Comments or questions? Post on our Slow Europe Facebook Page.
England, Britain, the United Kingdom - What's What?
England, Britain, the United Kingdom - what do you call that cluster of islands to the left of northern Europe?
- The British Isles is a group of islands consisting of the islands of Ireland and Great Britain and their outlying islands. The countries of Ireland and the United Kingdom are in the British Isles.
- The United Kingdom (UK), full name "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland", is one sovereign country made up of four constituent countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Great Britain (GB), also called Britain, is not a country but is an island in the United Kingdom. It contains England, Wales, Scotland.
- The island of Ireland contains the country of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. The country of Ireland is not part of the United Kingdom.
Wikipedia - British Isles (Terminology): This article explains this all in more depth.
Wikipedia - Counties of England: A good map showing the geographic counties of England, called "Ceremonial Counties". Read more about the history of English counties (they were rearranged in 1974 and in the 1990s).
