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Revision as of 08:21, 17 November 2001 by Hank Ramsey (talk | contribs) (common usage)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The British Isles is the term commonly used to identify the group of islands off the northwest coast of Europe consisting of Great Britain, Ireland and adjacent islands.
It is essential to recognize that the term "British Isles" refers to these islands as a geographical - not a political - unit (although the Channel Islands are only included due to their political association). In particular, Ireland is NOT British.
Many people in Ireland dislike the term "British Isles" because it may suggest incorrectly that Ireland is British. This is understandable, but unfortunately there really is no suitable alternative. The term "Britain and Ireland" is not equivalent because it does not include the other islands in the group.
These islands are an archipelago off the west coast of Europe (121,674 square miles), consisting of:
- The Isle of Man
- The Isle of Wight
- The Channel Isles
- The Orkney Isles
- The Shetland Isles
- The Hebrides
and many other smaller islands.