Is Britain the same as Great Britain?

Great Britain and Britain do not mean the same thing.

Great Britain is made up of Scotland, England and Wales, where as Britain is just England and Wales. The name Britain goes back to Roman times when they called England and Wales “Britannia” (or “Britannia Major”, to distinguished from “Britannia Minor”, ie Brittany in France). The Roman province of Britannia only covered the areas of modern England and Wales. The area of modern Scotland was never finally conquered.

In 1998 the UK government granted devolution to Scotland (and Wales). It recognised the fact that Scotland was a separate country from Britain and as a result Scotland was treated differently in the devolution process. It had some of its sovereignty returned and was given its own parliament with law making powers, whilst all English and Welsh law remains with the UK Parliament.

In 2003/4 when “The Tour of Britain Cycle Race” was re-introduced. The race did not include Scotland. Note the title Tour of Britain.

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/britain/britain.htm