Constructed Worlds Wiki - User contributions [en]

File:IMG 1102.jpeg

2026-08-09T20:58:29Z

XXX: XXX moved page File:IMG 1102.jpeg to File:IMG Bering Strait.jpeg

#REDIRECT [[File:IMG Bering Strait.jpeg]]

File:IMG Bering Strait.jpeg

2026-08-09T20:58:29Z

XXX: XXX moved page File:IMG 1102.jpeg to File:IMG Bering Strait.jpeg

File:World map of Alternatively.png

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File:A chart of the political system in Ellenthia.png

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Category:United States (New Union)

2026-08-09T04:55:56Z

XXX:

[[Category:Countries (New Union)]]
https://wiki.conworld.org/w/User:President_of_The_Soviet_Union

User:XXX

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XXX: create user page

UserWiki:XXX

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XXX: import user wiki

File:World map of Alternatively.png

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XXX: Blanked the page

File:World map of Alternatively.png

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XXX: Redirected page to Nakhchivan War (New Union)

#REDIRECT [[Nakhchivan War (New Union)]]
{{Delete|Empty Page}}
[[Category:Delete]]

Soviet Democratic Peoples Party (New Union

2026-03-02T03:32:35Z

XXX: XXX moved page Soviet Democratic Peoples Party (New Union to Soviet Democratic Peoples Party (New Union)

#REDIRECT [[Soviet Democratic Peoples Party (New Union)]]

2016 Soviet Union legislative election (New Union)

2026-01-18T02:43:57Z

XXX: XXX moved page 2016 Soviet Union legislative election (New Union) to 2017 Soviet Union legislative election (New Union): 2017 Soviet Union legislative election (New Union)

#REDIRECT [[2017 Soviet Union legislative election (New Union)]]

Template:Switcher

2025-12-13T03:33:48Z

XXX:

<includeonly><div class="switcher-container">{{
safesubst:#if:{{{2|}}}|<div>{{{1|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|1|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{2|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{4|}}}|<div>{{{3|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|2|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{4|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{6|}}}|<div>{{{5|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|3|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{6|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{8|}}}|<div>{{{7|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|4|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{8|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{10|}}}|<div>{{{9|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|5|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{10|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{12|}}}|<div>{{{11|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|6|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{12|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{14|}}}|<div>{{{13|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|7|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{14|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{16|}}}|<div>{{{15|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|8|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{16|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{18|}}}|<div>{{{17|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|9|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{18|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{20|}}}|<div>{{{19|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|10|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{20|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{22|}}}|<div>{{{21|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|11|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{22|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{24|}}}|<div>{{{23|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|12|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{24|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{26|}}}|<div>{{{25|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|13|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{26|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{28|}}}|<div>{{{27|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|14|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{28|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{30|}}}|<div>{{{29|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|15|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{30|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{32|}}}|<div>{{{31|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|16|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{32|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{34|}}}|<div>{{{33|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|17|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{34|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{36|}}}|<div>{{{35|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|18|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{36|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{38|}}}|<div>{{{37|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|19|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{38|}}}}}</span></div>}}{{
safesubst:#if:{{{40|}}}|<div>{{{39|}}}<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{
safesubst:#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|20|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{safesubst:#if:trim|{{{40|}}}}}</span></div>}}</div></includeonly><noinclude>{{Documentation}}</noinclude>

Template:Switcher

2025-12-13T03:27:17Z

XXX:

<includeonly>
<div class="switchee-container">
{{#if:{{{2|}}}|
<div>
{{{1|}}}
<span class="switchee-label" style="display:none" {{#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|1|data-switchee-default=""}}>{{{2}}}</span>
</div>
}}
{{#if:{{{4|}}}|
<div>
{{{3|}}}
<span class="switchee-label" style="display:none" {{#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|2|data-switchee-default=""}}>{{{4}}}</span>
</div>
}}
{{#if:{{{6|}}}|
<div>
{{{5|}}}
<span class="switchee-label" style="display:none" {{#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|3|data-switchee-default=""}}>{{{6}}}</span>
</div>
}}
{{#if:{{{8|}}}|
<div>
{{{7|}}}
<span class="switchee-label" style="display:none" {{#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|4|data-switchee-default=""}}>{{{8}}}</span>
</div>
}}
</div>


<script>
(function() {
const container = document.currentScript.previousElementSibling;
if (!container) return;

const items = Array.from(container.querySelectorAll('div'));
if (items.length < 2) return;

// Create switcher buttons
const bar = document.createElement('div');
bar.className = 'switchee-bar';
let defaultIndex = 0;

items.forEach((item, i) => {
const labelSpan = item.querySelector('.switchee-label');
const label = labelSpan ? labelSpan.textContent : `Item ${i+1}`;
if (labelSpan && labelSpan.hasAttribute('data-switchee-default')) {
defaultIndex = i;
}

const btn = document.createElement('button');
btn.type = 'button';
btn.textContent = label;
btn.addEventListener('click', () => {
items.forEach(div => div.style.display = 'none');
items[i].style.display = '';
});
bar.appendChild(btn);
});

container.insertBefore(bar, container.firstChild);

// Show default item
items.forEach(div => div.style.display = 'none');
items[defaultIndex].style.display = '';
})();
</script>
</includeonly>

<noinclude>
{{Documentation}}
</noinclude>

Template:Switcher

2025-12-13T03:24:42Z

XXX:

Template:Switcher

2025-12-13T03:22:43Z

XXX:

<includeonly>
<div class="switcher-container">
{{#if:{{{2|}}}|
<div>
{{{1|}}}
<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|1|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{{2}}}</span>
</div>
}}
{{#if:{{{4|}}}|
<div>
{{{3|}}}
<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|2|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{{4}}}</span>
</div>
}}
{{#if:{{{6|}}}|
<div>
{{{5|}}}
<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|3|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{{6}}}</span>
</div>
}}
{{#if:{{{8|}}}|
<div>
{{{7|}}}
<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|4|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{{8}}}</span>
</div>
}}
</div>


<script>
(function() {
const container = document.currentScript.previousElementSibling;
if (!container) return;

const items = Array.from(container.querySelectorAll('div'));
if (items.length < 2) return;

// Create switcher buttons
const bar = document.createElement('div');
bar.className = 'switcher-bar';
let defaultIndex = 0;

items.forEach((item, i) => {
const labelSpan = item.querySelector('.switcher-label');
const label = labelSpan ? labelSpan.textContent : `Item ${i+1}`;
if (labelSpan && labelSpan.hasAttribute('data-switcher-default')) {
defaultIndex = i;
}

const btn = document.createElement('button');
btn.type = 'button';
btn.textContent = label;
btn.addEventListener('click', () => {
items.forEach(div => div.style.display = 'none');
items[i].style.display = '';
});
bar.appendChild(btn);
});

container.insertBefore(bar, container.firstChild);

// Show default item
items.forEach(div => div.style.display = 'none');
items[defaultIndex].style.display = '';
})();
</script>
</includeonly>

{{YourTemplateName
| default = 2
| 1 = [[File:Example.png|300px]]
| 2 = An example
| 3 = [[File:Example2.png|300px]]
| 4 = Another example
}}

Template:Switcher

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XXX:

Template:Switcher/doc

2025-12-13T03:21:37Z

XXX: /* Example */

{{Documentation subpage}}
{{lua|Module:Switcher}}
{{High-use}}

This template is used to create a switchable image with caption, for use in infoboxes. Note that this template does not work in the editing preview.

Switcher uses [[MediaWiki:Gadget-switcher.js]] which is documented at [[User:Jackmcbarn/switcher]]. Apart from {{tl|Switcher}}, the only current use of the gadget may be [[Template:Location map#User selection of multiple maps]].

== Parameters ==
Odd numbered parameters provide the image in wikitext; even numbered parameters provide the captions. Up to 20 images are supported.

<includeonly>
<div class="switcher-container">
{{#if:{{{2|}}}|
<div>
{{{1|}}}
<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|1|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{{2}}}</span>
</div>
}}
{{#if:{{{4|}}}|
<div>
{{{3|}}}
<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|2|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{{4}}}</span>
</div>
}}
{{#if:{{{6|}}}|
<div>
{{{5|}}}
<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|3|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{{6}}}</span>
</div>
}}
{{#if:{{{8|}}}|
<div>
{{{7|}}}
<span class="switcher-label" style="display:none" {{#ifeq:{{{default|}}}|4|data-switcher-default=""}}>{{{8}}}</span>
</div>
}}
</div>


<script>
(function() {
const container = document.currentScript.previousElementSibling;
if (!container) return;

const items = Array.from(container.querySelectorAll('div'));
if (items.length < 2) return;

// Create switcher buttons
const bar = document.createElement('div');
bar.className = 'switcher-bar';
let defaultIndex = 0;

items.forEach((item, i) => {
const labelSpan = item.querySelector('.switcher-label');
const label = labelSpan ? labelSpan.textContent : `Item ${i+1}`;
if (labelSpan && labelSpan.hasAttribute('data-switcher-default')) {
defaultIndex = i;
}

const btn = document.createElement('button');
btn.type = 'button';
btn.textContent = label;
btn.addEventListener('click', () => {
items.forEach(div => div.style.display = 'none');
items[i].style.display = '';
});
bar.appendChild(btn);
});

container.insertBefore(bar, container.firstChild);

// Show default item
items.forEach(div => div.style.display = 'none');
items[defaultIndex].style.display = '';
})();
</script>
</includeonly>

==TemplateData==
<templatedata>
{
"params": {
"1": {
"description": "Image 1 wikitext",
"example": "[[File:Example.png|300px]]",
"type": "unbalanced-wikitext"
},
"2": {
"description": "Image 1 caption",
"example": "This is just an example.",
"type": "string"
},
"3": {
"description": "See {{{1}}} (recursive)",
"type": "unbalanced-wikitext"
},
"4": {
"description": "See {{{2}}} (recursive)",
"type": "string"
}
},
"description": "Creates a switchable image with caption for use in infoboxes"
}
</templatedata>

<includeonly>{{Sandbox other||

[[Category:Image formatting and function templates]]
}}</includeonly>

Template:Switcher/doc

2025-12-13T03:19:47Z

XXX: /* Example */

Template:Switcher

2025-12-13T03:17:22Z

XXX:

Module:Switcher/doc

2025-12-06T00:41:20Z

XXX: Created page with "local p = {} function p.main(frame) local args = frame:getParent().args local root = mw.html.create('div'):addClass('switcher-container') local default = (tonumber(args.default) or 0) * 2 - 1 for i,v in ipairs(args) do if i % 2 == 1 then local span = root :tag('div') :wikitext(args[i]) :tag('span') :addClass('switcher-label') :css('display', 'none') :wikitext(mw.text.trim(args[i + 1] or '')) if i == default then span:attr(..."

local p = {}

function p.main(frame)
local args = frame:getParent().args
local root = mw.html.create('div'):addClass('switcher-container')
local default = (tonumber(args.default) or 0) * 2 - 1
for i,v in ipairs(args) do
if i % 2 == 1 then
local span = root
:tag('div')
:wikitext(args[i])
:tag('span')
:addClass('switcher-label')
:css('display', 'none')
:wikitext(mw.text.trim(args[i + 1] or ''))
if i == default then
span:attr('data-switcher-default', '')
end
end
end
return root
end

return p

Module:Switcher

2025-12-06T00:41:07Z

Template:Switcher

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XXX: Undo revision 569543 by XXX (talk)

Template:Switcher

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XXX:

Template:Switcher

2025-12-06T00:37:04Z

XXX:

Template:Switcher

2025-12-06T00:36:29Z

XXX: Undo revision 569538 by XXX (talk)

<includeonly>{{safesubst:#invoke:switcher|main}}</includeonly><noinclude>
{{documentation}}
</noinclude>

Template:Switcher/doc

2025-12-06T00:35:20Z

XXX:

Template:Switcher

2025-12-06T00:31:35Z

XXX: Undo revision 569537 by XXX (talk)

Template:Switcher

2025-12-06T00:30:31Z

XXX: Replaced content with "<includeonly>{{safesubst:#invoke:switcher|main}}</includeonly><noinclude> {{documentation}} </noinclude>"

<includeonly>{{safesubst:#invoke:switcher|main}}</includeonly><noinclude>
{{documentation}}
</noinclude>

United Kingdom

2025-11-11T02:11:13Z

XXX:

{{Icons|Altverse II}}
{{Infobox country
|conventional_long_name = United Kingdom of Great Britain
|common_name = United Kingdom<br>Great Britain
|image_flag = Flag of Great Britain (1707–1800).svg
|image_coat = Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom (Altverse II).svg
|national_anthem = "{{W|God Save the King}}"<br>[[File:United States Navy Band - God Save the Queen.ogg]]
|image_map = [[File:United Kingdom (Altverse II).svg|300px]]
|capital = {{W|London}}
|largest_city = capital
|official_languages = {{W|English language|English}}
|regional_languages = {{W|Scots}} {{*}} {{W|Ulster Scots}} {{*}} {{W|Welsh language|Welsh}} {{*}} {{W|Cornish language|Cornish}} {{*}} {{W|Scottish Gaelic}} {{*}} {{W|Irish language|Irish}} {{*}} {{W|British Sign Language}}

|membership = {{Bulleted list|
|[[File:Flag of England.svg|22px|border]] '''England'''
|[[File:Flag of Scotland.svg|22px|border]] '''Scotland'''
|[[File:Flag of Wales.svg|22px|border]] '''Wales'''
|[[File:Flag of the Isle of Man.svg|22px|border]] '''Isle of Man'''
}}

|ethnic_groups = {{Unbulleted list
|83.0% {{W|White people in the United Kingdom|White}}
|8.6% {{W|Asian British|Asian}}
|3.7% {{W|Black British people|Black}}
|2.7% {{W|Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category|Mixed}}
|2.0% Other
}}
|ethnic_groups_year = 2021
|religion = {{Unbulleted list
|{{Tree list}}
* 53.6% {{W|Christianity in the United Kingdom|Christianity}}{{efn|While not the official state religion, the {{W|Church of England}}, {{W|Church of Scotland}}, and {{W|Church of Wales}} are the official state churches in all three countries.}}
** 43.2% {{W|Protestantism in the United Kingdom|Protestantism}}
** 9.2% [[Catholicism in the United Kingdom|Catholicism]]
** 1.2% {{W|Christian denomination|Other Christian}}
{{Tree list/end}}
|31.8% {{W|Irreligion in the United Kingdom|Irreligion}}
|5.5% {{W|Islam in the United Kingdom|Islam}}
|1.6% {{W|Hinduism in the United Kingdom|Hinduism}}
|1.3% {{W|British Jews|Judaism}}
|0.8% {{W|Sikhism in the United Kingdom|Sikhism}}
|0.4% {{W|Buddhism in the United Kingdom|Buddhism}}
|5.0% Other or unstated
}}
|religion_year = 2021
|demonym = {{W|British people|British}} {{*}} Briton {{*}} Brit (colloquial)
|government_type = {{W|Unitary state|Unitary}} {{W|Westminster system|parliamentary constitutional monarchy}}
|leader_title1 = [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King]]
|leader_name1 = [[George V]]
|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name2 = [[Aiden B. Starmer]]
|legislature = [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]]
|upper_house = [[House of Lords]]
|lower_house = [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]
|sovereignty_type = {{W|Formation of the United Kingdom|Establishment}}
|established_event1 = {{W|Laws in Wales Act}}
|established_date1 = 1535 and 1542
|established_event2 = {{W|Union of the Crowns}}
|established_date2 = 24 March 1603
|established_event3 = {{W|Treaty of Union}}
|established_date3 = 22 July 1706
|established_event4 = {{W|Acts of Union|Acts of Union of England and Scotland}}
|established_date4 = 1 May 1707
|established_event5 = {{W|Acts of Union of Great Britain and Ireland}}
|established_date5 = 1 January 1801
|established_event6 = [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]]
|established_date6 = 6 November 1925
|area_km2 = 209,331
|area_sq_mi = 80,823
|area_rank = 9th
|percent_water = 1.3%
|population_census = {{UP}} 61,284,529
|population_census_year = 2021
|population_estimate = {{UP}} 64,109,428
|population_estimate_year = 2025
|population_density_km2 = 281
|population_density_sq_mi = 727
|population_density_rank = 28th
|GDP_PPP = {{UP}} $4.45 trillion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 10th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2025
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{UP}} $63,661
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 28th
|GDP_nominal = {{UP}} 3.84 trillion
|GDP_nominal_rank = 6th
|GDP_nominal_year = 2025
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{UP}} $54,949
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 18th
|Gini = 35.4
|Gini_ref =
|Gini_rank =
|Gini_change = decrease
|Gini_year = 2021
|HDI_year = 2023
|HDI = 0.95
|HDI_change = increase
|HDI_rank = 13th
|HDI_ref =
|currency = {{W|Pound sterling}} ({{W|Pound sign|£}})
|currency_code = GBP
|time_zone = {{W|Coordinated Universal Time|UTC (Greenwich Mean Time, WET)}}
|time_zone_DST = {{W|Coordinated Universal Time|UTC (British Summer Time, WEST)}}
|utc_offset_DST = +1
|date_format = {{Abbr|dd|day}}/{{Abbr|mm|month}}/{{Abbr|yyyy|year}} ({{W|Anno Domini|AD}})
|drives_on = left
|cctld = .uk
|iso3166code = GB
|calling_code = [[+44]]
|patron_saint = 
|footnotes = <references group="lower-alpha"/>
}}
The '''United Kingdom (UK)''', officially the '''United Kingdom of Great Britain''' and commonly known as '''Great Britain (GB)''' and '''Britain''', is a country and {{W|sovereign state}} in {{W|Northwestern Europe}}, just off the coast of the {{W|Continental Europe|European mainland}}. It is a union of [[England (Altverse II)|England]], [[Scotland]], and [[Wales]] and is located the island of {{W|Great Britain}} and {{W|List of islands of the United Kingdom|most smaller islands}} in the {{W|British Isles}}, covering 94,354 square miles (244,376 km2). An island nation, the UK is surrounded by the {{W|Atlantic Ocean}}, the {{W|English Channel}}, the {{W|North Sea}}, the {{W|Celtic Sea}}, and the {{W|Irish Sea}}. The UK also maintains sovereignty over several islands located in the oceans of and seas across the globe, known officially as [[British Overseas Territories]]. The 2021 UK census had a population of 61.3 million people, while 2025 estimates have the total British population at 64.1 million people with {{W|London}}, the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, serving as the country's largest city while {{W|Edinburgh}} and {{W|Cardiff}} are the capitals of Scotland and Wales respectively.

Human habitation in the United Kingdom has been consistent since the {{W|Neolithic}} period. In 43 AD, the {{W|Roman Empire}} began its {{W|Roman conquest of Britain|conquest of Britain}} and completed it in 84 AD, ruling Britain {{W|Roman Britain|as a province}} until their {{W|Sub-Roman Britain|formal departure}} and was followed up by {{W|Anglo-Saxon settlement}}. In 1066, the {{W|Norman conquest|Normans conquered England}} lead by {{W|William the Conquerer}}. Following the {{W|War of the Roses}}, the {{W|Kingdom of England}} was stabilized and grew to become a major power, resulting in the {{W|Laws in Wales Acts|annexation of Wales}} in the 16th century and lead to the establishment of the {{W|British Empire}}. After this creation, the young British Empire would go one to {{W|British colonization of the Americas|colonize much of the Americas}} and established a series of colonies in {{W|North America}} commonly known as {{W|British America}}, most well known constituent part being the {{W|Thirteen Colonies}}. The 17th century saw the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarchy]] facing political challenges and being reduced, resulting in the {{W|English Civil War}} which saw the {{W|Roundhead|Parliamentarians}} emerge victorious and the formation of the {{W|Commonwealth of England}} under {{W|Oliver Cromwell}}, a {{W|republic|republican}} state that governed the country until the {{W|Stuart Restoration}} of 1660 that saw the return of monarchal rule. In 1707, the {{W|Treaty of Union}} was signed that saw the Kingdom of England and the {{W|Kingdom of Scotland}} to merge into a single unified state known as the {{W|Kingdom of Great Britain}}, the first incarnation of what would become the United Kingdom. The {{W|Georgian era}} saw the consolidation of the monarchy as the governing institution of the country and the establishment of the office of [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|prime minister]]. The {{W|Acts of Union 1800}} saw Great Britain merge with the {{W|Kingdom of Ireland}} to form the {{W|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland}} that lasted until the 1920s when [[Ireland]] gained independence via the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]].

The UK became the {{W|History of industrialisation|first country to industrialize}} and became the world's {{W|foremost power}} in the aftermath of the {{W|Napoleonic Wars}}, reigning as the sole {{W|superpower}} of the world between 1815 and 1912 in a period known as ''{{W|Pax Britannica}}''. The British Empire was a premier power throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, serving as the premier {{W|economic power}} and further supported by {{W|British Agricultural Revolution|agricultural prosperity}}, massive industrial capabilities, role as the dominant {{W|trading nation}}, and significant technological innovations and achievements along with {{W|19th-century London}} becoming the world's top financial center. The British Empire would reach its territorial peak by the late 1910s, being the {{W|List of largest empires|largest empire in recorded history}} and controlling a quarter of the world's territory in four continents. Britain was also the {{W|Economy of the British Empire|world's leading economic power}} from the 19th century and into the 20th century, however its [[United Kingdom in the Great War|military involvement]] in the [[Great War]] had damaged Britain's economic power and gradually lead to the {{W|decolonization}} of {{W|Asia}} and {{W|Africa}}, resulting in the end of the British Empire by the 1970s and surviving only through various island and overseas territories, now known as British Overseas Territories.

The United Kingdom is a {{W|constitutional monarchy}} and {{W|parliamentary democracy}} with three district legal jurisdictions in England, Wales, and Scotland. Since 1999, Britain has operated under a {{W|Devolution in the United Kingdom|system of devolution}} that grants each constituent country their own autonomous governments, parliaments, and control over district legal and political matters within their own internal borders. A {{W|developed country}} with an {{W|Economy of the United Kingdom|advanced high-income economy}}, the UK ranks among one of the largest economies in the world by GDP and is one of the world's largest importers and exporters. A nuclear armed state with one of the world's largest defense budgets, the [[British Armed Forces]] is one of the strongest militaries in both Europe and the world. {{W|Anglicisation|Britain's soft power influence}} can be seen worldwide in the legal and political systems of its former colonies. {{W|Culture of the United Kingdom|British culture}} remains one of the most influential in the world, being seen in {{W|English language|its language}}, {{W|British literature|literature}}, {{W|Music of the United Kingdom|music}}, and {{W|Sport in the United Kingdom|sports}}. Britain is part of several international organizations such as the [[League of Nations]], serving as one of the [[Permanent members of the League of Nations Security Council|five permanent members]] of the [[League of Nations Security Council]], the [[European Community]], the [[World Trade Organization]], and several other organizations and bodies.

==Etymology and terminology==
The {{W|Acts of Union 1707}} declared that the {{W|Kingdom of England}} and {{W|Kingdom of Scotland}} were "United into One Kingdom by the Name of {{W|Great Britain}}. The term "United Kingdom" has been used occasionally as a description for the former kingdom of Great Britain, although the official name of the country was "Great Britain" from 1707 to 1800. The {{W|Acts of Union 1800}} united the kingdoms of Great Britain and {{W|Kingdom of Ireland|Ireland}} into the {{W|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland}}. Following the secession of Ireland and the [[Treaty of Belfast]], the name was changed to the "United Kingdom of Great Britain".

Although the United Kingdom is a sovereign country, {{w|England}}, {{w|Scotland}} and {{w|Wales}} are also widely referred to as countries. The UK Prime Minister's website has used the phrase "countries within a country" to describe the United Kingdom. Some statistical summaries, such as those for the {{w|International Territorial Level|twelve NUTS 1 regions of the United Kingdom}} refer to Scotland and Wales as "regions".

The term "Great Britain" conventionally refers to the island of Great Britain, or politically to England, Scotland and Wales in combination. It is sometimes used as a loose synonym for the United Kingdom as a whole.

