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United Kingdom

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The United Kingdom is a country located in northwestern Europe.

Europe-UK
Europe-UK

It sits just off the coast of the main European landmass. The UK is made of four different countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

United Kingdom labelled map7 vector
United Kingdom labelled map7 vector

It includes the large island of Great Britain and part of the island of Ireland. The land is surrounded by several bodies of water. These include the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, and the English Channel.

Territorial waters - United Kingdom
Territorial waters - United Kingdom

It also sits near the Celtic Sea and the Irish Sea. Most of the smaller islands in the area are also part of the UK.

Life in the UK is organized into different parts. It is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. This means it has a monarch and a system of elected leaders. There are three distinct areas that have their own rules. These are England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Council of Nations and Regions (54059219744) (cropped)
Council of Nations and Regions (54059219744) (cropped)

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have their own governments. These governments manage many local matters. The largest city is London, which is the capital of England and the whole UK.

Houses of Parliament in 2022 (cropped)
Houses of Parliament in 2022 (cropped)

Other national capitals include Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast.

People have lived on these islands for a very long time. Some people lived there even before the last ice age ended.

Stonehenge2007 07 30
Stonehenge2007 07 30

The Romans began to conquer Britain in AD 43. Later, Anglo-Saxon settlers arrived around the year 450. In 1066, the Normans invaded England.

Bayeux Tapestry WillelmDux
Bayeux Tapestry WillelmDux

Over time, different kingdoms joined together to form the nation we know today. In 1707, England and Scotland united to create the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Articles of Union between England and Scotland 28 Jan 1707
Articles of Union between England and Scotland 28 Jan 1707

In 1801, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was formed. The current name, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was set in 1927.

The UK has a very large and busy economy. It was the first country to become industrialised. In the 1800s and early 1900s, it was a very powerful nation. At its highest point in the 1920s, its empire covered about a quarter of the world's land and people.

British Empire 1921
British Empire 1921

This was the largest empire in history. Today, the UK is one of the largest economies in the world. It is a major player in buying and selling goods globally.

Bank-of-England
Bank-of-England

It also has one of the strongest militaries in Europe.

British culture is known all over the world. Many people enjoy British music, books, and movies.

London City Airport Sunset
London City Airport Sunset

The English language is also a major export that people use everywhere. The UK's legal and political systems have influenced many other countries too. In 2024, more than 69 million people lived in the UK.

MODIS - Great Britain and Northern Ireland - 2012-06-04 during heat wave (cropped)
MODIS - Great Britain and Northern Ireland - 2012-06-04 during heat wave (cropped)

Whether through sport or art, the UK remains a very influential place. It is a key member of many international groups.

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🖼️ Images & Media (43)
File:Coat of arms of the United Kingdom (2022, both variants).svg
Coat of arms of the United Kingdom (2022,...
United States Navy Band - God Save the Queen.ogg
File:Europe-UK (orthographic projection).svg
Europe-UK (orthographic projection).svg
File:Europe-UK.svg
Europe-UK.svg
File:United Kingdom (+overseas territories and crown dependencies) in the World (+Antarctica claims).svg
United Kingdom (+overseas territories and...
File:Territorial waters - United Kingdom.svg
Territorial waters - United Kingdom.svg
File:Stonehenge2007 07 30.jpg
Stonehenge2007 07 30.jpg
File:Roman Baths in Bath Spa, England - July 2006.jpg
Roman Baths in Bath Spa, England - July 2006.jpg
File:Bayeux Tapestry WillelmDux.jpg
Bayeux Tapestry WillelmDux.jpg
File:Articles of Union between England and Scotland 28 Jan 1707.png
Articles of Union between England and...
File:Victoria in her Coronation robes.jpg
Victoria in her Coronation robes.jpg
File:Wreaths Are Laid at the Cenotaph, London During Remembrance Sunday Service MOD 45152052.jpg
Wreaths Are Laid at the Cenotaph, London...

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