What Is the UK?

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — commonly called the UK — is made up of four nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Great Britain refers specifically to the island containing England, Scotland, and Wales. The term "British Isles" is a geographical description that also includes the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, though these are not part of the UK.

Each of the four nations has its own distinct identity, culture, and traditions. Scotland and Wales have their own devolved governments and parliaments, while Northern Ireland has its own Assembly. England does not have a separate devolved parliament; English matters are handled by the UK Parliament at Westminster.

The Crown Dependencies — Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man — are not part of the UK but are self-governing territories for which the UK is responsible for defence and international relations.

Each nation of the UK has its own capital city. London is the capital of England and serves as the capital of the entire United Kingdom. It is the seat of the UK Parliament, the home of the monarch, and the largest city in the country, with a population of around nine million in the greater metropolitan area.

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, though Glasgow is its largest city. Cardiff is the capital of Wales, and Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. Each capital city is the location of its respective devolved government or assembly.

The UK also has significant overseas territories scattered around the globe, including Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, and Bermuda. These territories are under British sovereignty but have their own local governments.

The UK is situated off the north-western coast of mainland Europe. It is separated from France by the English Channel, which at its narrowest point (the Strait of Dover) is only about 21 miles wide. The Channel Tunnel, completed in 1994, connects England and France by rail beneath the sea.

The landscape varies considerably across the four nations. England has low-lying farmland in the south and east, with uplands in the north (the Pennines) and the Lake District. Scotland is known for its Highlands and numerous islands, including the Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland. Wales is mountainous, with Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) as its highest peak. Northern Ireland contains Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the British Isles.

Ben Nevis in Scotland is the highest point in the UK at 1,345 metres. The climate is temperate maritime, meaning winters are mild and summers are cool. Rain is common throughout the year, particularly in the west.

The population of the UK is approximately 67 million. England is by far the most populous nation, home to roughly 84 per cent of the total population. Scotland accounts for about 8 per cent, Wales about 5 per cent, and Northern Ireland about 3 per cent.

English is the official language of the UK. However, Welsh is also an official language in Wales, and around 20 per cent of the Welsh population speaks it. Scottish Gaelic is spoken by a small number of people in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Islands. In Northern Ireland, both Irish (Gaelic) and Ulster Scots have recognised status.

The UK is ethnically diverse, particularly in major cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leicester. Immigration over many decades has brought people from the Caribbean, South Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and many other regions. The census collects data on ethnicity, religion, and other demographic characteristics.

The currency of the UK is the pound sterling (£), divided into 100 pence. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own banknotes issued by authorised banks, but these are denominated in pounds sterling and are technically not legal tender in England and Wales, although they are widely accepted.

The UK follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) during the winter months. In summer, the clocks go forward one hour to British Summer Time (BST). Greenwich, in south-east London, is the location of the Prime Meridian (0° longitude), from which world time zones are measured.

Each nation of the UK has its own patron saint, flag, and national symbols. England's patron saint is St George (celebrated on 23 April), Scotland's is St Andrew (30 November), Wales's is St David (1 March), and Northern Ireland's is St Patrick (17 March). The Union Flag (often called the Union Jack) combines the crosses of St George, St Andrew, and St Patrick. The Welsh dragon does not appear on the Union Flag.