Why the United Kingdom?

[Tefler]

Today I was asked by a foreign student why Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales are all part of the same country. I was able to give a fairly simple answer, but wondered if there was a website dealing with the matter which I could direct him to. A quick look at Google has brought me nothing of use.

[Quizmonster]

You could get him to click http://gcconline.georgian.edu/business_review/uk.h
tm#History and read the 'History' section of the web-page.

[BadlyHungBoy]

Well, it started with the Roman invasion: the Welsh are the English cowards and the Irish are the Welsh who could swim... the Scots sold themselves to the English sometime later

[Maudlettice]

To add a little that may be of interest to the link provided by QM (1) it says that Ireland became independent in 1922. What actually happened was that the (independent) Irish Free State (26 counties) was created then together with Northern Ireland (6 counties) Northern Ireland was then incorporated into the new United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and (2) the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are not in the United Kingdom.

[Tefler]

Thank you, Quizmonster, for the link - it's exactly what I was looking for. Maude, I think that by saying that after 1922 'the kingdom was renamed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland', the writers have avoided any confusion between Ireland and Northern Ireland. With regard to your other point, does it actually say on the site that the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are part of the United Kingdom? I can't find that part.

[Maudlettice]

No, Tefler, it doesn't, thats why I added it in case it was of interest to you. There are roughly 650 ( ! true ) islands within the United Kingdom, but the IOM and CI are outside. They are dependencies, with their own parliaments, laws and tax systems. Also, neither have joined the EU.

[Maudlettice]

To add also that in 1922 Ireland ceased to exist. It became The Irish Free State and Northern Ireland. Later the Irish Free State became Eire, and is now the Republic of Ireland, with the euro as its currency.