There are actually 50 states in the United States, the "51st state" [1] not yet approved.

Now back to the original question.

The United States and the United Kingdom both have their true meaning hidden in their names. The "state" is a territory that is self-governed by the inhabitants and who can fully identify themselves. They do not identify a "single person" to represent them in any discussion.

The United States is a federal republic composed of 50 states, together known as "The United States", or "United States". The United States is united under the federal government based in Washington DC, and, there is no "king" or "queen" in this state.

A "state" is a constitutional government where the inhabitants recognize a king or queen who represents their descendants or families of a particular ancestor. They will be nominated for life, of course, but they cannot have full power.

The United Kingdom, also known as "Britain", is a union of four countries - England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The first three countries in the UK - England, Scotland, and Wales - make up the island called Great Britain; And the fourth (Northern Ireland) is a part of the island of Ireland. The rest of Ireland is a separate country, known as the "Republic of Ireland", and is not part of the United Kingdom.

These four British countries were united as a "single state", and the then British king or queen was regarded as the 'official head'. (The current head of state is Queen Elizabeth II.)

But politically, the British ruler did not rule the UK. Instead, the United Kingdom is a parliamentary democracy, whose government and parliament are based in London.

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