England

England is a country that forms the largest part of the United Kingdom. It occupies most of the island of Great Britain, bordered by Scotland to the north and Wales to the west. It is bordered by the North Sea to the east, the English Channel to the south, and the Irish Sea to the northwest. Its capital and largest city is London. The country has a population of about 56 million and the primary language is English.

England's landscape ranges from low-lying plains in the east to uplands in the north and west. Notable regions include the Lake District, the Pennines, the Peak District, and the South West. The climate is temperate maritime, with mild winters, cool summers, and rainfall throughout the year.

Historically, England developed from early kingdoms into a centralized state. It joined with Scotland in 1707 to form Great Britain and with Ireland in 1801 to form the United Kingdom. Since the late 20th century, governance has included devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; England is governed as part of the UK with local government handling regional affairs. London remains the political and economic center.

England has a highly developed economy, dominated by services and financial markets, especially in London. Key sectors include finance, education, health, manufacturing, and technology. It is home to leading universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. English culture has made global contributions in literature, music, and sport, with football and cricket among the popular sports. National symbols include the St George's Cross flag.