The various terms used to describe the different (and sometimes overlapping) geographical and political areas of the islands of Great Britain, Ireland and surrounding islands are often a source of confusion, partly owing to the similarity between some of the actual words used, but also because they are often used loosely. An island (ˈaɪlənd or isle (/ˈaɪl/ is any piece of land that is completely surrounded by water in two dimensions above high tide and isolated from other significant The purpose of this article is to explain the meanings of and inter-relationships among those terms.
In brief, the main terms and their simple explanations are as follows.
- Geographical terms
- The British Isles is an archipelago consisting of the islands of Great Britain, Ireland and many smaller surrounding islands. The British Isles (Irish variously Na hOileáin Bhriotanacha, Oileáin Iarthair Eorpa, Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór; Ellanyn Goaldagh Eileanan An archipelago (ɑrkəˈpɛləgoʊ is a chain or cluster of Islands The word archipelago literally means "chief Sea " from Italian See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world
- Great Britain, sometimes simply Britain, is the largest island of the archipelago[1][2][3] and lies directly north of France. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. (The term Britain is more commonly used as a political term: an alternative name for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. [4])
- Ireland is the second largest island of the archipelago and lies directly to the west of Great Britain. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world
- The full list of islands in the British Isles includes some 6,000 islands, of which 51 have an area larger than 20 km². This page is a list of the larger islands that comprise the British Isles, listing area and population data
- Political terms
- The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the sovereign state occupying the island of Great Britain, the small nearby islands (but not the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands), and the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Sovereignty is the exclusive Right to control a Government, a country, a people or oneself Usually, it is shortened to United Kingdom, UK or Britain. [5]
- Ireland is the sovereign state occupying the larger portion of the island of Ireland. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. To disambiguate it from the island of Ireland, it is often called the "Republic of Ireland" or, when speaking in the context of Irish politics, simply the Republic, in order to distinguish it from "Northern Ireland", despite the fact that the country's constitution names the country simply Ireland. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Occasionally an approximation to its gaelic name Éire will be used in an English language context to distinguish it from "Northern Ireland", even though the word "Éire" directly translates as "Ireland". Éire (ˈeːrʲə) is the Irish name for the island of Ireland and of the state of the same name.
- England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are the constituent countries of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Constituent country is a phrase used often by official institutions in contexts in which a country makes up a part of a larger entity or grouping
- England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are legal jurisdictions within the United Kingdom. History The Roman occupation of Britain was the first period in which the area of present-day England and Wales was administered as a single unit (with the exception
- Great Britain means the countries of England, Wales and Scotland considered as a unit. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands [6][7] The term Great Britain is often used (incorrectly) as synonymous with the UK. However, the UK and Great Britain are not equivalent since the UK is a state formed from the union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
- Britain is widely used as a political synonym for the United Kingdom.
- British Islands consists of the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The term British Islands is used in the law of the United Kingdom to refer collectively to the following four states the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern The Channel Islands ( Norman: Îles d'la Manche, French: Îles Anglo-Normandes or Îles de la Manche) are a group of Islands The Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin ˈɛlʲən ˈvanɪn or Mann (Mannin) is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical These are the states within the British Isles that have the British monarch as head of state. TalkCommonewalth realm.--> The monarchy
- GB is the ISO 3166 code for the United Kingdom. ISO 3166 is a three-part Geographic coding standard for coding the names of countries and Dependent areas and the principal subdivisions
- Linguistic terms
- The United Kingdom and the (Republic of) Ireland are sometimes referred to as nations and countries in formal documents while England, Wales, Scotland and (to a lesser extent) Northern Ireland are also referred to as nations and countries. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of In everyday language the terms nation and country are used almost interchangeably.
- British is the correct adjective pertaining to the United Kingdom; for example, a citizen of the UK is both officially and colloquially described as a British citizen. British nationality law is the law of the United Kingdom concerning Citizenship and other categories of British Nationality.
- Wales is also known as the Principality; Northern Ireland can also be referred to, by those of a unionist persuasion, as the Province, in relation to its locality within the Province of Ulster. The Principality of Wales (Tywysogaeth Cymru covered the lands ruled by the Prince of Wales directly and was formally founded in 1216 at the Council of Aberdyfi, Ulster ( Ulaidh ˈkwɪɟɪ ˈʌlˠu / ˈʌlˠi is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in addition to Connacht, Munster and Leinster
- Sport
- The constituent countries of the United Kingdom often compete separately in international competition as nations (and are often described as "the home nations"). "Home nation" (common noun redirects here home nation is also used to refer to the host country of Multi-sport events (eg For example in association football, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England play as nations and are officially referred to as nations. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland An additional complication is that in some sports, such as rugby union, players from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland play as one team, Ireland, in international competitions. Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe.
- Rugby players from both the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom play for British and Irish Lions representing the four "Home Unions" of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The British and Irish Lions (until 2001 known as the British Isles Rugby Union Team or "British Lions" Rugby union side comprises a pick of the best players from The Rugby Football Union (RFU is the Rugby union governing body in England The Irish Rugby Football Union ( IRFU) (Cumann Rugbaí na hÉireann is the body managing Rugby union in Ireland. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU ( Undeb Rygbi Cymru) is the governing body of Rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board
- Great Britain is often used to mean United Kingdom. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Usually this is simply sloppy language, but is sometimes used as a shortening of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (for example in the Olympic Games Athletes from Northern Ireland have the choice to either represent Team GB or Team Ireland [4]
- Team GB represents the United Kingdom at the Olympic Games. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Olympic Games is an international Multi-sport event established for both summer and winter games Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of The Olympic Games is an international Multi-sport event established for both summer and winter games
- In the majority of individual sports (e. g. tennis and athletics), at international level competitors are identified as GB if they are from Great Britain or Northern Ireland. Tennis is a sport played between two players ( singles) or between two teams of two players each ( doubles) A small number of sports (e. g. golf) identify participants as representing their constituent country. The Commonwealth Games is the only competition where all parts of the British Islands compete as separate nations. The Commonwealth Games is a multinational Multi-sport event. Held every four years it involves the elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations. It should be noted that the Republic of Ireland does not participate in The Commonwealth Games as it is not part of the Commonwealth of Nations.
- Team Ireland represents Ireland with athletes from both parts of the island taking part. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world
- As such, Northern Ireland is represented in both teams. [5]
Contents |
At a glance
Below is a visual reference guide to some of the main concepts and territories described in this article:
 The British Isles |  The United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland | ||
 The Isle of Man |  The British Islands |
Terminology in detail
- Britain is a political and geographic term which can mean either the island of Great Britain (so called to differentiate it from Brittany 'Little Britain') or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The British Isles (Irish variously Na hOileáin Bhriotanacha, Oileáin Iarthair Eorpa, Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór; Ellanyn Goaldagh Eileanan The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin ˈɛlʲən ˈvanɪn or Mann (Mannin) is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical The Channel Islands ( Norman: Îles d'la Manche, French: Îles Anglo-Normandes or Îles de la Manche) are a group of Islands The Bailiwick of Jersey ( Jèrriais: Jèrri) is a British Crown dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. The Bailiwick of Guernsey (Bailliage de Guernesey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy. Alderney ( French: Aurigny; Auregnais: Aoeur'gny) is the most northerly of the Channel Islands and a British Crown dependency Sark (Sercq Sercquiais: Sèr) is a small Island in the southwestern English Channel. Herm ( Guernésiais: Haerme) is the smallest of the Channel Islands that is open to the public The term British Islands is used in the law of the United Kingdom to refer collectively to the following four states the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern The name Britain is derived from the Latin name Britannia (earlier Brittannia) via Old French Bretaigne (whence also See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located [8]
- Great Britain is the largest island in Europe and the political union of three nations, these being:
- England and Wales Is a political and administrative term referring to the two home countries of England and Wales, which share the same legal system. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands This is a list of Islands in the world ordered by area. It includes all islands with an area greater than 2500 km² (970 square miles A political union is a type of state which is composed of or created out of smaller States Unlike a Personal union, the individual states share a common government History The Roman occupation of Britain was the first period in which the area of present-day England and Wales was administered as a single unit (with the exception "Home nation" (common noun redirects here home nation is also used to refer to the host country of Multi-sport events (eg Between 1746 and 1967 the term "England" did legally include Wales. The Wales and Berwick Act 1746 (20 Geo II c 42 was an act of the Parliament of Great Britain explicitly expressing that all future laws applying to England The Welsh Language Act 1967 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (citation 1967 c
- England (see also the historical Kingdom of England). England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The Kingdom of England was a State (927-1707 located in Western Europe dating from the ninth or tenth century to the early eighteenth century when it was legally
- Wales (see also the historical Principality of Wales). The Principality of Wales (Tywysogaeth Cymru covered the lands ruled by the Prince of Wales directly and was formally founded in 1216 at the Council of Aberdyfi,
- Scotland (see also the historical Kingdom of Scotland)
- The historical Kingdom of Great Britain is Britain for the period 1707-1801. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. The Kingdom of Scotland ( Gaelic: Rìoghachd na h-Alba, Scots: Kinrick o Scotland) was a State in northwest Europe The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800
- Britannia is the Roman province of Britain, or a poetic reference to later Britain, or a personification of Britain. Roman Britain refers to those parts of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire between AD 43 and 410 Britannia was the term originally used by the Romans to refer first to the British Isles, and later to the island of Great Britain.
- The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, usually shortened to the United Kingdom (abbreviation UK), is Great Britain plus Northern Ireland since 1927. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located (The Partition of Ireland took place in 1922, but the consequent change in the official title of the UK was only made by Act of Parliament five years later. ). The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is often shortened to Britain, even on official websites[9][10]
- The historical United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland is Great Britain plus Ireland, for the period 1801 to 1922, although the name change after the secession/independence of most of Ireland only took place in 1927. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom from 1 January 1801 until 12 April 1927
- N. B. : While "United Kingdom" is normally abbreviated UK, the official ISO 3166 two-letter country code is GB and the three letter code is GBR (Ukraine has the two letter code UA and the three letter code UKR). ISO 3166 is a three-part Geographic coding standard for coding the names of countries and Dependent areas and the principal subdivisions Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. Due to a pre-existing convention originating in the JANET academic computer network, the UK's Internet top-level domain is .uk, a break from the normal practice of following ISO 3166 (a .gb domain has also been used to a limited extent in the past but is now defunct). JANET is a private British government-funded Computer network dedicated to education and research A country GB is used on car number plates to indicate the United Kingdom.
