United Kingdom
Great Britain (comprising England, Scotland, and Wales) is the largest island within the British Isles, but the term is often used interchangeably with the United Kingdom.
London is the capital city of England and is where the government of the UK is situated. The countries of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have devolved governments, giving them certain powers that affect their regional governance. Cardiff's assembly is in the Welsh capital city of Cardiff, Scotland's government is located in Hollyrood (Edinburgh), and Northern Ireland's in Stormont (Belfast).
There are also three Crown Dependencies:
- the Isle of Man
- the bailiwick of Jersey
- the bailiwick of Guernsey)
The Crown Dependencies are not part of the United Kingdom, but are officially grouped together with the United Kingdom in the "British Islands" (not to be confused with the "British Isles" which is the geographical term for Great Britain together with the whole island of Ireland). Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games actually covered the British Islands as a whole, despite its name.
Coverage in this wiki
This Wiki covers the British Islands, and therefore includes the Channel Islands and the isleof Man as well as the UK.
History
Historically, England, Ireland, and Scotland were three separate countries. From early mediaeval times the Kings of England were Lords, and later Kings, of Ireland, but Scotland had its own Kings and Queens. When James VI of Scotland became King of England (as James I) in 1603 the two crowns were united, but Scotland retained its separate govenment until it was united with England to form the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707, under Queen Anne. A further union (in which Lord Castlereagh took a leading role) happened in 1801, forming the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. This lasted until Ireland was partitioned in 1922, since when it has been the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