The {{W|Britain (place name)|term "Britain"}} is used both as a synonym for Great Britain, and as a synonym for the United Kingdom. Usage is mixed: the UK Government prefers to use the term "UK" rather than "Britain" or "British" on its own website (except when referring to embassies), while acknowledging that both terms refer to the United Kingdom and that elsewhere "British government" is used at least as frequently as "United Kingdom government". The UK {{W|Permanent Committee on Geographical Names for British Official Use|Permanent Committee on Geographical Names}} recognises "United Kingdom", "UK" and "U.K." as shortened and abbreviated geopolitical terms for the United Kingdom of Great Britain in its toponymic guidelines, though it does not list "Britain".

The adjective "British" is commonly used to refer to matters relating to the United Kingdom and is used in law to refer to United Kingdom citizenship and {{W|British nationality law|matters to do with nationality}}. People of the United Kingdom use a number of different terms to describe their national identity and may identify themselves as being {{W|British people|British}}, {{W|English people|English}}, {{W|Scottish people|Scottish}} or {{W|Welsh people|Welsh}}; or as having a combination of different national identities. The official designation for a citizen of the United Kingdom is "British citizen".

==History==
{{Main|History of the United Kingdom}}
===Prior to the Treaty of Union===
[[File:Stonehenge2007 07 30.jpg|thumb|left|210px|{{W|Stonehenge}}, a ring of stones in {{W|Wiltshire}} that was built around 2400–2200 BC.]]
Settlement of what would become the United Kingdom was carried out by the {{W|Cro-Magnons}}, the first earl humans who settled the modern day island in waves around 30,000 years ago with the island having been continuously habited since the last retreat of the ice 11,500 years ago. By the end of {{W|Prehistoric Britain|Britain's prehistoric period}}, the population of Britain is thought to have belonged to an ancient culture known as the {{W|Insular Celtic}} that comprised {{W|Brittonic Britain}} and {{W|Gaelic Ireland}}. Beginning in 43 AD, the {{W|Roman Empire}} began a {{W|Roman conquest of Britain|formal conquest}} of Britain, starting under Emperor {{W|Claudius}} and ending in 84 AD, consolidating a {{W|Roman Britain|400-year long rule}} of the region as a province of the Roman Empire named ''Britannica''.

Four centuries of Roman rule in Britain was followed up by an invasion by the {{W|Germanic peoples|Germanic}} {{W|Anglo-Saxons}} who conquered much of the region and reduced the Brittonic area into what is now known as [[Wales]], [[Cornwall]], and {{W|Hen Ogledd}} before the later stages of Anglo-Saxon settlement in Britain (northern England and parts of southern Scotland). The majority of the {{W|Anglo-Saxon Britain|region settled by the Anglo-Saxons}} would unify into what would become the {{W|Kingdom of England}} by the 10th century. Meanwhile, {{W|Dál Riata|the Gaelic-speaking areas}} of northwestern England (with connections to northeastern Ireland and traditionally supposed to have migrated in the 5th century) would unite with the {{W|Picts}} to create the {{W|Kingdom of Scotland}} in the 9th century.
[[File:Bayeux Tapestry scene57 Harold death.jpg|Depiction of the {{W|Battle of Hastings}} on the {{W|Bayeux Tapestry}}.|thumb|right|210px]]
In 1066 the {{W|Normans}} would invade England from northern France and after {{W|Norman conquest|conquering England}}, they went on to seize {{W|Norman invasion of Wales|large parts of Wales}}, {{W|Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland|took much of Ireland}}, and were invited to settle in Scotland. This resulted in the Normans bringing {{W|feudalism}} to each country on the {{W|British Isles}} based on the Northern French model and the {{W|Norman-French}} culture. The {{W|Anglo-Normans|Anglo-Norman}} {{W|ruling class}} greatly influenced the local cultures on the island, but would later be assimilated into these cultures. The subsequent English kings of the {{W|House of Planagenet}} would {{W|Conquest of Wales by Edward I|complete the conquest of Wales}} under King {{W|Edward I of England}}. This was followed up by several {{W|Scottish Wars of Independence|attempts at conquest}} of Scotland that was unsuccessful. The Kingdom of Scotland would assert its independence via the {{W|Declaration of Arbroath}} of 1320, but entered into a {{W|Anglo-Scottish Wars|state of near-constant war}} against England. In 1215, the {{W|Magna Carta}} was ratified which declared that no government was above the law, that all citizens have rights protecting them, and all citizens were entitled to a {{W|fair trial}}, the first of such documents to be made.

The English monarchs laid claim to the French crown with the {{W|Angevin Empire}}, a substantial territories owned by England within France, and was involved in a {{W|Anglo-French Wars|long series of conflicts}} with the {{W|Kingdom of France}}, most notably the {{W|Hundred Years' War}} which saw the {{W|Monarchy of Scotland|King of the Scots}} forming {{W|Auld Alliance|an alliance with France}} during this period. {{W|Early modern Britain}} saw religious conflicts within the country stemming from the {{W|Reformation}} and the introduction of {{W|Protestant}} churches within the country. This would usher in the {{W|English Reformation}} and saw widespread political, social, cultural, and constitutional changes in the country such as the creation and {{W|State religion|establishment}} of the {{W|Church of England}}. This would define England's national identity and slowly, but profoundly, changed the religious beliefs of the English people. Wales was {{W|Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542|formally incorporated into England}} while Ireland was constituted as a kingdom in personal union with the English crown. Under king {{W|James VI and I}}, the Irish province of {{W|Ulster}} was {{W|Plantation of Ulster|colonized by Protestant settlers}} with lands owned by the independent Gaelic nobility being seized and given to said Protestant settlers from England and Scotland. In 1603, {{W|James VI and I|James VI of Scotland}} inherited the crowns of England, Scotland, and Ireland and organized the three kingdoms into a {{W|personal union}} under his leadership as king of the three kingdoms and move his royal court from Edinburgh to London, however each country nonetheless remained political independent and retained their own separate legal, political, and religious systems and institutions.

During the mid-17th century, all three kingdoms became engulfed by a {{W|Wars of the Three Kingdoms|series of interconnected wars}} (the {{W|English Civil War}} included) that consumed the British Isles and saw the temporary overthrow of the monarchy with the {{W|Execution of Charles I|public execution}} of {{W|Charles I of England|King Charles I}}. This saw the rise of the {{W|Commonwealth of England}}, a {{W|unitary republic}} that governed the British Isles with {{W|Oliver Cromwell}} becoming the head of state of the isles as {{W|lord protector}} of {{W|The Protectorate}} that administered all three countries. The monarchy was restored via the {{W|Stuart Restoration}} of 1660 with {{W|Charles II of England|Charles II}} assuming the throne. The {{W|Interregnum}}, along with the 1688 {{W|Glorious Restoration}}, the {{W|Bill of Rights 1689}} in England, and {{W|Claim of Right Act 1689}} in Scotland ensured that {{W|Absolute monarchy|royal absolutism}} wouldn't take shape in the British Isles unlike in the rest of Europe, though a professed Catholic was barred from holding the throne. The {{W|Constitution of the United Kingdom|British constitution}} would develop on a basis of {{W|Constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarchism}} and under a {{W|parliamentary system}}. With the creation of the {{W|Royal Society}} in 1660, science was greatly encouraged in the country. During this period, especially in England, a combination of the development of naval power in the early [[Royal Navy]] and interest in {{W|Age of Discovery|overseas voyages and discovery}} lead the acquisition and settlement of several overseas colonies, in particular in North America and the Caribbean.

Previous attempts were made to merge the kingdom of England and Scotland in 1606, 1667, and 1689 which were all unsuccessful. Despite this, another attempt was made in 1705 that beared fruit in the form of the {{W|Treaty of Union}}. The agreement was agreed upon in 1706 and was ratified by the English and Scottish parliaments, unifying both countries into one state.
===Union of England and Scotland===
[[File:Articles of Union 1707.jpg|thumb|left|210px|The {{W|Treaty of Union}} unified the English and Scottish kingdoms on 1 May 1707.]]
The {{W|Kingdom of Great Britain}} was created on 1 May 1707 after the {{W|Acts of Union 1707}} that formally established the new state after being ratified by England and Scotland. The 18th century saw the cabinet government of {{W|Robert Walpole}} become the ''de-facto'' first prime minister (1721–1742). A series of {{W|Jacobitism|Jacobite uprisings}} broke out across the country in an attempt to remove the Protestant {{W|House of Hanover}} and restore the Catholic {{W|House of Stuart}} to the throne. The Jacobite rebels were eventually defeated at the {{W|Battle of Culloden}} in 1746, after which the {{W|Highlands|Scottish Highlanders}} formally relinquished the independence of their feudal {{W|Clan chief|clan chiefs}} and were forcibly assimilated into Scotland. Britain would continue to expand their colonial holdings in North America, but came into territorial disputes with the French over vague boundaries between the {{W|Thirteen Colonies}} of {{W|British America}} and {{W|New France}}. This lead to the outbreak of the {{W|French and Indian War}} (1754–1763) which was followed up by the {{W|Seven Years' War}} (1756–1763) where Britain fought against France along with their respective allies. The war would end in a British and allied victory and Britain annexing New France into British America. Britain would eventually lose control of their American colonies in the {{W|American Revolutionary War}} (1775–1783), resulting in Britain turning its imperial and colonial ambitions towards Asia, in particular [[India]].

Between 1662 and 1807, British merchants played a major role in the {{W|Atlantic slave trade}} where British and British colonial {{W|slave ships}} transported nearly 3.3 million African slaves to their American colonies. Said slaves were forced to {{W|Plantation economy|work on plantations}} in both North America and the Caribbean in the {{W|British West Indies}}. Despite this, pressure from the {{W|Abolitionism in the United Kingdom|British abolitionist movement}} successfully convinced Parliament to formally outlaw slavery in Britain in 1807 before banning slavery in the entire British Empire in 1833. Britain would take a leading role in ending the slave trader with the Royal Navy enforcing the {{W|Blockade of Africa|blockade of Africa}} with the seizure of slave ships into and from Africa and the British government pressuring other nations to end their participation in the slave trade via a series of various treaties, including the [[United States (Altverse II)|United States]].
===United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland===
{{Main|United Kingdom in the Western European War}}
[[File:Coronation portrait of Queen Victoria 1838.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Queen Victoria|Victoria]] reigned as [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Queen of the United Kingdom]] and {{W|Empress of India}} in the 19th century's {{W|Victorian Era}}.]]
In 1800, the parliaments of both Great Britain and Ireland ratified the {{W|Acts of Union 1800|Acts of Union}} which united both countries into new country on 1 January 1801; the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Britain remained one of Europe's foremost powers and found itself involved in a series of conflicts against France as a result of the {{W|French Revolution}}. Backing French royalist counterrevolutionaries, Britain came into conflict with both {{W|French First Republic|Revolutionary France}} and later the {{W|First French Empire}} under {{W|Napoleon}}, with Britain being Napoleon's biggest enemy throughout the Revolutionary and {{W|Napoleonic Era|Napoleonic eras}}.

After Britain emerged victorious in the {{W|French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars}} (1792–1815), the United Kingdom emerged as the world's premier naval and imperial power with London becoming the largest city in the world in 1830. Left unchallenged at sea, Britain emerged in the mid-1810s as the world's sole {{W|superpower}} and had a world-spanning global hegemony with the peace and British influence of this period being referred to as ''{{W|Pax Britannica}}'' ("British Peace") that lasted between 1815 until 1912. Outside of Britain's global military and political influence, this period was also defined by a {{W|International relations (1815–1914)|period of peace between the great powers}} as Britain reigned as the world's first superpower and took on the role as the {{W|World's police|world's policeman}}. After its last war against the United States in the {{W|War of 1812}}, Britain was involved in the {{W|Crimean War}} where they sided with France and the [[Ottoman Empire]] against the {{W|Russian Empire}}, participated in naval operations in the {{W|Åland War}} in the {{W|Gulf of Bothnia}} and {{W|Gulf of Finland}}, among others. The {{W|Indian Rebellion of 1857}} saw Britain deploy its military to suppress the uprising and assume {{W|direct rule}} over India proper under {{W|Lord Palmerston}}. Alongside the formal control over its overseas colonies, Britain dominated global trade to such a degree that it {{W|Informal empire|effectively controlled the economies}} of {{W|East Asia}} and {{W|Latin America}} in another sign of its extensive global influence.

Throughout the {{W|Victorian Era}} (1837–1901), British political attitudes favored {{W|free trade}} and ''{{W|laissez-faire}}'' economic policies. Starting in 1832 with the {{W|Great Reform Act}}, the British Parliament gradually {{W|Reform Acts|expanding enfranchisement}}, with the {{W|1884 Reform Act}} by {{W|William Gladstone}} granting {{W|suffrage}} to a majority of British men for the first time. The British population increased at a dramatic rate which, combined with rapid {{W|industrialization}}, caused significant social and economic stress in the country. During the late 19th century, the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] under prime minister {{W|Benjamin Disraeli}} and {{W|Lord Salisbury}} participated in the [[Scramble for Africa]], the imperial expansion and colonization of much of the {{W|Africa|African continent}} following the {{W|Berlin Conference}} of 1884. This saw Britain colonize the largest portion of African territory next to France and control over the {{W|Nile River}} via influence on the [[Kingdom of Egypt]], which was a British {{W|protectorate}} at the time. Outside of African colonization, Britain maintained a policy of "{{W|splendid isolation}}" in Europe, sought to contain the influence of the {{W|Russian Empire}} in the {{W|Middle East}} in what was coined the {{W|Great Game}}, and game self-governance status to many of its colonies. By the turn of the 20th century, Britain remained the dominant power in the world, but its status was being challenged by the emerging states of [[Germany]] in Europe, the [[United Commonwealth (1866–1921)|United Commonwealth of America]] in the {{W|Atlantic}}, and the [[Kingdom of Sierra]] in Asia. While maintaining the policy of splendid isolation, Britain would discontinue it in 1902 as it engaged in diplomatic outreach towards several countries in Europe such as Russia and France where the {{W|Entente Cordiale}} in 1904, formalizing an alliance between the two countries and later with [[Portugal]] in an attempt counter the influence of the German Empire.
[[File:British recruits August 1914 Q53234.jpg|thumb|left|240px|British Army volunteers from {{W|London}} awaiting payment at {{W|Saint Martin-in-the-Fields}}, August 1912.]]
In 1911, the {{W|Agadir Crisis}} occurred in [[Morocco]] where a major political and diplomatic crisis broke out after the [[French Army]] was deployed to Morocco in an attempt to suppress an anti-colonial uprising in the area, a colony that Germany had notable interests in. While France promised to protect German interests and only suppress the rebellion, it seized control of the Moroccan government and effectively placed it under French control. In response, the [[German Navy]] sent a warship that fired on French positions and resulted in a declaration of war being filed by both Britain and France against Germany, beginning the [[Western European War]]. While early battles occurred in the Atlantic and off the coast of Northwest Africa, fighting occurred in Europe in early 1912. Britain initially refrained from fighting a ground war in Europe, it was the usage of {{W|unrestricted submarine warfare}} by German Navy {{W|U-boat|u-boats}} that forced the deployment of British forces to fight in Europe, resulting in the formation of the [[British Expeditionary Forces]] (BEF) under {{W|Lord Kitchener}} to assist the French Army against Germany among the [[France–Germany border|Franco-German border]] and around France's territory of [[Walloonia]] near the [[Netherlands]]. British troops landed in northern France and saw heavy combat in {{W|Flanders}} against the German Army. The Royal Navy saw combat against the Imperial German Navy as well, both in the North Atlantic and the {{W|North Sea}}. The {{W|Royal Flying Corps}} saw its first major combat in the war against the Imperial German Aviation Corps (future [[German Air Force]]) as well, giving experience that would lead to the formation of the [[Royal Air Force]] after the war. The Western European War also saw Britain develop the first {{W|tank}} as well during the costly [[Battle of the Somme]], the bloodiest land campaign in British Army and military history.

By 1916 the heavy casualties of the Somme campaign combined with a lack of notable gains as a result of these sacrifices caused widespread discontent back home in Britain, made worse by the expansion of conscription into the British Armed Forces. The [[Battle of Verdun]], the largest and climactic battle of the war, would see France suffer a costly defeat and the British government convincing France to come to the negotiating table. Beginning in 1917, negotiations on a {{W|ceasefire}} began and ended in April of that year with the [[Treaty of Copenhagen (1917)|Treaty of Copenhagen]] thanks to mediation from the [[Union of Scandinavia]]. The treaty ended the war and allowed Britain to return their troops back to the country, the last troops returning home before the end of the year. Britain suffered heavy casualties in the war with over 800,000 soldiers dead (including the colonies) and another 860,000 being wounded, a total casualty count of 1.66 million troops.

===Irish Revolution and Great War===
{{Main|Irish Revolution|History of the United Kingdom during the Great War}}
[[File:The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville Street after the Easter Rising (6937669789).jpg|thumb|240px|right|Th ruins of {{W|O'Connell Street}} in {{W|Dublin}} following the [[Easter Revolution]], 1918.]]
Ireland had been a constituent country of the UK since 1800 with the late 19th century seeing the emergence of the {{W|Irish nationalism|Irish nationalist}} and {{W|Irish republicanism|republican movements}} in response to decades of discrimination and other acts of mistreatment of Irish citizens by the British government under UK control as well as previous historic atrocities committed against the Irish by past British states in previous centuries. This culminated in the beginning of the {{W|Irish home rule movement}} in 1870 to push for Ireland to be grated {{W|home rule}} by London and an end of direct administration of Ireland by the British government based in England. After decades of debate and discussion, home rule was granted to Ireland in 1912 with the {{W|Third Home Rule Bill}} by the British Parliament, triggering the {{W|Home Rule Crisis}} in response to political and armed discontent by {{W|British unionism|British unionists}} in {{W|Ulster}}. Tensions grew and culminated in Ireland between 1912 and 1916 marked by Irish nationalists organizing into armed groups such as the {{W|Irish volunteers}} and {{W|Irish Citizens Army}} among others while the British Army was deployed to reinforce Ireland amid impending conflict, escalating deployment in 1916 following the [[Proclamation of the Irish Republic]] by the [[Irish Socialist Labour Party]], the {{W|Irish Republican Brotherhood}}, and other organizations, operating out of {{W|Dublin}} after declaring it the state's new capital. Armed conflict between British Army and Irish republican militias intensified and culminated in 1918 with the [[Easter Revolution]], an armed rebellion in Dublin and other areas of Ireland by Irish nationalists during {{W|Easter}} that year. The uprising was defeated, but Irish revolutionaries retained a presence in other parts of Ireland and garnered a strong following among much of the Irish population, especially following harsh reprisals by the British military as retribution for the rebellion, but marked the start of the [[Irish Revolution]].

The subsequent [[Irish War of Independence]] had occurred amidst a [[Revolutions of 1917–1923|series of revolutions]] that occurred across the world and were inspired by the socialist revolutions in countries like the [[United Commonwealth]], [[Italy]], and [[Austria]]. The Irish Socialist Labour Party quickly rose as the leading force of the revolution which compelled Britain to intensify its military response in Ireland along with supporting pro-unionist militias and other Irish collaborators and security units such as the {{W|Royal Irish Constabulary}} and the {{W|Black and tans}}. Throughout the Irish Revolution, the British military and Irish collaborators committed numerous war crimes and atrocities, especially by the Black and tans and other Irish unionists, in an attempt to crush the uprising. In 1922, the Irish Republic was declared a {{W|socialist state}} under the ISLP's leadership via the [[Treaty on the Creation of the Irish Socialist Republic|creation treaty]] and declared a people's revolution to liberate Ireland and repulse the British, declaring their struggle an {{W|Anti-colonialism|anti-colonial}} {{W|Wars of national liberation|war of liberation}} to end centuries of British colonial rule and exploitation. Irish insurgents waged a {{W|guerrilla war}} in the country due to Britain having the advantage in a conventional fight and winning any conventional battle while struggling with insurgency, leading them to resort to {{W|scorched earth}} tactics and other acts of reprisals which only grew support for the revolution with Ulster being the only region of Ireland with consistent unionist sympathies and reliable support for Britain. By 1925, the war had token its toll on the British military from lost support among the British public and continued discontent in Ireland proper. That year, {{W|Stanley Baldwin}} was elected prime minister in that year's [[1925 United Kingdom general election|general election]] and began peace negotiations with Irish revolutionary leaders, resulting in the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] being signed in November 6 which saw Ireland being granted independence and recognized as a sovereign state.
[[File:Together Art.IWMPST3158.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Propaganda poster promoting the British Empire and participation in the Great War.]]
Despite the loss of Ireland, the British Empire remained the premier power of the world with territorial control spanning the entire globe and Britain possessing over a quarter of the world's land where the {{W|Union Jack}} flew in one way or another. The rise of [[Derzhavism]] garnered as much attention among the British government as did the rise of [[Landonism]], especially after the rise of [[Derzhavist France]] with its establishment in 1926 under the leadership of [[Jacques Doriot]] and the [[National Republican Movement]] and [[Derzhavist Russia]] in 1925. To this end, Britain formed an alliance with [[Germany]] and other European countries known as the [[Triple Alliance]] to counter the emerging [[Entente Impériale]] in Europe, however London was paying attention to the rise of [[Shōwa Japan]] in The Pacific. After France and Russia [[Invasion of Germany|invaded Germany]] in 1932, Britain issued a declaration of war on both nations and formally entered the [[Great War]], mobilizing the British Armed Forces and preparing for sending troops to both Germany and the [[Netherlands]] to counter France and Russia, although France was the main opponent due to its geographic proximity to the British mainland.

Britain played a key role in the [[European theatre of the Great War|European theatre]], managing to buy Germany enough time to establish a government and military in exile in the form of the [[Free German Forces]] by August 1932 while the Netherlands was heavily fortified in preparation for an impending French invasion. Meanwhile the [[Royal Air Force]] was mobilized to defend British airspace from the French Air Force and the [[Royal Navy]] had been mobilized to support the efforts of both the [[British Army]] and the militaries of both their allies and the broader {{W|British Empire}} that was mobilized as well to support the war effort, especially in response to the mobilization of forces within the {{W|French colonial empire}}. Due to the [[Continental Pact]] being signed before the war, the [[Landonist International]] was a third belligerent during the first two years of the war with [[Italy]] invading both [[Yugoslavia]] and [[Albania]] before fighting a [[Greco-Italian War|protracted war]] against [[Greece]] while Ireland was subjected to a [[Blockade of Ireland|blockade]] by the Royal Navy to prevent Italian and Continental reinforcements from landing on Irish soil and preventing the Irish military from attacking Great Britain itself. In 1933, the UK fought a defensive campaign against France in the [[Battle of Britain]] where the Royal Air Force emerged victorious following a long and costly, but successful defense of the home islands. In April 1932, the UK was dragged into the [[Pacific War|Pacific theatre]] following the {{W|Imperial Japanese Army}}'s blitz across {{W|East Asia|East}} and {{W|Southeast Asia}} against British and other European colonies in the region following the [[Attack on Manilla Bay]] by the {{W|Imperial Japanese Navy}} against the [[Sierran Royal Navy]] base in the [[Sierran East Indies]] (present-day [[Tondo]]). Even when defending its home islands, Britain was able to partake in the Allied war effort in Asia and in Africa through the colonies, protectorates, and other holdings of the British Empire and Britain's allies.

