Here's a little snippet from the Guardian web site.

"A study to raise awareness of geography found that two thirds of people (65%) mistakenly believe Britain is made up of four countries, rather than the correct three: England, Scotland and Wales."

Here's another quote, giving slightly different information.

"Britain,UK: These terms are synonymous. Britain is the official short form of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland... Great Britain, however,refers only to England, Wales and Scotland."

The source of the second quote?
Why The Guardian Book of English Language, a condensed version of the Guardian's own Style Manual. Oops!

(To be fair they do, elsewhere in the article refer to it as Great Britain but rather than treating Britain and UK as synonymous they treat Britain and Great Britain as synonymous.)

Why can't you people choose one name and stick to it?

quote:

Why can't you people choose one name and stick to it?

There are so many names for our archipelago, that the nomenclature is truly confusing.

Most people agree that the geographical term for the entire archipelago is the British Islands - including the Republic of Ireland (although the Irish often disagree).

Then there are various terms for the different subdivisions: Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales); The United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland). The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are part of the British Islands but not part of the United Kingdom.

Confused? You should be!

I've heard of the "British Isles", but I don't think I've ever heard "British Islands".

The Wikipedia article (link) on the geographical and political terminology for this group of Islands and countries is interesting and informative.