The British Isles (Introduction 1)

Introduction 1: The British Isles

Introduction 2: The British Isles: Topography and Prehistoric Life

BC 3000 to AD 455: Pre English

AD 455 – 1066: Old English

AD 1066 – 1485: Middle English

AD 1485 – 1603: Modern English: The Tudor Period

AD 1603 – 1700: Modern English: The Stuart Period

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The British Isles

Let's study about England, the cradle of English language and literature. We try to understand its geography, history, politics, culture, religion, arts, and especially literature.

In the continent of Europe, let’s narrow down to a strip of land – rather, a group of islands, on its north western part. This group of islands is called “The British Isles”

The British Isles: Geography

Europe and the British Isles

The British Isles is an archipelago (/ˌɑːkɪˈpɛləɡəʊ/) – an exensive group of islands. Geographically, the British Isles has two major islands, along with many small islands. The major islands in The British Isles are Great Britain and Ireland.

Great Britain: this is the bigger island of the two. It has three major areas, which were once independent countries: The name originates from Brythons – a Celtic tribe. Great Britain has three major areas: England, Scotland, Wales.

Ireland: Ireland is the second largest island of the British Isles.

The British Isles: Political Divisions

The British Isles has two major countries: the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland.

Focus on the second, the smaller island: Ireland. It has two countries in it. One of the two countries is fully in the island of Ireland. This is known, politically, as “The Republic of Ireland”. What about the rest of Ireland? It is part of another country: this part is called “Northern Ireland”.

Now, to learn of the second country: The island of Great Britain, comprising the major areas of England, Scotland and Ireland, plus the area called Northern Ireland, combines to form another country. This is “the United Kingdom”.

So, to sum up:

The British Isles is a group of islands on the north west of Europe.

The British Isles has two major islands: Great Britain and Ireland. 

The British Isles has two countries: The United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland

Do watch a video ... won't take even 4 minutes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=uJ1mg6vikvs&feature=emb_logo