h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Here's a question for mainly UK based researchers, but it would be interesting to see how many non-UK ones know the answer.

Basically do you know the difference between Great Britain and the United Kingdom?

I have found several people in real life that don't and wondered how many do.

Wouldn't put the answer here yet - although I'm sure someone will soon

CHawke (mapping the country and wants to get terminology right)

Yes I know the difference.

And here's another question while you're at it: which of the following are part of the United Kingdom:

Shetland Islands
Channel Islands
Isle of Man
Gibraltar
Falkland Islands

i don't know the difference.

i would like to know though, are we the only country that has countries within it, otehr countires a have provinces, but UK/GB has countries inside it.

personally your debate is pointless there shouldn't be a UK or GB just an independant scotland, just because we are the mercenaries of the world that know how to party.

No debate here - just the current facts - however we like them (and I don't)

I *think* the Shetlands are the only one of the list in the UK, but may be wrong here and would like the answer to that one

CHawke

i think there some place in bermuda ... that is british rule, dunno about status otehrwise, just that i know there is a ul sea cadet unit there, or thats what i am told anyway.

As far as I know, of the list I posted,only the Shetland Islands are in the UK. The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are independent countries, while the Falklands and Gibraltar are self-governing colonies.

To get back to the original question, the full title of the UK gives the game away: The United Kingdom of ...

ok... so United Kingdom is a description not a name.

"Mainland" England, Scotland, Wales are Great Britain
UK is The United Kingdom Of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
British Isles include all outlying islands, including, paradoxically, the republican part of Ireland.
I think this is right, but no doubt some other will correct me!
Harpo

No - United Kingdom is the shorthand version of..

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Great Britain being England, Scotland and Wales including those islands around its coast that are part of those countries - hence Shetlands and Scillies are in the GB where as Isle of man isn't.

What started me on this is the heirachical tree I have to check for a system being writen.

It goes - Europe--UK--GB--England and Wales--England.

As for some administrative purposes England and Wales are together and for some they are not.

All confusing.

CHawke

Harop - I *think* you are right, the tem "british Isles", and I guess more a physical rather than political geography one, does include Republic of Ireland.

*i think*

CHawke

All very interesting though.

I did not know that, I do now. That's the new thing I've learned today

I remember some old shyster Mayor of New York introducing Prince Charles as from 'The United Kingdom of Great Britain'. I think he was after the Irish-American vote

One final detail is that the people of the Republic of Ireland and some of the people of Northern Ireland do not like to be called "British", so they reject the term British Isles, even though there is no sensible alternative to it. Such people consider "British" to mean "belonging to Great Britain" rather than "belonging to the British Isles".

Maybe 'Islish' then?

Mmm don't think I'd ever use the term "British" to refer to the those coming from the collection of islands called The British Isles -- as I don't think there is any political basis for that term, and I would find it offensive to class the good citizens of Ireland (republic) with some of the less desirable members of Engerland (spelt as they would pronounce it )

CHawke

what about us poor scots. we don't particualrly want to be link with those same engerlish

Am I right in thinking England and Scotland are Countries in their own right, having been joined by King James the VIth of Scotland and King James theIst of Engalnd, whereas Wales is a principality, which is why it has an Assembly and not a Parliament
Ireland became part of the United Kingdom under Cromwell in 1652.

INDEPENDANCE



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