The Four Nations of the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is made up of four constituent nations:
1. England (Capital: London)
2. Scotland (Capital: Edinburgh; largest city: Glasgow)
3. Wales (Capital: Cardiff)
4. Northern Ireland (Capital: Belfast)
Note: Great Britain refers to the island containing England, Scotland, and Wales. The United Kingdom includes Great Britain plus Northern Ireland.
National Patron Saints and Flowers
Each nation possesses unique national symbols and saint days:
- England: Patron saint is St George (feast day: 23 April); national flower is the Rose (Tudor rose).
- Scotland: Patron saint is St Andrew (feast day: 30 November); national flower is the Thistle.
- Wales: Patron saint is St David (feast day: 1 March); national symbols are the Daffodil and the Leek.
- Northern Ireland: Patron saint is St Patrick (feast day: 17 March); national flower is the Shamrock (and Flax).
The Union Flag (Union Jack)
The national flag is created from the combined crosses of three patron saints:
- St George's cross (red cross on white field for England)
- St Andrew's cross (white diagonal cross on blue field for Scotland)
- St Patrick's cross (red diagonal cross on white field for Ireland)
(Wales is represented within the flag by the English cross because Wales was already united with England when the first Union Flag was designed in 1606).