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There is sometimes confusion over the nomenclature associated with the UK.
There is sometimes confusion over the nomenclature associated with the UK.
The '''United Kingdom''' is the shorter name of the state composed of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It has existed since 1801, though in 1922 most of Ireland was granted independence, and its formal name changed accordingly. The official name is ''The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland''. The adjective associated with the United Kingdom is "[[British]]".
The '''United Kingdom''' is the shorter name of the state composed of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It has existed since 1801, though in 1922 most of Ireland won its independence, and its formal name changed accordingly. The official name is ''The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland''. The adjective associated with the United Kingdom is "[[British]]".
* '''Great Britain''' is often used by Americans as a synonym for the UK, but it more properly refers to the largest island in the United Kingdom which contains [[England]], [[Scotland]] and [[Wales]]. As a result this term can cause offence in [[Northern Ireland]].
* '''Great Britain''' is often used by Americans as a synonym for the UK, but it more properly refers to the largest island in the United Kingdom which contains [[England]], [[Scotland]] and [[Wales]]. As a result this term can cause offence in [[Northern Ireland]].
===Crown===
===Crown===
The Crown is the term for the executive branch of government. In name it is headed by Her Majesty the [[Queen]], however since 1721 the [[Prime Minister of the UK]] has been de facto ruler ''in the name of the King/Queen''. The monarch and royal family have ceremonial duties, but very little influence in the day-to-day affairs of government.
The Crown is the term for the executive branch of government. In name it is headed by the [[Queen]], however since 1721 the [[Prime Minister of the UK]] has been de facto ruler ''in the name of the King/Queen''. The monarch and royal family have ceremonial duties, but very little influence in the day-to-day affairs of government.
The current [[Prime Minister]] is [[Gordon Brown]].
The current [[Prime Minister]] is [[Gordon Brown]].