The Four Nations
The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The rest of Ireland is an independent country.
Names That Trip People Up
Great Britain vs United Kingdom
The official name of the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. "Great Britain" refers only to England, Scotland and Wales — not Northern Ireland.
Crown Dependencies
The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are closely linked with the UK but are not part of it. They have their own governments and are called Crown Dependencies.
British overseas territories
Places such as St Helena and the Falkland Islands are linked to the UK but are not part of it — they are British overseas territories.
🧩 One picture to hold all four names
Government
Westminster and devolution
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.