Life in the UK test revision facts
Chapter 2 key facts: What is the UK?
Learn the essential differences between the UK, Great Britain, its four nations, Crown dependencies and overseas territories.
The United Kingdom
- The UK consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- The official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
- Great Britain means England, Scotland and Wales; it does not include Northern Ireland.
- The rest of Ireland is an independent country.
- The handbook sometimes uses Britain and British as shorthand for the UK, but the geographical distinctions between the UK, Great Britain and the British Isles remain important.
- The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are Crown dependencies. They are closely linked to the UK but are not part of it and have their own governments.
- British overseas territories, including St Helena and the Falkland Islands, are linked to the UK but are not part of the UK.
- The UK Parliament sits at Westminster.
- Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own devolved legislatures, with powers in defined policy areas.