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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland more often called the United Kingdom (UK).

The political structure of The British Isles has changed several times through history and many people find this confusing - even some British people. There were originally four separate countries - England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

  • In 1171 the King of England also became the King of Ireland - there were still four separate countries but the English King was king of two of them.
  • In 1282 the King of England brought Wales under English rule.
  • In 1603 King James VI of Scotland also became King of England, as James I. There were now three separate countries - England, which from the monarchy point of view included the Principality of Wales, Scotland and Ireland and James was separately King of each of them.
  • In 1701 the crowns of England and Scotland were united as "Great Britain" and the Kingdom of Ireland remained separate.
  • In 1801 the crown of Ireland was united and the country became "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland."
  • In 1922, the southern part of Ireland became independent and is now The Republic of Ireland, the six countries of Northern Ireland remained a part of The United Kingdom giving the country its present title "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."

Other terms which may add confusion to the situation include:

  • "Ulster," which is sometimes used synonymously with "Northern Ireland," though only six of the region's nine counties are part of the UK.
  • The "British Isles," which refers to the the entirety of both islands that Ireland as well as the UK occupy, and is thus considered politically incorrect in every sense of the term.
  • The "Emerald Isle," which is a rather poetic term for the island on which both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland stand.

Although Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man have their own parliamentary assemblies, they do not have total autonomy; they are responsible to the parliament of Westminster.

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