Great Britain is an island[4] lying to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island. With a population of about 59.6 million people, it is the third most populated island on Earth. Great Britain is surrounded by over 1000[5] smaller islands and islets. The island of Ireland lies to its west.
Most of the territory of the sovereign state the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, is in Great Britain, and the term is sometimes used inaccurately to refer to the United Kingdom. Most of England, Scotland and Wales are on the island, as are their capital cities, London, Edinburgh and Cardiff.
The Kingdom of Great Britain resulted from the political union of the kingdoms of England and Scotland on 1 May, 1707 under Queen Anne. It existed until 1801 when the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland were united. This resulted in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. This in turn became the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1922 with the secession of the Irish Free State.
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When drivers come off a ferry in Great Britain or Ireland, they usually see a sign warning them to drive on the left. Driving in the British Isles is ...
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