Great Britain

/ ˌɡreɪt ˈbrɪ.tən / country /

RE: COLONIALISM, COMMONWEALTH, EUROPE, GEOGRAPHY, GEOPOLITICS, UNITED KINGDOM

Great Britain is the largest island in the British Isles, made up of England, Scotland, and Wales. It does not include Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom (UK) but lies on the neighbouring island of Ireland.

Historically, Great Britain was at the centre of the British Empire, one of the largest empires in history. Through colonialism and imperialism, it controlled vast parts of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, shaping global trade, language, politics, and migration, often through exploitation, violence, and cultural domination. The legacies of British colonial rule continue to influence many former colonies today, especially in areas like legal systems, education, and economic inequality.

In the modern world, the UK—of which Great Britain forms the largest part—remains a powerful global actor. It is a key member of international groups like the G7, which includes the world’s largest advanced economies, and the G20, a forum for major global powers to coordinate economic and financial policy. Britain also holds a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, and plays an active role in NATO, the Commonwealth, and climate diplomacy.

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