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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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United Kingdom
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(land area 240,939sq.km/93,027sq.m, population 56.5 million in 1991) Abbreviation for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the name given to the country in all official contexts. The term seems to have developed informally during the 18C after the union of England and Scotland in 1707. It became official when the Act of *Union of 1800 brought in Ireland, the enlarged country being called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. This full name was adjusted to its present form when the southern part of Ireland became independent in 1921. The British themselves refer to their country more informally as Britain.
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