UK administrative divisions - explanation?
 

Trying to understand the administrative divisions of various countries in Europe. Got the info from CIA world factbook. Most are fairly clear: counties, regious, provinces.

The UK, however, looks like it was designed by a committee. Of squabbling seven-year-olds. Only England has 47 boroughs, 36 counties, 29 London boroughs, 12 cities and boroughs, 10 districts, 12 cities, and 3 royal boroughs. Then you add Wales, Scotland and NI on top - and don't think that they use the same terminology...

Anyone point me to a fairly simple guide as to the hierarchy between this lot? Not electoral (yet a whole different ball game :rolleyes: ) but, I suppose, legal or financial; so who gives orders to whom, and how public funds may be allocated. I've glanced at DLTR, but Regions has now gone to Prescott, and his site is no use (no comments needed here).

Thanks in advance

Brendan