# United Kingdom

> island country in north-west Europe

**Wikidata**: [Q145](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q145)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/united-kingdom

## Summary
The United Kingdom is an island country in north-west Europe, consisting of the island of Great Britain and the northern part of the island of Ireland. It is a sovereign state and a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government, currently led by King Charles III. The country is divided into four constituent nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, each with its own distinct legal and administrative systems.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- **Area**: 242,495 square kilometres
- **Capital**: London
- **Population**: Approximately 67 million (2021)
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 54.6°, Longitude -2°
- **Continent**: Europe
- **Bordering Countries**: Ireland (shared land border), France (maritime boundary), Denmark (maritime boundary)
- **Highest Point**: Ben Nevis (1,344 metres)
- **Lowest Point**: The Fens (4 metres below sea level)
- **Timezone**: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), Western European Time (WET)
- **National Flag**: Flag of the United Kingdom
- **Coat of Arms**: Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom
- **Anthem**: "God Save the King"
- **Motto**: "Dieu et mon droit" (God and my right)
- **Nicknames**: "Albion", "Great Britain", "Britain"
- **National Language**: English (de facto), with Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Scots, Cornish, and Irish also recognized
- **Currency**: Pound sterling (£)
- **Driving Side**: Left-hand traffic
- **Electricity**: 230 volts, 50 Hz (plug types include Europlug, Type L, AS/NZS 3112)
- **Emergency Number**: 999, 112
- **International Calling Code**: +44
- **Internet TLD**: .uk
- **ISO Codes**: Alpha-2: GB, Alpha-3: GBR, Numeric: 826
- **Aircraft Registration Prefix**: G
- **Licence Plate Code**: GB (until 2021-09-27), UK (since 2021-09-28)
- **Maritime Identification Digits**: 232, 233, 234, 235
- **Mobile Country Code**: 234, 235

## FAQs
**What type of government does the United Kingdom have?**
The United Kingdom is a sovereign state, constitutional monarchy, and parliamentary system with a participatory democracy form of government. The head of state is the monarch, currently King Charles III, while the head of government is the Prime Minister, currently Rishi Sunak.

**What is the current population and demographic profile of the United Kingdom?**
As of 2021, the population of the United Kingdom is approximately 67 million. The population is diverse, with the largest ethnic group being White British (87.2%), followed by Black Britons (3%), British Indians (2.3%), and British Pakistanis (1.9%). The country has a life expectancy of 81 years, a birth rate of 10 per 1,000 people, and a death rate of 9 per 1,000 people.

**What are the economic indicators of the United Kingdom?**
The nominal GDP of the United Kingdom was $307 billion in 2022. The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 32.8 (2012). The unemployment rate is 6% (2014). The VAT rate is 20% standard and 5% reduced. The median income is approximately £31,617.

**What international organizations is the United Kingdom a member of?**
The United Kingdom is a member of the United Nations (since 1945), World Trade Organization (since 1995), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (since 1961), European Space Agency (since 1978), and many other international bodies including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Finance Corporation, and Interpol.

**What is the human development status of the United Kingdom?**
The United Kingdom's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.929 (2021), classified as "Very High." The Inequality-adjusted HDI is 0.850 (2021). Life expectancy at birth is 81 years (2022).

**What are the major holidays and public celebrations in the United Kingdom?**
Public holidays include New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26), Easter Monday, Good Friday, and Saint Patrick's Day (March 17).

**What administrative divisions does the United Kingdom have?**
The United Kingdom is divided into four constituent nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each nation has its own legal and administrative systems, contributing to the country's regional diversity.

**What is the relationship of the United Kingdom with neighboring countries?**
The United Kingdom shares a land border with Ireland and maritime boundaries with France and Denmark. It has diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including Argentina, Brazil, United States, China, Spain, and many others. The country was previously part of the European Union until 2020.

## Why It Matters
The United Kingdom is a significant global player with a rich history, diverse culture, and strong economic influence. It is a founding member of the United Nations, a member of the G7 and G20, and a key player in international organizations such as the World Trade Organization and the European Space Agency. The country's contributions to science, arts, and politics have had a profound impact on the world. Its democratic institutions, legal system, and cultural heritage continue to shape global standards and practices.

The United Kingdom's significance extends beyond its borders as a member of major international organizations and as an active participant in regional affairs. The country's commitment to multilateralism, human rights, and sustainable development has earned it recognition in international forums. The United Kingdom's economic model, characterized by a mixed economy with strong social welfare programs, has attracted international attention as a potential development template for other nations.

The country's cultural influence, particularly through its contributions to literature, music, and sports, extends throughout the English-speaking world. London serves as a global financial hub, while the country's film and literary traditions have gained international acclaim.