In June 1934, the Continental Pact was broken when France launched a full-scale invasion of the [[Iberian Union of Socialist Republics]] in [[Operation Charlemagne]] with the intent on toppling the communist state and putting the {{W|Iberian Peninsula}} under France's sphere of influence. In response, Landintern governments made requests to Britain and their allies for a ceasefire between the Triple Alliance and Landintern to defeat the Entente knowing that it wouldn't be possible to do so if Landintern and Allied forces also had to fight each other. After careful consideration, this offer was accepted with the [[Dublin Agreement]] being signed on August 1, formalizing a unified alliance between the Landintern and Triple Alliance, nicknamed the European Allies, against the Entente. As part of this effort, Britain ended its blockade of Ireland and began conducting major bombing runs against France and in French-occupied territories. With Britain and its allies supporting the Landintern, a unified effort was successful in being established and repulsing France from Iberia after two years of fighting while in Africa, Britain and its colonial forces successfully routed French and collaborationist forces and occupied a majority of France's colonies. Between 1936 and 1938, Britain played a key role in defeating the Entente through aiding in the [[Liberation of Germany|liberation of Germany]] and played a role in the [[Allied invasion of France|invasion of France]] proper, deposing the derzhavist regime in 1937, however a remnant of the government fled to {{W|Moscow}} and hid there for the rest of the war. Following France's defeat, British troops would partake in the [[Allied invasion of Russia|invasion of Russia]] alongside Germany, Landintern troops, and anti-derzhavist forces in {{W|Eastern Europe}} such as the [[Russian Liberation Movement]] and {{W|Home Army (Poland)|Polish Home Army}} with Russia [[Russian Instrument of Surrender|eventually surrendering]] by October 25, 1938. In the Pacific, Britain prevented a Japanese invasion of the {{W|British Raj}} through the [[Burma campaign]] and would eventually reclaim their colonial holdings in Indonesia, helping force Japan [[Japanese Instrument of Surrender|to surrender]] in August 1938, ending the Great War in a joint Allied-Landintern victory.
===Post-war 20th century===
{{Main|Post-war Britain (1938–1979)}}
[[File:Winston Churchill waves to crowds in Whitehall in London as they celebrate VE Day, 8 May 1945. H41849.jpg|thumb|right|240px|{{W|Winston Churchill}} giving the {{W|v sign}} at {{W|Whitehall}} in celebration of the end of the Great War, October 1938.]]
The UK was one of the Big Four (alongside China, the Kingdom of Sierra, and the United Commonwealth) during the Great War and as such played a key role in determining the new [[Aftermath of the Great War|post-war world]]. As part of this, the UK was one of the main signatories and drafters of the [[League of Nations Charter]] that established the [[League of Nations]] to prevent a second Great War from happening and joined the newly formed [[League of Nations Security Council]] where it remains one of the [[Permanent members of the League of Nations Security Council|five permanent members]]. Britain worked closely with the Kingdom of Sierra and its allies during the post-war period and helped establish other international organizations such as the {{W|International Monetary Fund}}, the {{W|World Bank}}, and the [[Northern Treaty Organization]] as one of the founding members of the latter and a leading member of the NTO in Europe alongside Germany. The UK was left weakened from the war, but was spared the total war that devastated {{W|Central and Eastern Europe}} and Britain remained a global power in the post-war period despite the damage Britain had sustained during said conflict. Post-war reconstruction was carried out by the British government and later financial support from the Kingdom of Sierra to rebuild from the wartime damage such as the damage from bombing runs on London during the {{W|London Blitz|London bombings}}.

{{W|Anthony Eden}} was elected prime minister after the war in 1939 and continued several of Churchill's policies, serving in office from 1939 until 1945 when he was succeeded by [[Dennis Glynne-Jones]] of the Labour Party as prime minister following the [[1945 United Kingdom general election|general election]] that year. Under Jones, radical reforms were implemented such as the {{W|Nationalization|nationalization}} of several key industries, the establishment of a {{W|welfare state}} in Britain, and the creation of a universal comprehensive healthcare system in the form of the {{W|National Health Service}}. The 1940s saw Britain reckon with the economic damage the island country sustained during the war which saw it struggling to financially maintain their world-spanning empire. As part of this, Britain would grant independence to some of its colonies such as [[Union of Burma (1943–1962)|Burma]] in 1943, [[India]] in 1947, and later [[Indonesia]] in 1949 following the end of the [[Indonesian Revolution]] and the recognition of it as a legitimate sovereign state. These would be the firs three colonies to gain independence as Britain came to recognize {{W|decolonization}} as an inevitability over the economic damage brought upon by the Great War and the rise of nationalism within British and other European colonies. Several of these former colonies would go on to join the Commonwealth of Nations later on sometime after gaining independence.

During the [[Cold War]] Britain played a major role as one of the leading nations among the [[Western Bloc]] (alternatively Northern Bloc) against the communist [[Eastern Bloc]] (alternatively Southern Bloc) in Europe against [[Italy]] and other communist states which had consolidated in the form of the [[Mediterranean Union]] as a regional communist political and military alliance. Alongside Germany, Britain played a key role in enforcing [[Containment]] within Europe by deploying the Royal Navy to areas within the {{W|Mediterranean Sea}} to protect overseas territories such as [[Malta]], [[Cyprus]], and [[Gibraltar]] and used said territories in an effort to contain the [[Italian Armed Forces]] and the militaries of its allies from escaping the Mediterranean. To this end, Britain signed the [[Beirut Naval Agreement]] with [[Lebanon]] with the latter agreeing to allow the Royal Navy to use Lebanese ports in {{W|Beirut}} and other cities in the country in exchange for military support to Lebanon if needed with Sierra later signing the agreement as well in support of the Mediterranean Containment Strategy as it came to be known as. While Britain was still a superpower early on in the Cold War, its influence had greatly diminished with decolonization and the end of its status as a global superpower was solidified with the [[Suez Crisis]] in 1960 where Britain invaded [[Egypt]] alongside [[North France]] and [[Hashemite Arabia]] in an attempt to retain European ownership of the {{W|Suez Canal}} and was forced to withdrawal due to pressure from Sierra and the United Commonwealth.
[[File:Malya Emergency British Artillery.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A British Army artillery crew firing on Viet Cong positions in 1964.]]
Despite these setbacks, Britain remained committed to opposing the spread of communism and sent troops to {{W|Indochina}} to aid Sierra in the [[Vietnam War]] against communist [[North Vietnam]] and the [[Viet Cong]] in defense of [[South Vietnam]]. Britain's involvement was motivated by a desire to prevent the further spread of communism into {{W|Southeast Asia}}, rebuild trust and positive relations with the KS following the Suez Crisis, and wanting to make up for their loss in Indonesia. British involvement was part of the [[Many Flags]] campaign which saw the British military provide training and support to the [[Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces]] with the British Army providing training to the South Vietnamese military similar to that of the [[Sierran Royal Army]] and also engaged in combat in counter-insurgency operations, the latter of which were known for having more distinct tactics compared to their Sierran counterparts and were more effective than the counter-insurgency efforts carried out by the KS military.

The Royal Air Force engaged in major bombing operations across Vietnam during the war, including against the {{W|Ho Chi Ming trail}} and during the [[Tet Offensive]] of 1968 while the Royal Navy played a supporting role overall in terms of both logistics and supporting the operations from other branches of the British Armed Forces. During Britain's involvement in Vietnam, the British military employed foreign nations from Asia under British command in the form of the [[Free Eastern Units]] that served primarily under the army and were initially formed from exiled anti-communist {{W|Indonesians}} before also including {{W|Chinese people|Chinese}}, {{W|Manchu people|Manchurian}}, and other Asian peoples as a means of bolstering the ranks of the British Army in Vietnam. Most controversially, the British government contracted the [[Prince's Army]] under [[Prince Fernando of Florida]] to fight in Vietnam to both bolster British manpower and shift some of the burden of fighting away from British military personnel to alleviate any concern among the British public of participation in Vietnam. The British military retained a presence in Vietnam until 1975 when the last troops withdrew following the signing of the [[Paris Peace Accords]] and the [[North–South Vietnamese Joint Declaration]] that formally ended the war. While controversial at home, Britain's involvement in Vietnam was credited with ensuring South Vietnam's continued existence and praised for its overall effectiveness.

Following the Great War, the UK supported various efforts at {{W|European integration}} which bore more and more fruit in the decades after the war. As part of this, Britain joined the {{W|Western European Union}} at the {{W|London and Paris Conferences}} in 1954 which later became the [[European Economic Community]] in 1960, of which the UK would also join and was a founding member of as well. In 1977, the EEC would reorganize into the [[European Community]] in 1977 as the culmination of all the post-Great War efforts at European integration. The UK would join the EC as a founding member and took a leading role in the supranational union quickly after its formation. This was part of prime minister the foreign policy of [[Anna Rhodes]] who wanted to focus on integrating Europe as a means of preventing a second Great War and reaching out to Eastern Bloc states as part of ''[[Détente|détente]]''. 1979 would see Britain's last major colony [[Monomotapa]] (previously [[Rhodesia]] and the unrecognized [[Republic of Rhodesia]]) gain independence and recognized as a sovereign state, effectively ending the British Empire with the only remaining colonies being various island territories across the {{W|Americas}}, the {{W|Atlantic}} and in {{W|Asia}}.
[[File:HMS_Invincible_Returns_From_Falklands_War.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|HMS Invincible}} returning to Britain after the success of [[Operation Uphold Democracy]] in 1987.]]
Under [[John McIsaac]], the UK engaged in diplomatic outreach to the [[Antilles]] in the first major diplomatic effort towards the island country since the Great War. McIsaac supported outreach to the Antilles as a means of strengthening the anti-communist presence in the {{W|Caribbean}} despite the island being isolated due to the repressive policies of [[Amelia Abarough]]. Following [[Death and state funeral of Amelia Abarough|Abarough's death]] in 1983, the UK increased its diplomatic outreach to support the Antilles' [[Democratization of the Antilles|transition to democracy]] and continued under [[Nigel Anthony]]. The resulting diplomatic outreach resulted in increased military ties between the island nations such as military cooperation which Anthony supported as a means of building a strong defense base for Britain's remaining island territories in the Caribbean that would be vulnerable to any hypothetical blockade or any other military action against them by the United Commonwealth.

In 1987, the [[Communist Party of Jamaica]] seized power in the former colony of [[Jamaica]] and established the [[National People's Revolutionary Government]] in its place. Under communist control, the Jamaican state made a diplomatic outreach to the United Commonwealth and began mobilizing troops for a possible attack. Fearing Continental intervention and a possible attack on Britain's last major Caribbean colony of [[Montserrat]], the UK cooperated with the Antilles and participated in [[Operation Uphold Democracy]] alongside the [[Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States]], a military operation to depose the communist government. Britain was one of four major non-Caribbean countries to directly contribute to the operation and played a key role in quickly toppling the NPRG and restoring democratic rule to Jamaica with the transition being overseen by the OECS.

During the 1980s, the status of [[Hong Kong]] came into the forefront of British foreign policy in Asia as the British government sought to retain ownership of the colony due to its high economic and strategic value even after decolonization. The Chinese government had laid claim over Hong Kong and the other [[Five Cities]] as historic Chinese territory and rightfully belonged to China. Britain argued in favor of keeping Hong Kong to the League of Nations and negotiations between the Chinese and British governments, along with those of the other Five Cities, began during this period. The 1990s saw a breakthrough with the [[League of Nations General Assembly]] passing [[League of Nations General Assembly Resolution 48/2|Resolution 48/2]] stating that the UK had the right to negotiate to keep Hong Kong due to the Weihai Agreement where Britain returned the territory back to China in 1912 in exchange for continued ownership of Hong Kong proper. With this, negotiations continued and culminated in the [[Mainland Territories Compromise]] of 1997 where [[Macau]], [[Qingdao]], [[Fangcheng]], and [[Cantonwan]] ceded territories they captured during the Boxer Rebellion back to China proper in order to keep pre-Boxer Rebellion borders intact while Britain agreed to hold [[1997 Hong Kong status referendum|a referendum]] in Hong Kong on its status with most residents voting to remain part of the UK as an overseas territory by 58.7%. Afterwards all remaining colonies were reorganized as British Overseas Territories which remains their current political status in the present day.

===21st century===
{{Main|History of the United Kingdom (1979–present)}}
The [[Revolutions of 2000]] that saw the fall of communism worldwide with the collapse of most communist governments and several more democratizing via adopting [[Multiparty People's Democracy]] as well in what was declared a major victory by the British government and those of other Western Bloc-aligned countries. Britain would be one of the first countries to establish formal relations with the unified state of [[France]] and with [[Russia]] with Britain backing [[Russian reunification]] beforehand. Britain also engaged in diplomatic outreach towards Italy and several other former communist states in {{W|Southern Europe}} and the Mediterranean Union after the latter reformed into a more ideologically neutral intergovernmental organization and economic union as opposed to a regional communist bloc. The [[Dissolution of the People's Republic of China|fall of Communist China]] was the first major post-Cold War issue the UK faced as there was a widespread emigration wave of {{W|Chinese people|Chinese nationals}} from the country with the British parliament passing the [[Chinese Resettlement Act]] on 8 February 2001 as a means of aiding in the settlement of Chinese immigrations to both the UK and British Overseas Territories along with the subsequent naturalization as well. The act also allowed for a way to recruit scientists, technicians, and other experts in critical fields that previously worked for the communist government whose skills the British government saw as valuable towards the UK and thus recruited them.
[[File:The first delivery of the upgraded FV430 Mk3 Bulldog vehicles MOD 45147088.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A British Army convoy of {{W|FV430 series|FV430 AFVs}} on patrol in {{W|Douma, Syria|Douma}}, 2006.]]
Britain would support the "[[War on terror|war on terror]]" announced by Sierra in 2004, supporting the Sierran military in the [[2004 invasion of Syria|invasion of Ba'athist Syria]] that same year. Britain would participate in the [[Syrian Civil War]] alongside other NTO member states in support of the Western-backed [[Second Syrian Republic]] and participated in the post-invasion occupation and military operations against the Ba'athist insurgents and later Islamist militants that emerged in the mid-late 2000s with all British military operations in Syria being codenamed Operation Telic.

The Syrian Civil War was Britain's first overseas military deployment since Operation Uphold Democracy and the first overseas military operation since the end of the Cold War and start of the 21st century outside of earlier participation in [[League of Nations peacekeeping]] operations and other humanitarian an non-combatant military operations in Europe, Africa, and Asia. All British military personnel were organized under the [[International Security Assistance Force]] as the primary military force for all Western and other foreign military personnel active in Syria supporting the pro-Western Syrian government and military forces, participating in several ISAF operations alongside other NTO member states which consisted of countries from the [[European Community]], the [[Conference of American States]], and [[Central Treaty Organization]].

The [[Great Recession]] (2010–2013) severely affected the British economy and was followed up by a period of low economic and job growth and stagnation. The 2010s were a period where [[United Britain]] served as the UK's main governing party with [[Malcolm Vance]] and [[Clive Spencer]] both serving as prime minister between 2010–2015 and 2015–2024 respectively. During this period, Vance engaged in {{W|austerity}} measures to address the economic problems brought upon by the recession and starting in 2018, he sought to reduce Britain's involvement in Syria, something that was continued under Spencer with the number of British military personnel in Syria fell from 35,000 in 2016 to 15,000 by 2020. Britain remained involved in Syria until the end of the civil war in 2022. Under Spencer, Britain's participation in several laws and institutions of the European Community was scaled back as part of an effort to "preserve British independence" according to the Home Office under Spencer.
[[File:Prime_Minister_Sir_Keir_Starmer_arrives_at_Number_10_Downing_St_(53836916571).jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Aiden B. Starmer]] giving his first speech as prime minister at his inauguration, 10 June 2024.]]
The {{W|COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic hit Britain}} around 2020 and had a {{W|Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|profound impact on the economy}} along with disruptions to {{W|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom on education|disruption to education}} and {{W|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom on politics|effected national politics}}. Occurring under Spencer, the British government was one of the few in the Western world to not impose mask mandates or national lockdowns, encouraging citizens to make their own personal decisions instead. Despite this, the UK would be one of the first to adopt a {{W|COVID-19 vaccine}} and developed their own, the {{W|Oxford–Astrazeneca vaccine}}, as part of the rollout, which was one of the fastest in the world.

Austerity was undertaken by the Spencer ministry to address the economic issues brought upon by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] similar to the measures taken during the Great Recession. These measures were deeply controversial and caused discontent within Britain. This discontent, along with a nationwide {{W|housing crisis}}, helped contribute to the [[Labour Party (United Kingdom)|Labour Party]] to win the [[2024 United Kingdom general election]] on June 6 with [[Aiden B. Starmer]] being elected prime minister, becoming the first Labour Party leader elected prime minister since 2005 as well as the second {{W|British Jews|British Jew}} to be elected prime minister as well. Under Starmer, several of Spencer's austerity policies were ended and several other Spencer era policies were reversed as well. Full British participation in EC institutions, laws, and policies was resumed and immigration policies were reversed in 2024, however starting in March 2025 deportations were increased and by September they had returned to Spencer era numbers and policies in terms of immigration, including restriction on immigration to the UK from several countries in the {{W|Southern Hemisphere}}.

==Geography==
[[File:MODIS_-_Great_Britain_and_Northern_Ireland_-_2012-06-04_during_heat_wave_(cropped).jpg|thumb|right|210px|{{W|Satellite images|Satellite image}} of the United Kingdom, excluding the {{W|Shetland Island}}.]]
The total land area of the United Kingdom is at 80,823 square miles (209,331 square kilometers) and occupies the major area of the {{W|British Isles}} and consists of the main island of {{W|Great Britain}} containing the four main countries of England, Scotland, and Wales, and the nearby islands off the coast of the British mainland. Geographically, the United Kingdom lies between the {{W|North Sea}} to the east and the {{W|Atlantic Ocean}} (North Atlantic region specifically) to the west with the country's southeast coast stretching 22 miles (35 kilometers) long and lies of the coast of northern France, the latter of which being separated by the {{W|English Channel}} between both countries.

The UK also posses legal ownership of the [[Isle of Man]], [[Jersey]], and [[Guernsey]], a collection of small islands off of Great Britain that are officially labeled {{W|crown dependencies}}: island territories that are in formal personal union with the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarchy]] and are officially part of Britain's territory, but are not strictly part of the country nor the jurisdictions of any of the three main countries, however the British government retains responsibility for its external affairs. The Isle of Man geographically lies between Great Britain and Ireland in the {{W|Irish Sea}} while the {{W|Channel Islands|British Channel Islands}} lie just off the coast of France and are administered by both Jersey and Guernsey. The {{W|Royal Greenwich Observatory}} based in London was chosen as the defining point for the {{W|Prime Meridian}} in 1884 during the {{W|International Meridian Conference}}.

The UK lies between latitudes 49° and 61° N, and longitudes 9° W and 2° E. The length of the British coastline when containing Britain's principal islands stands at 7,723 miles (12,429 kilometers) with the coastline of the British mainland standing at 11,073 miles (17,820 kilometers), however the overall measurements of the British coastline does vary due to the {{W|coastline paradox}}. While an island nation, Britain is connected to {{W|Continental Europe}} via the {{W|Channel Tunnel}}, the world's largest underwater tunnel stretching at 31 miles (50 kilometers) or 24 miles (38 kilometers) underwater.

The UK contains four main terrestrial {{W|Ecoregion|ecoregions}}: the {{W|Celtic broadleaf forests}}, the {{W|English Lowlands beach forests}}, the {{W|North Atlantic moist mixed forests}}, and the {{W|Caledonian conifer forests}}. The total area of woodland in the UK in 2023 was estimated to be at a total area of 3.25 million h hectares, representing 13% of the UK's total land area.
===Climate===
The majority of the United Kingdom has a temperate climate, possessing generally cool temperatures and plentiful rainfall all year round. The average temperatures varies overall, but seldom drops below 0 °C (32 °F) nor being higher 30 °C (86 °F). Some parts of the country, away from the coast, of the upland of England, Wales, and most of Scotland experience a {{W|subpolar oceanic climate}} while higher elevations in Scotland experience a {{W|continental subarctic climate}} and the mountains having a {{W|tundra climate}}.

The prevailing wind in the country comes from the southwest and bears frequent spells of mild and wet weather from the Atlantic Ocean, however the eastern parts are generally sheltered from this wind. Since the majority of rainfall in Britain falls over the western regions of the country, the eastern parts are the driest by contrast. Atlantic currents, warmed by the {{W|Gulf Stream}}, bring in mild winters, especially in west Britain where winters are wet and even more so on higher ground. Summers are the warmest in southeastern England and are the coolest in the north. Heavy snowfall can occur in the winter and early spring on high ground, occasionally settling to the great depths away from the hills.

The average total annual sunshine in the United Kingdom between 1971 and 2000 was 1,339.7 hours, just under 30% of the maximum possibility. The total amount of sunshine per year ranges between 1,200 to 1,580 hours. Since 1996, the UK has received above 1,981 to 2,010 total average hours of sunshine.

{{W|Climate change in the United Kingdom}}, as is the case in all other countries, has a serious impact on the country with a third of all food price increases in 2023 being the result of climate change alone. In 2024 the {{W|Environmental Performance Index}} ranked the United Kingdom 5th out of 180 surveyed countries. A law was passed by the British Parliament in 2020 to reduce {{W|Greenhouse gas emissions in the United Kingdom|greenhouse gas emissions in the country}} down to {{W|net-zero}} by the year 2050.
===Topography===
[[File:Blank topographic map of the British Isles.svg|thumb|left|210px|Topographical map of the British Isles.]]
[[England (Altverse II)|England]] accounts for 53.7% of the UK's land area, covering a total of 50,350 square miles (130,395 square kilometers). Most of England consists of lowland terrain with upland and mountainous terrain northwest of the {{W|Tees–Exe line}}, a line that roughly divides the UK {{W|upland and lowland}} areas. Lowland areas include {{W|Cornwall}}, the {{W|New Forest}}, the {{W|South Downs}}, and the {{W|Norfolk Broads}}. Upland areas include the {{W|Lake District}}, the {{W|Pennines}}, the {{W|Yorkshire Dales}}, {{W|Exmoor}} and {{W|Dartmoor}}. England's main rivers and estuaries are the {{W|River Thames|Thames}}, {{W|River Severn|Severn}}, and the {{W|River Humber|Humber}} rivers. {{W|Scafell Pike}} is the highest mountain in England at 3,209 feet (978 meters) in the Lake District while the largest English island is the {{W|Isle of Wright}}.

[[Scotland]] accounts for 32.2% of the UK's land area at 30,410 square miles (78,772 square kilometers), including {{W|List of islands of Scotland|all 800 islands}} within Scotland with the most notable being {{W|Hebrides}}, {{W|Orkney}}, and {{W|Shetland}} islands. Within the UK, Scotland is the most mountainous area of the country in terms of overall terrain. The {{W|Scottish Highlands}} of the north and west are more rugged and contain the majority of Scotland's mountainous terrain and land such as the {{W|Cairngorms}}, {{W|Loch Lomond and The Trossachs}}, and {{W|Ben Nevis}}, the latter of which is the highest elevated point in both the UK and the entire British Isles at 4,413 feet (3,45 meters) high.

[[Wales]] accounts for the remaining 14.1% of the UK's total land area at 8,020 square miles (20,779 kilometers). In general Wales consists of mostly mountainous terrain, however {{W|South Wales}} is less mountainous than {{W|North Wales|North}} and {{W|Mid Wales}}. The highest mountains in Wales are in the region and national park of {{W|Snowdonia}} and include {{W|Snowdon}} ({{W|Welsh language|Welsh}}: ''Yr Wyddfa''), the highest peak in Wales with a total height of 3,560 feet (1,085 meters) high. Wales has a total coastal area of 1,680 miles (2,704 kilometers) including the {{W|Pembrokeshire Coast}} while several islands lie off the coast of the Welsh mainland, the biggest of which being {{W|Anglesey}} (''Ynys Môn'').

==Government and politics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; float:right; margin-right:9px; margin-left:2px;"
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[File:Official portrait of Lord Richards of Herstmonceux crop 2.jpg|140px]] || style="text-align:left;" | [[File:Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer Official Portrait (cropped).jpg|140px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[George V]]<br /><small>[[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King]] since 2001</small>
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Aiden B. Starmer]]<br /><small>[[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] since 2024</small>
|}
{{Main|Politics of the United Kingdom|Government of the United Kingdom}}
[[File:UK Political System.png|thumb|right|240px|Chart of the organization of the British political system.]]
The United Kingdom is a {{W|constitutional monarchy}} and a {{W|parliamentary democracy}} operating under the {{W|Westminster system}}, also known as a "parliamentary democratic monarchy". The UK is a {{W|Centralized government|centralized}} {{W|unitary state}} where the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] is endowed with {{W|Parliamentary sovereignty in the United Kingdom|parliamentary sovereignty}}. A {{W|Bicameralism|bicameral legislature}}, the UK Parliament consists of the elected [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] as the {{W|lower house}} and the unelected and appointed [[House of Lords]] as the {{W|upper house}} along with {{W|The Crown}} (as personified by the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarch]]). The main business occurs in both houses of parliament, however {{W|royal assent}} is required for any bill to become an {{W|Act of Parliament (UK)|act of Parliament}} ({{W|Statue|statutory law}}). As a result of this system of parliamentary sovereignty, the {{W|constitution of the United Kingdom}} is {{W|Uncodified constitution|uncodified}} and consists mostly of disparate written sources, including parliamentary statues, judge-made case laws, and international treaties along with constitutional conventions. Nonetheless, the [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]] recognizes a number of principles that underly the British constitution: {{W|Parliamentary sovereignty in the United Kingdom|parliamentary sovereignty}}, the {{W|rule of law}}, {{W|democracy}}, and {{W|international law}}.

