The United Kingdom (UK) is a country located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe. It comprises four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The UK has a rich history and has played a significant role in global politics, economics, and culture.

Geography

• Location: Northwestern Europe, on the British Isles, including the island of Great Britain, the northeastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands.
• Coordinates: Approximately 54.0000° N, 2.0000° W
• Area: Approximately 243,610 square kilometers.
• Borders:
  • Northern Ireland shares a 499-kilometer border with the Republic of Ireland.
  • The rest of the UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, and the Irish Sea.
• Climate:
  • Temperate maritime; generally mild and wet with frequent changes in weather.
• Topography:
  • Mostly rolling plains and low mountains, with upland regions in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of England and Wales.
• Elevation:
  • The highest point is Ben Nevis in Scotland, with an elevation of 1,345 meters.
• Natural Resources:
  • Includes coal, petroleum, natural gas, tin, limestone, iron ore, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, lead, silica, and arable land.
• Land Use:
  • Approximately 25% arable land, 50% permanent pastures, 10% forests, 15% other uses.
• Population Distribution:
  • The population is concentrated in urban areas, particularly in the southeast of England, including London, and in major cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.

Population and Society

• Population: Approximately 67 million (2024 estimate).
• Ethnic Groups:
  • Predominantly White British (about 82%), with significant minorities including Black British, Asian British (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi), and mixed ethnicity.
• Languages:
  • The official language is English. Other recognized languages include Welsh, Scots Gaelic, and Irish.
• Religions:
  • Predominantly Christian (mainly Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Protestant), with minorities of Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, and others.
• Age Structure:
  • A balanced age structure with a growing elderly population due to low birth rates and increased life expectancy.
• Population Growth Rate:
  • Approximately 0.5% per year.

Country

• Country Name: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Common Name: United Kingdom (UK)
• Name Reason: Named for the union of the four constituent countries (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).
• Government Type: Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
• Capital: London
• Capital Name Reason: London has been the capital since the Roman era and is the political, economic, and cultural center of the UK.
• Local Time: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) (UTC+0) in winter, British Summer Time (BST) (UTC+1) in summer.
• Daylight Saving Time: Observed from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.
• Administrative Divisions: 4 countries (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) and several counties, boroughs, and districts.
• Dependent Areas: Includes 14 British Overseas Territories like Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, and Bermuda.
• Independence: The UK is a sovereign state formed over centuries through the union of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland (later Northern Ireland).
• Citizenship Acquisition: By birth, descent, or naturalization.
• Legal System: Common law system, with separate legal systems for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
• Executive Branch: The monarch is the head of state, and the Prime Minister is the head of government.
• Legislative Branch: Bicameral Parliament, consisting of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
• Judicial Branch: Includes the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, Court of Appeal, and High Court.
• Political Parties: Major parties include the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party (SNP), and others.
• Flag Description: Known as the Union Jack, it combines elements of three older national flags: the red cross of St. George for England, the white saltire of St. Andrew for Scotland, and the red saltire of St. Patrick to represent Ireland.
• Country Code: GBR

Economy

• GDP: Approximately $3.2 trillion USD.
• Agricultural and Animal Products: Cereals, oilseeds, potatoes, vegetables, sheep, poultry, and dairy products.
• Industries: Includes finance, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, automotive, aerospace, and information technology.
• Budget: Balanced with occasional deficits or surpluses.
• Exports: Machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, fuels, and chemicals.
• Imports: Machinery, vehicles, foodstuffs, and fuels.
• Foreign Reserves: Approximately $130 billion USD.
• External Debt: Approximately $2.3 trillion USD.
• Local Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP).

Communications

• Landlines: Approximately 23 million lines.
• Mobile Lines: Approximately 95 million lines.
• Country Code: +44
• Broadcast Media: Includes national and regional television and radio stations, both public and private.
• Internet Code: .uk
• Internet Users: Approximately 65 million people.

Transport

• National Air Transport System: Extensive network with multiple international airports.
• Airports: Over 460 airports.
• Heliports: Numerous, primarily in urban and offshore areas.
• Pipelines: Extensive network for oil, gas, and chemicals.
• Railways: Extensive network of over 16,000 kilometers.
• Road Network: Includes motorways and major roads totaling around 394,000 kilometers.
• Ports: Major ports include London, Southampton, Liverpool, and Felixstowe.

Military

• Military Composition: Includes the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and Royal Marines.
• Military Expenditure: Approximately $60 billion USD annually.
• Military and Security Personnel: Approximately 150,000 active personnel.
• Military Equipment: Includes advanced aircraft, ships, submarines, and armored vehicles.
• Military Service Age: From 16 years old with parental consent, 18 years old for full service.