The Breakroom > The Water Cooler
Questions for those on the left side of the pond dealing with Country names ?
andyf:
As I understand it:
Full title: "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland", which implies that Northern Ireland is part of the UK, but not of Great Britain.
There are other anomalies, though. The Isle of Man, which lies between the mainland and Northern Ireland, and the Channel Isles, lying just off the northern coast of France, are not part of the UK but self governing "British Crown Dependencies" though for nationality and foreign policy purposes they are treated as part of the UK.
So, strictly speaking, Great Britain comprises the three countries of England, Scotland (which has always had its own legal system, and now has its own Parliament giving it autonomy over much of its own affairs) and Wales (uses the English legal system, but now with its own Welsh Assembly giving a markedly lesser degree of autonomy than Scotland).
The UK comprises Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) plus Northern Ireland, which has its own Assembly known as "Stormont" with powers similar to the Scottish Parliament, but which has in the past run into difficulties * because of Irish Nationalist v Loyalist and closely allied Roman Catholic v Protestant differences. NI has in the past, and may in the future, be subject to direct rule from the mainland. I hope that makes it all crystal clear; there will be a short test tomorrow :lol:
Andy
* I am being as objective as I can in these remarks about NI; I don't want to stir up any controversy on the subject, and hope there won't be any on this board.
PTsideshow:
--- Quote from: Bluechip on January 17, 2010, 01:04:43 PM ---PT - S ..
While we are on the subject of Geo-Political confusion, is it not true that Texas is not technically a State, but a Commonwealth or similar?
Or maybe some other part of USA ??
Dave BC
--- End quote ---
I don't know about Texas, at one time it was a Republic. Republic of Texas There are a number of states that are Commonwealth's Massachusetts, Virgina, Maryland,and Pennsylvania are the ones that come to mind or I can remember.
They then became states. They don't teach much of any US history in schools here for the last 25 years or so and it seems like less and less each year.
Having did the last 13 years in an elementary school it always amazed me that the science teachers knew only the science in the text books they were currently using. Or the Social Studies/History/Government. Didn't know any current events let alone recent or past history.
Of the US let alone England or Canada.
:scratch:
mklotz:
According to my understanding, and Wikipedia's...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_%28U.S._state%29
Maryland is not a commonwealth and Kentucky is.
Both Texas and California (and perhaps others?) were republics before they became states of the union. In fact, California's *state* flag still bears the words "California Republic".
http://www.50states.com/flag/caflag.htm
PTsideshow:
Yep wouldn't surprise me to find out we don't have a legal government. It seems that there is such a checkered past with the Republic's,Territories, District and Commonwealth's.
:med:
John Hill:
--- Quote from: PTsideshow on January 17, 2010, 10:19:46 AM ---
The British Empire refers to the group of Countries, as Canada, Australia, the Caribbean ones and the rest of the remaining ones that have some association with the home country?
--- End quote ---
I am sorry but I can not let that go uncorrected! ::)
The British Empire has ceased to exist and the few remaining posessions are termed "British Overseas Territories", most of the countries of the former British Empire which left under friendly terms joined the British Commonwealth and later when countries that had never been in the British Empire wanted to join it became the Commonwealth Of Nations.
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India for example are members of the Commonwealth and many such countries out-source their position of soverign by selecting Betty Windsor (aka Queen Elizabeth II) as their queen. This does not make such countries sub-serviant to England but it does give the image of a living person to put on our currency and also someone to pin on medals and open hospitals etc. Not to forget of course the other members of the Royal Family who provide a never ending real-life soap opera for our entertainment.
The US, which includes former Brithish colonies could conceivably petition to join the Commonwealth, but you would have to ask very nicely.
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