United Kingdom

Your complete guide to United Kingdom

Quick Facts

Capital

London

Population

65,761,117

Languages

English

Currency

British pounds (GBP)

Area

243,610 sq km

Government

Parliamentary constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

About United Kingdom

The United Kingdom comprises England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — four nations united under a constitutional monarchy with distinct cultural identities, legal systems, and (in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) devolved governments. Its influence on world history, language, law, and culture is matched by few nations.

London, the capital, is a truly global city — a financial powerhouse, cultural colossus, and home to landmarks from the Tower of London to the Tate Modern. Beyond London, the UK offers the literary landscapes of the Cotswolds, the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands, the castles of Wales, and the dramatic coastline of Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway.

As the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, parliamentary democracy, and the English language, the UK occupies a unique place in world civilization. Its departure from the European Union in 2020 (Brexit) marked a new chapter in its relationship with the continent.

History

Britain's history stretches from Stonehenge and the Roman conquest through the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, the Norman Conquest of 1066, and the medieval emergence of Parliament. The Tudor and Elizabethan eras brought the English Reformation, Shakespeare, and the beginnings of overseas exploration. The British Empire grew to become the largest in history, covering a quarter of the world's land surface at its peak.

The twentieth century saw Britain play decisive roles in both World Wars, the dissolution of the Empire, and the creation of the welfare state. The Thatcher era reshaped the economy, devolution gave Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland their own parliaments, and the 2016 Brexit referendum set the UK on a path outside the European Union — a decision whose consequences continue to unfold.

The United Kingdom has historically played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith in the 19th century, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two world wars and the Irish Republic's withdrawal from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council and a founding member of NATO and the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1998. …
CIA World Factbook

Culture & Society

British culture has shaped the modern world through its literature (Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, the Brontës), music (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Adele), and broadcasting (the BBC). The pub, the English garden, the Sunday roast, and afternoon tea are enduring social institutions. Each of the four nations contributes its own traditions — Scottish Highland games, Welsh eisteddfodau, English cricket, and Northern Irish murals — creating a cultural mosaic bound by shared history and the English language.

Languages: English

Religions: Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, other 2%, unspecified 7.2%, none 25.7% (2011 est.)

Ethnic Groups: White 87.2%, Black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)