## Notable For
- **High Democracy Ranking**: Democracy index of 8.54 (2020), ranking highly globally.
- **Human Development**: Classified as "Very High" with HDI of 0.929 (2021).
- **Pioneering Social Policies**: First country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage (2013), first Latin American country to legalize cannabis (2013).
- **Freedom Status**: Designated as "free country" in Freedom in the World rankings.
- **Happy Planet Index**: Score of 56 (2019), reflecting quality of life relative to environmental impact.
- **Gastronomy Recognition**: Featured in TasteAtlas for culinary heritage.
- **Historic Capital**: London is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited European settlements.
- **Cultural Influence**: Contributions to literature, music, and sports have had a global impact.
- **Economic Power**: London is a major global financial center, and the country has a strong service-based economy.

## Body

### History and Independence
The United Kingdom's path to sovereignty began with the Union of the Crowns in 1603, which united the kingdoms of England and Scotland. The Act of Union 1707 formally established the Kingdom of Great Britain, combining England and Scotland. The Act of Union 1800 added Ireland, forming the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The country's name was officially changed to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1927, following the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the establishment of the Irish Free State.

### Geography and Environment
The United Kingdom occupies a territory of 242,495 square kilometres in north-west Europe. The country lies at coordinates latitude 54.6° and longitude -2°, placing it entirely in the Northern Hemisphere. The landscape is characterized by rolling plains, low mountain ranges, and coastal areas. The highest point is Ben Nevis (1,344 metres), while the lowest point is The Fens (4 metres below sea level). The country shares its northern border with Ireland and maritime boundaries with France and Denmark. The easternmost point is located at coordinates lat: 52.48106832, lon: 1.76297307, while the westernmost point is at lat: 54.46477, lon: -8.17751. The northernmost point is at lat: 60.87, lon: -0.87, and the southernmost point has coordinates of lat: 49.95673883, lon: -5.20697638.

### Government and Politics
The United Kingdom operates as a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. The head of state is the monarch, currently King Charles III, who assumed office on September 8, 2022. The head of government is the Prime Minister, currently Rishi Sunak, who assumed office on October 25, 2022. The executive body is the Government of the United Kingdom, led by the Prime Minister. The legislative body is the Parliament of the United Kingdom, consisting of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The highest judicial authority is the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

The country's political system is characterized by a strong tradition of democratic governance, with multiple political parties competing in regular elections. The United Kingdom's democracy index score of 8.54 (2020) places it among the top 15 most democratic nations.

### Demographics and Society
As of 2021, the population of the United Kingdom is approximately 67 million. The population is diverse, with the largest ethnic group being White British (87.2%), followed by Black Britons (3%), British Indians (2.3%), and British Pakistanis (1.9%). The society is highly urbanized, with the urban population reaching 56.4 million in 2022 compared to a rural population of 10.5 million. The life expectancy at birth is approximately 81 years (2022). The birth rate is 10 per 1,000 people (2022), and the death rate is 9 per 1,000 people (2022). The suicide rate is 6.9 per 100,000 people (2019).

The official language is English, with Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Scots, Cornish, and Irish also recognized. Compulsory education begins at age 5 and continues until age 16. The age of majority is 18. The preferred retirement age is 66.33 years.

### Economy and Infrastructure
The economy of the United Kingdom is characterized by a mixed economy with strong social welfare programs. The nominal GDP was $307 billion in 2022. The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 32.8 (2012). The unemployment rate is 6% (2014). The VAT rate is 20% standard and 5% reduced. The median income is approximately £31,617.

The currency is the pound sterling (£), with the Bank of England serving as the central bank. The country has a right-hand traffic system. Speed limits vary by road type: 130 km/h on highways, 100 km/h on two-lane expressways, 80 km/h on paved rural roads, and 50 km/h in built-up areas. The electrical system operates at 230V and 50Hz using Europlugs, Type L, and AS/NZS 3112 plugs.

### International Relations and Memberships
The United Kingdom maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including Argentina, Brazil, United States, China, Spain, and many others. It is a member of the United Nations (since 1945), World Trade Organization (since 1995), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (since 1961), European Space Agency (since 1978), and many other international bodies including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Finance Corporation, and Interpol.

### Symbols and Culture
The national flag is the Flag of the United Kingdom. The coat of arms is the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. The anthem is "God Save the King." The motto is "Dieu et mon droit" (God and my right). The country is known by the nicknames "Albion" and "Great Britain."

Cultural highlights include London, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited European settlements. The country is also known for its contributions to literature, music, and sports, with London serving as a global financial hub.

### Administrative Divisions
The United Kingdom is divided into four constituent nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each nation has its own legal and administrative systems, contributing to the country's regional diversity.

### Technical Identifiers and Standards
The country uses the .uk top-level internet domain and has an international calling code of +44. The aircraft registration prefix is G. The license plate code is GB (until 2021-09-27) and UK (since 2021-09-28). The maritime identification digits are 232, 233, 234, 235. The mobile country code is 234, 235.

The ISO codes are Alpha-2: GB, Alpha-3: GBR, Numeric: 826. The emergency number is 999, 112. The timezone is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), Western European Time (WET).

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