Can someone tell me the difference between Great Britain and the United Kingdom?

Question

I realize this sounds stupid but I need the answers to settle a bet. I won't say what I think as I want unbiased answers.

Answer 1

The United Kingdom (of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) is made up of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is a political union within the UK made up of England, Scotland, and Wales.
No, it doesn't sound stupid, but I think most adults don't know the difference either. It's all very confusing, and if it wasn't for Wikipedia, I wouldn't know the difference.

Answer 2

Great Britain comprises England (including Wales) and Scotland. The Union was formed in 1707. In 1801, Ireland was taken into the Union to form the United Kingdom. In 1922, 26 counties of Ireland left the United Kingdom to become the Irish Free State, now the Irish Republic, but leaving Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom. So the difference between the UK and GB is that the UK comprises both GB and Northern Ireland. Look at your passport which says United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Also see these links for further details:

Answer 3

Most people get this wrong as you can see by some of the answers here (including most British people).
Great Britain is a geographical term and refers to the largest island of the British Isles, a small group of islands off the north west coast of Europe.
The United Kingdom is a political term and refers to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
This state comprises England , Scotland and Wales which are the countries that share the island of Great Britain plus Northern Ireland which is a small part of the second largest island of the British Isles called Ireland.
The main part of Ireland is called the Republic of Ireland and achieved independence from the United Kingdom in the 20th century.

Answer 4

Great Britain is England, Wales and Scotland- the larger of the two islands.

The United Kingdom is England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - everything except the Republic of Ireland, which use to be part of the UK.

Answer 5

An excellent question, and it deserves a correct answer.

The "United Kingdom" defines a political entity, under a single government. The "United Kingdom" consists of: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The "United Kingdom" does not include two nearby "Crown Dependencies" - the Channel Isles and the Isle of Man (where I live). These political entities have their own, separate governments and laws.

The term "Great Britain" is the geographical name for the mainland states of England, Wales and Scotland.

The term "British Isles" is a geographical name for the archipelago of islands including Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Orkney, the Hebrides, Shetland Isles, Channel Islands and others.

So, when people write to me on the Isle of Man, the bottom line of the envelope address should read "British Isles", not "United Kingdom" or "Great Britain".

Answer 6

I believe that Great Britain is actually the country England, while the United Kingdom is that whole group of islands.

Answer 7

Great Britain refers to England herself. The United Kingdom, includes: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Baltic Islands just NNE of Scotland.

Answer 8

The uk is a group of countries ( england, wales, northern ireland, scotland). great britain just refers to england. no, its not really a stupid question. there are loads of people who don't know the answer!

Answer 9

I always thought Great Britian refered to england/ireland and scotland..

the unite kingdom referred to the rest of the empire..the rest of the territories

Answer 10

GB is one of the countries that make up the UK