former colony; ex-colony
Refers to a territory that was once a colony but is no longer under colonial rule. Used in historical, political, and geographical contexts.
Many former colonies achieved independence.
It is important to study the history of former colonies.
植民地 means 'colony' (still under colonial rule), while 旧植民地 specifically refers to a 'former colony' that is no longer a colony.
Compound of 旧 (former) + 植民地 (colony). The word follows a common pattern of prefixing 旧 to indicate a former status.