Countries of the United Kingdom
The United Nations and UK government says that the United Kingdom is officially made up of 2 countries (England and Scotland), one principality (Wales) and one province (Northern Ireland).  However, Wales has not formally been a principality since the 16th century with the Laws in Wales Acts. In 2011 the International Organization for Standards officially granted Wales the status of country to clear ambiguity and avoid further confusion. Northern Ireland has been described variously as a country, province or region.