What is the UK?
The four UK countries, their capitals, and the difference between the UK and Great Britain.
Start here- 01
Four countries in one state
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are the four countries that make up the United Kingdom. The UK is the state formed by these countries; the Republic of Ireland, which occupies the rest of the island of Ireland, is a separate country.
- 02
United Kingdom and Great Britain
Great Britain is the island containing England, Scotland, and Wales; Northern Ireland is not on that island. The full state name, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, makes clear that Northern Ireland is included in the UK.
- 03
Crown dependencies
The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are Crown dependencies outside the UK. They have their own governments and legal arrangements.
- 04
Overseas territories
British overseas territories include Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, and St Helena. They have constitutional links with the UK but are geographically and politically distinct from its four countries.