What is the UK?
This chapter explores the nations that form the United Kingdom, clarifies commonly used geographical and political terms, and includes a map to show the locations of each country within the UK. It also explains what Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories are and how they relate to the UK.
The United Kingdom consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The rest of the island of Ireland is an independent nation and not part of the UK.
The full official name of the UK is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The term Great Britain refers specifically to the island made up of England, Scotland, and Wales, and does not include Northern Ireland. However, terms like Britain, British Isles, or British are often used more broadly to refer to people and places across the entire UK.
Apart from the mainland, there are nearby islands closely associated with the UK but not officially part of it, such as the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. These are known as Crown Dependencies and have their own local governments. In addition, the UK maintains ties with British Overseas Territories around the world, such as the Falkland Islands and St Helena. These territories are under British sovereignty but operate independently in many respects.
The UK is governed centrally by the UK Parliament in Westminster, but Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have their own devolved administrations with powers in areas like health, education, and transport.
Key Takeaway:
Make sure you’re familiar with the individual nations that make up the United Kingdom and understand the difference between the UK, Great Britain, Crown Dependencies, and British Overseas Territories.