[[George V]] is the current monarch of the United Kingdom, having reigned since his coronation in 2001 and serves as the country's official {{W|head of state}} as monarch while also serving as head of state of the {{W|Commonwealth realms}} and the ceremonial head of the [[British Commonwealth]], an international organization of several sovereign states that are former colonies of the British Empire. The monarch is formally invested with executive authority as the personified embodiment of the Crown and is "fundamental to the law and working government of the UK". The disposition of the monarch's powers, including those belonging to {{W|royal prerogative}}, is generally only exercised with the {{W|advice}} of the {{W|Minister of the Crown|ministers of the Crown}} responsible to Parliament and hence to the British electorate. Nonetheless, the performance of the monarch's official duties has "the right to be consulted, the right to be encouraged, and the right to be warn". In addition to this, the monarch also has a number of various reserve powers at their disposal to uphold {{W|responsible government}} and prevent a {{W|constitutional crisis}}. The monarch is responsible for the appointment of the prime minister and the formation of a new government via an official royal invite of the prime minister-designate to do so after a general election.

The [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|prime minister]] is the official {{W|head of government}} of the UK. Acting under the supervision of the [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom|official cabinet]] consisting of senior government ministers appointed by the prime minister themself, [[Government of the United Kingdom|His Majesty's Government]] is the principle instrument for public policymaking, administration of public services, and promulgates statutory instruments and tenders to the advice of the monarch through the {{W|Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council}}. Since 1925, all prime ministers have served as [[First Lord of the Treasury]] and/or [[Minister for Civil Service]] as concurrently held offices during their premiership with two prime ministers, {{W|Winston Churchill}} and [[Edward Lean]], having also served as [[Minister of Defence (United Kingdom)|Minister of Defence]] as well as holding the two aforementioned offices while being prime minister as well. The prime minister is appointed to the position via the monarch and a formal invitation for form and lead a new government, however in modern times all prime ministers have, by convention, served as a sitting MP, the leader of the political party with the largest number of seats in the House of Commons, and holds office by nature of being able to {{W|Confidence motions|command the confidence}} of the House of Commons. The current prime minister is [[Aiden B. Starmer]], [[Leader of the Labour Party|leader of the Labour Party]] and current prime minister since 2024.
[[File:Houses_of_Parliament_in_2022_(cropped).jpg|thumb|left|240px|The {{W|Palace of Westminster}}, the official meeting place of the British Parliament.]]
General elections are held to the House of Commons, typically after a five year legislative term has been completed unless a {{W|snap election}} has been issued following the sudden vacancy of the prime minister and/or the {{W|Motion of no confidence|loss of confidence}} in the current government. The UK is divided into 632 parliamentary constituencies, each of which are single-member districts represented by one {{W|Member of Parliament (UK)|member of Parliament}} that is {{W|Direct election|directly elected}} via {{W|fist-past-the post}} electoral system. MPs are elected to serve five year terms and must stand for re-election if they desire to continue serving as an MP. Since 1994, the two biggest [[List of political parties in the United Kingdom|political parties]] in the UK are the {{W|Right-wing politics|right-leaning}} [[United Britain]] and the {{W|Centre-left politics|center-left}}/{{W|Left-wing politics|left-leaning}} [[Labour Party (United Kingdom)|Labour Party]] in a {{W|two-party system}}. Other political parties are active and hold seats in one or both chambers of the British Parliament such as the [[Liberal Democrats (United Kingdom)|Liberal Democrats]] and the [[Green Party of Britain]] among others, however only United Britain and the Labour Party are capable of forming a government and leading the opposition. Beyond the national level, devolved political parties exist on the subnational level within each of the UK's three constituent countries, both devolved affiliates of national parties as well as regional parties that are present and only run candidates in their respective countries.

While not part of the United Kingdom and its official territory, the {{W|Crown dependencies}} of [[Jersey]], the [[Isle of Man]], and [[Guerney]] along with all [[British Overseas Territories]] are still subject to the sovereignty of the British crown. The Crown exercises its official responsibilities to the crown dependencies via the [[Home Office]] while its responsibilities to the Overseas Territories are exercised via the [[Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office]]. Both crown dependencies and BOTs maintain their own autonomous governments and elections, having been granted said autonomy through {{W|home rule}} while still being under British legal jurisdiction via their union with the Crown, represented by a viceroy or governor.
===Administrative divisions===
[[File:CountiesOfGreatBritain.PNG|thumb|right|210px|Map of counties in the United Kingdom.]]
The United Kingdom is geographically divided into counties and {{W|Shire|shires}}, a system that began in England and Scotland in the {{W|early Middle Ages}} and was completed throughout both Great Britain and Ireland by the {{W|early modern period}}. Modern {{W|local government}} is managed by elected officials and is partly based on ancient counties and was established by various Acts of Parliament in England and Wales {{W|Local Government Act 1888|in 1888}}, in Scotland in {{W|Local Government Act 1889|in 1889}}, and in Ireland {{W|Local Government Act 1898|in 1898}} before gaining independence from Britain in 1925. This means that there is no consistent system of administrative or geographic demarcation across the United Kingdom with {{W|English law|England and Wales}} and {{W|Scots law|Scotland}} having their own distinct jurisdiction. Prior to the 19th century, there was little change to those arrangements, but there has since then been a constant pattern of evolution of the role and function.

{{W|Local government in England}} is complex, with the distribution of functions varying according to various local arrangements. The upper tier of {{W|subdivisions of England}} consist of {{W|Regions of England|nine regions}} and are primarily used for statistical purposes. One of those regions, {{W|Greater London}}, has a directly elected assembly and mayor since 2000 following a {{W|1998 Greater London Authority referendum|1998 referendum}} on establishing an elected regional government.

{{W|Local government in Scotland}} is divided into {{W|Subdivisions of Scotland|32 council areas}} that have a wide variation in both size and population. The cities of {{W|Glasgow}}, {{W|Edinburgh}}, {{W|Aberdeen}}, and {{W|Dundee}} are separate council areas while the {{W|Politics of the Scottish Highland council area|Highland Council}} includes a third of Scotland's land area, but only has a population of 200,000 people. Local councils in Scotland are made up of elected councilors, of which number at 1,223.

{{W|Local government in Wales}} consists of 22 {{W|Unitary authority|unitary authorities}}, each of which are led by a leader and cabinet that are both elected by the council itself. These areas include the capital {{W|Cardiff}}, {{W|Swansea}}, and {{W|Newport}}, all of which are their own unitary authorities in their own right. Elections to these councils are held once every four years under a system of first-past-the-post.
===Foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign relations of the United Kingdom}}
[[File:Embassy of the United Kingdom in Washington, D.C..jpg|thumb|left|240px|[[Embassy of the United Kingdom, Chicago|British Embassy to the Continental States]] in [[Chicago]].]]
The United Kingdom is one of the [[Permanent members of the League of Nations Security Council|five permanent members]] of the [[League of Nations Security Council]] and the leading member of the [[British Commonwealth]] (Commonwealth of Nations). Other prominent international organizations that the UK is affiliated with include the [[European Community]], the [[Group of Eight]], the {{W|OECD}}, the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) and the [[Northern Treaty Organization]] (NTO). The UK leads and maintains the {{W|British Council}}, an organization present in over 100 countries that specialize in international cultural and educational opportunities. Despite the end of the British Empire in 1979, the UK continues to retain the status of a {{W|great power}} and continues to wield considerable economic, political, military, and cultural influence worldwide.

The UK has a "{{W|special relationship}} with the [[Kingdom of Sierra]], has a lose partnership with [[France]] via the {{W|Entente Cordiale}}, including the presence of British military personnel in French territory, and also maintains a longstanding close relationship with [[Portugal]] through the {{W|Anglo-Portuguese Alliance}}, the oldest active political and military alliance in the world. The UK shares a maritime border with [[Ireland]] and despite the complicated historic relationship between the two countries, they maintain active diplomatic contact and actively enforced travel agreements through the {{W|Common Travel Area}} to allow for easy travel of British and Irish citizens between the two countries as member states of the European Community and is overseen and administered by the {{W|British–Irish Intergovernmental Conference}} and the {{W|British–Irish Council}}. The UK maintains active relations with the [[United Commonwealth]] despite past tensions and diplomatic disagreements since the Cold War, however maintains more positive ties with the [[Conference of American States]] by comparison. Britain's global presence and influence if further amplified by its extensive trading relations, foreign investments, {{W|official development assistance}}, and military engagements.
===Law and justice===
[[File:Middlesex_Guildhall_(cropped).jpg|thumb|left|240px|The [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom|UK Supreme Court]] is the highest court of appeal in the country.]]
The United Kingdom doesn't have a unified legal system as stated in Article 19 of the {{W|1706 Treaty of Union}} which provided the continuation of Scotland's own legal system in exchange for its incorporation into England. As a result, the UK has three separate {{W|National legal system|legal systems}}: {{W|English law}}, {{W|Scottish law}}, and {{W|Welsh law}}. The [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]] was first established in 2009 as a successor to the {{W|Appellate Committee of the House of Lords}}. The {{W|Judicial Committee of the Privy Council}}, which includes some members of the UK Supreme Court, is the highest court of appeals in several independent member states of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Crown Dependencies, and the British Overseas Territories.

Both English and Welsh law are based on {{W|common law}} (or {{W|case law}}) principles, originating in England during the {{W|Middle Ages}} and is the basis for the legal systems of several countries around the world. Both the {{W|courts of England and Wales}} are leaded by the senior courts of both constituent countries, consisting of the {{W|Court of Appeal (England and Wales)|Courts of Appeal}} in both England and Wales an d the {{W|High Court of Justice}} with jurisdiction in both countries for civil cases while the {{W|Crown Court}} oversees criminal cases. Scots law is a hybrid system based off of common law and {{W|civil law}} principles. The chief courts of Scotland are the {{W|Court of Session}} for civil cases and the {{W|High Court of Justiciary}} for criminal cases. The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom serves as the highest court of appeal for civil cases under Scots law and for all criminal cases across the entire United Kingdom.

Between 1981 and 1995, crime increased in England and Wales. Since that peak during said period, crime has fallen in England and Wales by 66% between 1995 and 2015 according to {{W|UK crime statistics}}. As of June 2023, the United Kingdom has the highest per-capita incarceration rate in all of Western Europe.

{{W|United Kingdom labour law|UK labour laws}} have established employment rights including {{W|National Minimum Wage Act 1998|a minimum wage}}, a minimum of 28 days annual holiday, statutory sick pay, and {{W|Pensions Act 2006|a pension}}. {{W|Same-sex marriage}} has been legal in the United Kingdom since 2014 while {{W|LGBTQ rights in the United Kingdom|LGBTQ equality and rights}} in the UK are among some of the most advanced in the world, however the country has a contentious record surrounding the rights of {{W|transgender people}} and laws related to them.
===Military===
{{Main|British Armed Forces}}
[[File:3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM DM-SD-04-07481.jpg|thumb|right|240px|British Army soldiers in [[Tartus Governorate]] during the [[2004 invasion of Syria]].]]
The [[British Armed Forces]] are the standing military forces of the United Kingdom and consist of three main branches: the [[British Army]], [[His Majesty's Naval Service]] consisting of the [[Royal Navy]] and [[Royal Marines]], and the [[Royal Air Froce]]. The armed forces of the United Kingdom are managed by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] and controlled by the [[Defence Council of the United Kingdom|Defence Council]], both of which are headed by the [[Secretary of State for Defence]]. The British monarch is the official {{W|commander-in-chief}} of the armed forces, of whom all military personnel swear a formal oath of allegiance towards. The [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] is the highest-ranking military officer who is the overall head of the British Armed Forces below the monarch as commander-in-chief and heads the {{W|Chiefs of Staff Committee}}, a body that consists of military officers that oversee all military operations of the British Armed Forces. As of 2021, the British Armed Forces has 274,620 active duty personnel and 589,105 reserve personnel.

The Armed Forces are charged with protecting the UK and all of its overseas territories, promotion of the UK's global security interests and supporting international peacekeeping efforts. The British Armed Forces are active participants in the [[Northern Treaty Organization]] (including the [[Allied Rapid Response Corps]]), {{W|RIMPAC}}, the [[Atlantic Power Defence Arrangement]], and other worldwide military coalitions and operations. The UK posses various overseas garrisons around the world, in both sovereign states and the British Overseas Territories, with military bases present in [[Malta]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Cyprus]], [[Bahrain]], [[Patagonia]], [[France]], the [[East African Federation]], and [[South Vietnam]]. The UK also participates in [[League of Nations peacekeeping|peacekeeping operations]] of the [[League of Nations]] with British LN peacekeepers having been deployed and seen action in countries across {{W|Africa}}, the {{W|Middle East}}, and {{W|Asia}}.

According to the {{W|Stockholm International Peace Research Institute}} and the {{W|International Institute for Strategic Studies}}, the UK has the world's fifth-largest military expenditure as of 2024 with total defence spending in the country accounting for 2.3% of the country's {{W|gross domestic product}}. Since the end of the [[Cold War]], the UK's official defence policy has a stated assumption that the "most demanding operations" will be undertaken as part of a coalition. Having carried out its first successful in 1947, the United Kingdom is one of five states that [[United Kingdom and weapons of mass destruction|posses nuclear weapons]], the second one in Europe alongside [[Germany]].

==Economy==
[[File:Bank_junction_-_2020-09-20_(2).jpg|thumb|right|240px|{{W|City of London}} skyline from {{W|London City Hall}}. London is the largest financial center in Europe.]]
The United Kingdom has a highly developed {{W|social market economy}} with an estimated nominal GDP of £2.85 trillion as of 2024, making it the sixth-largest national economy in the world and the second-largest in the European Community behind only Germany. The {{W|pound sterling}}, Britain's official {{W|currency}}, is the fourth most-traded currency in the {{W|foreign exchange market}} and the third largest {{W|reserve currency}} in the world after the [[Sierran dollar]] and the [[Continental dollar]]. The pound sterling maintains high nominal value through both its long history of stability and having never undergone formal {{W|redenomination}}. Since 2022, the UK has been the fourth largest importer and exporter of goods and services in the world. The UK has a very high {{W|HDI}} ranking despite having one of the highest levels of {{W|Income inequality in the United Kingdom|income inequality}} among the {{W|OECD}}, maintaining said rank even while adjusting for inequality. As of 2025, the UK has a {{W|Unemployment in the United Kingdom|national unemployment rate}} of 4.7%, being moderately low by European standards.

{{W|His Majesty's Treasury}}, lead by the {{W|Chancellory of the Exchequer}}, is the ministry responsible for developing and executing the government's public finance and economic policies. The {{W|Department for Business and Trade}} is responsible for the business, international trade, and enterprise policies in the UK. The {{W|Bank of England}} is the UK's official {{W|central bank}} and is responsible for issuing notes and coins in the pound sterling while banks in Scotland retain the right to issue their own notes, subject to retaining enough Bank of England notes in reserve to cover the issue. The Bank of England is currently exploring a {{W|Central bank digital currency|digital pound}} to enable instant settlement and improve the UK's payment infrastructure.
===Industries and services===
The {{W|service sector}} makes up around 80% of the UK's {{W|Gross value added|GVA}} in 2023. As of 2023, the UK is the second largest exporter of services in the world and the largest net exporter of {{W|financial services}} as of 2024. In 2023, the UK was 13% above its pre-pandemic peak from 2019 for service exports. {{W|London}} is the world capital for foreign exchange trading, with a market share of 38.1% in 2022 of the daily $7.5 trillion global turnover. London is the largest urban economy in Europe and, alongside [[Porciúncula]], the city is the most integrated into the broader {{W|global economy}}. London is also among one the leading financial centers in the world, ranking second worldwide as of 2025 according to the {{W|Global Financial Centers Index}}. Edinburgh, the second largest financial center in the UK, ranks as the 10th largest in Western Europe and 29th in the world.

The {{W|Manufacturing in the United Kingdom|British manufacturing sector}} is the 10th largest in the world and the fourth largest in Europe as of 2024 in terms of value output. Due to a high period of domestic inflation caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], high energy prices and supply chain shocks caused by the economic effects of said pandemic, the UK imported and exported less goods in 2023 than it did in 2018. At the end of 2024, manufacturing in the UK accounted for 8% of the total workforce and 8.6% of Britain's national economic output. As reported in 2017, both {{W|East Midlands}} and {{W|West Midlands}} had the highest portion of employees in manufacturing at 12.6% and 11.8% respectively while {{W|Economy of London|London's manufacturing sector}} was the lowest at 2.8%.

The {{W|Tourism in the United Kingdom|tourist industry}} is a very important component of the British economy with London being named Europe's most popular tourist destination in 2022. The {{W|creative industries}} account for 5.9% of the UK's GVA in 2019, having grown 43.6% in real terms from 2010. Creative industries accounted for £111 billion worth of contributions to the UK economy in 2018 with the sector having grown five times faster than the rest of the UK economy overall in a year. {{W|Lloyd's of London}}, located in the British capital, is the world's largest {{W|insurance}} and {{W|reinsurance}} market. {{W|WPP plc}} is one of the world's largest advertising companies and is also based in London. The UK is one of the leading retail markets in Europe and the largest {{W|e-commerce}} market in all of Europe and with consumer expenditures of over KS$2 trillion in 2023, it has the second-largest consumer market in all of Europe. {{W|John Lewis Partnership}} is the largest employee-owned business in the UK.

The {{W|Automative industry in the United Kingdom|British automative industry}} employees over 813,000 people with a turnover of £93 billion and generating £47 billion of exports in 2023, accounting for 12% of the UK's total export of goods. In 2024, the UK produced 779,584 passenger vehicles and 125,649 commercial vehicles, with 8 out of 10 cars produced in the UK being exported overseas. Famous car models from Britain include {{W|Mini Hatch|Mini}} and {{W|Jaguar Cars|Jaguar}} along with luxury cars such as {{W|Rolls-Royce}}, {{W|Bentley}}, and {{W|Range Rover}}. The UK is a major center for engine manufacturing with 1.6 million engines being produced in 2024 alone and was the third-largest exporter of engines in the world in 2023. The {{W|Motorsport in the United Kingdom|UK motorsport industry}} employs over 40,000 people and comprises 4,300 companies, having an annual turnover of £10 billion. Seven out of ten {{W|Formula One}} teams are based in the UK with their technology being used in supercars and hypercard from {{W|McLaren Automotive|McLaren}}, {{W|Aston Martin}}, and {{W|Lotus Group|Lotus}}. In 2024, the UK surpassed Germany as the biggest market for {{W|electric vehicles}} in Europe.
[[File:British_Airways_Concorde_G-BOAC_03.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|Concorde}}, a {{W|supersonic}} airliner that reduced transatlantic flight time from 8 to 3.5 hours.]]
The {{W|Aerospace industry of the United Kingdom|British aerospace industry}} is the second largest in the world and has an annual turnover of £30 billion with the {{W|British space programme}} being worth £17.5 billion in 2020/21 and employed round 48,800 people. Since 2012, the number of space organizations in Britain has grown by 21% with 1,239 active space organizations being reported in 2021. In 2023, the {{W|United Kingdom Space Agency}} announced they had invested in £1.6 billion in space-related projects.

The {{W|Agriculture in the United Kingdom|British agricultural industry}} is intensive, highly advanced, and efficient by European standards, producing around 60% of Britain's overall food requirements and 73% of its indigenous food needs, using around 0.9% of the British labour force (292,000 people). Around two-thirds of food production is allocated to {{W|livestock}} and one-third to {{W|arable crops}}. The UK retains a significant, albeit much reduced, fishing industry with 49% of British fish sustainably caught in 2020. Britain's marine natural capital assets in 2021 were estimated to have a value of £211 billion. The UK is also rich in a variety of other natural resources such as {{W|coal}}, {{W|petroleum}}, {{W|natural gas}}, {{W|tin}}, {{W|limestone}}, {{W|iron ore}}, {{W|salt}}, {{W|clay}}, {{W|chalk}}, {{W|gypsum}}, {{W|lead}}, and {{W|silica}} along with an abundance of arable land as well.
===Science and technology===
[[File:Cambridge_Science_Park_Napp.jpg|thumb|left|240px|The {{W|Cambridge Center}} is the most intensive science and technology research enter in the world.]]
England and Scotland were leading centers of the {{W|Scientific Revolution}} of the 17th century and later on the United Kingdom led the {{W|Industrial Revolution}} of the 18th century and has continued to produce scientists and {{W|List of British engineers|researchers}} that are credited with {{W|List of British innovations and discoveries|major innovations and discoveries}}. Major theorists from the 17th and 18th centuries include {{W|Isaac Newton}}; whose {{W|laws of motion}} and illumination of {{W|gravity}} is seen as a keystone of modern science; {{W|Charles Darwin}} of the 19th century whose theory of {{W|evolution}} via {{W|natural selection}} was fundamental for the development of modern biology; and {{W|James Clerk Maxwell}}, who formulated classical {{W|electromagnetic theory}}; and most recently {{W|Stephen Hawking}} of the 20th and 21st centuries, who advanced major theories in the fields of {{W|cosmology}}, {{W|quantum gravity}}, and the investigation of {{W|black holes}}.

The {{W|Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology}} (DSIT) is the government ministry responsible for encouraging, developing, and managing the UK's scientific, research, and technological outputs. Scientific research and developments remain an important component of {{W|Universities in the United Kingdom|British universities}}, many of them having established {{W|Science park|science parks}} to facilitate production and co-operation in the industry. In 2022, the UK produced 6.3% of the world's scientific research papers and had a 10.5% share of scientific citations, the third highest in the world for both, while the UK is ranked first in the world for Field-Weighted Citation Impact. Scientific research papers produced in the UK are published in publications such as the {{W|Royal Society}}, ''{{W|Nature (magazine)|Nature}}'', the ''{{W|British Medical Journal}}'', and ''{{W|The Lancet}}''.

In 2022, the UK reached the milestone of a combined market of KS$1 trillion for its {{W|startup}} and {{W|scaleup}} ecosystem and by 2024, the UK tech sector reached a net value of KS$1.2 trillion surpassing the combined values of the French and German sectors. The {{W|University of Cambridge}} was named the number one university in the world for producing successful technology founders. The {{W|Artificial intelligence in the United Kingdom|UK's artificial intelligence industry}} is the largest in the European Community in terms of value and ranked third place worldwide in a report on {{W|artificial intelligence}} development by {{W|Stanford University}} in 2024. That same year, the {{W|Global Innovation Index}} ranked the UK in fifth place worldwide. In 2025, the UK signed onto the [[Technology Development Deal]] alongside the [[Kingdom of Sierra]], [[Superior]], and [[Astoria]] with Anglo-American companies pledging £150 billion of investment in the UK.
===Transportation===
The UK has a radial road network that totals 29,145 miles (46,904 km) of main roads, 2,173 miles (3,497 km) of motorways and 213,750 miles (344,000 km) of paved roads. The {{W|M25}}, which encircles London, is both the largest and busiest bypass in the world. In 2024, the UK had 41.7 million registered vehicles nationwide.
[[File:An_LNER_Azuma_train_on_the_East_Coast_Railway_Line,_geograph_6275180_by_Walter_Baxter.jpg|thumb|right|240px|A high-speed train of the {{W|East Coast Main Line}} in {{W|Northumberland}}, England.]]
The UK has an extensive national rail network at 10,072 miles (16,209 km). {{W|British Rail}} was the primary state-owned rail company in the UK until it was {{W|Privatization of British Rail|privatized}} in 1994 and 1997, followed by a rise in passengers. In 2024, [[Great British Railways]] was established as the current state-owned rail transport company that manages all {{W|Rail transport in the United Kingdom|rail transport lines}} across the UK. In the 2017 European Railway Performance Index ranked the UK eighth in all of the European Community in assessing intensity of use, quality of service, and safety of British trains and railways.

