The country’s full title for constitutional and political purposes is the United

Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, with the short forms ‘UK’ and

‘Britain’ being used for convenience. Britain comprises a number of islands lying

off the north-west coast of continental Europe which are often known geographically

(if inaccurately for some people, on political grounds) as the British Isles.

The mainland of England, Scotland and Wales forms the largest island with the

political title of Great Britain. Northern Ireland shares the second-largest island

with the Republic of Ireland, which has been politically independent since 1921.

Smaller islands, like Anglesey, the Isle of Wight, the Orkneys, Shetlands, Hebrides

and Scillies, are also part of the British political union.

However, the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea and the Channel Islands off the

north coast of France are not part of the United Kingdom. They each have their

own identities, legal systems, legislatures and administrative structures and are

self-governing Crown dependencies which have a historical relationship with

the British Crown. However, the British government is responsible for their

defence and foreign relations and can intervene if good administration is not

maintained.