- See also United Kingdom (disambiguation) for other united kingdoms and UK (disambiguation) for other meanings of the abbreviation.
- Ireland (in Irish, Éire) refers, geographically, to the island of Ireland, or to any of the following:
- Historically:
- The Kingdom of Ireland was Ireland for the period 1541-1801. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. The Kingdom of Ireland (Ríocht na hÉireann was the name given to the Irish state from 1541 by the Crown of Ireland Act 1542 of the Parliament of Ireland.
- The Irish Republic was a unilaterally declared 32-county republic encompassing the entire island, during the period 1919-22. The Irish Republic ( Irish: Poblacht na hÉireann or Saorstát Éireann) was a unilaterally declared independent state of Ireland proclaimed The Declaration of Independence (Forógra na Saoirse Déclaration d'Indépendance was a document adopted by Dáil Éireann, the revolutionary parliament of the self-proclaimed During this period, Ireland legally remained part of the UK and its independence was not recognised internationally except by Russia. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending
- Southern Ireland was a proposed Home Rule 26-county state under the Government of Ireland Act 1920. Southern Ireland (Deisceart Éireann was the short lived autonomous region (or Constituent country) of the United Kingdom established on 3 May Home rule refers to a demand that constituent parts of a state be given greater self-government within the greater administrative purview of the central government An Act to Provide for the Better Government of Ireland, more usually the Government of Ireland Act 1920, (and sometimes called the Fourth Home Rule Act) was an Act It never came into practical existence, being superseded by:
- The Irish Free State is Ireland excepting Northern Ireland during the period 1922-37. The Irish Free State (Saorstát Éireann (1922&ndash1937 was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by
- The terms Irish Republic, Southern Ireland, the Irish Free State and Éire (in English-language texts) are used synonymously with the Republic of Ireland, although their use can cause offense if used inappropriately, especially Southern Ireland and the Irish Free State.
- Present:
- Ireland (in Irish, Éire) is the political entity consisting of the island of Ireland excepting Northern Ireland, 1937-present. Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. Éire (ˈeːrʲə) is the Irish name for the island of Ireland and of the state of the same name. This is the name of the state according to the Irish Constitution. The Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann came into force on 29 December 1937 after having been passed by a national plebiscite the previous July
- The Republic of Ireland a legal "description" of Ireland excepting Northern Ireland, 1949-present. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. This form is used where tact or disambiguity demands. It is also the name used by the international Association Football team. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered
- Northern Ireland 1922-present. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of That part of the island of Ireland north of the line of partition of 1922, and which is still part of the United Kingdom. It is sometimes referred to as "the North of Ireland", "the six counties" or (in extremist usage) the "occupied six counties," especially by Irish Nationalists. Irish nationalism (Náisiúnachas Éireannach refers to political and sociological movements and sentiment that embodies a love for Irish ancestry, culture and language and
- Ulster The name of one of Ireland's four traditional provinces. Ulster ( Ulaidh ˈkwɪɟɪ ˈʌlˠu / ˈʌlˠi is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in addition to Connacht, Munster and Leinster Poetic description This dinnseanchas poem named Ard Ruide (Ruide Headland poetically describes the kingdoms of Ireland Officially the area contains the nine northernmost counties, six of which make up Northern Ireland, and three of which are part of the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. It is often used by Unionists to refer to the smaller Northern Ireland. Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Though Ulster has not been a political entity since the ancient Gaelic provincial Kingdoms, it remains associated with a geographical area and is used in sporting and cultural contexts. Ulster ( Ulaidh ˈkwɪɟɪ ˈʌlˠu / ˈʌlˠi is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in addition to Connacht, Munster and Leinster See Ulster (disambiguation).
- In sport
- In Gaelic games, no distinction is recognised between the counties of the Republic and those of Northern Ireland. Gaelic games are the traditional sports played in Ireland. The two main Gaelic games are Gaelic football and Hurling, both of which are organised by the County teams play in their provincial championships (where the six counties of Ulster within Northern Ireland and three within the Republic all play in the Ulster championship) and the winners of these play in the All-Ireland championship (which has been recently complicated by the introduction of a back-door system). Even within Northern Ireland, a tricolour, the flag of the Republic of Ireland, is flown at all games. At bigger games, where an anthem is played, it is always the national anthem of the Republic. ga '''''Amhrán na bhFiann''''' ( is the National anthem of Ireland. In the case of the International Rules series against Australia, an Irish national team is chosen from all thirty-two counties. International rules football (Peil na rialacha idirnáisiunta also known as inter rules in Australia and compromise rules in Ireland is a hybrid
- In Association Football, the teams correspond to political entities: Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In accordance with UEFA and FIFA's rules, each of these countries has its own football league: the Irish League and the League of Ireland respectively. The Union of European Football Associations (Union des associations européennes de football is the administrative and controlling body for European football. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (French for International Federation of Association Football) The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or later the eircom League (from the league's sponsorship by Irish telecommunications
- In rugby union, rugby league, field hockey , cricket, boxing, golf, athletics and others the Ireland team is drawn from the whole island (ie. Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short History See also History of rugby league The grass roots of rugby league can be traced to early football history, through the playing of ball games Field hockey is a Team sport in which players attempt to score goals by hitting the Ball across the pitch with a stick Cricket is a bat-and-ball team Sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries Boxing (sometimes also known as English boxing or pugilism) is a Combat sport in which two participants generally of similar weight, both the Republic and Northern Ireland). Many sports organisations are subdivided along provincial lines e. g. Gaelic Athletic Association, golf. The Gaelic Athletic Association ( GAA) ( Irish: Cumann Lúthchleas Gael /'kʊmˠən̪ˠ 'l̪ˠuh
- The British Isles is a term used to mean the island of Great Britain plus the island of Ireland and many smaller surrounding islands, including the Isle of Man and, in some contexts, the Channel Islands (Guernsey and Jersey). The British Isles (Irish variously Na hOileáin Bhriotanacha, Oileáin Iarthair Eorpa, Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór; Ellanyn Goaldagh Eileanan The Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin ˈɛlʲən ˈvanɪn or Mann (Mannin) is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical The Channel Islands ( Norman: Îles d'la Manche, French: Îles Anglo-Normandes or Îles de la Manche) are a group of Islands The Bailiwick of Guernsey (Bailliage de Guernesey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy. The Bailiwick of Jersey ( Jèrriais: Jèrri) is a British Crown dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. See British Isles naming dispute for details of the conflict over use of this term. There is dispute and disagreement over the term British Isles, particularly in relation to Ireland
- Great Britain and Ireland, or variants like "Britain and Ireland" or "The UK and Ireland" are sometimes used as alternatives to the term British Isles. This page is a list of the larger islands that comprise the British Isles, listing area and population data The British Isles (Irish variously Na hOileáin Bhriotanacha, Oileáin Iarthair Eorpa, Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór; Ellanyn Goaldagh Eileanan
- Anglo-Celtic Isles is an alternative term (in limited use) for the geographic region comprising Britain & Ireland, more commonly referred to as the 'British Isles'. 'Anglo-Celtic Islands' is a derivative of this. It is intended as a geographic term free of any political implication and uses the macro-cultural grouping term Anglo-Celtic, referring to the peoples from which the majority of the island group's population are descended – the Anglo-Saxons and the Celts (it can also be inclusive of the Anglo-Normans). Anglo-Celtic is a macro-cultural term used to collectively describe the cultures native to the British Isles / Anglo-Celtic Isles and the significant Diasporas For their language see Anglo-Saxon language. Anglo-Saxon is the term usually used to describe the invading Tribes in the south Celts (ˈkɛlts or /ˈsɛlts/, see Names of the Celts The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the conquest by William of Normandy in 1066, although
- Islands of the North Atlantic is another suggested replacement term for 'British Isles', without the same political connotations. IONA ( Islands of the North Atlantic) is an Acronym suggested in 1980 by Sir John Biggs-Davison to refer to a loose linkage of the United Kingdom However, its convolution and impracticality due to implying inclusion of fellow North Atlantic islands such as Iceland have made it unworkable and it has not come into common use. The term was used as part of the Strand 3 level of negotiations for the Belfast agreement. (Its acronym, IONA, is also the name of the small but historically important island of Iona off the coast of Scotland. Iona is a small island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland that has an important place in the history of Christianity in Scotland and is renowned for its tranquility )
- British Islands (a legal term not in common usage) is the UK, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands. The term British Islands is used in the law of the United Kingdom to refer collectively to the following four states the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
- Brittany, itself a corruption of 'Britain', and sometimes formerly known as 'Little Britain' is a historical Duchy in the West of France, now a French region; for this modern administrative sense, see Bretagne. Brittany (Breizh bʁejs Bretagne; Gallo: Bertaèyn) is a former independent Celtic kingdom and Duchy, now incorporated into A duchy is a territory fief, or domain ruled by a Duke or Duchess. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics.
