Countries never Invaded by Britain

Despite Britain’s vast empire and military reach, there are 22 countries that were never invaded by Britain. These nations include Sweden, Vatican City, Andorra, and Bolivia. Many of these countries avoided invasion due to their geographical isolation, neutrality, or being under the influence of other powerful empires. This small group of countries managed to stay outside the global conflicts initiated by Britain during its colonial era.

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Countries Never Invaded by Britain

At the height of the British Empire, the United Kingdom ruled over nearly a quarter of the world's landmass, making it the largest empire in history. Throughout its colonial expansion, Britain invaded or attacked the majority of countries globally. However, there are a few notable exceptions—countries that were never invaded or attacked by Britain. Below is a detailed exploration of these countries, based on historical data and geopolitical factors.

Overview of Britain's Global Reach

During its peak, the British Empire had an unmatched global influence, controlling territories in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Britain had invaded or engaged in military conflicts with almost every country. According to a study by historian Stuart Laycock, only 22 countries have never been invaded by Britain, a striking testament to the empire's global reach.

Countries Never Invaded by Britain

Despite Britain’s extensive imperial footprint, the following countries were never invaded:

1. Andorra

A small principality located in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, Andorra managed to avoid British invasion throughout history. Its mountainous terrain and lack of strategic value may have contributed to its exemption from Britain's imperial campaigns.

2. Belarus

Belarus, located in Eastern Europe, escaped British military action. Historically, this region was more closely tied to Russian and Polish influence, limiting Britain's involvement.

3. Bolivia

While neighboring South American countries experienced British military intervention or influence, Bolivia remained untouched. Its landlocked status and lack of significant British economic interests may have contributed to this.

4. Burundi

Burundi, a small country in East Africa, was never the focus of British colonial ambitions. This was primarily due to its geographic position and the influence of other European colonial powers, particularly Germany and Belgium.

5. Central African Republic

Located in the heart of Africa, the Central African Republic remained outside of British territorial expansion. France colonized this area, reducing the possibility of British involvement.

6. Chad

Chad, another country under French influence, was never directly invaded by Britain. Its remote location in central Africa contributed to this.

7. Republic of Congo

The Republic of Congo, distinct from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, was also not invaded by Britain. The French colonized this area, reducing the need for British involvement.

8. Guatemala

Despite British influence in Central America, particularly in Belize (formerly British Honduras), Guatemala was never formally invaded. Diplomatic disputes existed between Guatemala and Britain over Belize, but these did not result in military conflict.

9. Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire)

Côte d'Ivoire, like many West African nations, was colonized by France. British interests in this region were limited, as French control was dominant.

10. Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan, a landlocked country in Central Asia, avoided British invasion. This region was traditionally part of the Russian and later Soviet sphere of influence, preventing British involvement.

11. Liechtenstein

A small, landlocked principality in Europe, Liechtenstein was never invaded by Britain. Its neutral stance and lack of strategic significance helped it remain untouched by British forces.

12. Luxembourg

Though located in Western Europe and surrounded by major powers, Luxembourg escaped direct British invasion. Its neutrality and the dominance of neighboring countries like France and Germany in the region contributed to this.

13. Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands, a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, were never invaded by Britain. The region was largely influenced by Spain, Germany, and later the United States.

14. Monaco

Monaco, a small city-state on the Mediterranean coast, avoided British military action. Its tiny size and strategic neutrality made it an unlikely target for British intervention.

15. Mongolia

Mongolia, located in East Asia, remained outside of Britain's imperial ambitions. Historically, the region was influenced by China and later Russia, with minimal British interest or involvement.

16. Paraguay

Paraguay, a landlocked country in South America, was never invaded by Britain. Its lack of coastal access and the dominance of neighboring powers like Brazil and Argentina limited British influence in the region.

17. São Tomé and Príncipe

This small island nation off the west coast of Africa was under Portuguese control and was not invaded by Britain. The islands' small size and lack of strategic value to the British Empire contributed to this.

