Section A Exploring the World Text AA Brief Introduction to the United Kingdom The Act of Union of 1800 formally assimilated Ireland within the British political process and from 1 January 1801 created a new state called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,which united the Kingdom of Great Britain with the Kingdom of Ireland to form a single political entity.The English capital of London was adopted as the capital of the Union. People often confuse the names for this country,and frequently make mistakes in using them.United Kingdom,UK,and Britain are all proper terms for the entire nation,although the term Britain is also often used when it comes to the island of Great Britain.The use of the term Great Britain to refer to the entire nation is now outdated;the term Great Britain,properly used,refers only to the island of Great Britain,which does not include Northern Ireland.The term England should never be used to describe Britain,because England is only one part of the island.It is always correct to call people from England,Scotland,or Wales British,although people from England may also properly be called English,people from Scotland Scottish,and people from Wales Welsh 大连理工大学出版社 大连理工大学出版社 Section A Exploring the World Text A A Brief Introduction to the United Kingdom The Act of Union of 1800 formally assimilated Ireland within the British political process and from 1 January 1801 created a new state called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, which united the Kingdom of Great Britain with the Kingdom of Ireland to form a single political entity. The English capital of London was adopted as the capital of the Union. People often confuse the names for this country, and frequently make mistakes in using them. United Kingdom, UK, and Britain are all proper terms for the entire nation, although the term Britain is also often used when it comes to the island of Great Britain. The use of the term Great Britain to refer to the entire nation is now outdated; the term Great Britain, properly used, refers only to the island of Great Britain, which does not include Northern Ireland. The term England should never be used to describe Britain, because England is only one part of the island. It is always correct to call people from England, Scotland, or Wales British, although people from England may also properly be called English, people from Scotland Scottish, and people from Wales Welsh