Geographical distinctions
The British Isles
 | The British Isles is an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Continental Europe. The British Isles (Irish variously Na hOileáin Bhriotanacha, Oileáin Iarthair Eorpa, Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór; Ellanyn Goaldagh Eileanan Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the Continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European It includes Ireland and Great Britain, and the Isle of Man, but usually excludes the Channel Islands. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands The Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin ˈɛlʲən ˈvanɪn or Mann (Mannin) is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical The Channel Islands ( Norman: Îles d'la Manche, French: Îles Anglo-Normandes or Îles de la Manche) are a group of Islands Also included are the thousands of small islands off the coast of both the larger islands such as Shetland and Orkney. Shetland (formerly spelled Zetland, from etland; Old Norse non Hjaltland; Sealtainn is an Archipelago off the northeast coast of Orkney (also known as the Orkney Islands or incorrectly the Orkneys) is an Archipelago in northern Scotland, situated 10 miles (16 km north The term is not universally accepted (see British Isles naming dispute) |
Great Britain
 | Great Britain refers to the largest of the British Isles. There is dispute and disagreement over the term British Isles, particularly in relation to Ireland The word "Great" simply means "larger" (no connection with "greatness" in other senses is intended) in contrast to Brittany, a historical term for a peninsula in modern France that largely corresponds with the present day French province of Bretagne. Brittany (Breizh bʁejs Bretagne; Gallo: Bertaèyn) is a former independent Celtic kingdom and Duchy, now incorporated into A peninsula is a piece of land that is nearly surrounded by Water but connected to Mainland via an Isthmus. That region was settled by many British immigrants during the period of Anglo-Saxon migration into Britain, and named "Little Britain" by them. For their language see Anglo-Saxon language. Anglo-Saxon is the term usually used to describe the invading Tribes in the south The French term "Bretagne" now refers to the French "Little Britain", not to the British "Great Britain", which in French is called Grande-Bretagne. French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people |
Scotland
 | The name Scotland specifically refers to a part of the island of Great Britain, the second largest constituent country of the UK occupying the Northern part of the island. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands Scotland borders England to the south of the country and is bounded by the North Atlantic Ocean to the west and the North Sea to the East. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. The North Sea is a marginal, Epeiric sea of the Atlantic Ocean on the European Continental shelf. Also included in the geographical territory are the hundreds of small islands off the coast of Scotland such as Eilean Siar, Shetland, Skye and Orkney. The Outer Hebrides, ( officially known for local government purposes by the Gaelic name Na h-Eileanan Siar) comprise an island Shetland (formerly spelled Zetland, from etland; Old Norse non Hjaltland; Sealtainn is an Archipelago off the northeast coast of Skye or the Isle of Skye ( Scottish Gaelic An t-Eilean Sgitheanach əɲ tʰʲelan s̪kʲiə Orkney (also known as the Orkney Islands or incorrectly the Orkneys) is an Archipelago in northern Scotland, situated 10 miles (16 km north |
England
 | The name England specifically refers to a part of the island of Great Britain, the largest constituent country of the UK occupying the south-eastern part of the island. The other constituent countries of Scotland and Wales are not in England, but border on it. |
Ireland
 | The second largest island in the archipelago is Ireland. Most of the island is in the Republic of Ireland. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. The north east of the island is in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located That Ireland is a part of the geographical "British Isles" does not mean that all of the island is politically "British", although the term British Isles has been described as "politically loaded"[11]. |
Isle of Man
 | An island lying between Great Britain and Ireland. It is governed as a British Crown dependency, having its own parliament, but with the United Kingdom responsible for its defense and external relations. The Crown Dependencies are possessions of The Crown in Right of the United Kingdom, as opposed to overseas territories or colonies of the United |
Channel Islands
 | Although the Channel Islands are associated with the United Kingdom politically as Crown dependencies, they are an outcrop of the nearby French mainland, and historically they are the last remaining parts of the former Duchy of Normandy. The Channel Islands ( Norman: Îles d'la Manche, French: Îles Anglo-Normandes or Îles de la Manche) are a group of Islands The Crown Dependencies are possessions of The Crown in Right of the United Kingdom, as opposed to overseas territories or colonies of the United The Duchy of Normandy stems from various Danish, Hiberno-Norse, Orkney Viking and Anglo-Danish ( from the Danelaw) invasions of |
Rockall
 | The island of Rockall is a small, uninhabited islet lying some 301. Rockall is a small uninhabited rocky Islet in the north Atlantic Ocean, and one of the sea areas named in the Shipping Forecast broadcast on BBC 4 km (187. 3 miles) west of St Kilda (Outer Hebrides) and 424 km (229. St Kilda (Hiort is an isolated Archipelago 64 kilometres (40 mi west-northwest of North Uist in the North Atlantic Ocean. The Outer Hebrides, ( officially known for local government purposes by the Gaelic name Na h-Eileanan Siar) comprise an island 1 miles) north-west of Ireland. It lies in the exclusive economic zone of the United Kingdom (as determined from the Isle of Harris), whilst its surrounding continental shelf (but not the island itself, which they ignore) is claimed by Ireland, Iceland and Denmark (through the Faroe Islands). Under the law of the sea, an Exclusive Economic Zone ( EEZ) is a seazone over which a State has special rights over the exploration and use of marine The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Harris ( Na Hearadh in Scottish Gaelic nə hɛɾəɣ is the southern part of the largest island of the Western Isles of Scotland or Outer The continental shelf is the extended perimeter of each Continent and associated Coastal plain, which is covered during interglacial periods such Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. Iceland, officially the Republic of Iceland ( ( Ísland or Lýðveldið Ísland ( The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe The Faroe Islands or Faeroe Islands or simply Faroe(s or Faeroes (Føroyar meaning " Sheep Islands" Færøerne Old Norse The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, states Rocks which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall have no exclusive economic zone or continental shelf and consequently the EEZ of the United Kingdom does not extend further because of it. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ( UNCLOS) also called the Law of the Sea Convention or the Law of the Sea treaty is the international agreement that resulted Continental shelf rights are negotiated independently of EEZ rights. |
Political distinctions
The United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the official full title of the state. This name appears on official documentation such as British passports. For convenience, the name is usually shortened to United Kingdom, UK or Britain. Great Britain is also widely used as a synonym for the UK.
The United Kingdom is a sovereign state. A state is a political association with effective Sovereignty over a geographic Area and representing a Population. Its four constituent countries are sometimes considered to be of different status. Constituent country is a phrase used often by official institutions in contexts in which a country makes up a part of a larger entity or grouping This view may be supported by the existence of devolved governments with different levels of power in Scotland and Wales (see Asymmetrical federalism). Devolution is the statutory granting of powers from the central government of a State to government at subnational level Due to historical precedent, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are countries and nations in their own right (although none of these is sovereign today). England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. In Political geography and International politics, a country is a Political division of a geographical entity A nation is a Human Cultural and Social Community. In as much as most members never meet each other yet feel a common bond it may be considered Wales is also a principality of the United Kingdom (Prince of Wales is a title usually given to the heir apparent to the British throne). A principality (or princedom) is a monarchical feudatory or Sovereign state, ruled or reigned over by a monarch with the title of Prince Prince of Wales (Tywysog Cymru is a title traditionally granted to the Heir Apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom (and formerly the Kingdom An heir apparent is an Heir who (short of a fundamental change in the situation cannot be displaced from inheriting the term is used in contrast to Heir presumptive TalkCommonewalth realm.--> The monarchy Northern Ireland is sometimes described by United Kingdom citizens as a province of the United Kingdom, which derives from the Irish province of Ulster, which Northern Ireland is part of. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located A province is a territorial unit almost always an Administrative division. Poetic description This dinnseanchas poem named Ard Ruide (Ruide Headland poetically describes the kingdoms of Ireland Ulster ( Ulaidh ˈkwɪɟɪ ˈʌlˠu / ˈʌlˠi is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in addition to Connacht, Munster and Leinster Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of This epithet is also applied because it originally was part of the UK as part of Ireland rather than as a constituent country or nation in its own right. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Northern Ireland also had, until 1972, a far greater degree of self-government than the other constituent parts of the UK. Self-governance is an abstract concept that refers to several scales of Organization.
Great Britain is both a geographical and a political entity. Geographically, it is one island, but politically it also contains the islands that belong to its constituent nations - England, Wales and Scotland (most notably England's Isle of Wight, Wales' Anglesey and Scotland's Inner Hebrides, Outer Hebrides, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands). The Isle of Wight is an English Island and county in the English Channel between three and five miles (8 km from the south coast of the History There are numerous Megalithic monuments and Menhirs present on Anglesey testifying to the presence of mankind in prehistory The Inner Hebrides ( Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan a-staigh - the inner isles is an Archipelago off the west coast of Scotland, to the south The Outer Hebrides, ( officially known for local government purposes by the Gaelic name Na h-Eileanan Siar) comprise an island Orkney (also known as the Orkney Islands or incorrectly the Orkneys) is an Archipelago in northern Scotland, situated 10 miles (16 km north Shetland (formerly spelled Zetland, from etland; Old Norse non Hjaltland; Sealtainn is an Archipelago off the northeast coast of
The abbreviation GB is sometimes officially used for the United Kingdom, for example in the Olympics, or as the vehicle registration plate country identification code for UK-registered cars (see also British car number plates). The Olympic Games is an international Multi-sport event established for both summer and winter games A vehicle registration plate is a metal or plastic plate attached to a Motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes On the international level the designation of origin for a Motor vehicle is distinguished by a supplementary international licence plate country code. See also Vehicle registration plate Colour and dimensions Current plates have black characters on white reflective material (for the front plate or on yellow reflective The GB code is not always accepted, and unofficial alternatives are sometimes used for protest (such as SCO in Scotland, NI in Northern Ireland, or ENG for England)[12].
The internet code ".gb", although allocated to the UK, is unused and UK web domains use ".uk". The following is a list of currently existing Internet Top-level domains (TLDs)
The four constituent parts of the UK are also known to some as Home Nations or the "Four Nations". "Home nation" (common noun redirects here home nation is also used to refer to the host country of Multi-sport events (eg The BBC refers to its UK-wide broadcasting operation as Nations and Regions [13]("regions" referring to the Regions of England). The region, also known as the government office region, is currently the highest tier of local government sub-national entity of England, with only one Thus the UK naming conventions tend towards describing four distinct nations which exist within a single sovereign state.
In sport, the UK Nations mostly have their own separate national teams - England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, for example in football. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered Sporting contests between the Four Nations are known as "Home internationals" (an example is the British Home Championship in football). The British Home Championship (also known as the Home International Championship) was an annual football competition contested between the United Kingdom
The governing body for football in Northern Ireland is called the Irish Football Association, having been in existence since some forty years before partition. The Irish Football Association ( IFA) is the organising body for football in Northern Ireland, and had historically been the governing body for the whole Its counterpart in the Republic (plus Derry City FC) is the Football Association of Ireland. Derry City Football Club ( Cumann Peile Chathair Dhoire, kʊmən̪ˠ pɛlʲə xahəɾʲ ɣɛɾʲə is an Irish football club based in Derry, The Football Association of Ireland ( FAI; Irish: Cumann Peile na h-Éireann) is the governing body for the sport of association football (soccer The Northern Ireland national team retained the name "Ireland" for some fifty years after partition. The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international football. Since around 1970 the two teams have been consistently referred to as "Northern Ireland" and "Republic of Ireland" respectively.
