Is the terminology describing parts of the British Isles really so hard to understand?

Question

It might seem pedantic, but it gets really annoying seeing Americans constantly using the wrong terms when talking about the UK, England, Great Britain, Ireland, etc. I'm not trying to be insulting, I'm just hoping to educate some of you so you don't make a fool of yourself in the future. If you don't want to be lectured I suggest you read no further.

1. The British Isles - This is a purely geographical that term refers to the archipelago of Islands of the coast of Northern Europe. It is politically separated into three separate countries - The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and the Isle of Man.

2. The UK - short for 'The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'. The UK comprises of 4 'countries within a country', these are; England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. (Note, not all of the island of Ireland is part of the UK, only the northern part).

3. Great Britain - This refers to the largest island of the British Isles, it comprises of England, Scotland and Wales. All of Great Britain makes up part of the UK.

4. England - England is not the same thing as the UK or Great Britain. England is just one of the 4 'countries within a country' in the UK. It is located in the southern part of the Island of Great Britain.

5. Ireland - The second largest of the British Isles. It is split into the Republic of Ireland (a totally independent country, not part of the UK), and Northern Ireland, one of the four 'countries within a country' that make up the UK.

This post is not 'american bashing'. Not once have i insulted any americans. I have simply offered information to anyone who would like to read it. I'm aware that not all americans are ignoratn of the above facts. I'm also aware that many americans have never left their own state. I just thought maybe some of those less informed americans would like to learn some of these facts so they are better informed next time they write about the British Isles on the web.

Pete M: Yes I'm aware that Wales is a principality and N. Ireland is a province. I was simplifying it for the Americans (who still found my description too complicated).

The full title is certainly NOT 'The United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern ireland, The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man'. The Channel islands and Isle of Man are UK dependencies, not constituent parts of the UK. If you were to inlcude these in the title you also have to include the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Montserrat, Tristan da Cunha, Gibraltar and so on.

Answer 1

Now that you've answered that question? who are Americans? lol

Answer 2

I'm afraid that you are not entirely correct. Firstly Scotland and England are 'Constituent Countries' of (Great) Britain, while Wales is a Principality (hence the Prince of Wales) and Northern Ireland (or Ulster) is a Province. In it's fullest description, the United Kingdom is "The United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man"

You are however 100% correct in saying that the geographical "British Isles" does include the whole of the 'island' of Ireland, north and south. This is a purely geographical description and has nothing to do with political/national boundaries. It's a bit like Australia and New Zealand being jointly referred to as 'The Antipodes'.

I hope this makes things clear to one and all.

Answer 3

The British Isles does refer to the republic of Ireland. They may not be British, but the island they live on is part of the British isles.

How can Northen Ireland be part but not the Republic?

The British Isles is all the islands around Britain, includng Ireland.

Answer 4

Huh, thanks for the lecture- too bad you arent entirely correct. I work with a number of Gentlemen from Dublin, Republic of Ireland on a daily basis. They very, very strongly inform me that the Island that they, and Northern Ireland reside on is NOT a part of the British Isles, despite your claim to the contrary.
Given that- is it really that difficult for you to understand why people from other places might get a bit confused? Are you, for example, able to give a similar lecture on how the archipelago of Indonesia works for the "uninformed" masses?

Answer 5

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Answer 6

I reckon it is. I'm fed up of it as well, like most Scottish and Welsh people. You've got to remember that most people are total f*ckwits, and trying to get them to remember facts about their own country let alone another is a lost cause. Just feel superior when you hear them refer to Britain or the UK as England.

Answer 7

Probably because it is confusing. I am British and I live in the UK, and I never know whether or not I should say I am from Britain, or UK or England. I can see why people find it confusing, and don't understand why you can't...

Answer 8

American Bashing - I love it.

But don't bee too hard on them 90% of Americans haven't left their home state let alone the USA and being uneducated is almost admired in the US.

Try to be gentle on the many are Ignorant of the facts and believe the rubbish they are told about being in charge of the word!!

Answer 9

The terminology is not hard for us "Brits" to understand but the Yanks - as some of them have never travelled outside of their own state I would think they would struggle.
Good explaination but you missed out the Channel Islands lol.

Answer 10

P!ssed off much? Yeah that annoys me too, so I know how you feel :P

And the British Isles does not refer to the Republic of Ireland.

Answer 11

Its a shame we cant put 3 colour pictures up to explain it