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
| Area | 130,279 square kilometers |
| Capital | London |
| Population | 56.5 million (2021) |
Wales
| Area | 20,779 square kilometers |
| Capital | Cardiff |
| Population | 3.3 million (2022 estimate) |
Scotland
| Area | 77,933 square kilometers |
| Capital | Edinburgh |
| Population | 5.5 million (2019) |
Northern Ireland
| Area | 14,130 square kilometers |
| Capital | Belfast |
| Population | 1.9 million (2021) |
Republic of Ireland
| Area | 70,273 square kilometers |
| Capital | Dublin |
| Population | 5.15 million (2022) |
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 comprises of England, Wales, and Scotland.
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 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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