However, in Rugby Union, the four Home Nations are England, Ireland (the whole island, i. Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short e. the Republic of Ireland plus Northern Ireland), Scotland and Wales.
UK teams in the Olympics have competed under several different names - most recently in Athens the athletes were presented at the Opening Ceremony under a banner which said simply Great Britain, rather than the full Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Olympic athletes from Northern Ireland may choose whether to represent the UK or the Republic of Ireland.
Since the Good Friday Agreement, and the subsequent implementation legislation, sporting organisation (and several other organisations, e. The Agreement, most often referred to as the Belfast Agreement (Comhaontú Bhéal Feirste Belfast Greeance or the Good Friday Agreement (Comhaontú Aoine an g. tourism, Irish Gaelic and Ulster Scots language boards) on the island of Ireland has increasingly been cross-border. Destinations Armagh - ecclesiastical capital of all Ireland St Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. Ulster Scots, also known as Ullans, Hiberno-Scots, or Scots-Irish, refers to the variety of Scots (sometimes referred to as
Citizens of the UK are called British or Britons. The term Brits may also be used, sometimes pejoratively, for example by supporters of Scottish independence when referring to supporters of the Union. Words and phrases are pejorative if they imply disapproval or contempt The Acts of Union were a pair of Parliamentary Acts passed during 1706 and 1707 by the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland to put into Some older slang names for Britons are Tommy (for British soldiers), Anglo and Limey. Anglo properly refers only to England, but it is sometimes used as a broader reference as an element in compound adjectives: for example, "Anglo-French relations" may be used in newspaper articles when referring to relations between the political entities France and the United Kingdom. The term Anglo is used as a prefix to indicate a relation to the Angles, England or the English people, as in the phrases ' Anglo-Saxon ' ' This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Anglo-Saxon may be used when referring to the whole English-speaking world, the Anglosphere, although ethnically very few of the world's one thousand million English-speakers are of Anglo-Saxon origin. The word Anglosphere describes a concept of a group of Anglophone ( English -speaking nations which share historical political and cultural characteristics rooted For their language see Anglo-Saxon language. Anglo-Saxon is the term usually used to describe the invading Tribes in the south
Ireland
Since the adoption of the Constitution of Ireland in 1937, Ireland has been the constitutional name of the state which covers approximately five-sixths of the island of Ireland. The state whose official name is Ireland (Éire and whose description is the Republic of Ireland (Poblacht na hÉireann is and has been known by a number of The Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann came into force on 29 December 1937 after having been passed by a national plebiscite the previous July Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world (Northern Ireland covers the remaining sixth of the island, in its north-east. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Northern Ireland remains a constituent part of the United Kingdom. )
Since the Republic of Ireland Act 1948, the term "Republic of Ireland" is the term used as the additional description of the state. The Republic of Ireland Act 1948 is an Act of the Oireachtas whose primary provisions were to declare that the state Ireland, is a Republic and that the President This term is useful in avoiding ambiguity between the name of the island and the name of the state. However, the term "Ireland" is always used in formal diplomatic contexts such as the European Union or the United Nations. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security The passport of the Republic of Ireland bears the name Éire - Ireland.
Before the introduction of the 1937 constitution and the new name, the Irish Free State occupied the same territory as the modern state of Ireland. The Irish Free State (Saorstát Éireann (1922&ndash1937 was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by The Irish Free State became an autonomous dominion of the British Empire in 1922 when it seceded from the United Kingdom through the Anglo-Irish Treaty. A dominion, often Dominion, refers to one of a group of autonomous polities under sovereign authority within the British Empire and The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. The Anglo-Irish Treaty (An Conradh Angla-Éireannach officially called the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty Between Great Britain and Ireland, was a Treaty The King ceased to be its Head of State in 1936 and the state ceased to be a Dominion and left the Commonwealth in 1948. The Executive Authority (External Relations Act 1936 was an enactment of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament in 1936. The Republic of Ireland Act 1948 is an Act of the Oireachtas whose primary provisions were to declare that the state Ireland, is a Republic and that the President
Traditionally, the island of Ireland is divided into four provinces - Leinster, Connacht, Munster and Ulster, with each of the provinces further divided into counties. Poetic description This dinnseanchas poem named Ard Ruide (Ruide Headland poetically describes the kingdoms of Ireland Leinster (ˈlɛnstər Irish: Laighin, lainʲ one of the Provinces of Ireland, lies in the east of Ireland and comprises the counties of Munster ( Irish: An Mhumhain, ənˈvuːnʲ Cúige Mumhan or Mumha) is the southernmost of the four Provinces of Ireland. Ulster ( Ulaidh ˈkwɪɟɪ ˈʌlˠu / ˈʌlˠi is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in addition to Connacht, Munster and Leinster The Republic of Ireland takes up 83% of the island, and twenty-six of the thirty-two traditional counties of Ireland. Northern Ireland takes up the remaining area and six of the traditional nine counties of Ulster, although these counties no longer exist as official administrative units.
On the island of Ireland, as everywhere, the naming of places often raises political issues. The usage of "Ireland" as the official name of the state causes offence to some Unionists in Northern Ireland, as it implies that the state still has a territorial claim to the whole island - the terminology of "Republic of Ireland" or "Éire" is much preferred by Northern Irish unionists when referring to that political state. The Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann came into force on 29 December 1937 after having been passed by a national plebiscite the previous July Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of The Nineteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland introduced changes to Articles 2 and 3 of the constitution required by the 1998 Belfast Agreement Éire (ˈeːrʲə) is the Irish name for the island of Ireland and of the state of the same name. Similarly, some Nationalists in Northern Ireland also prefer to reserve to usage of "Ireland" to refer to the whole island. Irish nationalism (Náisiúnachas Éireannach refers to political and sociological movements and sentiment that embodies a love for Irish ancestry, culture and language and
In Northern Ireland, Irishness is a highly contested identity, with fundamentally different perceptions between unionists who perceive themselves as being both British and Irish, and nationalists who consider both communities to be part of the Irish nation. [14]
The Republic of Ireland is often referred to by the Nationalist and Republican communities by the term "the Twenty-six Counties", with the connotation that the state constituted as such forms only a portion of the ideal political unit of the Irish Republic, which would consist of all of the thirty-two counties into which the island is divided. Irish nationalism (Náisiúnachas Éireannach refers to political and sociological movements and sentiment that embodies a love for Irish ancestry, culture and language and Irish republicanism (Poblachtánachas is an ideology based on the Irish nationalist belief that all of Ireland should be a single independent Republic The Irish Republic ( Irish: Poblacht na hÉireann or Saorstát Éireann) was a unilaterally declared independent state of Ireland proclaimed Since the late 16th century the Island of Ireland has been divided into 32 counties ( Irish language contae or condae Additionally, the term "the Six Counties" (in reference to Northern Ireland's six counties) is also used. Other Nationalist terms in use include: "the occupied six counties", but more popularly, "the North of Ireland" and, "the North", these are terms also used by the Irish national broadcaster RTÉ.
The Irish Passport is available to Irish citizens and can also be applied for abroad through Irish Consular services and the local Irish Embassy. As per the Irish nationality law, any person born on the island of Ireland before 2005, or otherwise a first generation descendant of such a person, is allowed to apply for an Irish Passport. Irish nationality law is the law of Republic of Ireland governing citizenship Irish passports are issued by the Consular and Passport Division Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland. As such, residents of Northern Ireland may be Irish Citizens and hold an Irish Passport if they choose. Irish passports are issued by the Consular and Passport Division Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland.
Ulster
The terminology and usage of the name Ulster in Irish and British culture varies. Many within the unionist community refer to Northern Ireland as Ulster – although this is officially wrong, as the Irish province of Ulster is a nine county entity incorporating the three counties of Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan, which are in the Republic of Ireland, along with the six northern counties. Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Poetic description This dinnseanchas poem named Ard Ruide (Ruide Headland poetically describes the kingdoms of Ireland Donegal ( Irish: Dún na nGall) is a town in County Donegal, in the Province of Ulster, in Ireland. Cavan (ˈkævən) is the county seat of County Cavan in Ireland. Monaghan (Muineachán is a town in Ireland, the administrative capital of County Monaghan. The term Ulster (and "the Province") are sometimes preferred by Unionists, sometimes because it can suggest an origin of the polity of Northern Ireland that pre-dates 1922, referring back to the Act of Union 1800, the Glorious Revolution of 1689, the Plantation of Ulster in 1610, the ancient migrations between Ulster and Scotland, and even to biblical tradition. The phrase Act of Union 1800 (or sometimes Act of Union 1801) (Acht an Aontais 1800 is used to describe two complementary Acts whose official United Kingdom titles are The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, was the overthrow of King James II of England (VII of Scotland in 1688 by a union The Plantation of Ulster (Irish Plandáil Uladh) was a planned process of Colonisation which took place in the northern Irish province of Ulster Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin This use for the term Ulster by Unionists to mean Northern Ireland, is offensive to members of the Nationalist community, as Ulster includes, but is not exclusive, to Northern Ireland. Ulster ( Ulaidh ˈkwɪɟɪ ˈʌlˠu / ˈʌlˠi is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in addition to Connacht, Munster and Leinster Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Irish nationalism (Náisiúnachas Éireannach refers to political and sociological movements and sentiment that embodies a love for Irish ancestry, culture and language and For these reasons, it is understandable that certain local place names are still in dispute: for example see Derry/Londonderry name dispute. The name of the city and county of Derry or Londonderry in Northern Ireland is the subject of a naming dispute between nationalists
British Islands
Under the Interpretation Act 1978 of the United Kingdom, the legal term British Islands (as opposed to the geographical term British Isles) refers to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, together with the Crown dependencies: the Bailiwicks of Jersey and of Guernsey (which in turn includes the smaller islands of Alderney, Herm and Sark) in the Channel Islands; and the Isle of Man. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Crown Dependencies are possessions of The Crown in Right of the United Kingdom, as opposed to overseas territories or colonies of the United A bailiwick is the area of jurisdiction of a Bailiff. The term was also applied to a territory in which the Sheriff 's functions were exercised by a privately appointed The Bailiwick of Jersey ( Jèrriais: Jèrri) is a British Crown dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. The Bailiwick of Guernsey (Bailliage de Guernesey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy. Alderney ( French: Aurigny; Auregnais: Aoeur'gny) is the most northerly of the Channel Islands and a British Crown dependency Herm ( Guernésiais: Haerme) is the smallest of the Channel Islands that is open to the public Sark (Sercq Sercquiais: Sèr) is a small Island in the southwestern English Channel. The Channel Islands ( Norman: Îles d'la Manche, French: Îles Anglo-Normandes or Îles de la Manche) are a group of Islands The Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin ˈɛlʲən ˈvanɪn or Mann (Mannin) is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical On the front of passports issued to residents of the Crown dependencies, the words "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" are replaced with "British Islands" followed by the name of the issuing state or island [15].