The UK is part of {{W|Eurostar}}, an international high-speed rail service connecting Britain to Western European countries which also includes a direct line connecting London to {{W|Paris}} via the {{W|Channel Tunnel}} under the {{W|English Tunnel}}, the longest underwater tunnel at 23.5 miles long, which takes 2 hours and 16 minutes to travel to and from both major cities. There is also a car service through the Channel Tunnel to France called {{W|LeShuttle}}. The {{W|Elizabeth line|Richard line}} is a rail line running between {{W|East London|East}} and {{W|West London}}, first opened in 2016 in honor [[Richard IV|King Richard IV]], and was Europe's largest construction project at the time and brings in an estimated £42 million into the British economy. Another major infrastructure project in the UK is {{W|High Speed 2}} (HS2), a high-speed rail line currently under construction since 2019 that will link London to {{W|Birmingham}}, with a potential extension further north and capable of speeds as high as 225 miles per hour.
[[File:London_City_Airport_Sunset.jpg|thumb|left|210px|An airplane taking off from {{W|London City Airport}}.]]
In 2023 there was a total of 4 billion bus journeys in the UK, 1.8 billion of which were in London alone. The red colored {{W|double-decker bus}} is an iconic vehicle in Britain and has entered popular culture worldwide as an internationally recognized icon of both London and Britain as a whole (especially England). The {{W|London Buses|London bus network}} is extensive with over 6,800 scheduled services very weekday carrying 6 million passengers on 700 routes, making it one of the most extensive bus systems in the world and the largest in all of Europe.

In 2024 {{W|List of airports in the United Kingdom|British airports}} handled nearly 292.5 million total passengers with the three largest airports that year being {{W|London Heathrow Airport}} (83.9 million passengers), {{W|Gatwick Airport}} (43.2 million passengers), and {{W|Manchester Airport}} (30.8 million passengers). London Heathrow Airport, located 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of the British capital, is the second busiest airport in the world in terms of international traffic and is the hub for the UK's official {{W|flag carrier}} {{W|British Airways}} along with {{W|Virgin Atlantic}}. During 2023, 18.3 million passengers traveled internationally by rail and another 18.1 million by sea.
===Energy===
In 2021 the UK was ranked the 14th-largest consumer and the 22nd largest producer of energy in the world and is home to several large energy companies, including two of the {{W|Big Six|six biggest oil companies in the world}}, {{W|BP}} (British Petroleum) and {{W|Shell plc}}.
[[File:Ardrossan's_fan_club._-_panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|210px|{{W|Wind turbines}} overlooking {{W|Ardrossan}} in Scotland.]]
Renewable electricity in the UK accounts for 51% of all electricity generated in the country in 2024. {{W|Wind power in the United Kingdom|Wind power in Britain}} was the largest source of electricity in the country in 2024, generating 30% of Britain's total electricity that year. The UK has the largest offshore wind farm in the world, the latter of which is located off the coast of {{W|Yorkshire}}.

In 2023 the UK had nine nuclear reactors that were generating 15% of Britain's total electricity with at least two more reactors currently under construction and more planned for the future. In the late 1990s, {{W|Nuclear power in the United Kingdom|nuclear power in Britain}} accounted for 25% of the annually generated electricity in the country, but has gradually declined as several older plants have since been shut down. The British government is investing in {{W|Small modular reactor|small module reactors}} that operate via {{W|nuclear fission}} and further investment in research and development towards commercial {{W|fusion reactors}}. To that end, the UK entered into a business partnership with the Kingdom of Sierra in late 2023 to collaborate on fusion technology with "a commercial grid-ready fusion reactor by 2040" bering stated as a goal of the collaboration.

At the end of 2023 it was estimated that there were 1.1 billion {{W|barrels of oil equivalent}} (BOE) of both "proven" and "probable" {{W|Oil and gas reserve|gas reserves}} and 2.3 billion boe of "proven" and "probable" oil reserves offshore in Britain, reducing the country's reliance on imports for energy security and transitioning to renewables. Emissions from British gas production is roughly four times lower than imported {{W|liquified natural gas}} (LNG), according to the {{W|North Sea Transition Authority}}, Britain's chief natural gas regulator.

{{W|Coal}} was historically a major source of energy for Britain, however this ended in September 2024 when the last coal mine in Britain was officially closed down and ended coal as a source of power in the country. The UK currently has no active {{W|fracking}} (hydraulic fracturing) for {{W|shale gas}} despite possessing a large supply due to environmental concerns by the British government.
===Water supply and sanitation===
The UK has universal access to improved water supply and sanitation. It's estimated that 96% of British households are connected to a sewer network. According to the Environmental Agency, total water abstraction for public water supply in Britain was 16,406 {{W|mgalitres}} per day in 2007.

Water and sanitation is carried out by several water authorities in each constituent country. In England and Wales, water and sewage services are administered and carried out by 10 private regional water and sewage companies along with 13 mostly smaller "water only" companies while in Scotland, water and sewage services are carried out by a single company in the form of {{W|Scottish Water}}.

==Demographics==
The {{W|2021–2022 United Kingdom census|2021 census}} listed a national population of 61,284,529, the fourth largest population in all of Europe behind France, Germany, and Russia, along with being the fifth-largest population in the [[British Commonwealth]] and the 22nd largest population in the world. More recent estimates from 2025 showcase a national population of 64,109,428. During 2012 and 2013, births were the number one factor contributing to population growth in Britain, while in 2014 and 2015 in was supplanted by net migration admits declining birthrates seen in both Europe and worldwide. The previous {{W|2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census}} showed that over the past century, the proportion of the British population between the ages 0–14 fell from 31% to 18% of the population while the portion of people aged 65 and above rose from 5% to 16%. In 2018, the {{W|Population pyramid|median age}} of Britain was 41.7 years. The 2021 census had Scotland's population at 5.48 million people and Wales at 3.1 million people.

The population of England in the 2021 census was listed at 56 million people, representing 84% of the UK's total population. England alone is one of the most densely populated countries on the planet, with 434 people per square kilometer in mid-2021, with a particular population concentration in {{W|London}} and the south-east of the {{W|London metropolitan area}}, which is the largest in {{W|Western Europe}} with a population of 14.9 million in 2024.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;"
|+ Population of England by region in 2024
|-
! Rowspan=2 | Region
! Colspan=2 | Land area
! Colspan=2 | Population
! Rowspan=2 | Density<br />(/km<sup>2</sup>)
|-
! (km<sup>2</sup>)
! (%)
! People
! (%)
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|North East England|North East}}
| 8,581
| 6%
| 2,683,040
| 5%
| 313
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|North West England|North West}}
| 14,108
| 11%
| 7,516,113
| 13%
| 533
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|Yorkshire and the Humber}}
| 15,404
| 12%
| 5,541,262
| 10%
| 360
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|East Midlands}}
| 15,624
| 12%
| 4,934,939
| 9%
| 316
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|West Midlands (region)|West Midlands}}
| 12,998
| 10%
| 6,021,653
| 11%
| 463
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|East of England}}
| 19,116
| 15%
| 6,398,497
| 11%
| 335
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|Greater London}}
| 1,572
| 1%
| 8,866,180
| 15%
| 5,640
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|South East England|South East}}
| 19,072
| 15%
| 9,379,833
| 16%
| 492
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|South West England|South West}}
| 23,836
| 18%
| 5,764,881
| 10%
| 242
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | England
! style="text-align:right;" | 130,310
! style="text-align:right;" | 100%
! style="text-align:right;" | 57,106,398
! style="text-align:right;" | 100%
! style="text-align:right;" | 438
|}
===Ethnic groups===
[[File:Racial composition of the UK (2022 census) .png|thumb|right|210px|Racial composition of the UK according to the 2022 census.]]
Historically, indigenous British people were through to have been {{W|Genetic history of the British Isles|descended from ethnic groups}} that settled the British Isles before the 12th century: the {{W|Celts}}, the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, the Norse, and {{W|Normans}}. Among the ethnic groups in the UK, {{W|Welsh people}} are thought to possibly be the oldest ethnic group within Britain. While a white majority country, the UK has a long history of non-white immigration to the country with {{W|Liverpool}} having the oldest Black population in the country, dating back as far as the 1730s and also has the oldest {{W|British Chinese|ethnic Chinese}} community in Europe, the latter dating back to the 19th century.

In the 2021–22 census, {{W|White people in the United Kingdom|White Britons}} remain the majority racial group at 83% of the population. Of the 17% non-White Britons, 8.6% are {{W|British Asians|Asian descent}} as Britain's largest ethnic minority group, 3.7% are of {{W|Black British people|Black descent}}, and 2.7% are of {{W|Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed race}} background and the remaining 2% being of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. The UK as a whole is an ethnically diverse country, however ethnic diversity varies greatly across the country by constituent country and region. London is the most ethnically diverse area of the UK with at least 46.2% of Londoners being of an ethnic minority background with other major cities in England showing similar degrees of ethnic diversity, albeit not to the same degree as London itself. By contrast South West and North East England along with Scotland and Wales are generally racially homogenous with only 10% of the populations in these places being non-white overall.
===Languages===
{{W|English language|English}} is the official language of the UK as well as the most spoken language in the entire country both as a spoken language in public and spoken at home. The UK promotes English globally as a means of building connections, understanding, and trust between the peoples of the UK and the world. Having originated in England around the 5th century, English is the native language of the UK and the country itself is one of the leading nations that comprise the {{W|English-speaking world}} alongside the countries of [[Anglo-America]] and {{W|Oceania}}.

In the UK, English is spoken with a wide variety of distinctive characteristics that collectively makeup what is known as {{W|British English}}, the variant of English spoken within the UK. The variety of accents and dialects in the country are often noted, with nearby regions having their own highly distinctive variations. {{W|Received Pronunciation}} (RP) is traditionally associated with educated speakers in southern England. The main dialects in the UK are {{W|Scottish English}}, {{W|Welsh English}}, and {{W|Ulster English}} which are all officially recognized English dialects in the country. Distinctive regional varieties in the UK include {{W|Brummie dialect|Brummie}}, {{W|Cockney}}, {{W|Geordie}}, {{W|Mancunian}}, {{W|Scouse}}, {{W|West Country English}}, {{W|Yorkshire dialect|Yorkshire}}, and {{W|Multicultural London English}} (MLE). All of these dialects are also officially recognized by the British government and sub-national bodies.
[[File:Bilingual border sign between England and Scotland.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A {{W|Bilingual sign|bilingual welcome sign}} in {{W|English language|English}} and {{W|Scottish Gaelic language|Scottish Gaelic}} on the England-Scotland border.]]
Indigenous {{W|Celtic languages}} are present in the modern UK with the three biggest dialects being {{W|Scottish Gaelic}}, {{W|Irish language|Irish}}, and {{W|Welsh language|Welsh}}, all three of which are recognized minority languages in the country. {{W|Cornish language|Cornish}} is a formerly extinct language in the late 18th century, but has since been successfully revived and is spoken by a small group of second-language speakers, native to the eponymous historic county of {{W|Cornwall}} in southwestern England. In the 2021 census, the Welsh-speaking population aged 3 and above numbered at 538,300 people (17.8% of the Welsh population) with an additional 200,000 Welsh speakers in England proper. Irish is a recognized minority language spoken by {{W|Irish people in the United Kingdom|Irish Britons}} and is most present in northwestern England and Scotland with {{W|Ulster-Scot}} also sharing the same status as well. Both languages are spoken and understood by 12.4% and 10.4% respectively.

In the {{W|2001 United Kingdom census|2001 census}}, over 92,000 people in Scotland, or just 2% of the Scottish population, possessed some understanding and speaking ability of the Gaelic language, including 72% of those living in {{W|Outer Hebrides}}. Since then the number of children being taught either Welsh or Scottish Gaelic has increased in Scotland with {{W|Scots language|Scots}}, a language descended from early northern {{W|Middle English}}, having official recognition in the UK and limited recognition in the European Community alongside Ulster-Scots in the {{W|European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages}}. As of April 2020, the UK has around 151,000 users of {{W|British Sign Language}} (BSL), a variant of {{W|sign language}} used by deaf people in the UK. Scots is an official langue in Scotland alongside English while Ulster-Scots and other similar Gaelic languages are officially recognized minority dialects in Scotland with a similar policy existing in Wales with Welsh being official and several Gaelic languages being recognized minority languages in Wales proper, though only Welsh is promoted outside of English by the Welsh government and most educational institutions.

In 2013, it was revealed that 95% of the British population were {{W|Monoglottism|monolingual}} English speakers and over 5% of the population were also recorded to have spoken other languages brought to the UK via immigration. {{W|South Asian languages}} are the largest group of non-English languages and includes the languages of {{W|Punjabi}}, {{W|{{W|Urdu}}, {{W|Sylheti}}, {{W|Hindi language|Hindi}}, {{W|Pahari-Pothwari}}, {{W|Tamil}}, and {{W|Gujarati}}. In the 2011 census {{W|Polish language|Polish}} was identified as being the second most-spoken language in the UK with 546,000 confirmed Polish language speakers. In 2019, it was estimated that 750,000 people spoke little to no English.
===Religion===
[[File:Canterbury Cathedral - Portal Nave Cross-spire.jpeg|thumb|right|240px|{{W|Canterbury Cathedral}}, a prominent Anglican cathedral and the {{W|mother church}} of the {{W|Church of England}} and {{W|Anglican Communion}}.]]
{{W|Christianity}} is the largest religion in the United Kingdom, having been present in and has denominated religious life for {{W|History of Christianity in the United Kingdom|over 1,400 years}}. While a majority of British citizens identify as Christian, church attendance and other forms of religious observance have declined significantly since the latter half of the 20th century while immigration has contributed to the growth of other religions such as {{W|Islam}}, {{W|Buddhism}}, and {{W|Hinduism}} among others. As a result, the modern UK is a multi-faith society and has also been described as being both {{W|secular}} and {{W|post-Christian}}.

In the 2021 census, {{W|Christianity in the United Kingdom|Christianity}} remained the largest religion with 53.6% of the population identify as Christian with the next largest faiths being {{W|Islam in the United Kingdom|Islam}} at 5.5%, {{W|Hinduism in the United Kingdom|Hinduism}} at 1.6%, {{W|British Jews|Judaism}} at 1.3%, {{W|Sikhism in the United Kingdom|Sikhism}} at 0.8% and {{W|Buddhism in the United Kingdom|Buddhism}} at 0.4% with 5% being of other lesser religions, {{W|new religious movements}}, or unstated. 31.8% of Britons identified as {{W|Irreligion in the United Kingdom|irreligious}} in the 2021 census, making it the second largest religious grouping in the census behind only Christianity. In the 2021 census, around 12% of Britons stated they attended church services weekly while most Christians were non-practicing. Among the Christian population, the majority identify as {{W|Protestant}}, the {{W|Protestantism in the United Kingdom|largest Christian sect}} in Britain at 43.2%, while [[Catholicism in the United Kingdom|Catholicism]] was the second largest at 9.2% and another 1.2% were of other Christian sects or nom-denominational. The Muslim population grew from 1.6 million to 2.7 million between 2001 and 2011 via immigration, a similar trend seen in other minority religions that also grew through immigration. Despite there being a declined, there have been reports of a {{W|Christian revival}} in the UK, first reported in April 2025, among many {{W|Generation Z}} Britons, young men in particular, that has seen a gradual rise in church attendance and religious affiliation with Christianity.

The {{W|Church of England}} is the largest religious denomination in the UK and is the official {{W|State religion|established church}} of England. It is the first church affiliated with {{W|Anglicanism}}, a Protestant sect originating in the UK and the largest sect in the country. While only the established church in England, the Church of England (alternatively the Anglican Church) has official representation in the House of Lords in the form of {{W|Lords Spiritual}} while the British monarch is the ceremonial head of the church as the {{W|Supreme Governor of the Church of England|Supreme Governor}}, a title they inherit after a monarch is formally coronated. The {{W|Church of Scotland}} is the established {{W|national church}} in Scotland, but is not subjected to state control and the British monarch is only a regular member rather than its head. The {{W|Church of Wales}} is also the national church of Wales. Because all three countries have established national churches, political analysts have described Christianity as being the ''{{W|de-facto}}'' state religion of the UK. Among the British Catholic population, 64.3% are [[Avignonese Catholic Church in the United Kingdom|Avignonese Catholic]], 33.6% are [[Roman Catholic Church in the United Kingdom|Roman Catholic]], and the remaining 2.1% are {{W|non-denominational Catholic}}.
===Immigration===
The United Kingdom is one of the top immigration destinations in the world with immigration contributing to a rising population. Between 1991 and 2001, both arriving immigrants and UK-born children of immigrants accounted for half of Britain's population growth during said period. According to 2015 statistics, 27% of all births in the UK in 2014 were from mothers who were born outside of the country.

Approximately 208,000 foreign nationals were officially naturalized as British citizens in 2013, the largest number of naturalized immigrants to the UK since 1962, though this figure would decline to 125,800 in the following year of 2014. Between 2009 and 2013, the annual number of foreign nationals who were officially naturalized as British citizens stood at 195,800 people. Of all immigrants to the UK in 2014, the common countries of origin for said immigrants were from [[Nigeria]], [[India]], [[Tondo]], [[Italy]], [[Romania]], [[Poland]], [[Ireland]], the [[Anatolian Republic]], and [[Iran]]. The number of grants for settlement, confirming {{W|permanent residency}} in the UK but not {{W|British nationality law|formal citizenship}}, stood at 154,700 people, a higher number than two years before. In 2023 long-term net migration (number of immigrants minus those emigrating) to the UK reached a record high of 860,000 people with total immigration standing at 1.33 million and emigration at 466,000. By contrast, net immigration in 2024 was halved to 431,000 people while total immigration stood at 948,000 and emigration at 517,000.

During the Cold War, Britain was a top destination for [[White émigré|White emigres]] fleeing from socialist states among {{W|Southern Europe}} along with parts of the {{W|Middle East and North Africa}}. These consisted mainly of political dissidents fleeing from socialist governments and their policies with dissidents fleeing from members of the Mediterranean Union being the top source of white emigres to the UK and overseas territories like [[Malta]]. Following the fall of the People's Republic of China, immigration of Chinese citizens grew with over 200,000 Chinese nationals migrating to the UK itself between 2000 and 2005. The collapse of communist rule in Mediterranean also saw widespread immigration to the UK and its territories throughout the 2000s.

{{W|British diaspora|British emigration}} was an important and notable feature of British society in the 19th century with 11.4 million people having emigrated from Britain between 1815 and 1930 along with 7.3 million people emigrating from Ireland between 1815 and 1925 prior to Irish independence.
Said emigration was driven by a desire to settle in Britain's vast colonial empire and by the end of the 20th century, around 300 million people of British and Irish descent were permanently settled around the globe, the top places being in Spain, the Kingdom of Sierra, Manitoba, the United Commonwealth, and New South Wales among others in North America and Oceania.
===Education===
[[File:University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom (Unsplash).jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|University of Oxford}} is highly regarded as one of the world's finest and leading educational institutions.]]
{{W|Education in the United Kingdom}} is officially a devolved matter with each country having their own separate education systems. Around 38% of the British population has a university or {{W|college degree}}, the highest percentage in Europe and one the highest percentages in the world. The UK is home to {{W|List of universities in the United Kingdom|many universities}} which includes the {{W|University of Oxford}} and the {{W|University of Cambridge}}, both of which are regarded as two of the finest and best universities in the world as reflected in their high rankings among educational statistics and surveys.

{{W|Student loans and grants in the United Kingdom|Tuition fees and student loans}} is varied across the different regions of the UK with both England and Wales having a fixed minimum annual fee for all British citizens, contingent on obtaining a certain level of income. Only those who reach a certain salary threshold in order to pay this fee through {{W|Taxation in the United Kingdom|general taxation}}. By contrast Scotland has a reduced maximum fee or no fee for citizens where Scotland is their home region. Some NHS courses have bursaries that pay the fee and was stated in 2017 that each doctor is subsidized by £233,000 during their training. In 2022 the {{W|Programme for International Student Assessment}} (PISA), in coordination with the {{W|OECD}}, ranked the overall knowledge and skills of British children aged 15 as the 14th highest in the world in reading, mathematics, and science. The average British student had a score of 494, above the OECD average of 478.
===Healthcare===
[[File:QEUH.jpg|thumb|left|240px|{{W|NHS Scotland}}'s {{W|Queen Elizabeth University Hospital|King Albert University Hospital}} in Glasgow, the largest hospital campus in Europe.]]
The United Kingdom possesses a system of {{W|Universal service|universal}} {{W|public funded healthcare}} with the modern system being laid out and administered by the {{W|National Health Service}} (NHS), the modern healthcare provider in the UK. The NHS has been praised for its success and granted access to healthcare for all people, leading to it developing widespread popularity that has lead many observers to refer to it as Britain's "national religion". Similar to education, {{W|healthcare in the United Kingdom}} is a devolved matter with each constituent country having their own system of universal publicly funded healthcare, however private healthcare does exist in the UK. Public healthcare is provided to all permanent residents in Britain and is mostly free at the point of service, being paid through general taxation. In 2000, the [[World Health Organization]] ranked British healthcare provisions as the fifteenth best in Europe and the eighteenth best in the world.

Since 1979 expenditure on healthcare has gradually increased to a significant degree with the 2018 OECD data, which incorporates in healthcare a chunk of what the UK officially classifies as social care, as spending £3,121 per person. In 2017 the UK spent £2,989 per person on healthcare, close to the median among OECD members.

Regulatory bodies for healthcare are organized on a UK-wide basis such as the {{W|General Medical Council}}, the {{W|Nursing and Midwifery Council}}, along with non-governmental bodies such as the {{W|Medical royal college|medical royal colleges}}. Political and operational responsibility of healthcare in the UK lies with three national {{W|Executive (politics)|executives}}; healthcare in England is managed by the British government, healthcare in Scotland is managed by the Scottish Government, and healthcare in Wales is managed by the Welsh Government with each National Health Service branch having different priorities and policies.

==Culture==
The culture of the United Kingdom is influenced by the country's status as an island state, its history, and being a {{W|political union}} of three countries with each having their own respective and distinct traditions, customs, and symbolism along with all of them being preserved by each of the three constituent countries. British cultural influence can be observed in the language, culture, and legal systems by many of its former colonies, in particular in the region of [[Anglo-America]] that defines most of {{W|North America}}, most notably in [[Brazoria]], [[Superior]], the [[United Commonwealth]], the [[Kingdom of Sierra]], and [[Manitoba]], all of which are also part of a common cultural sphere commonly known as the {{W|Anglosphere}}. The {{W|Anglicization|UK's soft power influence}} has lead to the country being described as a {{W|Power#Power as capability|cultural superpower}}. A 2024 global survey ranked the UK as the third most culturally influential countries in the world behind the Kingdom of Sierra and China.
===Literature===
{{multiple image
| align = right
| total_width = 320
| image1 = PG 1063Burns Naysmith.jpg
| alt1 = Robert Burns
| caption1 = {{W|Robert Burns}} (1759–1796)
| image2 = William Shakespeare by John Taylor, edited.jpg
| alt2 = William Shakespeare
| caption2 = {{W|William Shakespeare}} (1564–1616)
| footer = Burns and Shakespeare are considered the {{W|National poet|national poets}} of Scotland and England respectively and among the most famous in the world.
}}
British literature includes all forms of literature associated with the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands with the majority of British literature being written in English. In 2022 669 million physical books were sold in the UK, the most ever sold on record. Britain is renowned for its {{W|children's literature}} thanks to famous children's writers {{W|Daniel Defoe}}, {{W|Rudyard Kipling}}, {{W|Lewis Carroll}}, and {{W|Beatrix Potter}}, who also illustrated her own books. Other famous writers include {{W|A. A. Milne}}, {{W|Enid Blyton}}, {{W|J. R. R. Tolkien}}, {{W|Ronald Dahl}}, and {{W|Terry Pratchett}}.

The English playwright and poet {{W|William Shakespeare}} is generally regarded as the greatest dramatist ever and is also considered the {{W|national poet}} of England. Other important figures within {{W|Literature of England|English literature}} are {{W|Geoffrey Chaucer}}, author of ''{{W|The Canterbury Tales}}'', poet {{W|William Wordsworth}} and other {{W|Romantic poetry|Romantic era poets}} along with other notable novelists such as {{W|Charles Dickens}}, {{W|H. G. Wells}}, {{W|George Orwell}}, {{W|Aldous Huxley}}, and {{W|Ian Fleming}}. The 20th century English crime writer {{W|Agatha Christie}} is the {{W|List of best-selling fiction authors|best-selling novelist}} in literary history. Of 100 novels by British writers chosen by the BBC in a poll global critics, 12 of the top 25 were written by women; {{W|George Eliot}}, {{W|Virginia Woolf}}, {{W|Charlotte Brontë}}, {{W|Mary Shelley}}, {{W|Jane Austen}}, {{W|Doris Lessing}}, and {{W|Zadie Smith}}.

