Learn the difference – Great Britain vs UK vs Britain vs England

People often get confused with the terms Great Britain, United Kingdom (UK), Britain, and England. These are names for the different configurations within the British Isles. I will try to simplify these terms through this article. Let’s read.

Learn the difference – Great Britain vs UK vs Britain vs England

British Isles

The British Isles are a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean comprising Great Britain (explained next), Ireland, and over six thousand smaller islands. The British Isles are a part of Europe and are among the most populated archipelagos in the world.

Countries within the British Isles – England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.

England

Area130,279 square kilometers
CapitalLondon
Population56 million

Wales

Area20,779 square kilometers
CapitalCardiff
Population3.1 million

Scotland

Area77,933 square kilometers
CapitalEdinburgh
Population5.5 million

Northern Island

Area14,130 square kilometers
CapitalBelfast
Population1.9 million

Republic of Ireland

Area70,273  square kilometers
CapitalDublin
Population5 million

Great Britain

Great Britain is the largest island in the British Isles. It is also the ninth-largest island in the world with an area of 209,331 square kilometers/80,823 square miles. Great Britain is also sometimes used to refer to the whole of England, Wales, and Scotland combined i.e., including the surrounding islands.

Britain

The word Britain is derived from the word Britannia which Romans used to call the region what is now the countries of England and Wales. Nowadays the term Britain is used loosely and very often used for Great Britain.

The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom short for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island is a political entity. It consists of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Capital – London

England

England is the largest and the most populated country in the British Isles and the United Kingdom. It has an area of 130,279 square kilometers and a population of over 56 million.

Capital – London


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