British Isles

The British Isles is a group of islands located off the northwest coast of mainland Europe. It comprises two main islands, Great Britain and Ireland, along with over 6,000 smaller islands, including the Isle of Man and the Hebrides. The term encompasses the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) and the Republic of Ireland. Historically, the British Isles have been significant for their cultural, political, and economic influence globally. The term can sometimes lead to confusion, particularly in political contexts, so it's important to distinguish between the islands and the countries they contain.