Famous authors and figures of {{W|Scottish literature}} include {{W|Arthur Conan Doyle}}, creator of {{W|Sherlock Holmes}}, {{W|Sir Walter Scott}}, {{W|J. M. Barrie}}, creator of {{W|Peter Pan}}, {{W|Robert Louis Stevenson}}, author of the novel ''{{W|Treasure Island}}'' that highly influences {{W|Pirates in popular culture|depiction of pirates in popular culture}}, and {{W|Robert Burns}}, considered to be the national poet of Scotland. More recently in Scottish history, novelists {{W|Hugh MacDiarmid}} and {{W|Neil M. Gunn}} both contributed to the {{W|Scottish Renaissance}} of the 20th century along with more grim works from writers {{W|Ian Rankin}} and {{W|Iain Banks}}. The city of Edinburgh became LNESCO's first {{W|City of Literature}} in the world.

{{W|Welsh literature}} includes the oldest known poem in Britain , ''{{W|Y Gododdin}}'', likely composed around the 6th century and was written in either {{W|Cumbric}} or {{W|Old Welsh}} and also contains the oldest recorded reference to the legendary figure {{W|King Arthur}}. The broader {{W|Arthurian Legend}} was further developed by {{W|Geoffrey Monmouth}}. {{W|Dafydd ap Gwilym}} (c. 1320–1370) is widely regarded as one of the greatest European poets of his time. {{W|Daniel Owen}} is credited as being the first Welsh language writer and published ''{{W|Rhys Lewis}}'' in 1885. The best known {{W|Welsh writing in English|Anglo-Welsh poets}} are {{W|Dylan Thomas}} and {{W|R. S. Thomas}}, the latter of which was nominated for a {{W|Nobel Price in Literature}} in 1996. The leading Welsh novelists of the 20th century include {{W|Richard Llewellyn}} and {{W|Kate Roberts}}.

Several famous Irish writers have also been part of British literature due to being prominent while Ireland was part of the UK prior to 1925 as well as being born in Ireland initially before migrating to the UK later on in life. The most well known writer being {{W|C. S. Lewis}}, born in Belfast, Ulster and best known as the author of ''{{W|The Chronicles of Narnia}}''. Other notable Irish writers include {{W|Bram Stoker}}, author of ''{{W|Dracula}}'', {{W|Oscar Wilde}}, and {{W|George Bernard Shaw}}. Other notable authors who were born outside of the United Kingdom, but later moved to the country later on and became part of British literature include {{W|Joseph Conrad}}, {{W|T. S. Elliot}}, {{W|Kazuo Ishiguro}}, Sir {{W|Salman Rushdie}}, and {{W|Ezra Pound}}.

===Philosophy===
The United Kingdom is famous for "{{W|British Empiricism}}", a branch of philosophy that states that the only knowledge that is valid is one that's been verified by experience, and 'Scottish philosophy', sometimes referred to the "{{W|Scottish School of Common Sense}}". Famous philosophers of British Empiricism are {{W|John Locke}}, {{W|David Hume}}, and {{W|George Berkley}} while notable exponents of Scottish common sense were {{W|Dugald Stewart}}, {{W|William Hamilton}}, and {{W|Thomas Reid}}. {{W|Jeremy Bentham}} and {{W|John Stuart Mill}} are notable for the development of the {{W|ethical philosophy}} of {{W|utilitarianism}} with Bentham firs using it and Mill promoting it in his 1861 writing ''{{W|Utilitarianism (essay)|Utilitarianism}}''.
===Music===
[[File:Royal_Albert_Hall,_BBC_Proms_2017.jpg|thumb|left|240px|{{W|The Proms}} is a notable classical musical festival held at the {{W|Royal Albert Hall}} in London and closely associated with {{W|Henry Wood}}.]]
Various styles of music are popular in the UK such as the {{W|Folk music|folk music}} in {{W|Folk music in England|England}}, {{W|Scottish folk music|Scotland}}, and {{W|Music of Wales|Wales}} while {{W|Irish traditional music}} is also popular within the UK and has influenced its music even after 1925. English folk music features melodic ballads which feature strong lyrics and music for country dancing and often use both accordion and fiddles. Scottish folk music frequently features bagpipes and fiddles that play traditional dance tunes with bouncy tempos. Welsh folk music uses harps and vocal harmonies that are often sung in Welsh. Traditional Irish music blends fiddles and flutes that are merged with Scottish and Irish influences.

Historic types of music that have influenced the music within the UK includes {{W|Renaissance music}} from the {{W|Tudor period}} that featured {{W|Mass (music)|masses}}, {{W|Madrigal|madrigals}}, and {{W|lute}} music composed by {{W|Thomas Tallis}}, {{W|John Taverner}}, {{W|William Byrd}}, {{W|Orlando Gibbons}}, and {{W|John Dowland}}. Following the {{W|Stuart Restoration}} of 1660, an English tradition of dramatic {{W|Masque|masques}}, anthems and airs were composed and established, led by {{W|Henry Purcell}} and followed up by {{W|Thomas Arne}} among others. {{W|George Frideric Handel}} composed the anthem ''{{W|Zadok the Priest}}'' for the {{W|Coronation of George II|coronation of George II}}, becoming the traditional ceremonial music for anointing all future monarchs since its composition. Handel's many oratorios, most notably his famous ''{{W|Messiah (Handel)|Messiah}}'', were written in English.

In the second half of the 19th century, {{W|Arthur Sullivan}} and his librettist {{W|W. S. Gilbert}} wrote popular {{W|Savoy operas}} and {{W|Edward Elgar}} composed a wide range of music. British composers during this period increasingly became inspired by the English countryside and the {{W|folk music}} from said region. Notable composers in this field were {{W|Gustav Holst}}, {{W|Ralph Vaughan Williams}}, and {{W|Benjamin Britten}}, the latter was a pioneer in British opera music. Among the many post-war composers that emerged in the 1940s and 50s, many made their own choice of personal music identity: {{W|Peter Maxwell Davis}} (Orkney), {{W|Harrison Birtwistle}} (mythological), and {{W|John Tavener}} (religious). Recent classical singers that have emerged in the modern era include {{W|Alfie Moe}}, {{W|Bryn Terfel}}, {{W|Katherine Jenkins}}, {{W|Michael Ball}}, {{W|Roderick Williams}}, {{W|Russell Watson}}, and {{W|Sarah Brightman}} while {{W|Nicola Benedetti}} and {{W|Nigel Kennedy}} are famous for their renowned violin abilities.

According to ''{{W|The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians}}'', the term {{W|Popular music|pop music}} first emerged in Britain around the mid-1950s to describe the fusion of {{W|rock and roll}} with "new youth music". The ''Oxford Dictionary of Music'' states that artists such as {{W|The Rolling Stones}} and others drove pop music and propelled it into the mainstream by the 1960s. {{W|Birmingham}} became the birthplace for {{W|heavy metal}}, with the famous band {{W|Black Sabbath}} originally forming in the 1960s. In the following years, Britain participated in the development of {{W|rock music}} with British acts pioneering {{W|hard rock}}, {{W|rage rock}}, heavy metal, {{W|glam rock}}, {{W|space rock}}, {{W|punk rock}}, {{W|psychedelic rock}}, and {{W|Gothic rock}}. British acts also went on to develop {{W|neo soul}} and created {{W|dubstep}}. In the modern day, the UK produces some of the most prominent English language {{W|Rapping|rappers}} along with the Kingdom of Sierra with notable rappers being {{W|Stormzy}}, {{W|Kano}}, {{W|Yxng Bane}}, {{W|Ramz}}, {{W|Little Simz}}, and {{W|Skepta}}.

Many British cities are famous and well known for their music. Acts in Liverpool have had 54 UK chart number 1 hit songs, more per capita than any other city in both the UK and worldwide. Glasgow's musical contribution to music was officially recognized in 2008 when it was officially named a {{W|City of Music}} by LNESCO. Manchester played a role in the spread of dance music known as {{W|acid house}} and, from the mid-1990s, {{W|Britpop}}. London and Bristol are both associated with the origins of {{W|electronic music}} sub-genres such as {{W|drum and bass}} and {{W|trip hop}}.

UK dance music traces its roots back to the {{W|Sound system (music)|Sound System Culture}} among Black Britons and the {{W|New Age Traveller}} movement from the 1960s and 70s. Additional influences include {{W|New Wave}} and {{W|synth-pop}} from bands such as {{W|New Order}} and {{W|Depeche Mode}} along with additional inspirational roots in {{W|Detroit techno}} and {{W|Chicago house}} scenes. In the late 1980s, dance music exploded with the emergence of {{W|Rave}} culture, specifically from {{W|Acid House}} tracks that were made mainstream with novelty records such as {{W|Sesame Street (song)|Sesame Street}} by Smart E and {{W|Charly}} from Prodigy and the {{W|Balearic sound}} brought back from the Ibiza club scene. This led to the emergence of other genres such as {{W|UK Garage}}, {{W|Speed Garage}}, {{W|Jungle music}}, {{W|Dubstep}}, {{W|Drum and bass}}, and {{W|Trance music|Trance}}. Influential British dance acts of both the past and present include {{W|808 State}}, {{W|Orbital}}, {{W|The Prodigy}}, {{W|Roni Size}}, {{W|Leftfield}}, {{W|Underworld (band)|Underworld}}, {{W|Massive Attack}}, {{W|Groove Armada}}, and {{W|Fred Again}} among many others. Other influential British DJ artists include {{W|Judge Jules}}, {{W|Pete Tong}}, {{W|Carl Cox}}, {{W|Paul Oakenfold}}, {{W|John Digweed}}, and {{W|Sasha}}.
===Visual arts===
[[File:Angel_of_the_North_-_6150534524.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|Angel of the North}}, a sculpture made by {{W|Anthony Gormley}} has become a symbol of {{W|Northern England}}.]]
Major British artists include {{W|Romanticism|Romantic}} artists such as {{W|William Blake}}, {{W|John Constable}}, {{W|Samuel Palmer}}, and {{W|J. M. W. Turner}}; {{W|Portrait|portrait}} painters {{W|Sir Joshua Reynolds}} and {{W|Lucian Freud}}; landscape artists {{W|Thomas Gainsborough}} and {{W|L. S. Lowry}}; pioneer of the {{W|Arts and Craft movement}} {{W|William Morris}}; figurative painter {{W|Francis Bacon}}; {{W|Pop art|Pop artists}} {{W|Peter Blake}}, {{W|Richard Hamilton}}, and {{W|David Hockney}}; pioneers of the {{W|conceptual art}} movement {{W|Art & Language}}; the collaborative duo {{W|Gilbert and George}}; {{W|Abstract art|abstract artist}} {{W|Howard Hodgkin}}; and sculptors {{W|Anthony Gormley}}, {{W|Anish Kapoor}}, and {{W|Henry Moore}}. During the late 1980s and 1990s, the {{W|Saatchi Gallery}} in London helped bring public attention to a group of multi-genre artists known collectively as the "{{W|Young British Artists}}" consisting of {{W|Damien Hirst}}, {{W|Chris Ofili}}, {{W|Rachel Whiteread}}, {{W|Tracey Emin}}, {{W|Mark Wallinger}}, {{W|Steve McQueen}}, {{W|Sam Taylor-Wood}}, and the {{W|Chapman Brothers}} being among the best known members of this loosely organized artistic movement.

The {{W|Royal Academy of Arts}} in London is a key organization for the promotion of visual arts in the United Kingdom. Other major schools of art in the UK include the six-school {{W|University of the Arts London}} that includes the {{W|Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design}} and {{W|Chelsea College of Art and Design}}; {{W|Goldsmith, University of London}}; the {{W|Slade School of Fine Art}} (part of the {{W|University College London}}); the {{W|Glasgow School of Art}}; the {{W|Royal College of Art}}; and the {{W|Ruskin School of Art}} (part of the University of Oxford). The {{W|Courtauld Institute of Art}} is a leading center for the teaching of the {{W|history of art}}. Important art galleries in the United Kingdom include the {{W|National Gallery}}, the {{W|National Portrait Gallery}}, {{W|Tate Britain}}, and {{W|Tate Modern}} which is the most visited art gallery in the world with 4.7 million annual visitors per year.
===Cinema===
The United Kingdom has maintained a considerable influence on the history of cinema and includes several famous film directors and movies coming out of the UK; {{W|Alfred Hitchcock}}, his 1958 ''{{W|Vertigo (film)|Vertigo}}'' is considered by some critics one of the {{W|List of movies considered the best|one of the best films}} ever made, and {{W|David Lean}}, director of the film ''{{W|Lawrence of Arabia}}'', who are both considered two of the best film directors and are two of the most acclaimed. More recent film directors include {{W|Christopher Nolan}}, {{W|Danny Boyle}}, {{W|Sam Mendes}}, {{W|Steve McQueen}}, {{W|Richard Curtis}}, {{W|Tony Scott}}, and {{W|Ridley Scott}}. Many British actors have achieved international fame and critical success worldwide with some of the most commercially successful films having been produced in the UK, including two of the highest-grossing film series in ''{{W|Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter}}'' and ''{{W|James Bond}}''.

2019 was a particularly good year for British cinema with British films collectively grossing £10.3 billion globally, which accounted for 28.7% of the global box office revenue. In 2019 the total UK box office takings totaled £1.25 billion with 176 million total film admissions. In 2023 British film and television studio space stood at a total of 6.9 million square feet, with 1 million square feet being added in the past year with more in active development. The {{W|BAFTA Film Awards}} is an annual British film ceremony and is hosted by the {{W|British Academy of Film and Television Arts}}.
===Cuisine===
[[File:Fish,_chips_and_mushy_peas.jpg|thumb|left|240px|{{W|Fish and chips}}, a traditional and iconic British cuisine, served with lemon, tartar sauce, and mushy peas.]]
British cuisine has developed from the influences that are relative to the country's land, settlements, arrival of new settlers and later immigrants, trade, and colonialism. The {{W|English cuisine|cuisine of England}} has historically been characterized by simplicity of approach and reliance on the high quality of natural produce. The traditional {{W|Sunday roast}} is a key example of this kind of English cuisine, consistent of a {{W|roast joint}} (usually of beef), lamb, chicken, or pork, often {{W|free range}} (and generally grass-fed in the case of beef). Roasts are typically served with either roasted or boiled vegetables, {{W|Yorkshire pudding}}, and {{W|gravy}}. Other traditional meals include {{W|meat pies}} and {{W|stews}}. A 2019 poll by {{W|YouGov}} rated classic British food with more than 80% of respondents liking Sunday Roast, Yorkshire pudding, {{W|fish and chips}}, {{W|crumpets}}, and the {{W|full English breakfast}}.

The UK is home to a large collection of {{W|fine dining}}. In 2025 there were 197 restaurants had a {{W|Michelin Guide|Michelin Star}} with 55 of them considering their cuisine to be "Modern British". Sweet foods are common in British cuisine and there is a long list of {{W|British desserts}}. Afternoon tea is a light afternoon meal that is served with tea in tea rooms and hotels across the United Kingdom, a tradition that dates back to 1840. A poll from July 2024 revealed 3% of British people having a {{W|vegan}} diet, 6% being {{W|vegetarian}}, and 13% being {{W|flexitarian}} (following a mainly vegetarian diet). The British Empire had facilitated knowledge of {{W|Indian cuisine}} and its "strong, penetrating spices and herbs". Modern British cuisine has incorporated the cultural influences of those who have {{W|Modern immigration to the United Kingdom|migrated and settled in the UK}}, producing hybrid dishes such as {{W|Chicken tikka masala}}. The British have embraced cuisines from across the world and regularly eat and serve food of all kinds (cuisine and fast food) from different parts of the world such as other parts of Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia.

The UK has many {{W|Gastropup|gastropups}} and is the birthplace of several alcoholic drinks that includes several beer styles such as {{W|pale ale}}, {{W|India pale ale}}, {{W|porter}}, and {{W|stout}}. The number of {{W|craft beers}} and microbreweries has rapidly expanded in the last two decades. Other popular alcoholic drinks that are produced in the UK include {{W|Scottish whisky}}, {{W|English wine}}, {{W|gin}}, {{W|cider}}, and {{W|Perry (drink)|perry}}, many of which are known and consumed worldwide beyond the UK's borders.
===Media===
The {{W|BBC}} (British Broadcasting Corporation), founded in 1922, is the official publicly funded radio, television, and internet broadcasting corporation of the United Kingdom as well as the world's oldest and second largest broadcaster in the world behind only the [[RBS]] from the Kingdom of Sierra in regards to size. It operates television and radio stations across both the UK and abroad in its overseas territories and its domestic services are funded with a {{W|Television licensing in the United Kingdom|television license}}. The {{W|BBC World Service}} is an {{W|international broadcast}} owned and operated by the BBC and is the largest in the world alongside [[RBS World Broadcasting]], where it broadcasts radio news, speeches, and discussion in over 40 different languages.

Other major television broadcasting companies in the UK include [[ITV]], operating 11 out of 15 regional television broadcasters in the country that make up [[ITV Network]] and {{W|Sky UK}}. Notable newspapers produced and printed in the UK include ''{{W|The Daily Mail}}'', ''{{W|The Guardian}}'', ''{{W|The Telegraph}}'', ''{{W|The Times}}'', and the ''{{W|Financial Times}}''. Notable magazine and journals published in the United Kingdom include ''{{W|The Spectator}}'', ''{{W|The Economist}}'', ''{{W|New Statesman}}'', and the ''{{W|Radio Times}}'', all of which have since achieved worldwide recognition and circulation.
[[File:Media_City_Footbridge_and_BBC_Offices_(geograph_2685261).jpg|thumb|220px|right|{{W|MediaCityUK}} in {{W|Salford}}, {{W|Grater Manchester}}, is one of the largest media production centers in all of Europe.]]
London dominates the British media sector with national newspaper, television, and radio networks and outlets largely being based in the city, although {{W|MediaCityUK}} located in {{W|Salford}} of the {{W|Greater Manchester}} area is a major national media production center and one of the largest in all of Europe. Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Cardiff are also other major centers of media production and are the main centers of media production for Scotland and Wales respectively. The British publishing sector, which includes books, directories and databases, magazines, journals, business media, newspapers and news media, has combined revenue of £20 billion and employed 167,000 people nationwide. In 2015 the UK published 2,710 book titles per one million inhabitants, more than any other country in the world, with a notable portion of these books being exported to other Anglophone countries.

In 2010, 82.5% of British citizens were internet users, the [[List of countries by number of internet users (Altverse II)|highest proportion]] amongst the 20 countries that were surveyed that year with the largest total number of internet users in that year. The {{W|Video games in the United Kingdom|British video gaming industry}} is the largest in Europe and the {{W|Video game industry|largest video game market}} in Europe by sales, behind only [[Germany]], in 2022. The UK was also listed as the third largest producer of video games in the world behind only [[Japan]] and the [[Kingdom of Sierra]].
===Sports===
{{Main|Great Britain at the Olympics}}
[[File:City_vs_United_FA_Cup_final_2023.jpg|thumb|left|240px|The {{W|2023 FA Cup final}} at {{W|Wembley Stadium}} between {{W|Manchester City}} and {{W|Manchester United}}.]]
{{W|Sport in the United Kingdom}} is one of the country's main pastimes and a core component of British culture. {{W|Association football}}, {{W|tennis}}, {{W|badminton}}, {{W|rugby}}, {{W|table tennis}}, {{W|rugby league}}, {{W|rugby sevens}}, {{W|boxing}}, {{W|golf}}, {{W|netball}}, {{W|water polo}}, {{W|billiards}}, {{W|field hockey}}, {{W|darts}}, {{W|rowing}}, {{W|rounders}}, and {{W|cricket}} either originated or were substantially developed in the UK with the rules and codes of many modern sports being codified during the Victorian Era and remain some of the main sports played in the UK.

A poll from 2003 found that association football was the most popular sport in the UK with England being recognized as the birthplace of the original football club in the {{W|Football Association}}, recognized as such by {{W|FIFA}} and is the oldest of its kind with the {{W|Rules of the Game|rules of football}} being first drafted in 1863 by {{W|Ebenezer Cobb Morley}}. Each of the {{W|Home Nations}} (England, Scotland, and Wales) have their own individual football associations, national teams, and {{W|league system}} with each being individually governed by a governing member of the {{W|International Football Association Board}} alongside FIFA. The {{W|Premier League}}, England's top division, is the most watched football league in the world with the first international football match occurring on 30 November 1872 between England and Scotland. England, Scotland, and Wales each compete in international competitions, usually as separate countries.

Within that same 2003 poll, rugby union was ranked the second most popular sport in the UK, a sport that was first created in the UK in the {{W|Rugby School}}, Warwickshire, with the {{W|Rugby union match played between Scotland and England|first rugby international match}} being played between Scotland and England on 27 March 1871. {{W|England national ruby union team|England}}, {{W|Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland}}, {{W|Wales national ruby union team|Wales}}, {{W|Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland}}, {{W|France national rugby union team|France}}, and {{W|Italy national rugby union team|Italy}} all participate at the {{W|Six Nations Championship}}, the premier international rugby union tournament in the {{W|Northern Hemisphere}}. {{W|Sports governing bodies}} in {{W|Rugby union in England|England}}, {{W|Rugby union in Scotland|Scotland}}, and {{W|Rugby union in Wales|Wales}} organize and regulate the games individually and every four years, the combined teams of the Home Nations and Ireland make a combined team known as the {{W|British and Irish Lions}} that tours in {{W|Oceania}} and [[South Africa]].

The United Kingdom has participated in the [[Olympic Games]] since their inception in 1892 and has hosted the [[1950 Summer Olympics]] after cancelling the [[1932 Summer Olympics]] due to the outbreak of the Great War, being hosted in the British capital of London. The UK is also a leading participate in the [[Commonwealth Games]] among other members of the Commonwealth of Nations with Birmingham being the host city for the [[2022 Commonwealth Games]]. Each Home Nation has hosted at least one Commonwealth Game since their inception.
===Symbols===
[[File:Queen_Elizabeth_II_Platinum_Jubilee_2022_-_Platinum_Pageant_(52123378222).jpg|thumb|right|240px|Union Jacks being displayed at {{W|The Mall, London}} during a royal parade.]]
The {{W|Union Jack}} is the official flag of the United Kingdom and one of Britain's most notable symbols. First created in 1606, the Union Jack was created as a superimposition of the {{W|flag of England}} with the {{W|Cross of Saint Saint George|cross}} of {{W|Saint George}} and the {{W|flag of Scotland}} representing {{W|Saint Andrew}}. The flag was updated in 1801 with the addition of {{W|Saint Patrick's flag}} of Ireland upon its ascension into the union as a constituent country of the UK before being removed in 1925 following Ireland's secession. Wales its not represented on the Union Jack due to it having been conquered and annexed by England prior to the formation of the United Kingdom in 1707, though the possibility of redesigning the flag to incorporate Wales has been discussed since 1925, the most recent major attempt being in 2007. {{W|God Save the King}} is the {{W|national anthem}} of the UK, with King being replaced with Queen in the event the monarch is a woman.

{{W|Britannia}} is the {{W|national personification}} of the United Kingdom, first originating in {{W|Roman Britain}} and has persisted into the present day. Outside of Britannia, {{W|The Lion and the Unicorn}} and the {{W|Welsh dragon}} are other common and prominent British symbols with the {{W|bulldog}} being an iconic animal from Britain, commonly represented with the Union Jack. A more rare personification of Britain is an 18th century character called {{W|John Bull}}, who has represented both England and Britain alike.

Alongside the UK as a whole, {{W|National symbols of England|England}}, {{W|National symbols of Scotland|Scotland}}, and {{W|National symbols of Wales|Wales}} all have their own distinct and unique national symbols to represent the respective constituent countries along with their histories, cultures, and traditions, including their own flags. Even after Ireland left in 1925, Irish symbols have been present in the UK among Irish nationals living within the country and especially among [[Ulster Britons]] with their own flags and other symbols.

