England
Capital: London
- Population
- ~56.5 million
- Area
- 130,279 kmยฒ
- Language
- English
The largest of the four nations, England is home to London, the Cotswolds, the Lake District, Cambridge, Oxford and centuries of royal history.
Explore England โUnited Kingdom
Countries, Culture & Heritage Guide
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy comprising four distinct countries โ England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland โ each with its own history, culture, language and identity. Together they form one of the world's most fascinating, storied nations. Explore our comprehensive guide below.
About the United Kingdom
Spanning the islands of Great Britain and the northeastern corner of Ireland, the United Kingdom has shaped world history through the Industrial Revolution, the British Empire, two World Wars, and the invention of the internet. Today, it is a global centre of finance, culture, education and innovation, home to over 67 million people speaking dozens of languages.
From the green hills of the Scottish Highlands to the white cliffs of Dover; from the ancient castles of Wales to the buzzing streets of Belfast โ each corner of the UK offers something unique. Our encyclopedia brings together history, geography, facts and culture in one place.
| Capital | London |
|---|---|
| Population | ~67.4 million (2024) |
| Area | 242,495 kmยฒ |
| Currency | Pound Sterling (ยฃ GBP) |
| Official Language | English (+ Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Irish) |
| Government | Constitutional Monarchy / Parliamentary Democracy |
| Head of State | King Charles III |
| GDP (nominal) | ~$3.1 trillion (2024) |
| Time Zone | GMT / BST (summer) |
| Drives on | Left |
The Four Nations
Scotland
Capital: Edinburgh
- Population
- ~5.5 million
- Area
- 77,933 kmยฒ
- Language
- English, Scottish Gaelic
Wild Highlands, ancient castles, whisky distilleries and the vibrant culture of Edinburgh โ Scotland is unlike anywhere else on earth.
Explore Scotland โWales
Capital: Cardiff
- Population
- ~3.2 million
- Area
- 20,779 kmยฒ
- Language
- English, Welsh (Cymraeg)
The land of dragons, rugby and song. Wales boasts stunning national parks, medieval castles and a living Celtic language still spoken by over half a million people.
Explore Wales โNorthern Ireland
Capital: Belfast
- Population
- ~1.9 million
- Area
- 13,843 kmยฒ
- Language
- English, Irish, Ulster Scots
From the Giant's Causeway to the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, Northern Ireland offers breathtaking landscapes and a complex, captivating history.
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