[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: How to address mail to the UK

[Lee Kaiwen]

Lee Kaiwen

Goddlefrood:

  > Great Britain is the island containing of England (excluding its
  > islands), Scotland (excluding its islands) and Wales (excluding
  > its islands).

OK - I just ran across another reference that suggests "Great Britain" 
and "the British Isles" are not the same -- the latter including both 
the major island *and* the island of Ireland.

So now we have England, Great Britain, the British Isles, the United 
Kingdom and the British Commonwealth; toss in Scotland, the ROI, Wales, 
and a side order of the Sicillys -- it IS rather a lot to keep straight. 
Examples: Northern Ireland is part of the British Isles, the UK, and the 
Commonwealth, but is NOT part of Great Britain or the Republic of 
Ireland. The Republic of Ireland is part of the British Isles (and the 
Commonwealth?) but not Great Britain or the UK. Scotland, England and 
Wales are all of the above. Citizens of Inner Mongolia need not apply.

Why would *anyone* find all this confusing? :-)

--CJ