In the early 20th century, the British Empire reached its peak, but its roots trace back to the late 1400s. King Henry VI of England initiated Atlantic voyages, attempting to establish colonies in North America under Queen Elizabeth I. In the 17th century, King James I propelled the empire forward, founding Jamestown and expanding across the Americas and the Caribbean. Wars with France and the Netherlands solidified Britain's colonial dominance. Despite the loss of North American colonies in the American War of Independence, the empire flourished in Asia, the Pacific, and Africa until World War II. Economic strain and anti-colonial sentiments led to its dismantling, with Hong Kong's handover in 1997 marking its symbolic end. Despite its decline, British influence endures, with former colonies adopting the parliamentary system and contributing to global culture, sports, and language, notably English, spoken by approximately 400 million people worldwide.