Great Britain is the largest island in the British Isles. It contains most of England, Scotland and Wales, but it does not include Northern Ireland.
The term is often confused with the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is the sovereign state officially called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is the island, and also appears in the state's full name because the UK includes the island plus Northern Ireland.
Name and Usage
In everyday speech, "Britain" and "Great Britain" are sometimes used loosely for the UK. In precise writing, they should be kept separate:
- Great Britain: the island containing England, Scotland and Wales.
- United Kingdom: the state made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- British Isles: the island group that includes Great Britain, Ireland and many smaller islands.
The distinction matters in law, politics, statistics, sport and geography. For example, a UK-wide policy includes Northern Ireland unless it says otherwise, while a Great Britain-only rule does not.
Geography
Great Britain lies off the north-west coast of mainland Europe. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, the Irish Sea and surrounding smaller seas and channels.
The island contains lowland areas, uplands, river valleys, major cities, coastlines and mountain regions. The Scottish Highlands, the Pennines, Snowdonia, the Lake District and the Cambrian Mountains are among its best-known physical regions.
Countries on the Island
The island contains three countries of the United Kingdom:
- England, the largest by population.
- Scotland, covering the northern part of the island and many surrounding islands.
- Wales, on the western side of the island.
Some islands are closely associated with these countries but are not part of the main island itself. The Isle of Wight, Anglesey, the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland are examples of nearby islands with their own geography and local identities.
Government Context
Great Britain is not itself a sovereign state and does not have a single Great Britain-only government. England, Scotland and Wales are part of the UK Parliament system. Scotland and Wales also have devolved institutions with powers set by UK legislation.
Because Northern Ireland has distinct legal and political arrangements, UK laws and statistics often specify whether they apply to England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, or the whole United Kingdom.
See Also
References
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