British Isles The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller islands. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (commonly known as the United Kingdom, U.K.) and Ireland (also described as the Republic of Ireland). Great Britain Great Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island. With a population of about 62.5 million people it is the third most populated island on Earth. Great Britain is surrounded by over 1,000 smaller islands. The island of Ireland lies to its west. Great Britain comprises the territory of England, Scotland and Wales and their respective capital cities are London, Edinburgh, and Cardiff. So, the United Kingdom is formed by Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Great Britain is formed by England, Scotland and Wales. Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state of all of them, and London is the capital of England, of Great Britain and of the United Kingdom. The English Channel separates Great Britain from the rest of Europe. The flag The "Union Jack" or "Union Flag" is a composite design made up of three different national symbols, three different flags with different crosses: The cross of St.George, the patron saint of England; The cross of St. Andrews, the patron saint of Scotland; The cross of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. .