Understanding the United Kingdom

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The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The rest of the island of Ireland is the Republic of Ireland, which is an independent country.

The country’s official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 'Great Britain' refers to the main island containing England, Scotland, and Wales; it does not cover Northern Ireland. In everyday speech, though, people across the whole UK are often called ‘Britain’, ‘British Isles’, or ‘British’.

The flag of the United Kingdom is known as the Union Flag or Union Jack. It combines the crosses of the patron saints of England (St George’s Cross), Scotland (St Andrew’s Cross), and Ireland (St Patrick’s Cross), symbolizing the union of these nations.
The flag of the United Kingdom is known as the Union Flag or Union Jack. It combines the crosses of the patron saints of England (St George’s Cross), Scotland (St Andrew’s Cross), and Ireland (St Patrick’s Cross), symbolizing the union of these nations.