Chapter 2 · 1 sections
What is the UK?
The four nations, the difference between 'Great Britain' and 'the UK', and the islands and territories linked to the UK but not part of it.
The four nations and linked territories
The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The rest of Ireland is a separate, independent country. The official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and 'Great Britain' means only England, Scotland and Wales — it does not include Northern Ireland.
Some places are closely linked to the UK without being part of it. The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are Crown dependencies with their own governments. British overseas territories such as St Helena and the Falkland Islands are also linked but are not part of the UK. The UK is governed by Parliament at Westminster, while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also have their own parliament or assemblies with devolved powers.
Key facts
- UK = England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
- Great Britain = England, Scotland, Wales only
- Crown dependencies (own governments, not in the UK): Channel Islands, Isle of Man
- Overseas territories (linked, not in the UK): e.g. St Helena, Falkland Islands
- The UK Parliament sits at Westminster; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have devolved bodies