What is the difference between UK, Great Britain and England?

Great Britain, United Kingdom and England are three denominations that are very often confused.

The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is the union of four countries:

England - whose capital is the city of London.
Scotland - whose capital is the city of Edinburgh.
Wales - whose capital is the city of Cardiff.
Northern Ireland - whose capital is the city of Belfast.

The official name of this union is "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland".

These nations share a head of state (the Queen of the United Kingdom: Elizabeth II), a prime minister (currently Liz Truss) and a system economy having as currency pound sterling.

The parliamentary government is in England but has three devolved administrations in each nation's capitals.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own parliaments and therefore ministers specific to their nations - they nevertheless remain dependent on the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

With an estimated population of 66.79 million (2019), the United Kingdom is the 22nd most populous country in the world.

Map of United Kingdom

The United Kingdom consists of the island of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland is also part of the Island of Ireland - which is made up of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Only Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.

The city of London is both the capital of the United Kingdom and England.

Great Britain

The term 'Great Britain' refers to the main island of the United Kingdom - this is a geographical reference only.

Great Britain is made up of three nations:

England - whose capital is the city of London.
Scotland - whose capital is the city of Edinburgh.
Wales - whose capital is the city of Cardiff.

Unlike the UK which also includes Northern Ireland.

Great Britain has an estimated population of 64.90 million (2019).

Map of Great Britain

Great Britain is the main island of the British Isles archipelago.

The term 'British Isles' is also just a geographical reference - the British Isles consist of Great Britain, Ireland (North and South) and several other small islands.

Great Britain can be compared to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal and Andorra): an area where several countries live together, but which has no political or economic dimension.

England

England is the largest nation of Great Britain and the United Kingdom. Its capital is the city of London - also the capital of the United Kingdom.

With an estimated population of 56.28 million (2019), England is the most populous nation in the United Kingdom.

Map of England

England borders Scotland (to the North), Wales (to the West), the Irish Sea (to the North West), the Celtic Sea (to the South West), The North Sea (to the east) and the Channel Channel (to the south).

The city of London is both the capital of England and the United Kingdom.