Difference Between England and Britain

Main Difference – England vs Britain

Although many people use the terms England, Britain, the United Kingdom, British isles interchangeably, there are distinct differences in each of these terms. In this article, we are going to look at the difference between England and Britain. Britain or Great Britain refers to England, Wales and Scotland as a whole. England is a country in Great Britain. This is the main difference between England and Britain.

What is England

England is a country which shares borders with Scotland and Wales. It is a part of the United Kingdom. England cannot be used synonymously with Britain or the United Kingdom since it is only a part of them. United Kingdom is the union of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland whereas England, Scotland and Wales are situated in Great Britain.

The capital of England is London. The total land area of England is 130,279 km2. England has a population of over 53 million. Their population comprises 84% of the population of the United Kingdom. The term English is used to describe people or things that come from England.

Main Difference - England vs Britain

England is colored in red.

What is Britain

Britain, also known as Great Britain is an island situated in the east of Ireland and northwest of France in the North of Atlantic Ocean. It is the ninth largest island on earth and the largest one in Europe. Britain has an area of 80,823 square miles. The three countries England, Wales, and Scotland are on this island. England is located in the southeast; Wales in the Southwest and Scotland is in the northern part of the island. Therefore, the term Britain refers to all three countries. We use the word British to refer to people or things from Great Britain. For example, people from these three countries are called British and the English spoken are termed British English.Difference Between England and Britain

Difference Between England and Britain

Definition

England is a country in Great Britain.

Britain is England, Scotland and Wales considered as a unit.

Country

England is only one country.

Britain is comprised of three countries.

Location

England forms the southernmost part of the Great Britain.

Britain is an island in the North Atlantic, off the northwest coast of continental Europe.

Adjective

English is the adjective used to describe people, things from England.

British the adjective used to describe people, things from Britain.Difference Between England and Britain - infographic

Image Courtesy:

“Map of Great Britain” By Дмитрий-5-Аверин – Own work, (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia 

“England” by UKPhoenix79 – Image:British Isles United Kingdom.svg, (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia 

About the Author: Hasa

Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.