Why is the UK split into four countries?

Answer 1

They were all separate countries but a few hundred years ago they made an agreement to all be part of the United Kingdom.

Scotland, Wales and England are Great Britain, and that and Northern Ireland make up the UK

Answer 2

In 1707 Scotland and England united to form Great Britain. In 1801 Great Britain and Ireland united to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. In 1922 the Irish Free State became independent and that left the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The principality of Wales was part of England and the legal entity of "England and Wales" was the constitutional successor to the Kingdom of England. Wales now has an Assembly which can pass laws.


So, in summary the UK isn't split into four countries but is created from four countries, i.e. two kingdoms (Scotland and England), a province (Northern Ireland) and a principality (Wales).

Answer 3

Scotland , England and Wales are all separate countries - actually originally separate Kingdoms - with a separate national identity. They all became politically united along with Northern Ireland a long time ago under the collective identity of the United Kingdom. Because England is the largest member of the UK and the UK parliament meets in London a popular misconception is that somehow Wales and Scotland are united under England and this is incorrect. They are geographically separate countries within the UK framework. In recent years some limited political power has been devolved back to Scotland and Wales by setting up individual parliaments.

Answer 4

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was formed in 1801. This became the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1922 when Eire (the Republic of Ireland) withdrew from the Union.