Terminology of the British Isles

Various terms are used to describe the different (and sometimes overlapping) geographical and political areas of the islands of Great Britain, Ireland, and the smaller islands which surround them. The terminology is often a source of confusion, partly owing to the similarity between some of the actual words used, but also because they are often used loosely. In addition, many of the words carry both geographical and political connotations which are affected by the history of the islands. The purpose of this article is to explain the meanings of and relationships among the terms in use. However many of these classifications are contentious and have resulted in the British Isles naming dispute.

In brief, the main terms and their simple explanations are as follows.

Below is a visual reference guide to some of the main concepts and territories described in this article:

The British Isles

The British Islands

The United Kingdom

Great Britain (island)

Ireland (island)

England

Scotland

Wales

Republic of Ireland

Northern Ireland

The Isle of Man

The Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey)

The British Isles is a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Continental Europe. It includes Ireland, Great Britain, the Isle of Man, Shetland, Orkney, and thousands of smaller islands. Traditionally the Channel Islands, are included, however these specific islands are geographically part of mainland continental Europe, as they are positioned off the French coast of Normandy. The term is disputed (see British Isles naming dispute).

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