If Ireland,england and scotland are separate countries,then what is "UK"?

United Kingdom is not a country, rather a collection of Countries. The correct term would be United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is a geographical term used to describe a land mass which includes England, Scotland and Wales. The term 'Great' is added to make is distinguishable from 'Little' Britain; that is Brittany in the coast of France. Scotland has its own government and has tax raising power. Welsh and Ireland both have assemblies - meaning they get funding from London to run some of their affairs. Most people are confused and so was I. You can get different people's opinion and view from the following link. http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=A0oG7oJ_BG9Nk6sAXFMPxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTExbTV0dDR1BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkAwRsA1dTMQ--?qid=20070712112528AAGjI26

The UK isn't considered a country is the simplest answer. Also Ireland isn't part of the United Kingdom Northern Ireland is though . The united kingdom is essentially as the name suggests the nations united It's like the United nations they've come together and joined bur aren't one country. Although not all of these countries joined the United Kingdom out of their own free will . You also forgot to include Wales as part of the United Kingdom.