What is the difference between England, United Kingdom and Great Britain?

Often mixed up or mistakenly used, these three terms are actually quite distinct. So if you too have trouble telling them apart, I'll explain everything about the differences between England, the United Kingdom, and Great Britain.

Heading to the British Isles to once and for all settle the question and be well-informed for your next trip to the United Kingdom!
 

Great Britain, a matter of geography

To make the difference between England, the United Kingdom, and Great Britain clear, let's start with the easiest! Great Britain is simply the island formed by England, Scotland, and Wales as well as most of the adjacent island territories, except for the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey as well as their dependencies).

It represents the major part of the territory of the United Kingdom. It is also the largest and most populated island in Europe. Great Britain has no political function, it is purely a geographical denomination.

As you have understood, Ireland (including Northern Ireland) is not part of Great Britain.

The British Isles, what’s that?

Continuing with the British Isles. Nothing too complicated here, it’s a geographical name that simply encompasses the archipelago located on the other side of the Channel northwest of France.

They are primarily made up of Great Britain and Ireland, but also many surrounding islands like the Isle of Man, the Isles of Scilly, the Hebrides, the Shetland Islands, and the Orkney Islands.

England and the United Kingdom, the same thing?

Did you know? London is the capital of England, but not only! It is also the capital of the United Kingdom. But then, what is the United Kingdom? Well, it's a country composed of four nations each possessing their own Parliament or their regional Assembly:

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

To be entirely precise, the term United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland should be used.

These four states each have their own regional capital:

• England has London as its capital
• Scotland, Edinburgh
• Wales, Cardiff
• Northern Ireland, Belfast

Regarding the national emblem, the Union Flag, also called Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It is made up of the three overlaid flags of England, Ireland, and Scotland.

Citizens of the United Kingdom have British nationality and all possess the same passport. Hence, English, Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish passports do not exist.

And what about Scotland, Wales, and Ireland in all this?

Scotland and Wales are countries in their own right, but also, as you have understood, form the United Kingdom together with England and Northern Ireland.

For Ireland, you might guess, it's a bit more complicated. The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are two distinct countries with rather complex relations. The Republic of Ireland is an independent state from the United Kingdom. Ireland has Dublin as its capital and if you've followed everything correctly, Northern Ireland has Belfast as its capital.

You now know how to distinguish between England, the United Kingdom, and Great Britain! If you have anything to add or questions, don't hesitate to share them in the comment area below.