Britain
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| Britain | |
|---|---|
| Conventional long name | The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| Capital | London |
| Largest city | London |
| Official languages | English |
| National languages | Scots, Ulster Scots, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Irish, Cornish |
| Demonym | British, Briton |
| Government type | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Leader title1 | Monarch |
| Leader name1 | Charles III |
| Leader title2 | Prime Minister |
| Leader name2 | Rishi Sunak |
| Legislature | Parliament |
| Upper house | House of Lords |
| Lower house | House of Commons |
| Established event1 | Acts of Union 1707 |
| Established date1 | 1 May 1707 |
| Established event2 | Acts of Union 1800 |
| Established date2 | 1 January 1801 |
| Established event3 | Anglo-Irish Treaty |
| Established date3 | 6 December 1922 |
| Area km2 | 242495 |
| Population estimate | 67,596,281 |
| Population estimate year | 2021 |
| GDP PPP | $3.871 trillion |
| GDP PPP year | 2023 |
| GDP PPP rank | 9th |
| GDP PPP per capita | $56,471 |
| Gini | 35.1 |
| Gini year | 2019 |
| Gini change | decrease |
| HDI | 0.929 |
| HDI year | 2021 |
| HDI change | increase |
| HDI rank | 18th |
Britain, officially the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, is a sovereign country located off the north-western coast of continental Europe. It comprises the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands within the British Isles. The nation has a rich history as a global power, profoundly influencing world events, language, law, and culture through its former empire and continuing role in international affairs. Its capital, London, is a leading global city and financial centre.
Geography
The territory spans the main island of Great Britain, encompassing the nations of England, Scotland, and Wales, alongside Northern Ireland on the island of Ireland. Major geographical features include the Pennines mountain range, the Scottish Highlands, the River Thames, and the Lake District. The climate is temperate maritime, heavily influenced by the North Atlantic Current. The archipelago includes numerous smaller islands such as the Isle of Wight, the Isle of Man, the Hebrides, the Orkney Islands, and the Shetland Islands.
History
Recorded history begins with Roman occupation, followed by Anglo-Saxon settlement and the Viking invasions. The Norman Conquest in 1066, led by William the Conqueror, was a pivotal event. Key historical periods include the Middle Ages, the English Reformation, the Elizabethan era, the English Civil War, and the formation of the Kingdom of Great Britain via the Acts of Union 1707. The 18th and 19th centuries saw the rise of the British Empire, the Industrial Revolution, and major conflicts like the Napoleonic Wars. The 20th century was defined by participation in both World War I and World War II, the Cold War, and the dissolution of its empire.
Government and politics
The state is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. The current monarch is Charles III, while executive power is exercised by the Government, led by the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. The Parliament, based at the Palace of Westminster, is bicameral, consisting of an elected House of Commons and an appointed House of Lords. Major political parties include the Conservative Party, the Labour Party, and the Scottish National Party. The legal systems incorporate English law, Scots law, and Northern Ireland law.
Economy
It has a highly developed, mixed economy and is one of the world's largest, with major sectors including financial services, centred on the City of London and Canary Wharf, manufacturing, and North Sea oil and gas. Key corporations include BP, HSBC, GlaxoSmithKline, and Rolls-Royce Holdings. The Bank of England is the central bank. Important infrastructure projects include High Speed 2 and the proposed Sizewell C nuclear power station. The nation is a member of the G7, the OECD, and the World Trade Organization.
Culture
Cultural influence is vast, with globally significant contributions in literature from figures like William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and J. K. Rowling, and in music from The Beatles to Adele. The BBC is a major broadcaster. Sporting traditions invented or codified here include association football, cricket, rugby union, and tennis, with iconic events like Wimbledon and the FA Cup. Historical institutions such as the British Museum, the National Theatre, and the Royal Academy of Arts are internationally renowned.
Demographics
The population is predominantly urban, with major conurbations including Greater London, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and West Yorkshire. There is significant diversity, with large communities originating from the Indian subcontinent, the Caribbean, and Africa. The Church of England is the established church in England, while other major faiths include Roman Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism. The National Health Service provides publicly funded healthcare. The main language is English, with regional languages like Welsh and Scottish Gaelic enjoying official status in Wales and Scotland respectively.
Category:United Kingdom Category:Island countries Category:English-speaking countries and territories