The earliest known references to the islands as a group appeared in the writings of seafarers from the ancient Greek colony of See more

The islands enjoy a mild climate and varied soils, giving rise to a diverse pattern of vegetation. Animal and plant life is similar to that of the north-western European mainland. … See more

2.5 million years ago the British Isles were repeatedly submerged beneath an ice sheet which extended into the middle of the North Sea, with a … See more

The United Kingdom and Ireland have separate media, although British television, newspapers and magazines are widely available in Ireland, giving people in Ireland a high level of familiarity with the culture of the United Kingdom. Irish newspapers are … See more

The British Isles lie at the juncture of several regions with past episodes of tectonic mountain building. These orogenic belts form a complex geology that records a huge and varied … See more

England has a generally high population density, with almost 80% of the total population of the islands. Elsewhere in Great Britain and … See more

There are two sovereign states in the British Isles: Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. … See more