Foreign perceptions of the UK?

[TruckOSaurus]

TWRoO said:

TruckOSaurus said:
When I think about the UK, first and foremost I'm confused about all countries that compose it (UK is Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Great Britain is England, Wales and Scotland).

Apart from that, I love love love the accent, I have this misconception that British people sound distinguished because of it (even if they're saying the foulest things). They have a fascinating history (love stories about kings and queens, their power struggles with other nations, although I have to admit most of what I know comes from what I've read in books about France's history since their history is often interconnected with England).

I like their music too since a lot of the artists I listen to come from the UK (Muse, Adele, Franz Ferdinand, Florence + the Machine, The Fratellis, Queen, etc...)

It is confusing... hopefully this will help.

The British Isles is the name for the group of islands... there are lots of islands in the British Isles. Great Britain is the biggest island, followed by Ireland, then there loads of Scottish islands, the Isle of Man, the Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_islands_of_the_British_Isles

On the political side the Republic of Ireland is a country in it's own right. Then N.Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England are the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom.

The Channel Islands (Jersey & Guernsey and a few other small islands) and for some reason the Isle of Man are "British Crown Dependencies" which is where the proper madness occurs... as none of the islands are part of the UK, (and by extension not part of the EU) but are also not classed as overseas territories.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Dependencies

Thanks, it does help. Now I just have to remember it.