Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Great Britain
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images & Videos
British Isles terminology
The difference between Great Britain and the United Kingdom
Quizzes
Island, New Caledonia.
Islands and Archipelagos
Union Jack, British flag, Flag of Great Britain, British Culture, British Empire, England, English Culture, English Flag
Know Your UK Geography Quiz
Read Next
Union Jack flag of Great Britain, united kingdom
What’s the Difference Between Great Britain and the United Kingdom?
The Wedding of Victoria I, Queen of England and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in London, England. Vintage etching circa mid 19th century. The wedding was on February 10th, 1840.
Why Have So Many World Leaders Married Their Cousins?
Discover
Figure 13: A Maxim machine gun, belt-fed and water-cooled, operated by German infantrymen, World War I.
7 Deadliest Weapons in History
Candles Burning On Table In Church
What Is the Most Widely Practiced Religion in the World?
Mona Lisa, oil on wood panel by Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1503-06; in the Louvre, Paris, France. 77 x 53 cm.
Why Is the Mona Lisa So Famous?
All Saints Day. All Souls Day. Candles in cemetery in Poland on All Saints Day, November 1. All Souls Day, November 2. Christian church, All Hallows, Solemnity of All Saints, Feast of All Saints, purgatory, Roman Catholic church
7 Unique Burial Rituals Across the World
Chinese pictograph, calligraphy tablet of Huang Tingjian, a famous calligrapher in Ancient Song Dynasty. The background of Chinese cultural elements.
The World’s 5 Most Commonly Used Writing Systems
African Americans demonstrating for voting rights in front of the White House as police and others watch, March 12, 1965. One sign reads, "We demand the right to vote everywhere." Voting Rights Act, civil rights.
Timeline of the American Civil Rights Movement
July, 2006, Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery STS-121. See attached for full caption information.
Will Light-Speed Space Travel Ever Be Possible?
British Isles terminology
British Isles terminology Map showing the terminology commonly used to describe the British Isles, the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and Ireland. The terms used here are a mixture of geographic and political labels.

Great Britain

island, Europe
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Also known as: Britain
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: • Article History
Also called:
Britain
See all related content

News •

Emily Campbell: Two-time Olympic weightlifting medallist plans to open Nottingham gym • Apr. 25, 2025, 8:03 AM ET (BBC)
Bite marks reveal gladiator's fatal encounter with a lion in ancient Britain • Apr. 23, 2025, 9:14 AM ET (Reuters)
Scotland, ECB in talks over Britain team at Los Angeles Games • Apr. 19, 2025, 3:55 AM ET (Straits Times)
UK will set 'high trust bar' for future Chinese investment after British Steel rescue, minister says • Apr. 13, 2025, 9:41 AM ET (AP)
UK government recalls Parliament for emergency legislation to save British Steel • Apr. 11, 2025, 1:13 PM ET (AP)
The difference between Great Britain and the United Kingdom
The difference between Great Britain and the United KingdomBritain. Great Britain. The United Kingdom. The British Isles.
See all videos for this article

Great Britain, island lying to the east of the island of Ireland and off the northwestern coast of Europe. It consists of England, Scotland, and Wales. Great Britain is part of the British Isles, together with the island of Ireland as well as smaller islands and island groups.

The term Great Britain, which this article uses as a geographic designation, is often used as a synonym for the United Kingdom, a political entity that includes England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales and that was once part of the British Empire.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by J.E. Luebering.