first being the British Empire). [5][6] The French colonial empire had an enormous impact on world history. France had about 80 colonies throughout its history, the second most colonies in the world behind only the British Empire.[7] Around 34 countries gained independence from France throughout its history, the second most in the world behind only the British Empire.[8] Over 40% of the world’s borders today, were drawn as a result of British and French imperialism.[9][10][11] In Stuart Laycock’s book, All the Countries We've Ever Invaded: And the Few We Never Got Round To, he cites that 90% of the world's countries have suffered a British invasion at some point in their history, with only 22 spared. France is the nearest rival to Britain's record with 80% of the world’s countries invaded by France with only 43 spared.[12]

This is a list of all territories that were part of the French colonial empires in the last 500 years, either entirely or in part, either under French sovereignty or as mandate or protectorate. When only a part of the country was under French rule, that part is listed in parentheses after the country. When there are no parentheses, it means the whole country was formerly part of any one of the French colonial empires. Countries listed are those where French sovereignty applied effectively. Areas that were only claimed, but not effectively controlled (such as Manhattan or Western Australia) are not listed.

N.B.

• "1st" means the country/territory was part of the first French colonial empire. (pre 1814/1815)
• "2nd" means the country/territory was part of the second French colonial empire. (post 1830)
• "Now" means this is a territory still part of the French Republic today.