Bridge on the border between Brazil and French Guiana, that is, with France.
In all, 61 countries are not willing to let out the cry of “independence!” stuck in the throat. Sixteen of them fall under the jurisdiction of France, 15 of Great Britain, 14 of the United States, six under the jurisdiction of Australia, three of New Zealand, three of Norway, two of Denmark and two of the Netherlands. For these metropolises, the current colonies do not represent great gains – but they do not get in the way either. You may be wondering why there are so many nations that prefer to remain dependent. The thing is, independence wouldn’t bring any advantage to the colonies. “In general, they are small countries, with small populations and fragile economies. If they became independent, these countries would hardly play any role on the international stage,” says political scientist Shiguenoli Miyamoto, from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp). Continuing as colonies, these nations do not have to worry about security and border defense – all of this is guaranteed by the “mother nation”. In addition, the citizens of these territories have the same economic and social rights as the inhabitants of the metropolises. One of the advantages is being able to enter the colonizing country – usually a first world power – without facing restrictions on migration, for example. “This would be very difficult if these countries were independent”, says Shiguenoli.
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Independence is death! Discover four territories that prefer to remain connected to some metropolis
GREENLAND
Metropolis – Denmark
Date it became a colony – 1721
Number of inhabitants – 60 thousand
The world’s largest island has a weak economy based on fishing, tourism and mining. Although Greenland has some administrative autonomy, the Danish government controls international relations and the island’s defense.
Fun fact – Separatist movements have been growing, but have little chance of success until the economy improves
FRENCH GUIANA
Metropolis – France
Date it became a colony – 1667
Number of inhabitants – 120 thousand
The economy is sustained with the help of France, which buys most of the exports of wood and fish. Officially, Guyana is a kind of French state, with the right to elect senators and deputies in the parliament of the metropolis.
Fun fact – In the 19th century, Guyana was used as a French penal colony. Sparsely populated, the country has 80% of its territory covered by forests
GIBRALTAR
Metropolis – United Kingdom
Date it became a colony – 1830
Number of inhabitants – 30 thousand
This British colony, measuring just 6 km2, is a militarily strategic location: it is located on the Strait of Gibraltar, the only link between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, the United Kingdom maintains air and naval bases there.
Curiosity – As the territory has no river, fountain or spring, water supply is a drama. The economy survives on tourism and the transit of military personnel.
FALKLAND ISLANDS
Metropolis – United Kingdom
Date it became a colony – 1667
Number of inhabitants – 2 thousand
Formed by two main islands and about 200 islets, the colony has a single city – the capital Port Stanley. Today, the Falklands are administered by a British-appointed governor, who also looks after other British territories in the region.
Curiosity – The archipelago is inhabited by descendants of the English, who mostly raise sheep, fish, harvest seaweed and seafood