Great Britain, UK and England

I always assumed that Great Britain, United Kingdom, British Isles and England were just different references to the same country. You guessed it–it’s a bit more complicated.

Great Britain is an island consisting of three autonomous regions including England, Scotland and Wales. It is located east of Ireland and northwest of France. The capital and largest city of Great Britain is London. The monarchy of Great Britain is limited to ceremonial functions only and sovereignty rests with Parliament.

The United Kingdom is a country that includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its official name is United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are often mistaken as countries, but they are only a part of the United Kingdom.

England is the largest and most populous portion of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is bounded by Wales, the Irish Sea, Scotland, the English Channel, the Strait of Dover and the North Sea.

The British Isles encompasses Great Britain, the island of Ireland, the Isle of Man and several other smaller islands.

The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of countries that were formerly British colonies. Members recognize the UK Monarchy as their own king or queen, but remain politically independent.

Members of the Commonwealth of Nations:

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Canada, Cameroon, Cyprus, Dominica, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra, Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu and Zambia

I’m not sure, but now I may be more confused.

Now you’re a little smarter, Girlfriend — And so am I.

Countries in the World

How many independent countries are there in the world? I was curious about this after seeing something on the news and realized I had no idea what the answer was. My guess was 300. I was way off.

All eight of these criteria need to be met to determine independent country status:

1. Has space or territory that has internationally recognized boundaries.
   
2. Has people who live there on an ongoing basis.
   
3. Has economic activity and organized economy. A country regulates foreign and domestic trade and issues money.
   
4. Has the power of social engineering, such as education.
   
5. Has a transportation system for moving goods and people.
   
6. Has a government that provides public services and police or military power.
   
7. Has sovereignty. No other State should have power over the country’s territory.
   
8. Has external recognition and be “voted into the club” by other countries.
   

The actual number of countries is not absolute because the political world is constantly changing and it depends on whom you’re asking. The general answer is anywhere from 189 to 195. The US State Department recognizes 194. Most of the current World Almanacs say 193. The United Nations has 192 members.

There are many reasons for the variations. For example, the US takes into account their political agenda, so it includes Kosovo but not Taiwan. The World Almanac excludes Kosovo. The United Nations doesn’t include Vatican City and Kosovo but does include the new nations of Montenegro and Serbia. And then there is England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. All are considered to be individual countries, but they are still part of the United Kingdom, a European country. Taiwan meets the requirements of an independent country, but due to political reasons, is not recognized by the international community. China claims that Taiwan is simply a province of China. And then there are territories and colonies like Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Greenland, Palestine and Western Sahara, which are governed by other countries. If territories and colonies were included, then the count could go as high as 266 or so.

Here is the link to the US State Department’s list of countries:
http://www.state.gov/www/regions/independent_states.html

Now you’re a little smarter, Girlfriend — And so am I.