The British Isles is a geographical term for the islands off the north-western coast of mainland Europe that include Great Britain, Ireland and many smaller islands. The term is geographical rather than a political unit.
The phrase can be sensitive, especially in Ireland, because the word "British" can imply a political relationship that Ireland does not have. Irish parliamentary records state that "British Isles" is not an officially recognised legal or inter-governmental term in Ireland.
Geography
The two largest islands are Great Britain and Ireland. Great Britain contains England, Scotland and Wales. Ireland contains the state of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.
Other islands and island groups include the Isle of Man, the Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland, Anglesey, the Isle of Wight and many smaller islands. The Channel Islands are often included in common usage, although they sit close to the French coast and have their own constitutional position as Crown Dependencies.
Political Distinctions
The British Isles are not a state. The two sovereign states usually involved are the United Kingdom and Ireland. The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are Crown Dependencies, not parts of the United Kingdom.
Ordnance Survey explains that Great Britain means England, Scotland and Wales with their associated islands, while the United Kingdom means Great Britain plus Northern Ireland.
Naming Dispute
The term British Isles is common in Britain and in some geographical writing, but it is not politically neutral for everyone. Oireachtas records from Ireland say the term is without official status in Irish legal or inter-governmental use.
Alternatives such as "Britain and Ireland", "these islands" or "British-Irish Isles" may be used depending on context.
Culture and History
The islands have overlapping but distinct histories. They include Celtic, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Norse, Norman, English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish and later migrant influences.
The political history of the islands includes separate kingdoms, unions, colonisation, partition, devolution, independence movements and continuing disputes over identity.
See Also
References
Discussion log
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