The United Kingdom has played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and advancing literature and science. At its zenith in the 19th century, the British Empire stretched over one fourth of the earth's surface. After the Empire was dismantled, the UK rebuilt itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1998.The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was created when the Kingdoms of England and Scotland -- which previously had been distinct states under a single monarchy -- were joined under the 1707 Acts of Union. The island of Ireland was incorporated under the 1800 Acts of Union, while Wales had been part of the Kingdom of England since the 16th century. The United Kingdom has historically played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. The 18th and 19th centuries saw the rapid expansion of the British Empire despite the loss of the Thirteen Colonies, and at its zenith in the early 20th century, the British Empire stretched over one fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw two World Wars seriously deplete the UK's strength and the Irish Republic withdraw 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 of Nations, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy. The devolved Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1998.
The UK was an active member of the EU after its accession in 1973, although it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union. However, motivated in part by frustration at a remote bureaucracy in Brussels and massive migration into the country, UK citizens in 2016 voted by 52 to 48 percent to leave the EU. On 31 January 2020, the UK became the only country to depart the EU -- a move known as "Brexit" -- after prolonged negotiations on EU-UK economic and security relationships.
Geography
Area
total : 243,610 sq km land: 241,930 sq km water: 1,680 sq km
Geographic coordinates
54 00 N, 2 00 W
Climate
temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast
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.)
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.)
Population growth rate
0.45% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital
name: London
Executive branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022) head of government: Prime Minister Keir STARMER (since 5 July 2024)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter MANDELSON (since 25 February 2025)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Warren A. STEPHENS (since 21 May 2025)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income, non-EU European economy; global financial center and dominant service sector; sluggish growth from stringent monetary policy, reduced business investment, low productivity and participation rates; fiscal austerity in face of high public debt
China 13%, USA 11%, Germany 10%, France 5%, Norway 4% (2023)
Imports - commodities
cars, gold, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, natural gas (2023)
Flag
Description: blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white on top of the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is on top of the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland).
History: the official name is the Union Flag, but commonly called the Union Jack; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags.
