Parts of the British Isles
	geography: British Isles A group of islands off the north-west coast of Europe. Almost all the population live on the two largest islands (Great Britain and Ireland). There are two sovereign countries in the British Isles: the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, as well as the UK dependency of the Isle of Man. Area (sq km): 315,100 Population: 64,240,000 Population density: 204 per sq km Urban population: 88% Capital city: – Official languages: –
	geography: Great Britain Great Britain (the largest island shown here) is the largest island in the British Isles (hence the name ‘great’) and the 8th largest island in the world. Great Britain (with Northern Ireland and several hundred smaller islands around the coast) forms the United Kingdom. Area (sq km): 229,093 Population: 57,430,000 Population density: 251 per sq km Urban population: 93% Capital city: – Official languages: –
	geography: Ireland Ireland (the island) is by far the second largest of the British Isles. The Republic of Ireland occupies most of the island of Ireland, although 6 counties in the north east form Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom. Area (sq km): 84,440 Population: 5,665,000 Population density: 67 per sq km Urban population: 62% Capital city: – Official languages: –
	politics: Republic of Ireland The Republic of Ireland occupies about 85 percent of the island of Ireland. It is a sovereign country totally separate from the United Kingdom (although Irish citizens have some voting rights in the UK). Until recently the Republic of Ireland claimed sovereignty over Northern Ireland, currently part of the UK. Area (sq km): 70,280 Population: 3,970,000 Population density: 55 per sq km Urban population: 58% Capital city: Dublin Official languages: English and Irish
	politics: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland The UK covers all of Great Britain and some of the island of Ireland. It also has various dependencies, one of which (the Isle of Man) is part of the British Isles. The UK is divided into England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, all of which have a different level of freedom from central government. Area (sq km): 244,820 Population: 60,271,000 Population density: 242 per sq km Urban population: 90% Capital city: London Official language: English
	politics: England England is the largest and most populated part of the United Kingdom. Almost all of it is on Great Britain, although there are a number of islands off the coast. England has no government of its own – it is ruled by various local authorities and by the central government of the United Kingdom. Area (sq km): 130,410 Population: 49,405,000 Population density: 379 per sq km Urban population: 95% Capital city: London Official language: English
	politics: Scotland Scotland covers all of the northern part of the island of Great Britain, as well as several hundred islands as far as 120 km from the mainland. Scotland has its own internal parliament and government, but many international and external issues are governed by the United Kingdom government in London. Area (sq km): 77,925 Population: 5,089,000 Population density: 66 per sq km Urban population: 86% Capital city: Edinburgh Official language: English
	politics: Wales Most of Wales lies on the western side of Great Britain, but there are also a number of islands (of which Anglesey is the biggest). Wales has its own assembly that controls internal affairs, but it has less freedom from central government than Scotland’s parliament does. Area (sq km): 20,758 Population: 2,936,000 Population density: 141 per sq km Urban population: 78% Capital city: Cardiff Official languages: English and Welsh
	politics: Northern Ireland Northern Ireland is a full part of the United Kingdom that has some autonomy in decision making through an elected assembly and government (although control is sometimes returned to the UK government). Many people in Northern Ireland advocate union with the Republic of Ireland rather than the UK. Area (sq km): 14,160 Population: 1,695,000 Population density: 120 per sq km Urban population: 70% Capital city: Belfast Official language: English
	geography/politics: Isle of Man The Isle of Man is a dependency of the United Kingdom but it elects a parliament to set its own laws (although some UK law applies as well). The UK is responsible for defence and international relations. Man is a significant tourist destination, while its low taxes attract many businesses. Area (sq km): 572 Population: 75,000 Population density: 131 per sq km Urban population: – Capital city: Douglas Official languages: English, Manx Gaelic

Britain?

The term ‘Britain’ is very vague. It could mean Great Britain, the island, or it could mean the United Kingdom, the country. Since about 10 million people live in the UK but don’t live on the island of Great Britain, the distinction makes a difference. Instead of ‘Britain’, try something else!

Is Ireland in the British Isles?

After writing this article someone sent me an email telling me that the Island of Ireland is not in the British Isles, and that to suggest it is is insulting to the people who live there.

Whoever sent me the email (they didn’t bother to leave a name or return address) seems to have missed a few of the distinctions I’ve made above between political concepts and geographical ones. ‘The British Isles’ is a geographical entity, not a political one. Including Ireland in the definition does not make the Republic of Ireland ‘British’ in a political sense, merely part of the British Isles in a geographical sense. Hopefully some quotes from dictionaries will help demonstrate the point.

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (2000):

British Isles: A group of islands off the northwest coast of Europe comprising Great Britain, Ireland, and adjacent smaller islands.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy (2002):

British Isles: The islands of Great Britain and Ireland and a number of smaller islands off their coasts.

The Columbia Encyclopedia (2005):

British Isles: Great Britain; Ireland

The Columbia Guide to Standard American English (1993):

(The) British Isles is the term used for the geographical area itself, including the main island [Great Britain], Ireland (containing Northern Ireland and the independent country Eire), and numerous small offshore islands.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:

British Isles: island group W Europe comprising Great Britain, Ireland, and adjacent islands

Wikipedia:

The British Isles is a term given to the group of islands off the northwest coast of Europe including Great Britain (containing England, Scotland, and Wales), Ireland and the many smaller adjacent islands

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