Country of origin

[Khun Tony]

I was born in Australia, but if you chase my roots back far enough, my fathers side of the family came from Ireland and my mums side from Scotland!

In respect to the argument about Wales not being a country I saw this which tends to suggest that it is a country!!

11. Is Wales a Country or a Principality?
Wales is not a Principality. Although we are joined with England by land, and we are part of Great Britain, Wales is a country in it's own right.

We have a long history that goes from the old welsh kingdoms and the middle ages. We have had a 'Prince of Wales' from 1301, when Edward I created the title. The title is given to the eldest son of each English monarch.

Our Prince of Wales at the moment is Prince Charles, who is the present heir to the throne. But he does not have a role in the governance of Wales, even though his title might suggest that he does.

On 18 September 1997, we voted in favour of devolution in Wales. Before that, we were run entirely by the UK government in London. We were then given the powers we need to make secondary laws that affect us by an act called the Government of Wales Act 1998.

In 2006, we expanded on this act and have gained more powers for our country with the Government of Wales Act 2006. Our government's document 'One Wales' refers to us as a country or nation in it's own right. 

There was also this:

BRITAIN, the largest island in the archipelago just north of France; the island of Britain contains three countries:

ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, and WALES.

ENGLAND is one of the countries of Britain.

SCOTLAND is one of the countries of Britain.

WALES is one of the countries of Britain.

NORTHERN IRELAND is a jurisdiction having approximately the same status as England, Scotland, and Wales, but on a different island.

The UNITED KINGDOM is the union of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, including whatever islands are also included in those countries. The full name of the United Kingdom is THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND. The United Kingdom itself is a country. Thus it is a country that is made up of four countries. A country made of countries might seem a paradox, yet the countries that make up the UK, especially England, Scotland, and Wales, do not think of themselves as anything less; Scotland has its own Parliament and banknotes, Wales has its own language and National Assembly, all three have national identities going back more than a thousand years, and the Encyclopedia Britannica calls them countries (next item). Perhaps more to the point, ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, WALES, and NORTHERN IRELAND are listed in the USPS Index of Countries and Localities. (According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term UNITED KINGDOM was first used in 1801 and, until 1921, included Ireland.)

Enjoy

[lukey1979]

Confusing isn't it?

[Jamaw]

Khun Tony, very emotive, very emotional but facts are facts no matter where you are from or what pulls your heart strings.

Wales is not a country -FACT. Get feckin over it man. When the Act of the Union was decided a long and complex draft was placed out. Why do you think the Queens husband is only the Duke of Edinburgh? We won't have Princes or Kings subjected to us! Wales was succeeded as part of England (not UK) so when the Act of the Union was drawn up and legalised Wales did not take part, Wales had no representatives, Wales had no say. It is sad, but it is true. You can argue with me as long as you like but you cannot argue with accredited historians!

Tony, you digress and divert to mention irrelivant points. I repeat yet agins what the UN states....if your country does not issue a passport it is not  a legal country! Wales, in all its glorious history has never been a free country.

Don't argue with FACTS!

[Paddyram]

I'm glad I don't have that confusion to deal with.  I hail from an independent sovereign Country with its own flag, passport and language FACT

Yep, In Ireland, we are free to govern our own country FACT, ....... except for the IMF, .... and the EU central Bank ..... then there are our angry creditors/bond holders, .... Oh, and I think England lent us a few quid also ..... so, yes basically we are a free independent country, that is currently fcuked FACT.

[Vombatus]

I'm glad I don't have that confusion to deal with.  I hail from an independent sovereign Country with its own flag, passport and language FACT

Yep, In Ireland, we are free to govern our own country FACT, ....... except for the IMF, .... and the EU central Bank ..... then there are our angry creditors/bond holders, .... Oh, and I think England lent us a few quid also ..... so, yes basically we are a free independent country, that is currently fcuked FACT.

Nice one - and the Irish call that "FREE", chai mai ?


FREE IRELAND





(With every packet of Kellogs cornflakes )

[urleft]

OK, I did not realize there are a Northern and Southern Ireland.  Kind of means the United Kingdom is not that united. 

[candy]

Trying to make some people understand is  A question Jamaw,what nationality are you?Scottish?

[urleft]

Irish, Scottish, British, Welsh,  all same same, just have to check the bad teeth to know they are from the UK.
 

[lukey1979]

OK, I did not realize there are a Northern and Southern Ireland.  Kind of means the United Kingdom is not that united. 

Bone comment of the month right there. ;-)

[BromleyBumkin]

OK, I did not realize there are a Northern and Southern Ireland.  Kind of means the United Kingdom is not that united. 

Bone comment of the month right there. ;-)

That reminds me of the old saying...

God created WAR to teach A*******s Geography

[Jamaw]

Candy - I'm British, Scot!!!

[Really?]

Of course there are alot of different ways to look at things.

What is a country, nation or even nationality? The area known as the UK often get misunderstood.

People will always call themselves Scottish, English or Welsh. That is where they were born and the words themselves are recognises, to most people and also accepted.

Then there is the official or politcal way to look at things. As far as that is concerned, and this has been mentioned before, for your offical nationality you need look no further than your passport.

[Jamaw]

That's what I said at the start but many posts later and input by the ignorant has kept it going.

[candy]

 Scotland is not a country.

Scotland Is Not an Independent Country
Why Scotland Does Not Meet the Definition of an Independent State
By Matt Rosenberg, About.com Guide
.
 I have many english ,Irish [ N & S ] and Scottish friends.We 've always enjoyed the banter together. You do not fit in.

[Jamaw]

I never said it was, I don't think anyone did. I don't need anyone to tell me that!

In our national anthem, Flower of Scotland, it states we will be a nation once again!