What regions make up the United Kingdom?

Okay, let's break down the regions that make up the United Kingdom. The UK is a sovereign state located off the north-western coast of continental Europe. It's a common mistake to think that the UK is just England, but it's actually a union of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each of these has its own unique history, culture, and even some devolved powers, meaning they have some control over their own affairs. The Kingdom of Great Britain was formed in 1707 when England and Scotland united, and then Ireland was formally joined in 1801, creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Following the Irish War of Independence, most of Ireland left to form the Republic of Ireland, while Northern Ireland remained part of the UK. So, while the Isle of Man and Channel Islands are closely associated with the UK, they aren't actually part of it; they are self-governing Crown Dependencies. And the Republic of Ireland is a completely separate country altogether.