England, United Kingdom, Great Britain... Why does the country have so many names?

Answer 1

The various terms used to describe the different (and sometimes overlapping) geographical and political areas of the islands traditionally referred to collectively as the British Isles are often a source of confusion. The purpose of this article is to explain the meanings of and inter-relationships among those terms.

In brief, the main terms and their simple explanations are:

Geographical terms
British Isles consist of Great Britain, Ireland and many smaller surrounding islands. There are some problems associated with the use of this term and its definition.
Great Britain is the largest island of the archipelago (sometimes informally referred to as Britain)
Ireland is the second largest island of the archipelago.
Political terms
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state occupying the island of Great Britain, the small nearby islands (but not the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands), and the North-Eastern part of the island of Ireland. Often shortened to 'United Kingdom', 'UK' or Britain.
Ireland / Republic of Ireland is a sovereign state occupying most of the island of Ireland.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are the constituent countries of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Great Britain consists of England, Wales and Scotland
England and Wales share the same legal system.
British Islands consists of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
These various terms can be confusing not only in themselves (partly owing to the similarity between some of the actual words used), but also because they are often used loosely or inaccurately.

Answer 2

England was the country...but then after taking over wales, Scotland, and northern Ireland, I believe that the whole thing became Great Britain, but the original area where England used to be is still the only part called England. Think of it kind of like a state or province.

And then, the United Kingdom...well, I believe that it refers to the kingdom...the monarchy...which technically includes the dominions like Canada and Australia, which although they are politically free, are still under the British crown.

The main idea is that the United Kingdom and Great Britain include everything that England controls, while England just includes the original land on the southern half of the island.

Answer 3

England is a country by itself, United Kingdom is made up of England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland and some of the British Virgin Islands. Great Britain is another name for the United Kingdom.

Answer 4

England is part of the UK/Great Britain... The United Kingdom is the official name, while Britannia was the name used to the British Isles for longer than England has existed. People often use England and UK/Great Britain interchangably which is really not correct.

Answer 5

Actually Great Britain is Wales, Scotland and England. It does not include Northern Ireland because Northern Ireland is not part of the same landmass. That is why the United Kingdom's longer name is "The United Kingdom of Great Britain AND Northern Ireland".
But its best to just think of it as the UK.

Answer 6

England is a shire of the United Kingdom. Great Britain is another name referring back to the Romans calling their island Britannia.

Answer 7

Great Britain is made up of the United Kingdom of europe (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) and the Republic of Ireland.

The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland (as well as Canada, Australia, Faulkland Islands, etc... depending on who you ask). It refers to any country still considered to be a Commonwealth or under English control.

England is its own little contry, whereas GB and UK are just groupings of other countries as well as England.

Answer 8

england is made up of four countries england ,wales,scotland and ireland know as the united kingdom ... great britain is the old name for this when we had others countries that are monachary ruled over

Answer 9

Great Britan is England Wales Scotland Northern Ireland and the channel islands.

Answer 10

Why does America, Untied States and North America have so many names?