Historical aspects
Origins of terms
- Further information: Britain (name)
The earliest known names for the islands come from ancient Greek writings. The name Britain is derived from the Latin name Britannia (earlier Brittannia) via Old French Bretaigne (whence also The term ancient Greece refers to the period of Greek history lasting from the Greek Dark Ages ca Though the original texts have been lost, excerpts were quoted or paraphrased by later authors. Parts of the Massaliote Periplus, a merchants' handbook describing searoutes of the 6th century BC, were used in translation in the writings of Avienus around AD 400. The Massaliote Periplus or Massaliot Periplus is the name of a now-lost merchants' handbook possibly dating to as early as the sixth century BC describing The 6th century BC started the first day of 600 BC and ended the last day of 501 BC. Avienus was a Latin writer of the 4th century His full name Postumius Rufius Festus (qui et Avien(ius is mentioned on an inscription from Bulla Regia Events By Place Western Roman Empire Italy is first invaded by Alaric (probable date Ireland was referred to as Ierne (Insula sacra, the sacred island, as the Greeks interpreted it) "inhabited by the race of Hiberni" (gens hiernorum), and Britain as insula Albionum, "island of the Albions". [16] Several sources from around 150 BC to AD 70 include fragments of the travel writings of the ancient Greek Pytheas around 320 BC, which also used the terms "Albion and 'Ierne. Year 70 was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Dates Pliny says that Timaeus (born about 350 BC believed Pytheas' story of the discovery of Amber. Events By place Macedonian Empire Alexander the Great 's various generals control different parts of Alexander's empire "[17] and have been described as referring to the British Isles, including Ireland, as the Pretanic Islands. [18] Greek writers used the term αι Βρεττανιαι, which has been translated as the Brittanic Isles, and the peoples of these islands of Prettanike were called the Πρεττανοι, Priteni or Pretani. [16] These names derived from a "Celtic language" term which is likely to have reached Pytheas from the Gauls[18] who may have used it as their term for the inhabitants of the islands. The Celtic languages are descended from Proto-Celtic, or "Common Celtic" a branch of the greater Indo-European Language family. Gaul (Gallia was the Roman name for the region of Western Europe comprising present day northern Italy, France, Belgium, western [19]
The Romans called the inhabitants of Gaul (modern France) Galli or Celtae. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The latter term came from the Greek name Κελτοι for a central European people, and 17th century antiquarians who found language connections developed the idea of a race of Celts inhabiting the area, but this term was not used by the Greeks or Romans for the inhabitants of Britain or Ireland,[20] nor is there any record of the inhabitants of the British Isles referring to themselves as such. As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 17th Century was that Century which lasted from 1601 - 1700 in the Gregorian calendar Celts (ˈkɛlts or /ˈsɛlts/, see Names of the Celts
Priteni is the source of the Welsh language term Prydain, Britain,[18] and has the same source as the Goidelic term Cruithne. Welsh ( cy Cymraeg or cy y Gymraeg, kəmˈrɑːɨɡ and {{IPA|[ə ɡəmˈrɑːɨɡ]}}, is a member of the Brythonic branch of Celtic Prydain ( Middle Welsh: Prydein) is the modern Welsh name for Britain. The Goidelic languages, (also sometimes called particularly in colloquial situations the Gaelic languages or collectively Gaelic) historically formed a Dialect The latter referred to the early Brythonic speaking inhabitants of Ireland, the Scottish highlands and the north of Scotland,[18] who are known as the Cruithne in Scottish Gaelic, and who the Romans called Picts or Caledonians. The Brythonic languages (or Brittonic languages or British languages) form one of the two branches of the Insular Celtic language family the other being The Scottish Highlands ( Scottish Gaelic: A' Ghàidhealtachd, Scots: Hielans) include the rugged and Mountainous Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. Ancient Rome was a Civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC The Picts were a Confederation of tribes in what was later to become eastern and northern Scotland from Roman times until the 10th century The Caledonians ( Latin: Caledonii) or Caledonian Confederacy, is a name given by historians to a group of the Indigenous
Romans
Caesar's invasions of Britain brought descriptions of the peoples of what he called Britannia pars interior, "inland Britain", in 55 BC. During his Gallic Wars, Julius Caesar invaded' Britain twice in 55 and 54 BC. Year 55 BC was a year of the pre-Julian calendar. Events By place Rome Consuls Marcus Licinius Crassus and Throughout Book 4 of his Geography, Strabo is consistent in spelling the island Britain (transliterated) as Prettanikee; he uses the terms Prettans or Brettans loosely to refer to the islands as a group - a common generalisation used by classical geographers. Strabo ( Greek: Στράβων 63/64 BC – ca AD 24 was a Greek historian, geographer and philosopher. For example, in Geography 2. 1. 18, …οι νοτιώτατοι των Βρεττανών βορειότεροι τούτων εισίν ("…the most southern of the Brettans are further north than this"). [21] He was writing around AD 10, although the earliest surviving copy of his work dates from the 6th century. Pliny the Elder writing around AD 70 uses a Latin version of the same terminology in section 4. Gaius or Caius Plinius Secundus, ( AD 23 – August 25, AD 79 better known as Pliny the Elder, was an ancient Author 102 of his Naturalis Historia. Naturalis Historia ( Latin for "Natural History" is an Encyclopedia written Circa AD 77 by Pliny the Elder. He writes of Great Britain: Albion ipsi nomen fuit, cum Britanniae vocarentur omnes de quibus mox paulo dicemus. ("Albion was its own name, when all [the islands] were called the Britannias; I will speak of them in a moment"). In the following section, 4. 103, Pliny enumerates the islands he considers to make up the Britannias, listing Great Britain, Ireland, and many smaller islands. In his Geography written in the mid 2nd century and probably describing the position around AD 100,[18] Ptolemy includes both Britain and Ireland – he calls it Hibernia – in the island group he calls Britannia. The 2nd century is the period from 101 to 200 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. Claudius Ptolemaeus ( Greek: Klaúdios Ptolemaîos; after 83 &ndash ca He entitles Book II, Chapter 1 of as Hibernia, Island of Britannia, and Chapter 2 as Albion, Island of Britannia. [22]
The name Albion for Great Britain fell from favour, and the island was described in Greek as Πρεττανία or Βρεττανία, in Latin Britannia, an inhabitant as Βρεττανός, Britannus, with the adjective Βρεττανικός, Britannicus, equating to "British". See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. [16] With the Roman conquest of Britain the name Britannia was used for the province of Roman Britain. This page refers to the conquest begun in AD 43 For other Roman invasions see Caesar's invasions of Britain and Carausian Revolt. Britannia was the term originally used by the Romans to refer first to the British Isles, and later to the island of Great Britain. Roman Britain refers to those parts of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire between AD 43 and 410 The Emperor Claudius was honoured with the agnomen Britannicus as if he were the conqueror, and coins were struck from AD 46 inscribed DE BRITAN, DE BRITANN, DE BRITANNI, or DE BRITANNIS. Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus or Claudius I ( August 1, 10 BC &ndash October 13, AD 54 ( Tiberius Claudius Drusus from birth to By the Republican era and throughout the Imperial era, a Name in Ancient Rome for a male citizen consisted of three parts ( tria Year 46 was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. With the visit of Hadrian in AD 121 coins introduced a female figure with the label BRITANNIA as a personification or goddess of the place. Publius Aelius Hadrianus (January 24 76 &ndash July 10 138 as emperor Imperator Caesar Divi Traiani filius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, and Divus Hadrianus after These and later Roman coins introduced the seated figure of Britannia which would be reintroduced in the 17th century. As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 17th Century was that Century which lasted from 1601 - 1700 in the Gregorian calendar [23]
In the later years of Roman rule Britons who left Latin inscriptions, both at home and elsewhere in the Empire, often described themselves as Brittanus or Britto, and where describing their citizenship gave it as cives of a British tribe or of a patria (homeland) of Britannia, not Roma. [16] From the 4th century, many Britons migrated from Roman Britain across the English Channel and founded Brittany. Brittany (Breizh bʁejs Bretagne; Gallo: Bertaèyn) is a former independent Celtic kingdom and Duchy, now incorporated into
Mediæval period
While Latin remained the language of learning, from the early mediæval period records begin to appear in native languages. The earliest indigenous source to use a collective term for the archipelago is the Life of Saint Columba, a hagiography recording the missionary activities of the sixth century Irish monk Saint Columba among the peoples of what is now Scotland. The term Indigenous Peoples or autochthonous peoples can be used to describe any Ethnic group who inhabit a geographic region with which they have the earliest historical Hagiography ( is the study of Saints. A hagiography, from Greek (hağios (ἅγιος "holy" or "saint" and graphē (γραφή The 6th century is the period from 501 to 600 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. Saint Columba may refer to Columba of Scotland Saint Columba (the Virgin, also known as Saint Columba of Cornwall It was written in the late seventh century by Adomnán of Iona, an Irish monk living on the Inner Hebridean island. The 7th century is the period from 601 to 700 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. Saint Adomnán of Iona (627/8 &ndash 704 was Abbot of Iona (679-704 Hagiographer, statesman and clerical lawyer he was the author of the most Iona is a small island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland that has an important place in the history of Christianity in Scotland and is renowned for its tranquility The Inner Hebrides ( Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan a-staigh - the inner isles is an Archipelago off the west coast of Scotland, to the south The collective term for the archipelago used within this work is Oceani Insulae meaning "Islands of the Ocean" (Book 2, 46 in the Sharpe edition = Book 2, 47 in Reeves edition), it is used sparingly and no Priteni-derived collective reference is made.
