- published: 30 Jan 2011
- views: 9336907
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a sovereign state in the European Union. Lying off the north-western coast of the European mainland, it includes the island of "Great Britain" (a term also applied loosely to refer to the whole country), the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands.Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that shares a land border with another state—the Republic of Ireland. Apart from this land border, the UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the North Sea to its east, the English Channel to its south and the Celtic Sea to its south-southwest. The Irish Sea lies between Great Britain and Ireland. With an area of 93,800 square miles (243,000 km2), the UK is the 80th-largest sovereign state in the world and the 11th-largest in Europe. It is also is the 21st-most populous country, with an estimated 64.5 million inhabitants.
The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of governance. Its capital city is London, an important global city and financial centre with an urban population of 10,310,000, the fourth-largest in Europe and second-largest in the European Union. The current monarch—since 6 February 1952—is Queen Elizabeth II. The UK consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The latter three have devolved administrations, each with varying powers, based in their capitals, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast, respectively. The nearby Isle of Man, Bailiwick of Guernsey and Bailiwick of Jersey are not part of the United Kingdom, being Crown dependencies with the British Government responsible for defence and international representation.
The Difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain and England Explained
What Is Life Really Like In The United Kingdom?
CONCIERTO "UNITED KINGDOM" (MANNY MONTES)
London tourism - England - United Kingdom - Great Britain travel video
Brexit 2016! United Kingdom Leaves The European Union! What This Means For YOU!
Top 10 Facts About The United Kingdom
10 Things You Didn't Know About The United Kingdom
HOI4 Gameplay | United Kingdom [Hearts of Iron IV UK Lets Play] Part 16
10 Weird Facts About The UK
United Kingdom Votes to Leave European Union