A map of the British Isles

I opened up the Rick Steves’ Great Britain 2008 book for the first time tonight and learned a little something right off the bat.

• • England is in the south part of Britain.
  • Britain is the name of the island.
  • Great Britain is the political union of England, Scotland, and Wales.
  • The United Kingdom adds Northern Ireland.
  • The British Isles (not a political entity) also includes the independent Republic of Ireland.