Another early native source to use a collective term is the Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum of Bede written in the early eighth century. The Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (in English: Ecclesiastical History of the English People) is a work in Latin by the Bede (ˈbiːd (also Saint Bede, the Venerable Bede, or (from Latin Beda (beda (c The collective term for the archipelago used within this work is insularum meaning "islands" (Book 1, 8) and it too is used sparingly. He stated that Britain "studies and confesses one and the same knowledge of the highest truth in the tongues of five nations, namely the Angles, the Britons, the Scots, the Picts, and the Latins", distinguishing between the Brythonic languages of the "ancient Britons" or Old Welsh speakers and other language groups. The Brythonic languages (or Brittonic languages or British languages) form one of the two branches of the Insular Celtic language family the other being Old Welsh (Hen Gymraeg is the label attached to the Welsh language from the time it developed from the Brythonic language generally thought to be in the period [24]
Early Celtic, Saxon and Viking kingdoms such as Rheged, Strathclyde and Wessex amalgamated, leading to the formation of Scotland, England and Wales. Celts (ˈkɛlts or /ˈsɛlts/, see Names of the Celts For their language see Anglo-Saxon language. Anglo-Saxon is the term usually used to describe the invading Tribes in the south A Viking is one of the Norse ( Scandinavian Explorers Warriors Merchants, and pirates who raided and colonized wide areas Rheged IPA r̥ɛgɛd was a Brythonic kingdom of Sub-Roman Britain, whose inhabitants spoke Cumbric, a dialect of Brythonic closely related Strathclyde ( Gaelic: Srath Chluaidh) (lit "Valley of the Clyde" originally Brythonic Ystrad Clud, was one of the kingdoms West Saxon redirects here For other meanings of Wessex or West Saxon see Wessex (disambiguation. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland In Norman Ireland, local lords gained considerable autonomy from the Lordship of Ireland until it became the Kingdom of Ireland under direct English rule. The later medieval period in Ireland (" Norman Ireland " was dominated by the Cambro-Norman invasion of the country in 1171. The Lordship of Ireland ( 1171 - 1541) was the nominally all-island Irish state created in the wake of the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169-71 The Kingdom of Ireland (Ríocht na hÉireann was the name given to the Irish state from 1541 by the Crown of Ireland Act 1542 of the Parliament of Ireland.
Renaissance mapmakers
Abraham Ortelius makes clear his understanding that England, Scotland and Ireland were politically separate in 1570 by the full title of his map: "Angliae, Scotiae et Hiberniae, sive Britannicar. Abraham Ortelius ( Abraham Ortels) ( April 2, 1527 – June 28, 1598) was a Belgian Cartographer and insularum descriptio" which translates as "A representation of England, Scotland and Ireland, or Britannica's islands. " Additionally many maps from this period show Wales and Cornwall as separate nations, most notably those of Mercator.
Maps of the Mediæval, Renaissance and later periods often referred to Albion. Albion (Ἀλβιών in Greek) is the oldest known name of the island of Great Britain. This archaic term was originally used by Ptolemy and Pliny to mean the island of Great Britain. Claudius Ptolemaeus ( Greek: Klaúdios Ptolemaîos; after 83 &ndash ca Gaius or Caius Plinius Secundus, ( AD 23 – August 25, AD 79 better known as Pliny the Elder, was an ancient Author In later centuries its meaning changed to refer only to the area we now call Scotland (Albany, or Alba in Gaelic). Alba is the Scottish Gaelic name (ˈalˠ̪əpə for Scotland. Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. Albion has survived as a poetic name for Britain but it is not in everyday use.
18th and 19th Centuries
Following the Acts of Union 1707, a fashion arose, particularly in Scotland, for referring to Scotland and England as North Britain and South Britain respectively. The Acts of Union were a pair of Parliamentary Acts passed during 1706 and 1707 by the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland to put into A North Briton (adjective North British) is a term used for a person from the north of the island of Great Britain. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland These terms gained in popularity during the nineteenth century. The most lasting example of this usage was in the name of the North British Railway, which became part of the London and North Eastern Railway in 1923, and in the name of the North British Hotel, built by the railway in Edinburgh in 1902, which retained the name until it reopened in 1991 as the Balmoral Hotel. The North British Railway was a Scottish railway company that was absorbed into the London and North Eastern Railway at the Grouping in 1923 The
Evolution of kingdoms and states
The diagram on the right gives an indication of the further evolution of kingdoms and states. In 1603 the Scottish King James VI inherited the English throne as "James I of England". The monarch of Scotland was the Head of state of the Kingdom of Scotland. James VI and I (19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625 was King of Scotland as James VI, and King of England and King of Ireland as James The Kings of Wessex, who conquered Kent and Sussex from Mercia in 825 became increasingly dominant over the other kingdoms of England during He styled himself as James I of Great Britain, although both states retained their sovereignty and independent parliaments, the Parliament of Scotland and the Parliament of England. This article is about the pre-1707 parliament The article on the devolved legislative body established in 1999 is at Scottish Parliament. The Parliament of England was the Legislature of the Kingdom of England. (The term "Great Britain" itself reportedly dates from as early as 1474, and was in common usage from the mid-16th century onwards. [25])
The 1707 Act of Union united England and Scotland in the United Kingdom of Great Britain under the Parliament of Great Britain, then in 1800 Ireland was brought under British government control by the Act of Union creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Year 1707 ( MDCCVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Acts of Union were a pair of Parliamentary Acts passed during 1706 and 1707 by the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland to put into The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800 The Parliament of Great Britain was formed in 1707 following the ratification of the Acts of Union by both the Parliament of England and Parliament of Scotland The phrase Act of Union 1800 (or sometimes Act of Union 1801) (Acht an Aontais 1800 is used to describe two complementary Acts whose official United Kingdom titles are The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom from 1 January 1801 until 12 April 1927 Irish unrest culminated in the Irish War of Independence and the 1922 separation of the Irish Free State which later became the Republic of Ireland. The Irish War of Independence (or Tan War, or Anglo-Irish War, Irish: Cogadh na Saoirse) from January 1919 to July 1921 was a guerrilla The Irish Free State (Saorstát Éireann (1922&ndash1937 was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. The majority Protestant northeast continued to be part of what was now the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located
British overseas territories such as Bermuda, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, the Falkland Islands, and the British Antarctic Territory have (or have had) various relationships with the UK. The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories that are under the Sovereignty of the United Kingdom, but which do not form part of the United Kingdom Ba (officially The Bermuda Islands or The Somers Isles) is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Gibraltar (dʒɨˈbrɒltər is a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar Hong Kong ( officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is a territory located on China 's south coast on the Pearl River Delta, and borders The British Antarctic Territory is a sector of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom. The Commonwealth of Nations (formerly the British Commonwealth) is a loose confederation of nations roughly corresponding to the former British Empire, mostly for economic co-operation, formalised in 1931. The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. (This has no connection with the Commonwealth of England and The Protectorate which were short-lived republics replacing the previous kingdoms during the Interregnum (1649 - 1660). The Commonwealth of England was the Republican government which ruled first England (including Wales) and then Ireland and Scotland In British history, the Protectorate was the period 1653&ndash1659 during which the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland was governed by a Lord A republic is a State or Country that is not led by a hereditary Monarch, but in which the people (or at least a part of its people have impact on its An interregnum (plural interregna or interregnums) is a period of discontinuity of a government organization or social order )
Adjectives
The adjectives used to describe the contents and attributes of the various constituent parts of the British Isles also cause confusion. In Grammar, an adjective is a word whose main syntactic role is to modify a Noun or Pronoun, giving more information about the
In the absence of a single adjective to refer to the United Kingdom, British is generally used to refer to the United Kingdom as a whole. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located However, in a specifically physical geographical sense, British is used to refer to the island of Great Britain. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands Members of the Unionist communities in Northern Ireland might describe themselves as British even though they are not on the island of Great Britain, as this reflects a political and cultural identity. Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and
The cumbersome adjective Great British is very rarely used to refer to Great Britain, other than to contrive a pun on the word great, as in "Great British Food". See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands A pun (or paronomasia) is a Phrase that deliberately exploits confusion between similar-sounding Words for humorous or Rhetorical
Irish, in a political sense, is used to refer to the Republic of Ireland. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. Northern Ireland, as a constituent part of the United Kingdom, would be included within the umbrella of the political term British, though many Unionists in Northern Ireland also consider themselves Irish. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located In order to be more specific, Northern Irish is therefore in common usage. Members of the Nationalist communities would not describe themselves as British and would only use the terms Irish, or specifically Northern Irish where needed. Irish nationalism (Náisiúnachas Éireannach refers to political and sociological movements and sentiment that embodies a love for Irish ancestry, culture and language and
The term Ulster can also be used as an adjective (e. g. "Royal Ulster Constabulary"), but this is more likely to be used by Unionists and has political connotations in the same fashion as its use as a proper noun (because only six of the traditional nine counties of Ulster, namely Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone, are included in Northern Ireland with the remaining three counties Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan forming part of the Republic). The Royal Ulster Constabulary GC was the name of the Police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2001 Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and Ulster ( Ulaidh ˈkwɪɟɪ ˈʌlˠu / ˈʌlˠi is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in addition to Connacht, Munster and Leinster County Antrim ( Contae Aontroma or simply Aontroim in Irish) is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, and one of nine counties County Armagh ( Contae Ard Mhacha in Irish - from the height of Macha) is a county in Ulster in the north east of Ireland County Down, ( Ulster Scots: Coontie Doun. is one of the nine counties that form the province of Ulster and one of six counties that form County Fermanagh (fɚr'mænɘ Contae Fhear Manach or Fear Manach ('Men of Monach'in Irish) is the westernmost of the six counties that form Northern County Cavan ( Contae an Chabháin in Irish) is a County in Ireland. County Donegal (ˌdʌnəˈgɔːl Irish: Contae Dhún na nGall. County Monaghan ('mɔnəhən Irish: Contae Mhuineacháin) is a county in Ireland. The term Ulsterman (or Ulsterwoman) is common and holds no such political connotation. Likewise, Nationalists might describe, say, a lake in Northern Ireland as Irish. Irish nationalism (Náisiúnachas Éireannach refers to political and sociological movements and sentiment that embodies a love for Irish ancestry, culture and language and However, some Nationalists might attribute what they see as less attractive aspects of Northern Ireland to Britain or even to England. Irish nationalism (Náisiúnachas Éireannach refers to political and sociological movements and sentiment that embodies a love for Irish ancestry, culture and language and Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of
Note that the geographical term Irish Sea thus far appears to have escaped political connotations, even though territorial control of the waters of the Irish Sea is divided between both the Republic of Ireland and the UK, and also includes a British Crown dependency, the Isle of Man — as yet there appears to be no controversy with the term’s usage to mirror that of "British Isles". The Irish Sea ( Irish: Muir Éireann or Muir Meann; Scottish Gaelic: Muir Eireann Welsh: Môr Iwerddon, The Crown Dependencies are possessions of The Crown in Right of the United Kingdom, as opposed to overseas territories or colonies of the United The Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin ˈɛlʲən ˈvanɪn or Mann (Mannin) is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical The North Channel is found off the east coast of Northern Ireland and it stretches the length of roughly two-thirds of Northern Ireland's eastern coastline. The North Channel (known in Irish and Scottish Gaelic as Sruth na Maoile, and alternatively in English as the Straits of Moyle
The "Northern" in "Northern Ireland" is not completely accurate. The most northerly point on the island, Malin Head, is in the Republic of Ireland — in County Donegal's Inishowen Peninsula. Malin Head ( Irish: Cionn Mhálanna) is the most northerly headland of the mainland of Ireland (and of Ulster. County Donegal (ˌdʌnəˈgɔːl Irish: Contae Dhún na nGall. Inishowen (Inis Eoghain is a historical peninsular region in County Donegal, and also the largest peninsula in Ireland.
