For centuries, the counties of Britain and Ireland have shaped where people belong. They have been home to generations, carried through maps, records, traditions, sport, language and memory. Some grew from kingdoms older still. These places are not simply history. They remain the enduring geography of Britain and Ireland. Rediscover yours at RealCounties.com. Help us research, map and explain these enduring places for everyone: RealCounties.com/support

The City of Milton Keynes is a unitary authority, but that doesn't mean it’s ceased to be part of a geographic county. Milton Keynes is still geographically in Buckinghamshire. Changes in local-government arrangements do not change county geography. Being a unitary authority and belonging to a historic county aren't mutually exclusive. Both are true today!

🗺️ COUNTY QUIZ 🗺️ Can you identify the highlighted county from its outline alone? No place names, no clues - just the county boundary. Put your answer in the comments. 👇 Follow for more county quizzes!

The City of York is a unitary authority, but that doesn't mean it’s ceased to be part of a geographic county. York is still geographically in Yorkshire. Changes in local-government arrangements do not change county geography. Being a unitary authority and belonging to a historic county aren't mutually exclusive. Both are true today!

Greenwich is a London borough, but that doesn't mean it’s ceased to be part of a geographic county. Greenwich is still geographically in Kent. Inclusion in Greater London in 1965 changed Greenwich’s local-government arrangements, not its county geography. Being part of London and belonging to a historic county aren't mutually exclusive. Both are true today!

Croydon is a London borough, but that doesn't mean it’s ceased to be part of a geographic county. Croydon is still geographically in Surrey. Inclusion in Greater London in 1965 changed Croydon’s local-government arrangements, not its county geography. Being part of London and belonging to a historic county aren't mutually exclusive. Both are true today!

🗺️ COUNTY QUIZ 🗺️ Can you identify the highlighted county from its outline alone? No place names, no clues - just the county boundary. Put your answer in the comments. 👇 Follow for more county quizzes!

The answer is SOMERSET / SOMERSETSHIRE! Thanks to all who took part, next one coming soon...

The County of Huntingdon is a shire between the Midlands and East Anglia. Large areas of Huntingdonshire are extremely low-lying. Holme Fen is notable for being the UK's lowest point, at 9 feet (2.7m) below sea level.

The answer is COUNTY MAYO!! Thanks to all who took part - look out for the next one soon.

You’ve probably been told: “Glasgow used to be in Lanarkshire but isn't anymore.” It sounds true. But it isn’t. Lanarkshire hasn’t changed, only administration has. So why are we pretending otherwise?

🗺️ COUNTY QUIZ 🗺️ Can you identify the highlighted county from its outline alone? No place names, no clues - just the county boundary. Put your answer in the comments. 👇 Follow for more county quizzes!

Explore 2,853 postcode districts across the UK with RealCounties’ new interactive map layer, featuring detailed geographical outlines and direct comparison with historic county boundaries.

The answer is Moray! As there are alternative names for this wonderful county, we'll list them all: 1. County of Moray 2. Morayshire 3. County of Elgin 4. Elginshire Look out for the next one soon! 👀

🔎 Wikipedia and the historic counties: a major review is under way. The Historic Counties Institute is currently undertaking a comprehensive audit of Wikipedia's treatment of the historic counties of Britain and Ireland. As one of the world's most widely consulted sources of information, Wikipedia plays an enormous role in shaping public understanding of our geography and history. We're examining how county identities, boundaries and histories are presented, particularly where geographic counties are confused with local-government or lieutenancy areas, or where misleading terminology obscures their continuing existence. Our approach is constructive and evidence-led: identifying inaccuracies, checking historical and legislative sources, and working towards clearer, more reliable information. Accurate information matters. And when millions of people turn to Wikipedia for answers, getting the counties right matters enormously. We'll share our findings as this important work progresses. 🌐 RealCounties.com

🗺️ COUNTY QUIZ 🗺️ Can you identify the highlighted county from its outline alone? No place names, no clues - just the county boundary. Put your answer in the comments. 👇 Follow for more county quizzes!

Some people assume councils or lieutenancies define Scotland’s counties. They don’t. Every historic county predates the Union with England; many are over 700 years old. Lieutenancies were established much later, and county councils from 1889. So neither define counties that had already existed for centuries.