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The British Isles (Irish variously Na hOileáin Bhriotanacha, Oileáin Iarthair Eorpa, Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór;[2] Manx Ellanyn Goaldagh; Scottish Gaelic Eileanan Breatannach; Welsh Ynysoedd Prydain) are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe which comprise Great Britain, Ireland and a number of smaller islands.[3] The term British Isles is controversial in relation to Ireland,[4] where many people [5] find the term objectionable; the Irish government also discourages its usage.[6] As a result of these problems, "Britain and Ireland" is becoming a preferred description, although some critics may prefer phrases like "the archipelago". [7] There are two sovereign states located on the islands the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ireland.[8] The group also includes the Crown dependencies of the Isle of Man and, by tradition, the Channel Islands, although the latter are not physically a part of the archipelago.[9] There are other common uncertainties surrounding the extent, names and geographical elements of the islands. Several different names are currently used to describe the islands. Dictionaries, encyclopaedias and atlases that use the term British Isles define it[10] as Great Britain, Ireland and adjacent islands, typically including the Isle of Man, the Hebrides, Shetland, Orkney. Some definitions include the Channel Islands.[11]
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