Usually this is not that difficult a question.
It has a central government. It's recognised by the UN and other treaty organistations. It issues passports.
In some places, however, it's not that simple.
Welcome to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It meets all of the above criteria, right?
However in the world of sports there is now controversy as it seems that Great Britain (Northern Ireland gets forgotten for Olympic purposes) is planning on entering a football team (soccer for the yanks)in the Olympics when they are held in London in 2012.
Doesn't seem like a big deal you say. Well it is!. In football England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all compete at the international level as countries. The FAs of these "countries" are concerned that this might set a precedent and FIFA might force competition as the UK in the World and European cups. If you've ever been to, or near, an England v. Scotland football match you would understand that this might not be greeted with open arms in all (or indeed any) quarters.
To futher complicate things in Rugby Union England, Wales and Scotland all field their own sides but Northern Irish players compete for the Irish side. (There is considerable difficulty with national anthems!)
In cricket Welsh players are compete as part of England under the aegis of the England and Wales Cricket Board. Scotland has its own, rather pififul team.
Confused yet? Well the folks that live here aren't much help either. If you ask them what their nationality is you will generally be told English, Welsh or Scottish. About the only citizens that define themselves as British are those of African, Carribean or Asian descent and Northern Irish protestants. In one last complication Northern Irish catholics tend to describe themselves as Irish ignoring their citizenship altogether.
It has a central government. It's recognised by the UN and other treaty organistations. It issues passports.
In some places, however, it's not that simple.
Welcome to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It meets all of the above criteria, right?
However in the world of sports there is now controversy as it seems that Great Britain (Northern Ireland gets forgotten for Olympic purposes) is planning on entering a football team (soccer for the yanks)in the Olympics when they are held in London in 2012.
Doesn't seem like a big deal you say. Well it is!. In football England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all compete at the international level as countries. The FAs of these "countries" are concerned that this might set a precedent and FIFA might force competition as the UK in the World and European cups. If you've ever been to, or near, an England v. Scotland football match you would understand that this might not be greeted with open arms in all (or indeed any) quarters.
To futher complicate things in Rugby Union England, Wales and Scotland all field their own sides but Northern Irish players compete for the Irish side. (There is considerable difficulty with national anthems!)
In cricket Welsh players are compete as part of England under the aegis of the England and Wales Cricket Board. Scotland has its own, rather pififul team.
Confused yet? Well the folks that live here aren't much help either. If you ask them what their nationality is you will generally be told English, Welsh or Scottish. About the only citizens that define themselves as British are those of African, Carribean or Asian descent and Northern Irish protestants. In one last complication Northern Irish catholics tend to describe themselves as Irish ignoring their citizenship altogether.
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