==See also==
*[[Outline of the United Kingdom]]
**[[Outline of England]]
**[[Outline of Scotland]]
**[[Outline of Wales]]
*[[Index of United Kingdom-related articles]]
*{{W|Historiography of the United Kingdom}}
*{{W|Historiography of the British Empire}}
*{{W|United Kingdom–Crown Dependencies Customs Union}}

[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British Islands]]
[[Category:Countries in Europe]]
[[Category:Island countries]]
[[Category:Member states of NTO]]
[[Category:Member states of the European Community]]
[[Category:Member states of the League of Nations]]
[[Category:Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations]]
[[Category:English-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Western European countries]]
[[Category:Northern European countries]]
[[Category:G8 nations]]
[[Category:G20 nations]]
[[Category:British Isles]]
[[Category:Christian states]]

United Kingdom

2025-11-11T02:10:00Z

XXX:

{{Icons|Altverse II}}
{{Infobox country
|conventional_long_name = United Kingdom of Great Britain
|common_name = United Kingdom<br>Great Britain
|image_flag = Flag of Great Britain (1707–1800).svg
|image_coat = Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom (Altverse II).svg
|national_anthem = "{{W|God Save the King}}"<br>[[File:United States Navy Band - God Save the Queen.ogg]]
|image_map = [[File:United Kingdom (Altverse II).svg|300px]]
|capital = {{W|London}}
|largest_city = capital
|official_languages = {{W|English language|English}}
|regional_languages = {{W|Scots}} {{*}} {{W|Ulster Scots}} {{*}} {{W|Welsh language|Welsh}} {{*}} {{W|Cornish language|Cornish}} {{*}} {{W|Scottish Gaelic}} {{*}} {{W|Irish language|Irish}} {{*}} {{W|British Sign Language}}

|membership = {{Bulleted list|
|[[File:Flag of England.svg|22px|border]] '''England'''
|[[File:Flag of Scotland.svg|22px|border]] '''Scotland'''
|[[File:Flag of Wales.svg|22px|border]] '''Wales'''
}}

|ethnic_groups = {{Unbulleted list
|83.0% {{W|White people in the United Kingdom|White}}
|8.6% {{W|Asian British|Asian}}
|3.7% {{W|Black British people|Black}}
|2.7% {{W|Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category|Mixed}}
|2.0% Other
}}
|ethnic_groups_year = 2021
|religion = {{Unbulleted list
|{{Tree list}}
* 53.6% {{W|Christianity in the United Kingdom|Christianity}}{{efn|While not the official state religion, the {{W|Church of England}}, {{W|Church of Scotland}}, and {{W|Church of Wales}} are the official state churches in all three countries.}}
** 43.2% {{W|Protestantism in the United Kingdom|Protestantism}}
** 9.2% [[Catholicism in the United Kingdom|Catholicism]]
** 1.2% {{W|Christian denomination|Other Christian}}
{{Tree list/end}}
|31.8% {{W|Irreligion in the United Kingdom|Irreligion}}
|5.5% {{W|Islam in the United Kingdom|Islam}}
|1.6% {{W|Hinduism in the United Kingdom|Hinduism}}
|1.3% {{W|British Jews|Judaism}}
|0.8% {{W|Sikhism in the United Kingdom|Sikhism}}
|0.4% {{W|Buddhism in the United Kingdom|Buddhism}}
|5.0% Other or unstated
}}
|religion_year = 2021
|demonym = {{W|British people|British}} {{*}} Briton {{*}} Brit (colloquial)
|government_type = {{W|Unitary state|Unitary}} {{W|Westminster system|parliamentary constitutional monarchy}}
|leader_title1 = [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King]]
|leader_name1 = [[George V]]
|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name2 = [[Aiden B. Starmer]]
|legislature = [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]]
|upper_house = [[House of Lords]]
|lower_house = [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]
|sovereignty_type = {{W|Formation of the United Kingdom|Establishment}}
|established_event1 = {{W|Laws in Wales Act}}
|established_date1 = 1535 and 1542
|established_event2 = {{W|Union of the Crowns}}
|established_date2 = 24 March 1603
|established_event3 = {{W|Treaty of Union}}
|established_date3 = 22 July 1706
|established_event4 = {{W|Acts of Union|Acts of Union of England and Scotland}}
|established_date4 = 1 May 1707
|established_event5 = {{W|Acts of Union of Great Britain and Ireland}}
|established_date5 = 1 January 1801
|established_event6 = [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]]
|established_date6 = 6 November 1925
|area_km2 = 209,331
|area_sq_mi = 80,823
|area_rank = 9th
|percent_water = 1.3%
|population_census = {{UP}} 61,284,529
|population_census_year = 2021
|population_estimate = {{UP}} 64,109,428
|population_estimate_year = 2025
|population_density_km2 = 281
|population_density_sq_mi = 727
|population_density_rank = 28th
|GDP_PPP = {{UP}} $4.45 trillion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 10th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2025
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{UP}} $63,661
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 28th
|GDP_nominal = {{UP}} 3.84 trillion
|GDP_nominal_rank = 6th
|GDP_nominal_year = 2025
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{UP}} $54,949
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 18th
|Gini = 35.4
|Gini_ref =
|Gini_rank =
|Gini_change = decrease
|Gini_year = 2021
|HDI_year = 2023
|HDI = 0.95
|HDI_change = increase
|HDI_rank = 13th
|HDI_ref =
|currency = {{W|Pound sterling}} ({{W|Pound sign|£}})
|currency_code = GBP
|time_zone = {{W|Coordinated Universal Time|UTC (Greenwich Mean Time, WET)}}
|time_zone_DST = {{W|Coordinated Universal Time|UTC (British Summer Time, WEST)}}
|utc_offset_DST = +1
|date_format = {{Abbr|dd|day}}/{{Abbr|mm|month}}/{{Abbr|yyyy|year}} ({{W|Anno Domini|AD}})
|drives_on = left
|cctld = .uk
|iso3166code = GB
|calling_code = [[+44]]
|patron_saint = 
|footnotes = <references group="lower-alpha"/>
}}
The '''United Kingdom (UK)''', officially the '''United Kingdom of Great Britain''' and commonly known as '''Great Britain (GB)''' and '''Britain''', is a country and {{W|sovereign state}} in {{W|Northwestern Europe}}, just off the coast of the {{W|Continental Europe|European mainland}}. It is a union of [[England (Altverse II)|England]], [[Scotland]], and [[Wales]] and is located the island of {{W|Great Britain}} and {{W|List of islands of the United Kingdom|most smaller islands}} in the {{W|British Isles}}, covering 94,354 square miles (244,376 km2). An island nation, the UK is surrounded by the {{W|Atlantic Ocean}}, the {{W|English Channel}}, the {{W|North Sea}}, the {{W|Celtic Sea}}, and the {{W|Irish Sea}}. The UK also maintains sovereignty over several islands located in the oceans of and seas across the globe, known officially as [[British Overseas Territories]]. The 2021 UK census had a population of 61.3 million people, while 2025 estimates have the total British population at 64.1 million people with {{W|London}}, the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, serving as the country's largest city while {{W|Edinburgh}} and {{W|Cardiff}} are the capitals of Scotland and Wales respectively.

Human habitation in the United Kingdom has been consistent since the {{W|Neolithic}} period. In 43 AD, the {{W|Roman Empire}} began its {{W|Roman conquest of Britain|conquest of Britain}} and completed it in 84 AD, ruling Britain {{W|Roman Britain|as a province}} until their {{W|Sub-Roman Britain|formal departure}} and was followed up by {{W|Anglo-Saxon settlement}}. In 1066, the {{W|Norman conquest|Normans conquered England}} lead by {{W|William the Conquerer}}. Following the {{W|War of the Roses}}, the {{W|Kingdom of England}} was stabilized and grew to become a major power, resulting in the {{W|Laws in Wales Acts|annexation of Wales}} in the 16th century and lead to the establishment of the {{W|British Empire}}. After this creation, the young British Empire would go one to {{W|British colonization of the Americas|colonize much of the Americas}} and established a series of colonies in {{W|North America}} commonly known as {{W|British America}}, most well known constituent part being the {{W|Thirteen Colonies}}. The 17th century saw the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarchy]] facing political challenges and being reduced, resulting in the {{W|English Civil War}} which saw the {{W|Roundhead|Parliamentarians}} emerge victorious and the formation of the {{W|Commonwealth of England}} under {{W|Oliver Cromwell}}, a {{W|republic|republican}} state that governed the country until the {{W|Stuart Restoration}} of 1660 that saw the return of monarchal rule. In 1707, the {{W|Treaty of Union}} was signed that saw the Kingdom of England and the {{W|Kingdom of Scotland}} to merge into a single unified state known as the {{W|Kingdom of Great Britain}}, the first incarnation of what would become the United Kingdom. The {{W|Georgian era}} saw the consolidation of the monarchy as the governing institution of the country and the establishment of the office of [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|prime minister]]. The {{W|Acts of Union 1800}} saw Great Britain merge with the {{W|Kingdom of Ireland}} to form the {{W|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland}} that lasted until the 1920s when [[Ireland]] gained independence via the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]].

The UK became the {{W|History of industrialisation|first country to industrialize}} and became the world's {{W|foremost power}} in the aftermath of the {{W|Napoleonic Wars}}, reigning as the sole {{W|superpower}} of the world between 1815 and 1912 in a period known as ''{{W|Pax Britannica}}''. The British Empire was a premier power throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, serving as the premier {{W|economic power}} and further supported by {{W|British Agricultural Revolution|agricultural prosperity}}, massive industrial capabilities, role as the dominant {{W|trading nation}}, and significant technological innovations and achievements along with {{W|19th-century London}} becoming the world's top financial center. The British Empire would reach its territorial peak by the late 1910s, being the {{W|List of largest empires|largest empire in recorded history}} and controlling a quarter of the world's territory in four continents. Britain was also the {{W|Economy of the British Empire|world's leading economic power}} from the 19th century and into the 20th century, however its [[United Kingdom in the Great War|military involvement]] in the [[Great War]] had damaged Britain's economic power and gradually lead to the {{W|decolonization}} of {{W|Asia}} and {{W|Africa}}, resulting in the end of the British Empire by the 1970s and surviving only through various island and overseas territories, now known as British Overseas Territories.

The United Kingdom is a {{W|constitutional monarchy}} and {{W|parliamentary democracy}} with three district legal jurisdictions in England, Wales, and Scotland. Since 1999, Britain has operated under a {{W|Devolution in the United Kingdom|system of devolution}} that grants each constituent country their own autonomous governments, parliaments, and control over district legal and political matters within their own internal borders. A {{W|developed country}} with an {{W|Economy of the United Kingdom|advanced high-income economy}}, the UK ranks among one of the largest economies in the world by GDP and is one of the world's largest importers and exporters. A nuclear armed state with one of the world's largest defense budgets, the [[British Armed Forces]] is one of the strongest militaries in both Europe and the world. {{W|Anglicisation|Britain's soft power influence}} can be seen worldwide in the legal and political systems of its former colonies. {{W|Culture of the United Kingdom|British culture}} remains one of the most influential in the world, being seen in {{W|English language|its language}}, {{W|British literature|literature}}, {{W|Music of the United Kingdom|music}}, and {{W|Sport in the United Kingdom|sports}}. Britain is part of several international organizations such as the [[League of Nations]], serving as one of the [[Permanent members of the League of Nations Security Council|five permanent members]] of the [[League of Nations Security Council]], the [[European Community]], the [[World Trade Organization]], and several other organizations and bodies.

==Etymology and terminology==
The {{W|Acts of Union 1707}} declared that the {{W|Kingdom of England}} and {{W|Kingdom of Scotland}} were "United into One Kingdom by the Name of {{W|Great Britain}}. The term "United Kingdom" has been used occasionally as a description for the former kingdom of Great Britain, although the official name of the country was "Great Britain" from 1707 to 1800. The {{W|Acts of Union 1800}} united the kingdoms of Great Britain and {{W|Kingdom of Ireland|Ireland}} into the {{W|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland}}. Following the secession of Ireland and the [[Treaty of Belfast]], the name was changed to the "United Kingdom of Great Britain".

Although the United Kingdom is a sovereign country, {{w|England}}, {{w|Scotland}} and {{w|Wales}} are also widely referred to as countries. The UK Prime Minister's website has used the phrase "countries within a country" to describe the United Kingdom. Some statistical summaries, such as those for the {{w|International Territorial Level|twelve NUTS 1 regions of the United Kingdom}} refer to Scotland and Wales as "regions".

The term "Great Britain" conventionally refers to the island of Great Britain, or politically to England, Scotland and Wales in combination. It is sometimes used as a loose synonym for the United Kingdom as a whole.

The {{W|Britain (place name)|term "Britain"}} is used both as a synonym for Great Britain, and as a synonym for the United Kingdom. Usage is mixed: the UK Government prefers to use the term "UK" rather than "Britain" or "British" on its own website (except when referring to embassies), while acknowledging that both terms refer to the United Kingdom and that elsewhere "British government" is used at least as frequently as "United Kingdom government". The UK {{W|Permanent Committee on Geographical Names for British Official Use|Permanent Committee on Geographical Names}} recognises "United Kingdom", "UK" and "U.K." as shortened and abbreviated geopolitical terms for the United Kingdom of Great Britain in its toponymic guidelines, though it does not list "Britain".

The adjective "British" is commonly used to refer to matters relating to the United Kingdom and is used in law to refer to United Kingdom citizenship and {{W|British nationality law|matters to do with nationality}}. People of the United Kingdom use a number of different terms to describe their national identity and may identify themselves as being {{W|British people|British}}, {{W|English people|English}}, {{W|Scottish people|Scottish}} or {{W|Welsh people|Welsh}}; or as having a combination of different national identities. The official designation for a citizen of the United Kingdom is "British citizen".

==History==
{{Main|History of the United Kingdom}}
===Prior to the Treaty of Union===
[[File:Stonehenge2007 07 30.jpg|thumb|left|210px|{{W|Stonehenge}}, a ring of stones in {{W|Wiltshire}} that was built around 2400–2200 BC.]]
Settlement of what would become the United Kingdom was carried out by the {{W|Cro-Magnons}}, the first earl humans who settled the modern day island in waves around 30,000 years ago with the island having been continuously habited since the last retreat of the ice 11,500 years ago. By the end of {{W|Prehistoric Britain|Britain's prehistoric period}}, the population of Britain is thought to have belonged to an ancient culture known as the {{W|Insular Celtic}} that comprised {{W|Brittonic Britain}} and {{W|Gaelic Ireland}}. Beginning in 43 AD, the {{W|Roman Empire}} began a {{W|Roman conquest of Britain|formal conquest}} of Britain, starting under Emperor {{W|Claudius}} and ending in 84 AD, consolidating a {{W|Roman Britain|400-year long rule}} of the region as a province of the Roman Empire named ''Britannica''.

Four centuries of Roman rule in Britain was followed up by an invasion by the {{W|Germanic peoples|Germanic}} {{W|Anglo-Saxons}} who conquered much of the region and reduced the Brittonic area into what is now known as [[Wales]], [[Cornwall]], and {{W|Hen Ogledd}} before the later stages of Anglo-Saxon settlement in Britain (northern England and parts of southern Scotland). The majority of the {{W|Anglo-Saxon Britain|region settled by the Anglo-Saxons}} would unify into what would become the {{W|Kingdom of England}} by the 10th century. Meanwhile, {{W|Dál Riata|the Gaelic-speaking areas}} of northwestern England (with connections to northeastern Ireland and traditionally supposed to have migrated in the 5th century) would unite with the {{W|Picts}} to create the {{W|Kingdom of Scotland}} in the 9th century.
[[File:Bayeux Tapestry scene57 Harold death.jpg|Depiction of the {{W|Battle of Hastings}} on the {{W|Bayeux Tapestry}}.|thumb|right|210px]]
In 1066 the {{W|Normans}} would invade England from northern France and after {{W|Norman conquest|conquering England}}, they went on to seize {{W|Norman invasion of Wales|large parts of Wales}}, {{W|Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland|took much of Ireland}}, and were invited to settle in Scotland. This resulted in the Normans bringing {{W|feudalism}} to each country on the {{W|British Isles}} based on the Northern French model and the {{W|Norman-French}} culture. The {{W|Anglo-Normans|Anglo-Norman}} {{W|ruling class}} greatly influenced the local cultures on the island, but would later be assimilated into these cultures. The subsequent English kings of the {{W|House of Planagenet}} would {{W|Conquest of Wales by Edward I|complete the conquest of Wales}} under King {{W|Edward I of England}}. This was followed up by several {{W|Scottish Wars of Independence|attempts at conquest}} of Scotland that was unsuccessful. The Kingdom of Scotland would assert its independence via the {{W|Declaration of Arbroath}} of 1320, but entered into a {{W|Anglo-Scottish Wars|state of near-constant war}} against England. In 1215, the {{W|Magna Carta}} was ratified which declared that no government was above the law, that all citizens have rights protecting them, and all citizens were entitled to a {{W|fair trial}}, the first of such documents to be made.

The English monarchs laid claim to the French crown with the {{W|Angevin Empire}}, a substantial territories owned by England within France, and was involved in a {{W|Anglo-French Wars|long series of conflicts}} with the {{W|Kingdom of France}}, most notably the {{W|Hundred Years' War}} which saw the {{W|Monarchy of Scotland|King of the Scots}} forming {{W|Auld Alliance|an alliance with France}} during this period. {{W|Early modern Britain}} saw religious conflicts within the country stemming from the {{W|Reformation}} and the introduction of {{W|Protestant}} churches within the country. This would usher in the {{W|English Reformation}} and saw widespread political, social, cultural, and constitutional changes in the country such as the creation and {{W|State religion|establishment}} of the {{W|Church of England}}. This would define England's national identity and slowly, but profoundly, changed the religious beliefs of the English people. Wales was {{W|Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542|formally incorporated into England}} while Ireland was constituted as a kingdom in personal union with the English crown. Under king {{W|James VI and I}}, the Irish province of {{W|Ulster}} was {{W|Plantation of Ulster|colonized by Protestant settlers}} with lands owned by the independent Gaelic nobility being seized and given to said Protestant settlers from England and Scotland. In 1603, {{W|James VI and I|James VI of Scotland}} inherited the crowns of England, Scotland, and Ireland and organized the three kingdoms into a {{W|personal union}} under his leadership as king of the three kingdoms and move his royal court from Edinburgh to London, however each country nonetheless remained political independent and retained their own separate legal, political, and religious systems and institutions.

During the mid-17th century, all three kingdoms became engulfed by a {{W|Wars of the Three Kingdoms|series of interconnected wars}} (the {{W|English Civil War}} included) that consumed the British Isles and saw the temporary overthrow of the monarchy with the {{W|Execution of Charles I|public execution}} of {{W|Charles I of England|King Charles I}}. This saw the rise of the {{W|Commonwealth of England}}, a {{W|unitary republic}} that governed the British Isles with {{W|Oliver Cromwell}} becoming the head of state of the isles as {{W|lord protector}} of {{W|The Protectorate}} that administered all three countries. The monarchy was restored via the {{W|Stuart Restoration}} of 1660 with {{W|Charles II of England|Charles II}} assuming the throne. The {{W|Interregnum}}, along with the 1688 {{W|Glorious Restoration}}, the {{W|Bill of Rights 1689}} in England, and {{W|Claim of Right Act 1689}} in Scotland ensured that {{W|Absolute monarchy|royal absolutism}} wouldn't take shape in the British Isles unlike in the rest of Europe, though a professed Catholic was barred from holding the throne. The {{W|Constitution of the United Kingdom|British constitution}} would develop on a basis of {{W|Constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarchism}} and under a {{W|parliamentary system}}. With the creation of the {{W|Royal Society}} in 1660, science was greatly encouraged in the country. During this period, especially in England, a combination of the development of naval power in the early [[Royal Navy]] and interest in {{W|Age of Discovery|overseas voyages and discovery}} lead the acquisition and settlement of several overseas colonies, in particular in North America and the Caribbean.

Previous attempts were made to merge the kingdom of England and Scotland in 1606, 1667, and 1689 which were all unsuccessful. Despite this, another attempt was made in 1705 that beared fruit in the form of the {{W|Treaty of Union}}. The agreement was agreed upon in 1706 and was ratified by the English and Scottish parliaments, unifying both countries into one state.
===Union of England and Scotland===
[[File:Articles of Union 1707.jpg|thumb|left|210px|The {{W|Treaty of Union}} unified the English and Scottish kingdoms on 1 May 1707.]]
The {{W|Kingdom of Great Britain}} was created on 1 May 1707 after the {{W|Acts of Union 1707}} that formally established the new state after being ratified by England and Scotland. The 18th century saw the cabinet government of {{W|Robert Walpole}} become the ''de-facto'' first prime minister (1721–1742). A series of {{W|Jacobitism|Jacobite uprisings}} broke out across the country in an attempt to remove the Protestant {{W|House of Hanover}} and restore the Catholic {{W|House of Stuart}} to the throne. The Jacobite rebels were eventually defeated at the {{W|Battle of Culloden}} in 1746, after which the {{W|Highlands|Scottish Highlanders}} formally relinquished the independence of their feudal {{W|Clan chief|clan chiefs}} and were forcibly assimilated into Scotland. Britain would continue to expand their colonial holdings in North America, but came into territorial disputes with the French over vague boundaries between the {{W|Thirteen Colonies}} of {{W|British America}} and {{W|New France}}. This lead to the outbreak of the {{W|French and Indian War}} (1754–1763) which was followed up by the {{W|Seven Years' War}} (1756–1763) where Britain fought against France along with their respective allies. The war would end in a British and allied victory and Britain annexing New France into British America. Britain would eventually lose control of their American colonies in the {{W|American Revolutionary War}} (1775–1783), resulting in Britain turning its imperial and colonial ambitions towards Asia, in particular [[India]].

Between 1662 and 1807, British merchants played a major role in the {{W|Atlantic slave trade}} where British and British colonial {{W|slave ships}} transported nearly 3.3 million African slaves to their American colonies. Said slaves were forced to {{W|Plantation economy|work on plantations}} in both North America and the Caribbean in the {{W|British West Indies}}. Despite this, pressure from the {{W|Abolitionism in the United Kingdom|British abolitionist movement}} successfully convinced Parliament to formally outlaw slavery in Britain in 1807 before banning slavery in the entire British Empire in 1833. Britain would take a leading role in ending the slave trader with the Royal Navy enforcing the {{W|Blockade of Africa|blockade of Africa}} with the seizure of slave ships into and from Africa and the British government pressuring other nations to end their participation in the slave trade via a series of various treaties, including the [[United States (Altverse II)|United States]].
===United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland===
{{Main|United Kingdom in the Western European War}}
[[File:Coronation portrait of Queen Victoria 1838.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Queen Victoria|Victoria]] reigned as [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Queen of the United Kingdom]] and {{W|Empress of India}} in the 19th century's {{W|Victorian Era}}.]]
In 1800, the parliaments of both Great Britain and Ireland ratified the {{W|Acts of Union 1800|Acts of Union}} which united both countries into new country on 1 January 1801; the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Britain remained one of Europe's foremost powers and found itself involved in a series of conflicts against France as a result of the {{W|French Revolution}}. Backing French royalist counterrevolutionaries, Britain came into conflict with both {{W|French First Republic|Revolutionary France}} and later the {{W|First French Empire}} under {{W|Napoleon}}, with Britain being Napoleon's biggest enemy throughout the Revolutionary and {{W|Napoleonic Era|Napoleonic eras}}.

After Britain emerged victorious in the {{W|French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars}} (1792–1815), the United Kingdom emerged as the world's premier naval and imperial power with London becoming the largest city in the world in 1830. Left unchallenged at sea, Britain emerged in the mid-1810s as the world's sole {{W|superpower}} and had a world-spanning global hegemony with the peace and British influence of this period being referred to as ''{{W|Pax Britannica}}'' ("British Peace") that lasted between 1815 until 1912. Outside of Britain's global military and political influence, this period was also defined by a {{W|International relations (1815–1914)|period of peace between the great powers}} as Britain reigned as the world's first superpower and took on the role as the {{W|World's police|world's policeman}}. After its last war against the United States in the {{W|War of 1812}}, Britain was involved in the {{W|Crimean War}} where they sided with France and the [[Ottoman Empire]] against the {{W|Russian Empire}}, participated in naval operations in the {{W|Åland War}} in the {{W|Gulf of Bothnia}} and {{W|Gulf of Finland}}, among others. The {{W|Indian Rebellion of 1857}} saw Britain deploy its military to suppress the uprising and assume {{W|direct rule}} over India proper under {{W|Lord Palmerston}}. Alongside the formal control over its overseas colonies, Britain dominated global trade to such a degree that it {{W|Informal empire|effectively controlled the economies}} of {{W|East Asia}} and {{W|Latin America}} in another sign of its extensive global influence.

