Great Britain: Difference between revisions
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[[de:Großbritannien]][[eo:Britio]] |
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'''Great Britain''' is an island in the North [[Atlantic Ocean]], to the northwest of mainland [[Europe]]. The island has an area of [[1 E11 m²|229,850 km<sup>2</sup>]] (88,745 sq miles), and is the largest island in an archipelago that also includes [[Ireland]], the [[Faroe Islands]], the [[Orkney Islands]], and the [[Isle of Man]]. |
'''Great Britain''' is an island in the North [[Atlantic Ocean]], to the northwest of mainland [[Europe]]. The island has an area of [[1 E11 m²|229,850 km<sup>2</sup>]] (88,745 sq miles), and is the largest island in an [[archipelago]] that also includes [[Ireland]], the [[Faroe Islands]], the [[Orkney Islands]], and the [[Isle of Man]]. |
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The countries of [[England]], [[Wales]] and [[Scotland]] are located on Great Britain. These countries, together with the province of [[Northern Ireland]], and the many [[United_Kingdom/Dependent_territories|Overseas Territories]] form the [[United Kingdom]]. Therefore, Great Britain is part, but only part, of the UK. |
The countries of [[England]], [[Wales]] and [[Scotland]] are located on Great Britain. These countries, together with the province of [[Northern Ireland]], and the many [[United_Kingdom/Dependent_territories|Overseas Territories]] form the [[United Kingdom]]. Therefore, Great Britain is part, but only part, of the UK. |
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Revision as of 13:41, 28 December 2002
Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, to the northwest of mainland Europe. The island has an area of 229,850 km2 (88,745 sq miles), and is the largest island in an archipelago that also includes Ireland, the Faroe Islands, the Orkney Islands, and the Isle of Man.
The countries of England, Wales and Scotland are located on Great Britain. These countries, together with the province of Northern Ireland, and the many Overseas Territories form the United Kingdom. Therefore, Great Britain is part, but only part, of the UK.
An older name for this island is Albion, which is still used in English in the form Albany.
People often wonder why the island is called Great Britain rather than just Britain. The reason for this is that there are two Britains: the island of Britain in the British Isles, and the land of Britain in France. In French these are known as Grande Bretagne and Bretagne; in English, Great Britain and Brittany.
The word Great in this context has its old meaning of big as in she was great with child or Greater London. Likewise, the ending -y on the end of Brittany has the meaning Little as in doggy meaning small dog or Jimmy meaning little Jim.
Until recent history, Great Britain extended its control over a large amount of territory, established through imperialist conquest by separate engagements to form the British Empire.
See also:
The SS Great Britain was named for the island.