18. Sweden

Sweden maintained a policy of neutrality through much of its history, which helped it avoid conflict with Britain. Despite British involvement in nearby Denmark and Norway, Sweden remained untouched.

19. Tajikistan

Tajikistan, another Central Asian nation, avoided British invasion. Like Kyrgyzstan, it was part of the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union, limiting British interference in the region.

20. Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, also in Central Asia, escaped British invasion. The region's strong Russian influence during the 19th and 20th centuries kept Britain at a distance.

21. Vatican City

Vatican City, the smallest country in the world and the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church, was never invaded by Britain. Its unique religious status and the diplomatic relationships it maintains protected it from British military actions.

22. Vanuatu

Vanuatu, an island nation in the Pacific, was not invaded by Britain despite the Empire's presence in neighboring areas. The islands were initially colonized by France and Britain jointly under the name New Hebrides, which may explain the lack of outright invasion.

Key Reasons for Non-Invasion

There are several reasons why these 22 countries were never invaded by Britain:

Geopolitical Importance: Many of these nations had limited strategic or economic importance to Britain, making them less likely to be targeted for invasion.

Colonial Competition: In several cases, other European powers such as France, Spain, and Russia had already established control over these regions, reducing Britain’s influence.

Neutrality: Some countries, such as Sweden and Liechtenstein, maintained neutral stances in European conflicts, allowing them to avoid British military involvement.

Geographical Isolation: Countries like Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan were geographically remote, making them less accessible to British forces during the height of the Empire.

List of Countries Never Invaded by Britain

Country	Region	Reason for No Invasion	Colonial Influence/Power	Notes
Andorra	Europe	Geographical isolation in the Pyrenees	None	Small, neutral, and landlocked between France and Spain
Belarus	Europe	Lack of strategic interest	Russian Empire	Part of the Russian Empire during British expansion
Bolivia	South America	Landlocked, minimal British interests	Spanish Empire	Focused on neighboring territories with ports
Burundi	Africa	French and German colonial interests	Germany, Belgium	Was part of German East Africa, then Belgian colony
Central African Republic	Africa	French colonial control	France	Part of French Equatorial Africa
Chad	Africa	French colonial control	France	Part of French Equatorial Africa
Republic of Congo	Africa	French colonial control	France	French colonial possession in West Africa
Guatemala	Central America	Disputes with Britain over Belize but no military action	Spanish Empire	Conflict over British Honduras (Belize)
Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire)	Africa	French colonial control	France	Part of French West Africa
Kyrgyzstan	Asia	Russian Empire/Soviet influence	Russia, Soviet Union	Part of the Russian Empire during British expansion
Liechtenstein	Europe	Neutral, geographically small	None	Neutral and landlocked in central Europe
Luxembourg	Europe	Neutral and influenced by neighboring powers	Germany, France	Occupied by Germany during both World Wars
Marshall Islands	Oceania	Remote and under other colonial influence	Spain, Germany, U.S.	Later under U.S. control after World War II
Monaco	Europe	Neutral and small in size	France	Protected by France
Mongolia	Asia	Russian/Chinese influence	Russia, China	Not a strategic interest to Britain
Paraguay	South America	Landlocked, minimal British interests	Spanish Empire	Focused on neighboring countries with ports
São Tomé and Príncipe	Africa	Portuguese control	Portugal	Portuguese colony during British expansion
Sweden	Europe	Maintained neutrality	None	Neutral in major European conflicts
Tajikistan	Asia	Russian/Soviet influence	Russia, Soviet Union	Part of the Russian Empire during British expansion
Uzbekistan	Asia	Russian/Soviet influence	Russia, Soviet Union	Part of the Russian Empire during British expansion
Vatican City	Europe	Unique religious status	None	Headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church
Vanuatu	Oceania	Joint Anglo-French control	Britain, France	Formerly known as New Hebrides