Great Britain

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland occupies most of the territory of the British Isles. The country consists of four parts which are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The UK is an island state: it is composed of some 5,500 islands, large and small. The two main islands are Great Britain (in which are England, Scotland and Wales) to the east and Ireland (in which are Northern Ireland and the Independent Irish Republic) to the west. They are separated by the Irish Sea. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the official name of the state, which is sometimes referred to as Great Britain or Britain (after its major isle) or England (after its major historical part).