GeoChallenge

British Isles

British Isles

The British Isles comprise two main islands, the Island of Great Britain and the Island of Ireland.

On the Island of Great Britain, there are three semi-independent countries: England, Scotland, and Wales. All three of these countries belong to the United Kingdom.

On the Island of Ireland, there are two countries: the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland is fully independent. Northern Ireland, however, is only semi-independent, as it too belongs to the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom is a union of four semi-independent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. England, Scotland, and Wales are located on the Island of Great Britain, while Northern Ireland is located on the Island of Ireland.

The term Britain can be used to refer to the island of Great Britain, or England, or the United Kingdom as a whole.

British Isles

The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of Europe.

The two main islands are:

  1. Island of Ireland (the smaller island, on the western side).
  2. Island of Great Britain (the largest island, on the eastern side).

Great Britain

Great Britain is the name of an island, not a country. It is the eastern-most of the two main islands which comprise the British Isles.

Island of Ireland

The Island of Ireland (often simply called Ireland) is the name of an island. It is the western-most of the two main islands that comprise the British Isles.

The "Republic of Ireland" is an independent country that occupies the southern part of the Island of Ireland.

England

England is one of the four "countries" that comprise the United Kingdom. It occupies the southeastern part of the Island of Great Britain.

Scotland

Scotland is one of the four "countries" that comprise the United Kingdom. It occupies the northern part of the Island of Great Britain.

Wales

Wales is one of the four "countries" that comprise the United Kingdom. It occupies the southwestern part of the Island of Great Britain.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of the four "countries" that comprise the United Kingdom. It occupies the northern part of the Island of Ireland.

Republic of Ireland

The word "Ireland" can refer to either the entire island (Island of Ireland), or to the country that occupies the southern part of this island (Republic of Ireland).

In this image, the arrow is pointing to the Republic of Ireland.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a union of four different "countries": England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Britain

Technically, Britain refers to the Island of Great Britain, but people sometimes use this term rather loosely. Depending on the context, it could also mean the country of England or the United Kingdom.

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