I have questions for all the UK peoples, Forgive my american Options

[97celiman]

Alright so it being the end of my senior year and my dad a pilot, we are talking about an end of the year trip overseas to europe. I'm not really in to the whole, tour all of europe in 14 days deal, this will probably be one MAYBE two countries and i'm pretty sure i get to pick. obviously since i am american i am not fluent in any other language, unlike a certain german exchange student friend of mine who makes me feel retarted everyday with his tri-lingualness.

Anyway, my dad has been to both france and italy with his parents a few times. My whole family crazy opera, wine, and dem. loving people (in texas! i know, its crazy) I however didn't really want to go to either (not because i dont like them i would just rather go elsewhere) My heritage is almost perfectly divided 3 ways between Welsh, French and Irish-hence the interest

So basically i have questions about the "UK" i put it in quotes b/c im confused as to what is considered the "UK"
1) Am i correct in saying it is England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales?

2) Why is it Prince Henry of Wales and not England?

3) What are some of the ahhh rivalries? within scotland england ireland etc.?

4) Is wales a part of england or the uk (as in Mexico being part of US or north america)

5) If i go to England, is there really that much of a language barrier, we say coupe with a silent 'e' that sort of thing, my dad says there still would be even though it is both english (compared to me going to france although i should mention my stepmom is fluent in spanish, french, japanese, probably some other i cant remember so this would be a plus in france that sort of thing)


7) The other big reason i want to go to the UK is just the history, the norman, roman, anglo-saxon, beowulf history surrounding it (and braveheart! jk)
I find the british conquests interesting the scottish independence that sort of thing. can anyone recommend and good books to read that would explain this more? (i liked guns, germs and steel but that was very broad)

8) finally, please forgive me if i offended anyone, but i figured i'd ask now before i go there. im doing this as part of my research(ing) just wanted opinions from the natives.

9) if anyone can think of anything else write it up

10) thanks, i have a snow day (well ice day) here so i had to do something (i know snow day in texas!!!!) im sure people up north would scoff at this weather

This post has been edited by 97celiman: Jan 27, 2009 - 8:10 PM

[97celiman]

alright its all coming together, so just to be clear- on the military part they(all the countries) are all combined or no?

and ireland is still two seperate countries one supported by england(much like scotland) and one independent from anyone?

lot to learn- probably going to take some classes on just the uk or something back to the medieval times, or i could just play alot of medieval strategy games

[Wintersun]

alright its all coming together, so just to be clear- on the military part they(all the countries) are all combined or no?

and ireland is still two seperate countries one supported by england(much like scotland) and one independent from anyone?

lot to learn- probably going to take some classes on just the uk or something back to the medieval times, or i could just play alot of medieval strategy games

Yes
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all form the "British Armed Forces"
(Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force and British Army)

Ireland is a seperate island from Great Britain, but the northern part of Ireland "Northen Ireland (NI)" is part of the "United Kingdom"
Where as the southern part of Ireland is republic, not part of the "United Kingdom"

Think thats correct hope so!

This post has been edited by Wintersun: Jan 31, 2009 - 12:59 PM