Scottish, English and Welsh are self-explanatory but the term English is sometimes incorrectly used to mean British as well,[26] although seldom by those aware of the political connotations; many people living in all parts of the UK and Ireland find such use of English insulting.
Problems with use of terms
British Isles
The dictionary definition of British Isles is that it is a geographical term that refers to the whole of Ireland and Great Britain as well as the surrounding islands. There is dispute and disagreement over the term British Isles, particularly in relation to Ireland The British Isles (Irish variously Na hOileáin Bhriotanacha, Oileáin Iarthair Eorpa, Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór; Ellanyn Goaldagh Eileanan Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands However, it is sometimes used as if identical to the UK; or to refer to Great Britain and the surrounding islands, excluding the island of Ireland entirely. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world [27][28][29] The BBC and The Times have style guides that mandate the dictionary definition but occasional misuse can be found on their web sites. The Times is a daily national Newspaper published in the United Kingdom since 1785 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. [30][31]
The term British Isles can also be considered irritating or offensive by some on the grounds that the modern association of the term British with the United Kingdom makes its application to Ireland inappropriate. The British Isles (Irish variously Na hOileáin Bhriotanacha, Oileáin Iarthair Eorpa, Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór; Ellanyn Goaldagh Eileanan The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located
The policy of the government of the Republic of Ireland is that no branch of government should use the term,[32] and although it is on occasion used in a geographical sense in Irish parliamentary debates, this is often done in a way that excludes the Republic of Ireland. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. In October 2006, The Times quoted a spokesman for the Irish Embassy in London as saying that they would discourage its use. [33]
During a stop-over visit to the Republic of Ireland in 1989, the leader of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev, indicated that he assumed Ireland's head of state was Queen Elizabeth II, given that she was the British Queen and his officials said that Ireland was a part of the British Isles. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev ( Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachyov;; born 2 March 1931 in Privolnoye Stavropol Krai) is a Russian politician Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a Monarchic or Republican Nation-state For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II [34]
In Northern Ireland, nationalists reject the term and use these islands or these isles as an alternative. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Irish nationalism (Náisiúnachas Éireannach refers to political and sociological movements and sentiment that embodies a love for Irish ancestry, culture and language and [35]
There have been several suggestions for replacements for the term British Isles. Although there is no single accepted replacement, the terms Great Britain and Ireland, The British Isles and Ireland and Britain and Ireland are all used.
Ireland
The word Ireland has two meanings.
- It is the official name of the state that occupies five sixths of the island. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe.
- It is a geographical term for the whole island
Ulster
The word Ulster has two usages. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world
- It is the name of one of the four Provinces of Ireland, consisting of the nine northern counties of the island. Ulster ( Ulaidh ˈkwɪɟɪ ˈʌlˠu / ˈʌlˠi is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in addition to Connacht, Munster and Leinster Poetic description This dinnseanchas poem named Ard Ruide (Ruide Headland poetically describes the kingdoms of Ireland Its jurisdiction is partitioned between the United Kingdom (six counties) and the Republic of Ireland (three counties).
- It is an alternative name for Northern Ireland, used by many in the Unionist community. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and It consists of the six north-eastern counties of the island that remain part of the United Kingdom.
England
The word England is often used colloquially — and incorrectly — to refer to Great Britain or the United Kingdom as a whole[36]. Why We Fight is a series of seven Propaganda films commissioned by the United States government during World War II to demonstrate to This usage is problematic and causes offence in many parts of Britain, especially in Scotland and Wales.
Inadverent references to England as an island[37], to an "English passport"[38], or to Scottish or Welsh placenames as being in England[39][38] are common examples of incorrect use of the term England. In sporting events, it was common for fans of the England football team to wave the British Union Flag, until the English St George's Cross gained popularity at Euro 96[38]. The English national football team represents England in international football and is controlled by The Football Association, the governing body for football The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The St George's Cross (or the Cross of St George is a centred red cross on a white background The 1996 UEFA European Football Championship ( Euro 96) was hosted by England.
There are historical instances of patriotic references to "England" which are actually intended to include Scotland and Wales as well[40][41].
The usage of "England" as a synonym for "Britain" is common throughout the world, although this confusion is declining in the UK. In Germany, the term "England" is often used to mean Great Britain or even the entire United Kingdom. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. In many other languages, such as Chinese, Japanese or Korean, the word for "English" is synonymous with "British" - see the article on Alternative words for British for more detail. There are many alternative ways to describe the people of the United Kingdom (UK though the official designated nationality is British.
Further information
Isle of Man and Channel Islands
The Isle of Man and the two bailiwicks of the Channel Islands are Crown dependencies; that is, non-sovereign nations, self-governing but whose sovereignty is held by the British Crown. A bailiwick is the area of jurisdiction of a Bailiff. The term was also applied to a territory in which the Sheriff 's functions were exercised by a privately appointed The Crown Dependencies are possessions of The Crown in Right of the United Kingdom, as opposed to overseas territories or colonies of the United A nation is a Human Cultural and Social Community. In as much as most members never meet each other yet feel a common bond it may be considered Throughout the Commonwealth realms The Crown is an abstract metonymic concept which represents the legal authority for the existence of any government They control their own internal affairs, but not their defence or foreign relations. They are not part of the United Kingdom nor part of the European Union. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in
- The Isle of Man is part of the British Isles, situated in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland. The Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin ˈɛlʲən ˈvanɪn or Mann (Mannin) is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical The British Isles (Irish variously Na hOileáin Bhriotanacha, Oileáin Iarthair Eorpa, Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór; Ellanyn Goaldagh Eileanan The Irish Sea ( Irish: Muir Éireann or Muir Meann; Scottish Gaelic: Muir Eireann Welsh: Môr Iwerddon,
- The Channel Islands consist politically of two self-governing bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey. The Channel Islands ( Norman: Îles d'la Manche, French: Îles Anglo-Normandes or Îles de la Manche) are a group of Islands A bailiwick is the area of jurisdiction of a Bailiff. The term was also applied to a territory in which the Sheriff 's functions were exercised by a privately appointed The Bailiwick of Guernsey (Bailliage de Guernesey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy. The Bailiwick of Jersey ( Jèrriais: Jèrri) is a British Crown dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. They are the remnants of the Duchy of Normandy, which was once in personal union with the Kingdom of England. The Duchy of Normandy stems from various Danish, Hiberno-Norse, Orkney Viking and Anglo-Danish ( from the Danelaw) invasions of A personal union is the combination by which two different States are governed by the same Monarch, while their boundaries their laws and their interests remain distinct They are sometimes, despite their location next to mainland France, considered part of the British Isles. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. This usage is political rather than geographic.
- The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are British Islands in United Kingdom law. The term British Islands is used in the law of the United Kingdom to refer collectively to the following four states the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Celtic names
The Celtic languages in the region — Cornish (no native speakers), Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh and Manx— each have names for the various countries and subdivisions of the British Isles. The Celtic languages are descended from Proto-Celtic, or "Common Celtic" a branch of the greater Indo-European Language family. For the Cornish-English dialect see West Country dialects and List of Cornish dialect words. Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. Welsh ( cy Cymraeg or cy y Gymraeg, kəmˈrɑːɨɡ and {{IPA|[ə ɡəmˈrɑːɨɡ]}}, is a member of the Brythonic branch of Celtic Manx ( Gaelg or Gailck, ɡilk or) also known as Manx Gaelic, is a Goidelic language once spoken on the Isle
Some of the above are:
| Cornwall | England | Ireland | Northern Ireland | Republic of Ireland | Scotland | Wales | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornish | Kernow | Pow an Sawson | Wordhen | Wordhen North | Republyk Wordhen | Alban | Kembra |
| Irish | An Chorn | Sasana | Éire | Tuaisceart Éireann | Poblacht na hÉireann | Albain | An Bhreatain Bheag |
| Manx | Yn Chorn | Sostyn | Nerin | Nerin Twoaie | Pobblaght Nerin | Nalbin | An Bhreatain Bheag |
| Scottish Gaelic | A' Chòrn | Sasainn | Èirinn | Èirinn a Tuath | Poblachd na h-Èireann | Alba | A' Chuimrigh |
| Welsh | Cernyw | Lloegr | Iwerddon | Gogledd Iwerddon | Gweriniaeth Iwerddon | Yr Alban | Cymru |
Note: In Irish there are actually several terms for Northern Ireland: An Tuaisceart, meaning "the North", is usually used, but a more recent term for official use is Tuaisceart Éireann.
