Expert: Mark Smith - 5/6/2004

Question
can you please tell me more about how great (powerful) was the british empire?

Answer
Hello Jawad. At it's height the British Empire was the largest and most powerful the world has ever seen. It covered nearly a quarter of the Earth's surface and a quarter of the world's population were subjects of the British crown. It's strength lay not in military power, but in trade. The British merchant fleet was so large it could carry all the produce of the Empire around the world and backed up by the power of the Royal Navy British merchants were able to travel far and wide. If trouble broke out the navy could carry troops to any part of the globe to sort it out. British influence throughout the Empire is evident today in the political structures, legal systems, sports and above all the widespread use of the English language.
Mark