Here’s a diagram that may help you learn the difference between England, Great Britain, the British Isles, and the United Kingdom.
The Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom are the only two sovereign states in this image. They are shown in red. Ireland and Great Britain are both islands and are shown in green. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are constituent countries of the United Kingdom and are shown in orange.
There are other complicating factors, stemming from politics, history, and geography. The author explains these as simply as possible, including the fact that this is actually a Euler Diagram instead of a Venn Diagram. Now if they could only explain North America/USA/America! Link -via reddit
Scotland should be split catholic/protestant etc.....
I hear all the objections, but the post does say that there are "other complicating factors" that the author explains, which I think might cover some of those objections. Yes, its simplified, but thats the point, right?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_dependency
They are "British Islands" though, like the UK.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Islands
"British Islands" (not Isles) is a legal POLITICAL designation. "British Isles" in contrast, is a purely geographic one refering to land masses -- the difference is that British Isles includes the Republic of Ireland.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isles
Needless to say, affixing the word "British" onto anything regarding Éire is very controversial. But that is the historical meaning of the pharase and the difference between "British Islands" and "British Isles". The diagram needs to show that.... I agree amending it to include The Isle of man, and the British Channel Isles would be appropriate as well -- those places have distinct passports after all.
It is a very touchy subject here and I say it's best to avoid the subject all together.
The main circle needs to be moved over a wee bit to include northern ireland but not the republic. Get your pen out.
But I think it's pretty much spot on.
The system of Islands from Sark to Saint Kilda are the British Isles.
The 2 main masses are Great Britain and Ireland.
Great Britain composes of 2 kingdoms and a Principality, towhit, England Scotland and Wales respectively.
The UNited Kingdom composes the afore mentioned Great Britain AND the Province of Northern Ireland,or Ulster if you'd prefer.Though 3 counties of Ulser are part of the ROI
Eire, or the Republic Of Ireland composes the remaining 3 provinces of the Isle of Ireland, ie Munster Leinster connaught
I know it seems convoluted but it really is simple.
I consider myself Scottish, but I am also British.
We're a very small country that has consistantly punched so far above it's weight that it is barely credible.
So I never mind being called British, coz I am.
I only hate it when A scot succeds he is suddenly British, when the same Scot fails, he is relagated to being Scottish.
Keep your ear open for this regardig Andy Murray the tennis player.
Several hundred years of trying to get the british empire out of your country will make it a ticklish subject.
Perhaps a return to the ancient names?
Oileáin Iarthair Eorpa = Irish
Ellanyn Goaldagh = Manx
Eileanan Breatannach = Scots Gaelic
Ynysoedd Prydain = Welsh
But considering the last two say Ilses and British /Britain that would seem to be translation for it's own ends.
As for your American request, that's a little trickier to put into a graphic.
"United States" (US) or "United States of America" (USA) always refers to the federal constitutional republic whose capital is Washington, D.C.
"North America" refers to an entire continent, and includes everything between Canada and Panama, Greenland, the Caribbean Islands and the Bahamas.
When you hear just the phrase "America", it's very likely that it is referring to the USA, but you should analyze the context in which you're hearing it to be sure.
I am not connected to my neighbour though we have the same milkman.
hate England(and wales even though its as lame as the isle of man)
Scotland and Ireland FTW
It is effectively the same as the arlier one with the addition of the Isle of Man and the channel islands, Guernsey and Jersey..
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/96/British_Isles_Euler_diagram.svg