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The British Isles is a controversial term refering to an [[Archipelago]] off the North West European Coast. The largest Islands in the group are the Islands of [[Great Britain]] and [[Ireland]]. They form the terretories of the [[United Kingdom]] and the Republic of [[Ireland]].

The British Isles are an [[Archipelago]] off the North West European Coast. The largest Islands in the group are the Islands of [[Great Britain]] and [[Ireland]]. They form the territories of the [[United Kingdom]], the Republic of [[Ireland]], and the Isle of Man.

Controversy surrounds the use of the word 'British' as an adjective to describe the Archipelago, which is found offensive by some, particularly in the Republic of Ireland.

Controversy surrounds the use of the word 'British' as an adjective to describe the Archipelago, which is found offensive by some, particularly in the Republic of Ireland. In fact, however, the term 'British' predates the formation of the British state by thousands of years, and was a name applied by the Greeks and Romans to the inhabitants of Great Britain and Ireland alike.