|
The United Kingdom consists of four nations off the northwest coast of Europe: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It covers a total area of 243,610 sq km with London as the capital. The UK is made up of several islands and is bordered by four seas. The landscape varies, with the most mountainous parts in Scotland and Wales. The center of northern England is relatively hilly, while the coastal areas are generally flat. The UK itself is mostly made up of gently rolling hills.
Brief HistoryThe islands that make up the UK today were invaded by the Romans in 55 BC, which brought the locals into contact with the rest of Europe. It was then invaded by the Saxons, Vikings, and Normans. England and Wales became unified in 1536, while Scotland became part of the British crown in 1602. The United Kingdom officially formed on May 1, 1707 when England and Scotland passed the Acts of Union in order to ratify the 1706 Treaty of Union and unite the two kingdoms. It then proceeded to expand its empire into various parts of the world, growing into a dominant power. At its highest point in the 19th century, the British Empire covered over one-fourth of the world's surface. After the two world wars in the 20th century, it rebuilt itself into a modern European nation. It is currently the third largest economy in Europe, with a focus on agriculture.
|
General Overview
English serves as the dominant language in the UK. Other recognized regional languages include Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, and Cornish. While Christianity makes up the dominant religion (59.5%), Islam (4.4%) and Hinduism (1.3%) are common as well. Today, Parliament possesses most of the power, which passes the country’s laws. It rules as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The monarchy is hereditary, while the cabinet is appointed by the prime minister. The monarch does not make any political decisions on its own and tends to remain neutral in political affairs. While the monarch still holds the executive authority, this is only exercised with the advice of the cabinet.
|
Population
The United Kingdom has an estimated current population of 65,761,117 with the highest percentage of people coming from England. Around 84% of the population lives in England, while 8% live in Scotland, 5% in Wales, and 3% in Northern Ireland. Most of the population is centered in London, with significant clusters found in central Britain, southern Wales, far eastern Northern Ireland, and the Scotish lowlands. Furthermore, ethnic groups in the population include white (87%), black/African/Caribbean/black British (3%), Asian (2.3%), mixed (2%), Pakistani (1.9%), and other (3.7%).
Jenny Park