The Battle of Grand Gulf was fought on April 29, 1863, during th: Although the United Kingdom is a sovereign country, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are also widely referred to as countries.[33] The UK Prime Minister's website has used the phrase "countries within a country" to describe the United Kingdom.[34] Some statistical summaries, such as those for the twelve NUTS 1 regions refer to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as "regions".[35] Northern Ireland is also referred to as a "province".[36] With regard to Northern Ireland, the descriptive name used "can be controversial, with the choice often revealing one's political preferences".[37]