What is the UK? — Revision Notes

The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The rest of Ireland is an independent country.

Great Britain refers only to England, Scotland, and Wales — not to Northern Ireland.

The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are Crown Dependencies — closely linked to the UK but not part of it, with their own governments.

The UK is governed by the Parliament sitting in Westminster.

The Falkland Islands and St Helena are examples of British overseas territories, linked to the UK but not part of it.

The United Kingdom

The UK is made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Key distinctions:

Term	Refers to
Great Britain	England, Scotland, and Wales only
The UK	England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Crown Dependencies	Channel Islands and Isle of Man (own governments, not part of the UK)
British overseas territories	e.g. St Helena, the Falkland Islands (linked to UK but not part of it)

The UK is governed by the Parliament sitting in Westminster
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland also have their own parliaments or assemblies with devolved powers in defined areas

The rest of Ireland (the Republic of Ireland) is an independent country
The words "Britain" or "British" are commonly used to refer to everyone in the UK
Crown Dependencies have their own governments — they are not governed by Westminster

Test yourself

Check your understanding with these quick questions.

1.Which countries make up the United Kingdom?

2.What does 'Great Britain' refer to?

3.What are the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man known as?

4.Where does the UK Parliament sit?

5.Which of these is a British overseas territory?

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