England/Wales question

I'm almost embarrassed to ask this.

I know that Wales and England are not the same.  But, then, what is Wales?  Is it a completely separate country with its own government?  Is it more of a protectorate?  Or is it something else entirely?

I hope this is the correct place to post this, I wasn't sure.

Thanks!

It's a different country with its own government, just like Scotland is. But it's still under Queen Elizabeth.

I thought it might be, but wasn't sure.

Thanks!

There's no such thing as a silly question, especially when it comes to understanding the difference between UK/GB/England/Wales etc ... so don't be embarassed to ask it!!

The answer (as I understand it and I'm not Welsh!) is that Wales is a part of the UK, in the same way that England and Scotland are.  Wales therefore elects 40 Members of Parliament, who represent their constituents' interests at Parliament in London.  However, because of Wales' unique history, language, culture and identity, it has a 'National Assembly' which sits in Cardiff (although that's only been up and running since 1999 - the first real self Government since 1536).  The Assembly comprises elected 60 Members, who control most local affairs (i.e. education, transport etc ...).  It cannot, however, raise taxes or introduce new legislation (unlike the Scottish Parliament).  You'd have to ask the Welsh what they think of the Assembly!

Anyway, the best way to understand the difference is to visit Wales.  I love Wales and the fact that it can be so different from England.  The fact that so many people still speak Welsh as a first language is a miracle to me and a joy to hear.  I have always found the Welsh to be very friendly and the countryside is beautiful.

So, hope that answers your question!

Just don't do what I did on a job interview soon after moving here:

Interviewer: "What's your favorite part of England?"

Me: "Wales"

Needless to say, I did not get the job!!!

Is the way the government in Wales works similar to Scotland, then?  I seem to recall that they also reinstated their own parliament a few years ago.

Along the same lines (sort of), how does Ireland & N. Ireland fit into all of this?

I really appreciate everyone's help in this!   

Ireland is a separate country entirely.

Northern Ireland is like Scotland and Wales but because of all their religious and political troubes, they are currently being governed from London. However, that is expected to change pretty soon and has not always been the case.

Northern Ireland is a very complex issue but that's how things stand now.

I'm sorry, I should have phrased the question differently (no caffeine yet today!).

What I meant is what is the UK and what is Great Britain?  Are they the same thing?  And how does Ireland and N. Ireland fit into them?

Thanks!

If I'm not mistaken, Great Britain is England, Scotland, and Wales. The United Kingdom is those three plus N. Ireland plus any place else under the Crown such as Gibralter though I could be wrong! I'm sure someone will correct me if I am!

Ireland doesn't fit into those at all. 

If I'm not mistaken, Great Britain is England, Scotland, and Wales.

also....Hebrides (off the western coast of Scotland), Orkney Islands (off northern coast of Scotland), Shetland Islands (off northern coast of Scotland - north of Orkeny Islands), Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey.  (The last two are islands off the southwest coast between England and France.

The full proper name is United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland[/i]

Dependent areas include: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Why is Prince Charles the Prince of Wales?  Is Prince William Prince of Great Britain or Wales?

Because the Queen made him PofW. It is traditional for the oldest son to be given Wales. William is just a plain old prince but when Charles takes the throne (if ever) then he will likely bestow Wales on William. 

I think Caitlinn and I have quite a bit to say about the Princes of Wales. 

Yes, it is tradition for the Queen's (or rather, the Sovereign's) eldest son to be made Prince of Wales.  In 1282 Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, the last (well, his brother took over for a few months, but) native-born Prince of Wales was killed in rebellion against Edward I.  After Edward killed Llewelyn and then his brother Davydd he installed his own son as Prince of Wales to demonstrate his power over the country.  (Those of you who watched Braveheart will be familiar with Edward I and his son, who suffered one of the most original and icky assassinations in history.)

Edward I also took Llewelyn's only child, Princess Gwenllian, and sent her to live in a convent where she never even knew who she actually was, and kept Davydd's two sons imprisoned their entire lives so that the Welsh people could not rise in their names.

I dont know a lot about it, cos i try to avoid the royals as much as possible, but i think the royal's 'titles' are just traditions... they dont actually mean anything.  Does the Queen sort of dole them out as gifts?
Like Prince Andrew became the Duke of York when he got married, and Prince Philip I suppose became Duke of Edinburgh when he married the Queen.

Yep, Llywelyn ap Gruffydd was the first and only native Prince of Wales (can't remember is Edward recognised him as such tho).  Whilst Llywelyn Fawr (arguablely as important as his grandson), Dafydd ap Llywelyn and Dafydd ap Gruffydd were recognised as Welsh princes, they were never seen as a princes of all of Wales.