The English word Welsh is from a common Germanic root meaning "foreigner" (cognate with Wallonia and Wallachia, and also cognate with the word used in Mediaeval German to refer to the French and Italians). The Germanic languages are a group of related languages that constitute a branch of the Indo-European (IE Language family. Cognates in Linguistics are words that have a common origin They may occur within a language such as shirt and skirt as two English words descended from Wallonia, or Wallonie, (Wallonie Wallonien Wallonië Waloneye is the Meridional part of Belgium belonging to the Romance linguistic field This article is about the region in what is now Southern Romania Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest The English names Albion and Albany are related to Alba and used poetically for either England or Scotland, or the whole island of Great Britain. Albion (Ἀλβιών in Greek) is the oldest known name of the island of Great Britain. English Erin is a poetic name for Ireland derived from Éire (or rather, from its dative form Éirinn). Erin is a Hiberno-English derivative of the Irish word "Éirinn"
The terms for the British Isles in the Irish language
In Irish, the term Oileáin Bhriotanacha is attested as a version of the English term British Isles. [42] In this sense, Briotanach refers to British people in the sense of the islands belonging to them. Another translation is Oileáin Bhreataineacha, which is used in a 1937 geography book translated into Irish from English. [43] In this instance, Breataineach refers to the people of the island of Great Britain, again in the sense of the islands belonging to them. Neither of these two terms is often used in Irish. [44]
Earlier dictionaries[45] give Oileáin Iarthair Eorpa as the translation, literally meaning West European Isles. Today the most common term Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór is used, meaning literally as Ireland and Great Britain, as provided by terminological dictionaries. [46]
Slang
Blighty is a slang word for Britain derived from the Hindustani word bilāyatī ("foreign"). Blighty is an English slang term for Britain, deriving from the Hindustani word vilāyatī (विलायती (pronounced bilāti Hindustani (हिन्दुस्तानी ہندوستانی Hindustānī, hɪn̪d̪ʊst̪aːniː also known as " Hindi-Urdu," is a term covering Depending on the user, it is meant either affectionately or archly. It was often used by British soldiers abroad in the First World War to refer to home.
Europe
The term "Europe" may be used in one of several different contexts by British and Irish people; either to refer to the whole of the European continent, to refer to only to Mainland Europe, sometimes called "continental Europe" or simply "the Continent" by some people in the archipelago — as in the apocryphal newspaper headline "Fog shrouds Channel, continent cut off. Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the Continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European "
Europe and the adjective European may also be used in reference to the European Union, particularly in a derogative context such as "The new regulations handed out by Europe". The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in
Notes
- ^ "Britain", Oxford English Dictionary: "More fully Great Britain. As a geographical and political term: (the main island and smaller offshore islands making up) England, Scotland, and Wales, sometimes with the Isle of Man"
- ^ New Oxford American Dictionary: "Britain: an island that consists of England, Wales, and Scotland. The name is broadly synonymous with Great Britain, but the longer form is more usual for the political unit. "
- ^ "Britain", Oxford English Dictionary (Online Edition): "Britain: 1a - The proper name of the whole island containing England, Wales, and Scotland, with their dependencies; more fully called Great Britain; now also used for the British state or empire as a whole. "
- ^ Guardian Unlimited Style Guide, Guardian News and Media Limited, 2007
- ^ Guardian Unlimited Style Guide, Guardian News and Media Limited, 2007
- ^ Countries within a country
- ^ "Great Britain", New Oxford American Dictionary: "Great Britain: England, Wales, and Scotland considered as a unit. The name is also often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom. "
- ^ "the term 'Britain' is used informally to mean the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" — quote from British Government website
- ^ UK Government's "Guide to Government"
- ^ Office for National Statistics
- ^ # ^ "When I refer to the composite Monarchy ruled over by James VI and I and by King Charles I, it is always described as Britain and Ireland, and I deliberately avoid the politically loaded phrase 'the British Isles' not least because this was not a normal usage in the political discourse of the time". Canny, Nicholas (2001). Making Ireland British:. New York: Oxford University Press, p. viii. ISBN-13:.
- ^ BBC News (2001-12-28). Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 1065 - Westminster Abbey is Consecrated. 1308 - The reign of Emperor Hanazono, Emperor of Flag day for patriotic drivers. Retrieved on 2007-10-22. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 202 BC - Hannibal Barca, leader of the Carthaginians, is defeated by the Roman legions under Scipio Africanus
- ^ BBC Press Office. BBC Nations & Regions.
- ^ CAIN: Democratic Dialogue: With all due respect - pluralism and parity of esteem (Report No. 7) by Tom Hennessey and Robin Wilson, Democratic Dialogue (1997)
- ^ States of Guernsey passports. Guernsey Government Website.
- ^ a b c d Snyder, Christopher A. (2003). The Britons. Blackwell Publishing. Blackwell Publishing Ltd was a Learned society publishing company based in Oxford, England. ISBN 063122260X.
- ^ Entry for Albion a 1911 Encyclopedia. [1]
- ^ a b c d e Foster (editor), R F; Donnchadh O Corrain, Professor of Irish History at University College Cork: (Chapter 1: Prehistoric and Early Christian Ireland) (1 November 2001). Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The Oxford History of Ireland. Oxford University Press. ISBN 019280202X.
- ^ Encyclopedia of the Celts: Pretani
- ^ The earliest Celts in Europe |WalesPast
- ^ Translation by Roseman, op. cit.
- ^ Ptolemy's Geography
- ^ Britannia on Roman Coins, Roman coins in Britain
- ^ General survey of Lothian
- ^ Royal Styles and Titles in England and Great Britain, heraldica. org
- ^ "The majority of English people still behave as if 'English' and 'British' are synonymous", historian Norman Davies quoted in The English: Europe's lost tribe, BBC News Story, January 14, 1999
- ^ "[2] Website on Megalithic Monuments in the British Isles and Ireland. Ivor Norman Richard Davies Fellow of the British Academy (born 8 June 1939 to Richard and Elizabeth Davies Ireland in this site includes Fermanagh, which is politically in Northern Ireland. "
- ^ "The website uses the term "British Isles" in various ways, including ways that use Ireland as all of Ireland, while simultaneously using the term "The British Isles and Ireland", e.g. "Anyone using GENUKI should remember that its name is somewhat misleading — the website actually covers the British Isles and Ireland, rather than just the United Kingdom, and therefore includes information about the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, as well as England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland."
- ^ "[3] Guide to Narrow Gauge rail in the British Isles and Ireland which includes Belfast lines under the section on Ireland. "
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/understanding/britain_01.shtml British Weather (Part One)] This BBC article referred to 'a small country such as the British Isles' between at least April 2004 and January 2007 (checked using the Wayback Machine at http://web.archive.org. Last accessed and checked 01/01/07. It was changed in February 2007 and now reads 'a small area such as the British Isles'
- ^ For example, see Google searches of the BBC website.
- ^ "Written Answers - Official Terms", Dáil Éireann - Volume 606 - 28 September, 2005. ga '''Dáil Éireann''' ( English House of Representatives of Ireland) is the principal chamber of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament In his response, the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs added that "Our officials in the Embassy of Ireland, London, continue to monitor the media in Britain for any abuse of the official terms as set out in the Constitution of Ireland and in legislation. These include the name of the State, the President, Taoiseach and others. "
- ^ "New atlas lets Ireland slip shackles of Britain"A spokesman for the Irish Embassy in London said: “The British Isles has a dated ring to it, as if we are still part of the Empire. We are independent, we are not part of Britain, not even in geographical terms. We would discourage its useage. [sic]”
- ^ Eamon Delaney, 2001, An Accidental Diplomat: My Years in the Irish Foreign Service, New Island Books, Dublin, ISBN 1902602390
- ^ Guelke, Adrian (2001). "Northern Ireland and Island Status", in John McGarry ed. John McGarry (born 1957 is a political scientist from Northern Ireland. : Northern Ireland and the Divided World: The Northern Ireland Conflict and the Good Friday Agreement in Comparative Perspective. Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 231.
- ^ wiktionary:England
- ^ Charlotte Augusta Sneyd (1500). A Relation or rather a True Account of the Island of England. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1512 - Martin Luther joins the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg.
- ^ a b c BBC News (1999-01-14). Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 1129 - Formal approval of the Order of the Templar at the Council of Troyes. The English: Europe's lost tribe. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1512 - Martin Luther joins the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg.
- ^ Learn English in Edinburgh, England. ESL Language Studies. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1512 - Martin Luther joins the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg.
- ^ England expects that every man will do his duty - Horatio Nelson, message to the British Fleet 1805
- ^ "The English Prime Minister. Mr. Disraeli's Elevation To The Peerage" (PDF), New York Times, 1876-08-12. "England expects that every man will do his duty" was a signal sent by Admiral Horatio Nelson 1st Viscount Nelson from his Flagship Retrieved on 2007-10-21. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1512 - Martin Luther joins the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg.
- ^ For example on english-irishdictionary.com.
- ^ Tír-Eóluíocht na h-Éireann ('The Geography of Ireland') by T. J. Dunne, translated by Toirdhealbhach Ó Raithbheartaigh, Government Publications Office, Dublin
Tá Éire ar cheann de na h-oileáin a dtugar na h-Oileáin Bhreataineacha ortha agus atá ar an taobh Thiar-Thuaidh de'n Eóraip. Tá siad tuairim a's ar chúig mhíle oileán ar fad ann. (Oileánradh an t-ainm a bheirtear ar áit ar bith i n-a bhfuil a lán oileán agus iad i n-aice a chéile mar seo. ) Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór (Sasain, an Bhreatain Bheag, agus Alba) an dá oileán is mó de na h-Oileáin Bhreataineacha.
Ireland is one of the islands which are called the British Isles and which are on the North-Western side of Europe. It is thought that there are five thousand islands in total there. (Archipelago is the name which is borne by a place in which there are many islands next to each other like these. ) Ireland and Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland) are the two largest islands of the British Isles.
- ^ See for example Google searches for Oileáin Bhriotanacha (less references to the British Virgin Isles) or Oileáin Bhreataineacha, which produces only mirrors of Wikipedia.
- ^ Patrick S. Dineen, Foclóir Gaeilge Béarla, Irish-English Dictionary, Dublin, 1927
- ^ focail. ie, "The British Isles", Foras na Gaeilge, 2006
See also
- Alternative words for British
- Subdivisions of the United Kingdom
- British-Irish Council
- British Lions and British and Irish Lions
- British Overseas Territory
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic