Motto: Dieu et mon droit (French)
“God and my right”
Anthem: God Save the King
Duration: 1 minute and 4 seconds

Land and People

  • Coordinates: 54°36′N 2°00′W

  • Highest peak: Ben Nevis, 1,344 meters

  • Area: 244,376 km² (78th largest globally)

  • Capital: London

  • Official language: English (national)

  • Recognized regional/minority languages: Scots, Ulster Scots, Welsh, Cornish, Scottish Gaelic, Irish

  • Ethnic groups (year unspecified):

    • 87.1% White

    • 7.0% Asian

    • 3.0% Black

    • 2.9% Mixed

    • 0.10% Other

  • Demonym: British

  • Population estimate (year unspecified): 68,265,209 (21st largest globally)

  • Population (2021 census): 67,326,569

    • Males: 33,000,535 (2019), 33,133,126 (2020), 33,112,733 (2021), 33,499,858 (2022)

    • Females: 33,835,792 (2019), 33,948,108 (2020), 33,913,559 (2021), 34,291,141 (2022)

  • Population density: 281/km²

  • Urban population: 55,909,924 (2019), 56,283,168 (2020), 56,403,965 (2021), 57,214,248 (2022)

  • Rural population: 10,926,403 (2019), 10,798,066 (2020), 10,622,327 (2021), 10,576,752 (2022)

  • Life expectancy: 80.9561 years (2015)

Government

  • Government type: Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy

  • Monarch: Charles III

  • Prime Minister: Keir Starmer

  • Heir apparent: Prince William, Prince of Wales

  • Legislature: Parliament of the United Kingdom

    • Upper house: House of Lords

    • Lower house: House of Commons

  • Judiciary: Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

  • Executive: Cabinet

Formation and Sovereignty

  • Formation:

    • Kingdom of Scotland (843–1707)

    • Kingdom of England (927–1707)

    • Principality of Wales (1216–1542)

    • Kingdom of Ireland (1542–1800)

    • English annexation of Wales (1542)

    • Union of the Crowns (1603)

    • Wars of the Three Kingdoms (1639–1653)

    • Acts of Union 1707 (1 May 1707)

    • Act of Union 1800 (1 January 1801)

    • Anglo-Irish Treaty (12 April 1922)

Economy

  • GDP (nominal, 2025 estimate): $3.730 trillion (6th largest globally)

  • GDP per capita (nominal, 2025): $52,423 (20th globally)

  • GDP (PPP, 2024 estimate): $4.282 trillion (10th largest globally)

  • GDP per capita (PPP, 2024): $62,574 (28th globally)

  • Gini coefficient (2012): 32.8

  • Human Development Index (2021): 0.929

  • Unemployment rate (2021): 4.5%

  • Average income: $31,617

Other Data

  • Currency: Pound sterling (GBP)

  • Central bank: Bank of England

  • Emergency numbers: 999, 112

  • Time zone: GMT (UTC±00:00), BST (UTC+1 in summer)

  • Driving side: Left

  • Internet TLD: .uk

  • Calling code: +44

Overview

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a sovereign island country located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe. It consists of Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Northern Ireland. The UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, and the Irish Sea, and is connected to France via the Channel Tunnel.

The UK is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The capital, London, is a global financial and cultural hub. The UK has a rich history, having been a major colonial power and the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. It remains a significant political, economic, and military power today.

History

  • The UK was formed through the union of England and Scotland in 1707, followed by the inclusion of Ireland in 1801 (though most of Ireland became independent in 1922, leaving Northern Ireland as part of the UK).

  • The British Empire was the largest empire in history, spanning a quarter of the world’s land area at its peak.

  • The UK played a major role in World War I and World War II and was a founding member of NATO and the United Nations.

  • In 2016, the UK voted to leave the European Union (Brexit), officially departing in 2020.

Geography

  • The UK has a temperate maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers.

  • Major geographical features include:

    • Ben Nevis (Scotland’s highest peak)

    • River Thames (England’s longest river)

    • Lough Neagh (largest lake in the UK)

Government and Politics

  • The UK is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch.

  • The Prime Minister (currently Keir Starmer) is the head of government.

  • The UK has a devolved system, with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland having their own parliaments/assemblies.

Economy

  • The UK has a mixed-market economy, with strengths in finance, manufacturing, and technology.

  • London is a global financial center, home to the London Stock Exchange.

  • Key industries include automotive, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and creative industries.

Demographics

  • The UK is multicultural, with significant populations of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, African, and Caribbean descent.

  • Christianity is the largest religion, but the country is increasingly secular, with growing Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh communities.

Culture

  • The UK has a rich cultural heritage, including:

    • Literature: Shakespeare, Dickens, J.K. Rowling

    • Music: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Adele

    • Sports: Football (soccer), cricket, rugby, tennis (Wimbledon)

    • Landmarks: Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Stonehenge

Notable Facts

  • The UK has 14 British Overseas Territories, including Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, and Bermuda.

  • The NHS (National Health Service) provides free healthcare to residents.

  • The UK is a nuclear power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Conclusion

The UK remains a global leader in finance, culture, and diplomacy, with a diverse population and a rich historical legacy. Despite challenges like Brexit, it continues to play a significant role in world affairs.

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