The term British Isles is a geographical designation referring to a group of islands off the northwestern coast of Europe. The group consists of two main islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and numerous smaller islands and island groups, including the Hebrides, the Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands, the Isles of Scilly, and the Isle of Man.

British Isles, group of islands off the northwestern coast of Europe. The group consists of two main islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and numerous smaller islands and island groups, including the Hebrides, the Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands, the Isles of Scilly, and the Isle of Man.

This map of the British Isles also shows the topography of the UK and the borders of the four nations: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The major rivers in the British Isles can also be seen as well as neighbouring countries: France, the Republic of Ireland, Belgium and Norway.

A geographic term for all islands in the archipelago. Includes the islands of Great Britain, the islands of Ireland, and the Isle of Man. The Channel Islands can also be considered part of the British Isles even though they are not geographically part of the archipelago.