The countries of England, Ireland, North Ireland, Scotland and Wales together
are often referred to colloquially as Britain, UK, United Kingdom and the
British Isles. Following are the definitive terms:
- Great Britain
- defined as the political entity
which makes up England, Scotland and Wales, including their offshore islands. It
does not include the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands or Northern Ireland.
- United Kingdom (UK)
- refers to the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is a political union rather than a
geographical term.
- British Isles
- is a name without official status
and is geographical rather than political. It comprises all the main and
offshore islands of Great Britain and Ireland, as well as the Isle of Man and
the Channel Islands.
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