Why are England, Scotland, Wales, etc grouped together as "Great Britain?"?

Question

I think it's a bit unfair that these countries are grouped together, where as other "groups" of countries such as those in the West Indies are individual...can anyone help me out as to why this is so...The brits are going nuts cause they are winning so many medals, but they've got 3-4 countries combining...

Answer 1

It's all down to politics. Due to numerous invasions, power struggles and royal marriages throughout history, treaties have been signed that have unified all these countries under the one name.  

Answer 2

Does it really matter, they all whine the same.

Answer 3

I don't know.

Scotland, wales & england are all on the same Island..AND they're all part of Europe where as France, Germany, Spain, Ireland are - to the sides of Enland/wales/scotland...

Answer 4

The relationship between England, Scotland and Wales (not to mention Ireland & Northern Ireland) is complex to say the least, and the result of many centuries of tumultous history.  These countries aren't separate states within the International System - i.e. - don't have separate seats at the UN, don't have recognised national government, don't maintain embassies overseas etc.  But they conceivably could be considered separate nations in a cultural sense in that they have their own linguistic, religous and artistic heritages.  The bottom line is they are not independent countries in the sense that Australia, the US, China etc. are, and are not recognised as such within the international system.  So at the Olympics they compete as one country.    

Answer 5

isnt wales in England?

Answer 6

The welsh guy is right the process of "devolution" is well under way. That is the process of separating the Bitish nations, however it is unlikely to be in time for the London 2012 Olympics. Mainly because neither nation is able to sustain an independent economy, in 04/05 they had £15bn deficit on their combined GDP. So be prepared for team GB to be near the top of the table at least once more.

Answer 7

well done dbmurata !! at last someone with a brain and able to explain it clearly. Unfortunately the others that have commented above you may never read what you have written and will remain what they are !!!

Answer 8

In 1801, Parliament enacted the Act of Union creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (that is England, Wales , Scotland and Ireland) In 1921, Ireland was partitioned into the Republic and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland remains part of Great Britain.

The sites mentioned in an earlier answer will go into this in more detail.

Answer 9

It is because they are not good enough to be competitve as individual teams.  That is why they are so excited they are beating Australia this year.  If we combined with our neighbours they wouldn't be beating us.  We acknowledge we are good enough to sit alone though.  

Answer 10

They are a Union. Hence the United Kingdoms flag "The Union Jack".

I know it goes way back, 1600 or so England and Scotland created what was called "The Union of Crowns" a personal union. In the early 1700's they became a political Union. Then about 1800 Ireland joined in. And Northern Ireland in the 1920's. Southern Ireland remains a separate country.  The Union Jack (Britains flag) is actually a combination of all those countries flags. Wales was a country that was annexed to England in the 1500's and then de-annexed in 1955. It is a separate country but is politically part of the Union, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

Answer 11

WALES IS NOT ENGLAND, WHY ARE PEOPLE SO IGNORANT

ARGH THAT GET'S ON MY NERVES

Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are all countries just like France, Germany, Russia and so on, The reason they are grouped together?

One parliament and sovereign in Westminster,,

Wales would love to compete seperatly we'd do better than most nations anyway, We've already had 5 gold medals from Weslh athletes.

Wales and Scotland are half way there to being Independent, It won't be long.  

Answer 12

Great Britain is actually the name of the island formation that contains England, Scotland, and Wales.  It is not a country.  The United Kingdom, however, consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.  These four countries are controlled by a single parliamentary government, similar to how the 50 states, each with their own separate governments and constitutions, are united under a national government and constitution.  These Brits (as well as the rest of the world) could argue that we've really got 50 countries combining to work as one, and they would be correct, considering that the term "state" means a sovereign government.

Answer 13

Well, because they ARE one country, like if you look on the map, they're all the same color.  

Answer 14

Not completely sure on this, but I don know for a fact this is the reason none of these countries have a football (soccer) team in the Olympics.  These 3 countries would never agree to combine their athletes for one football team.  

I am actually surprised that Scotland and Wales would allow their countries' athletes to be saddled under the title of "Great Britain."

Answer 15

It's a political union between these countries, that's why.  The name of the country is actually the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland.  Trust me, many people think the days of the Union should be in the past and Scotland should get its independence.  There are some that want Wales & Northern Ireland to get their independence too.