Education
2006-06-25 02:05:21 · 16 answers · asked by gim 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
The UK is an abbreviation for "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" i.e. England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and other assorted territories with a degree of devolution, such as the Isle of Man.
The above implies that Great Britain includes England, Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland.
Wales is a principality. The heir to the throne is "The Prince of Wales". For centuries, Wales was little more than an administrative district of England but there has been a certain amount of devolution in recent years and Wales now has its own assembly. Scotland was treated rather differently. Due to the Act of Union, Scotland has remained a "country" (but not a "nation"). It retained a distinctive legal system and education system, among other things. In recent years, it has voted for a greater degree of devolution and it now has its own parliament. Nevertheless, power in the UK remains very centralised, compared to other nations.
England is the largest country in the UK. Since the UK is governed from London, the English have been slow to demand devolution and a separate identity. English people often use "English" and "British" interchangeably and this irritates others in the UK, especially the Scots.
2006-06-25 02:16:13 · answer #1 · answered by thepawnbrokerroared 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The full name of the UK is : "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". Great Britain refers to the one land mass that is made up of England, Scotland and Wales which are principalities of the country as a whole.
So in summary: Great Britain = England, Scotland and Wales
The UK = England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Irelannd
British Isles = England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland
2006-06-25 09:18:28 · answer #2 · answered by Charlotte B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Britain consists of England, Wales and Scotland with London as the capital. There is a certain amount of independence between them in law and sports. The UK includes Northern Ireland. The British passport states on the cover: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as the country's full title. Great Britain is the same as Britain (the Great comes from when Brittany (in France) was under English control where England was "Greater Brittany".
Hope that helps!
2006-06-25 02:22:44 · answer #3 · answered by simon j 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
England, Scotland and Wales are three countries that inhabit the isle off the NW coast of France.
The 3 countries were seperate until 1100's when the English conquered Wales, then a few hundred years later conquered Scotland over the ensueing years the 3 nations became one under a new king and eventually the country of Great Britain was formed. United Kingdom was the first name for what became Great Britain after all the countries exploits.
2006-06-25 02:10:50 · answer #4 · answered by ogenglishman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
England is the largest state within Britain - Scotland and Wales are the two smaller states in Britain.
The United Kingdom is Britain plus Northern Ireland. Only the United Kingdom is an independent country, the others are states within it with their own devolved governments, except England which doesn't need it as it is the dominant state with 5/6ths of the population.
2006-06-25 07:12:21 · answer #5 · answered by Rotifer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
England is a country in it's own right.
Scotland and wales are recognised as countries in their own right.
Southern Ireland is a country in it's own right totaly seperate and nothing to do with Britain.
Britain is a shortening of Great Britain which contrarty to some of your answers consists of England, Scotland and Wales only. Ireland has no part of it. British politicians and the press therefore tend to say Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The united Kingdom includes all four countries.
2006-06-25 04:03:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I'm correct, England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland are all considered the United Kingdom, or Britain. Kind of like several states make up the US, or America.
2006-06-25 02:14:14 · answer #7 · answered by Dale P 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The United Kingdom and Britain are the same, it's one country comprised of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. England is the largest part of Britain while Wales is another part west of England.
2006-06-25 02:09:10 · answer #8 · answered by jleslie4585 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The United Kingdom is a political union made up of four contituent areas England, Scotland and Wales, together with Northern Ireland.
2006-06-25 02:21:17 · answer #9 · answered by lonely as a cloud 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
England is a part of Britain. Wales is also a part of Britain.
Britain is sometimes called Great Britain - it contains England, Scotland and Wales.
The United Kingdom is made up of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The country Ireland (aka the Republic of Ireland) has nothing to do with it, it is not a part of the UK, it is an independent country.
2006-06-25 02:16:59 · answer #10 · answered by Trish D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