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The British Isles
The United Kingdom (UK) of Great Britain—England, Scotland, and Wales—and Northern Ireland, is one nation of these four countries that each maintain unique cultural backgrounds and regions… and over 2000 years of history. In addition to these four “home nations,” the British crown dependency islands include the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea and two bailiwicks in the Channel Islands—Guernsey (with Alderney and Sark) and Jersey—in the English Channel (off the coast of France).
The British Isles consist of the entire group of islands, including the whole island of Ireland—Northern Ireland and the politically separate Republic of Ireland (the independent nation)—the Isle of Man, the Scottish archipelagos of the Hebrides and the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland, and over six thousand small islands.
Linked by a sophisticated rail system that even reaches the European continent, this relatively small island nation has been far-reaching in its global impact. A lifetime could be spent exploring its vast array of architectural masterpieces—ancient rock formations, medieval castles, bridges, palaces, churches, monuments, and modern structures—across a diverse landscape.
The United Kingdom
UK “Home Nations” of Great Britain + Northern Ireland

England
♦ London
33 Boroughs of Greater London
♦ Southern England
♦ Midlands of England
♦ Northern England
Scotland
♦ Lowlands of Scotland
♦ Highlands + Islands of Scotland
Wales
♦ Wales
Northern Ireland
♦ Northern Ireland
The Republic of Ireland
Separate nation from UK
♦ Ireland
British Crown Dependencies
Self-governing island territories
♦ Isle of Man
+ Channel Islands: Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey
Basics
Know Before You Go
English
official language
Pound £
currency
4
countries
London
capital
Read More
All About England

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