uk

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or UK, is a sovereign state located off the north-west coast of continental Europe. It comprises four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The capital is London, with major cities including Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Belfast. The UK covers about 242,000 square kilometers and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, the Irish Sea, and the Celtic Sea.

The UK has a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. The monarch’s role is largely ceremonial, while the prime minister serves as head of government. Parliament consists of two houses: the elected House of Commons and the House of Lords, which includes life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are drawn from Members of Parliament in Westminster, London. Power is devolved to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, each with its own legislature and executive responsible for certain domestic matters.

Since 2020 the UK has been outside the European Union following Brexit, affecting freedom of movement and EU governance in domestic policy. The country remains active in international affairs, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a NATO member, and a participant in the Commonwealth of Nations and other global organizations.

Economy and society: The UK has a diversified economy with strong services and financial sectors, high-tech industries, and manufacturing. London is a major global financial center. The population is about 67 million, with English as the dominant language and regional languages such as Welsh and Scottish Gaelic. The National Health Service provides publicly funded health care, and education is compulsory through age 16.