OurWorldTalks: a blog on the interesting things around our world.

'When people say England, they sometimes mean Great Britain,
sometimes the United Kingdom,
sometimes the British Isles - but never England.'
'How to be an Alien' by George Mikes

The United Kingdom (UK) is often incorrectly referred to as England, Britain, or Great Britain. In fact, the UK is the union of four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The United Kingdom is a country that consists of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland, which was established in 1920, is independent from the Republic of Ireland). In fact, the official name of the country is "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."

Great Britain is the name of the island northwest of France and east of Ireland that consists of three somewhat autonomous regions: England, Wales and Scotland.

Therefore, England is part of Great Britain, which is part of the United Kingdom. The U.K. includes England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

See the link below for a map showing parts of Great Britain: England, Scotland, Wales.
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/britain.html

Did you know that before reading this article?

Sources:
http://geography.about.com/library/faq/blqzuk.htm
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/britain.html
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-great-britan-the-...