This map shows the German Colonial Empire in 1914, just before World War I. The dark areas highlight Germany’s overseas territories at the time.

• In Africa, Germany entered the so-called “Scramble for Africa” in late 19th century and established control over the following areas:
  • Togoland (modern-day Togo and part of Ghana)
  • Kamerun (modern-day Cameroon and parts of neighboring countries)
  • German South West Africa (modern-day Namibia)
  • German East Africa (modern-day Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi)
• In Asia, Germany controlled Tsingtao (Qingdao) in China.
• In the Pacific, German territories included:
  • German New Guinea (northeastern New Guinea and nearby islands)
  • German Samoa (now independent Samoa)
• Germany itself is shown in dark gray in Europe.

These colonies were mostly lost to Allied powers during and after World War I under the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.