Throughout the {{W|Victorian Era}} (1837–1901), British political attitudes favored {{W|free trade}} and ''{{W|laissez-faire}}'' economic policies. Starting in 1832 with the {{W|Great Reform Act}}, the British Parliament gradually {{W|Reform Acts|expanding enfranchisement}}, with the {{W|1884 Reform Act}} by {{W|William Gladstone}} granting {{W|suffrage}} to a majority of British men for the first time. The British population increased at a dramatic rate which, combined with rapid {{W|industrialization}}, caused significant social and economic stress in the country. During the late 19th century, the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] under prime minister {{W|Benjamin Disraeli}} and {{W|Lord Salisbury}} participated in the [[Scramble for Africa]], the imperial expansion and colonization of much of the {{W|Africa|African continent}} following the {{W|Berlin Conference}} of 1884. This saw Britain colonize the largest portion of African territory next to France and control over the {{W|Nile River}} via influence on the [[Kingdom of Egypt]], which was a British {{W|protectorate}} at the time. Outside of African colonization, Britain maintained a policy of "{{W|splendid isolation}}" in Europe, sought to contain the influence of the {{W|Russian Empire}} in the {{W|Middle East}} in what was coined the {{W|Great Game}}, and game self-governance status to many of its colonies. By the turn of the 20th century, Britain remained the dominant power in the world, but its status was being challenged by the emerging states of [[Germany]] in Europe, the [[United Commonwealth (1866–1921)|United Commonwealth of America]] in the {{W|Atlantic}}, and the [[Kingdom of Sierra]] in Asia. While maintaining the policy of splendid isolation, Britain would discontinue it in 1902 as it engaged in diplomatic outreach towards several countries in Europe such as Russia and France where the {{W|Entente Cordiale}} in 1904, formalizing an alliance between the two countries and later with [[Portugal]] in an attempt counter the influence of the German Empire.
[[File:British recruits August 1914 Q53234.jpg|thumb|left|240px|British Army volunteers from {{W|London}} awaiting payment at {{W|Saint Martin-in-the-Fields}}, August 1912.]]
In 1911, the {{W|Agadir Crisis}} occurred in [[Morocco]] where a major political and diplomatic crisis broke out after the [[French Army]] was deployed to Morocco in an attempt to suppress an anti-colonial uprising in the area, a colony that Germany had notable interests in. While France promised to protect German interests and only suppress the rebellion, it seized control of the Moroccan government and effectively placed it under French control. In response, the [[German Navy]] sent a warship that fired on French positions and resulted in a declaration of war being filed by both Britain and France against Germany, beginning the [[Western European War]]. While early battles occurred in the Atlantic and off the coast of Northwest Africa, fighting occurred in Europe in early 1912. Britain initially refrained from fighting a ground war in Europe, it was the usage of {{W|unrestricted submarine warfare}} by German Navy {{W|U-boat|u-boats}} that forced the deployment of British forces to fight in Europe, resulting in the formation of the [[British Expeditionary Forces]] (BEF) under {{W|Lord Kitchener}} to assist the French Army against Germany among the [[France–Germany border|Franco-German border]] and around France's territory of [[Walloonia]] near the [[Netherlands]]. British troops landed in northern France and saw heavy combat in {{W|Flanders}} against the German Army. The Royal Navy saw combat against the Imperial German Navy as well, both in the North Atlantic and the {{W|North Sea}}. The {{W|Royal Flying Corps}} saw its first major combat in the war against the Imperial German Aviation Corps (future [[German Air Force]]) as well, giving experience that would lead to the formation of the [[Royal Air Force]] after the war. The Western European War also saw Britain develop the first {{W|tank}} as well during the costly [[Battle of the Somme]], the bloodiest land campaign in British Army and military history.

By 1916 the heavy casualties of the Somme campaign combined with a lack of notable gains as a result of these sacrifices caused widespread discontent back home in Britain, made worse by the expansion of conscription into the British Armed Forces. The [[Battle of Verdun]], the largest and climactic battle of the war, would see France suffer a costly defeat and the British government convincing France to come to the negotiating table. Beginning in 1917, negotiations on a {{W|ceasefire}} began and ended in April of that year with the [[Treaty of Copenhagen (1917)|Treaty of Copenhagen]] thanks to mediation from the [[Union of Scandinavia]]. The treaty ended the war and allowed Britain to return their troops back to the country, the last troops returning home before the end of the year. Britain suffered heavy casualties in the war with over 800,000 soldiers dead (including the colonies) and another 860,000 being wounded, a total casualty count of 1.66 million troops.

===Irish Revolution and Great War===
{{Main|Irish Revolution|History of the United Kingdom during the Great War}}
[[File:The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville Street after the Easter Rising (6937669789).jpg|thumb|240px|right|Th ruins of {{W|O'Connell Street}} in {{W|Dublin}} following the [[Easter Revolution]], 1918.]]
Ireland had been a constituent country of the UK since 1800 with the late 19th century seeing the emergence of the {{W|Irish nationalism|Irish nationalist}} and {{W|Irish republicanism|republican movements}} in response to decades of discrimination and other acts of mistreatment of Irish citizens by the British government under UK control as well as previous historic atrocities committed against the Irish by past British states in previous centuries. This culminated in the beginning of the {{W|Irish home rule movement}} in 1870 to push for Ireland to be grated {{W|home rule}} by London and an end of direct administration of Ireland by the British government based in England. After decades of debate and discussion, home rule was granted to Ireland in 1912 with the {{W|Third Home Rule Bill}} by the British Parliament, triggering the {{W|Home Rule Crisis}} in response to political and armed discontent by {{W|British unionism|British unionists}} in {{W|Ulster}}. Tensions grew and culminated in Ireland between 1912 and 1916 marked by Irish nationalists organizing into armed groups such as the {{W|Irish volunteers}} and {{W|Irish Citizens Army}} among others while the British Army was deployed to reinforce Ireland amid impending conflict, escalating deployment in 1916 following the [[Proclamation of the Irish Republic]] by the [[Irish Socialist Labour Party]], the {{W|Irish Republican Brotherhood}}, and other organizations, operating out of {{W|Dublin}} after declaring it the state's new capital. Armed conflict between British Army and Irish republican militias intensified and culminated in 1918 with the [[Easter Revolution]], an armed rebellion in Dublin and other areas of Ireland by Irish nationalists during {{W|Easter}} that year. The uprising was defeated, but Irish revolutionaries retained a presence in other parts of Ireland and garnered a strong following among much of the Irish population, especially following harsh reprisals by the British military as retribution for the rebellion, but marked the start of the [[Irish Revolution]].

The subsequent [[Irish War of Independence]] had occurred amidst a [[Revolutions of 1917–1923|series of revolutions]] that occurred across the world and were inspired by the socialist revolutions in countries like the [[United Commonwealth]], [[Italy]], and [[Austria]]. The Irish Socialist Labour Party quickly rose as the leading force of the revolution which compelled Britain to intensify its military response in Ireland along with supporting pro-unionist militias and other Irish collaborators and security units such as the {{W|Royal Irish Constabulary}} and the {{W|Black and tans}}. Throughout the Irish Revolution, the British military and Irish collaborators committed numerous war crimes and atrocities, especially by the Black and tans and other Irish unionists, in an attempt to crush the uprising. In 1922, the Irish Republic was declared a {{W|socialist state}} under the ISLP's leadership via the [[Treaty on the Creation of the Irish Socialist Republic|creation treaty]] and declared a people's revolution to liberate Ireland and repulse the British, declaring their struggle an {{W|Anti-colonialism|anti-colonial}} {{W|Wars of national liberation|war of liberation}} to end centuries of British colonial rule and exploitation. Irish insurgents waged a {{W|guerrilla war}} in the country due to Britain having the advantage in a conventional fight and winning any conventional battle while struggling with insurgency, leading them to resort to {{W|scorched earth}} tactics and other acts of reprisals which only grew support for the revolution with Ulster being the only region of Ireland with consistent unionist sympathies and reliable support for Britain. By 1925, the war had token its toll on the British military from lost support among the British public and continued discontent in Ireland proper. That year, {{W|Stanley Baldwin}} was elected prime minister in that year's [[1925 United Kingdom general election|general election]] and began peace negotiations with Irish revolutionary leaders, resulting in the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] being signed in November 6 which saw Ireland being granted independence and recognized as a sovereign state.
[[File:Together Art.IWMPST3158.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Propaganda poster promoting the British Empire and participation in the Great War.]]
Despite the loss of Ireland, the British Empire remained the premier power of the world with territorial control spanning the entire globe and Britain possessing over a quarter of the world's land where the {{W|Union Jack}} flew in one way or another. The rise of [[Derzhavism]] garnered as much attention among the British government as did the rise of [[Landonism]], especially after the rise of [[Derzhavist France]] with its establishment in 1926 under the leadership of [[Jacques Doriot]] and the [[National Republican Movement]] and [[Derzhavist Russia]] in 1925. To this end, Britain formed an alliance with [[Germany]] and other European countries known as the [[Triple Alliance]] to counter the emerging [[Entente Impériale]] in Europe, however London was paying attention to the rise of [[Shōwa Japan]] in The Pacific. After France and Russia [[Invasion of Germany|invaded Germany]] in 1932, Britain issued a declaration of war on both nations and formally entered the [[Great War]], mobilizing the British Armed Forces and preparing for sending troops to both Germany and the [[Netherlands]] to counter France and Russia, although France was the main opponent due to its geographic proximity to the British mainland.

Britain played a key role in the [[European theatre of the Great War|European theatre]], managing to buy Germany enough time to establish a government and military in exile in the form of the [[Free German Forces]] by August 1932 while the Netherlands was heavily fortified in preparation for an impending French invasion. Meanwhile the [[Royal Air Force]] was mobilized to defend British airspace from the French Air Force and the [[Royal Navy]] had been mobilized to support the efforts of both the [[British Army]] and the militaries of both their allies and the broader {{W|British Empire}} that was mobilized as well to support the war effort, especially in response to the mobilization of forces within the {{W|French colonial empire}}. Due to the [[Continental Pact]] being signed before the war, the [[Landonist International]] was a third belligerent during the first two years of the war with [[Italy]] invading both [[Yugoslavia]] and [[Albania]] before fighting a [[Greco-Italian War|protracted war]] against [[Greece]] while Ireland was subjected to a [[Blockade of Ireland|blockade]] by the Royal Navy to prevent Italian and Continental reinforcements from landing on Irish soil and preventing the Irish military from attacking Great Britain itself. In 1933, the UK fought a defensive campaign against France in the [[Battle of Britain]] where the Royal Air Force emerged victorious following a long and costly, but successful defense of the home islands. In April 1932, the UK was dragged into the [[Pacific War|Pacific theatre]] following the {{W|Imperial Japanese Army}}'s blitz across {{W|East Asia|East}} and {{W|Southeast Asia}} against British and other European colonies in the region following the [[Attack on Manilla Bay]] by the {{W|Imperial Japanese Navy}} against the [[Sierran Royal Navy]] base in the [[Sierran East Indies]] (present-day [[Tondo]]). Even when defending its home islands, Britain was able to partake in the Allied war effort in Asia and in Africa through the colonies, protectorates, and other holdings of the British Empire and Britain's allies.

In June 1934, the Continental Pact was broken when France launched a full-scale invasion of the [[Iberian Union of Socialist Republics]] in [[Operation Charlemagne]] with the intent on toppling the communist state and putting the {{W|Iberian Peninsula}} under France's sphere of influence. In response, Landintern governments made requests to Britain and their allies for a ceasefire between the Triple Alliance and Landintern to defeat the Entente knowing that it wouldn't be possible to do so if Landintern and Allied forces also had to fight each other. After careful consideration, this offer was accepted with the [[Dublin Agreement]] being signed on August 1, formalizing a unified alliance between the Landintern and Triple Alliance, nicknamed the European Allies, against the Entente. As part of this effort, Britain ended its blockade of Ireland and began conducting major bombing runs against France and in French-occupied territories. With Britain and its allies supporting the Landintern, a unified effort was successful in being established and repulsing France from Iberia after two years of fighting while in Africa, Britain and its colonial forces successfully routed French and collaborationist forces and occupied a majority of France's colonies. Between 1936 and 1938, Britain played a key role in defeating the Entente through aiding in the [[Liberation of Germany|liberation of Germany]] and played a role in the [[Allied invasion of France|invasion of France]] proper, deposing the derzhavist regime in 1937, however a remnant of the government fled to {{W|Moscow}} and hid there for the rest of the war. Following France's defeat, British troops would partake in the [[Allied invasion of Russia|invasion of Russia]] alongside Germany, Landintern troops, and anti-derzhavist forces in {{W|Eastern Europe}} such as the [[Russian Liberation Movement]] and {{W|Home Army (Poland)|Polish Home Army}} with Russia [[Russian Instrument of Surrender|eventually surrendering]] by October 25, 1938. In the Pacific, Britain prevented a Japanese invasion of the {{W|British Raj}} through the [[Burma campaign]] and would eventually reclaim their colonial holdings in Indonesia, helping force Japan [[Japanese Instrument of Surrender|to surrender]] in August 1938, ending the Great War in a joint Allied-Landintern victory.
===Post-war 20th century===
{{Main|Post-war Britain (1938–1979)}}
[[File:Winston Churchill waves to crowds in Whitehall in London as they celebrate VE Day, 8 May 1945. H41849.jpg|thumb|right|240px|{{W|Winston Churchill}} giving the {{W|v sign}} at {{W|Whitehall}} in celebration of the end of the Great War, October 1938.]]
The UK was one of the Big Four (alongside China, the Kingdom of Sierra, and the United Commonwealth) during the Great War and as such played a key role in determining the new [[Aftermath of the Great War|post-war world]]. As part of this, the UK was one of the main signatories and drafters of the [[League of Nations Charter]] that established the [[League of Nations]] to prevent a second Great War from happening and joined the newly formed [[League of Nations Security Council]] where it remains one of the [[Permanent members of the League of Nations Security Council|five permanent members]]. Britain worked closely with the Kingdom of Sierra and its allies during the post-war period and helped establish other international organizations such as the {{W|International Monetary Fund}}, the {{W|World Bank}}, and the [[Northern Treaty Organization]] as one of the founding members of the latter and a leading member of the NTO in Europe alongside Germany. The UK was left weakened from the war, but was spared the total war that devastated {{W|Central and Eastern Europe}} and Britain remained a global power in the post-war period despite the damage Britain had sustained during said conflict. Post-war reconstruction was carried out by the British government and later financial support from the Kingdom of Sierra to rebuild from the wartime damage such as the damage from bombing runs on London during the {{W|London Blitz|London bombings}}.

{{W|Anthony Eden}} was elected prime minister after the war in 1939 and continued several of Churchill's policies, serving in office from 1939 until 1945 when he was succeeded by [[Dennis Glynne-Jones]] of the Labour Party as prime minister following the [[1945 United Kingdom general election|general election]] that year. Under Jones, radical reforms were implemented such as the {{W|Nationalization|nationalization}} of several key industries, the establishment of a {{W|welfare state}} in Britain, and the creation of a universal comprehensive healthcare system in the form of the {{W|National Health Service}}. The 1940s saw Britain reckon with the economic damage the island country sustained during the war which saw it struggling to financially maintain their world-spanning empire. As part of this, Britain would grant independence to some of its colonies such as [[Union of Burma (1943–1962)|Burma]] in 1943, [[India]] in 1947, and later [[Indonesia]] in 1949 following the end of the [[Indonesian Revolution]] and the recognition of it as a legitimate sovereign state. These would be the firs three colonies to gain independence as Britain came to recognize {{W|decolonization}} as an inevitability over the economic damage brought upon by the Great War and the rise of nationalism within British and other European colonies. Several of these former colonies would go on to join the Commonwealth of Nations later on sometime after gaining independence.

During the [[Cold War]] Britain played a major role as one of the leading nations among the [[Western Bloc]] (alternatively Northern Bloc) against the communist [[Eastern Bloc]] (alternatively Southern Bloc) in Europe against [[Italy]] and other communist states which had consolidated in the form of the [[Mediterranean Union]] as a regional communist political and military alliance. Alongside Germany, Britain played a key role in enforcing [[Containment]] within Europe by deploying the Royal Navy to areas within the {{W|Mediterranean Sea}} to protect overseas territories such as [[Malta]], [[Cyprus]], and [[Gibraltar]] and used said territories in an effort to contain the [[Italian Armed Forces]] and the militaries of its allies from escaping the Mediterranean. To this end, Britain signed the [[Beirut Naval Agreement]] with [[Lebanon]] with the latter agreeing to allow the Royal Navy to use Lebanese ports in {{W|Beirut}} and other cities in the country in exchange for military support to Lebanon if needed with Sierra later signing the agreement as well in support of the Mediterranean Containment Strategy as it came to be known as. While Britain was still a superpower early on in the Cold War, its influence had greatly diminished with decolonization and the end of its status as a global superpower was solidified with the [[Suez Crisis]] in 1960 where Britain invaded [[Egypt]] alongside [[North France]] and [[Hashemite Arabia]] in an attempt to retain European ownership of the {{W|Suez Canal}} and was forced to withdrawal due to pressure from Sierra and the United Commonwealth.
[[File:Malya Emergency British Artillery.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A British Army artillery crew firing on Viet Cong positions in 1964.]]
Despite these setbacks, Britain remained committed to opposing the spread of communism and sent troops to {{W|Indochina}} to aid Sierra in the [[Vietnam War]] against communist [[North Vietnam]] and the [[Viet Cong]] in defense of [[South Vietnam]]. Britain's involvement was motivated by a desire to prevent the further spread of communism into {{W|Southeast Asia}}, rebuild trust and positive relations with the KS following the Suez Crisis, and wanting to make up for their loss in Indonesia. British involvement was part of the [[Many Flags]] campaign which saw the British military provide training and support to the [[Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces]] with the British Army providing training to the South Vietnamese military similar to that of the [[Sierran Royal Army]] and also engaged in combat in counter-insurgency operations, the latter of which were known for having more distinct tactics compared to their Sierran counterparts and were more effective than the counter-insurgency efforts carried out by the KS military.

The Royal Air Force engaged in major bombing operations across Vietnam during the war, including against the {{W|Ho Chi Ming trail}} and during the [[Tet Offensive]] of 1968 while the Royal Navy played a supporting role overall in terms of both logistics and supporting the operations from other branches of the British Armed Forces. During Britain's involvement in Vietnam, the British military employed foreign nations from Asia under British command in the form of the [[Free Eastern Units]] that served primarily under the army and were initially formed from exiled anti-communist {{W|Indonesians}} before also including {{W|Chinese people|Chinese}}, {{W|Manchu people|Manchurian}}, and other Asian peoples as a means of bolstering the ranks of the British Army in Vietnam. Most controversially, the British government contracted the [[Prince's Army]] under [[Prince Fernando of Florida]] to fight in Vietnam to both bolster British manpower and shift some of the burden of fighting away from British military personnel to alleviate any concern among the British public of participation in Vietnam. The British military retained a presence in Vietnam until 1975 when the last troops withdrew following the signing of the [[Paris Peace Accords]] and the [[North–South Vietnamese Joint Declaration]] that formally ended the war. While controversial at home, Britain's involvement in Vietnam was credited with ensuring South Vietnam's continued existence and praised for its overall effectiveness.

Following the Great War, the UK supported various efforts at {{W|European integration}} which bore more and more fruit in the decades after the war. As part of this, Britain joined the {{W|Western European Union}} at the {{W|London and Paris Conferences}} in 1954 which later became the [[European Economic Community]] in 1960, of which the UK would also join and was a founding member of as well. In 1977, the EEC would reorganize into the [[European Community]] in 1977 as the culmination of all the post-Great War efforts at European integration. The UK would join the EC as a founding member and took a leading role in the supranational union quickly after its formation. This was part of prime minister the foreign policy of [[Anna Rhodes]] who wanted to focus on integrating Europe as a means of preventing a second Great War and reaching out to Eastern Bloc states as part of ''[[Détente|détente]]''. 1979 would see Britain's last major colony [[Monomotapa]] (previously [[Rhodesia]] and the unrecognized [[Republic of Rhodesia]]) gain independence and recognized as a sovereign state, effectively ending the British Empire with the only remaining colonies being various island territories across the {{W|Americas}}, the {{W|Atlantic}} and in {{W|Asia}}.
[[File:HMS_Invincible_Returns_From_Falklands_War.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|HMS Invincible}} returning to Britain after the success of [[Operation Uphold Democracy]] in 1987.]]
Under [[John McIsaac]], the UK engaged in diplomatic outreach to the [[Antilles]] in the first major diplomatic effort towards the island country since the Great War. McIsaac supported outreach to the Antilles as a means of strengthening the anti-communist presence in the {{W|Caribbean}} despite the island being isolated due to the repressive policies of [[Amelia Abarough]]. Following [[Death and state funeral of Amelia Abarough|Abarough's death]] in 1983, the UK increased its diplomatic outreach to support the Antilles' [[Democratization of the Antilles|transition to democracy]] and continued under [[Nigel Anthony]]. The resulting diplomatic outreach resulted in increased military ties between the island nations such as military cooperation which Anthony supported as a means of building a strong defense base for Britain's remaining island territories in the Caribbean that would be vulnerable to any hypothetical blockade or any other military action against them by the United Commonwealth.

In 1987, the [[Communist Party of Jamaica]] seized power in the former colony of [[Jamaica]] and established the [[National People's Revolutionary Government]] in its place. Under communist control, the Jamaican state made a diplomatic outreach to the United Commonwealth and began mobilizing troops for a possible attack. Fearing Continental intervention and a possible attack on Britain's last major Caribbean colony of [[Montserrat]], the UK cooperated with the Antilles and participated in [[Operation Uphold Democracy]] alongside the [[Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States]], a military operation to depose the communist government. Britain was one of four major non-Caribbean countries to directly contribute to the operation and played a key role in quickly toppling the NPRG and restoring democratic rule to Jamaica with the transition being overseen by the OECS.

During the 1980s, the status of [[Hong Kong]] came into the forefront of British foreign policy in Asia as the British government sought to retain ownership of the colony due to its high economic and strategic value even after decolonization. The Chinese government had laid claim over Hong Kong and the other [[Five Cities]] as historic Chinese territory and rightfully belonged to China. Britain argued in favor of keeping Hong Kong to the League of Nations and negotiations between the Chinese and British governments, along with those of the other Five Cities, began during this period. The 1990s saw a breakthrough with the [[League of Nations General Assembly]] passing [[League of Nations General Assembly Resolution 48/2|Resolution 48/2]] stating that the UK had the right to negotiate to keep Hong Kong due to the Weihai Agreement where Britain returned the territory back to China in 1912 in exchange for continued ownership of Hong Kong proper. With this, negotiations continued and culminated in the [[Mainland Territories Compromise]] of 1997 where [[Macau]], [[Qingdao]], [[Fangcheng]], and [[Cantonwan]] ceded territories they captured during the Boxer Rebellion back to China proper in order to keep pre-Boxer Rebellion borders intact while Britain agreed to hold [[1997 Hong Kong status referendum|a referendum]] in Hong Kong on its status with most residents voting to remain part of the UK as an overseas territory by 58.7%. Afterwards all remaining colonies were reorganized as British Overseas Territories which remains their current political status in the present day.

===21st century===
{{Main|History of the United Kingdom (1979–present)}}
The [[Revolutions of 2000]] that saw the fall of communism worldwide with the collapse of most communist governments and several more democratizing via adopting [[Multiparty People's Democracy]] as well in what was declared a major victory by the British government and those of other Western Bloc-aligned countries. Britain would be one of the first countries to establish formal relations with the unified state of [[France]] and with [[Russia]] with Britain backing [[Russian reunification]] beforehand. Britain also engaged in diplomatic outreach towards Italy and several other former communist states in {{W|Southern Europe}} and the Mediterranean Union after the latter reformed into a more ideologically neutral intergovernmental organization and economic union as opposed to a regional communist bloc. The [[Dissolution of the People's Republic of China|fall of Communist China]] was the first major post-Cold War issue the UK faced as there was a widespread emigration wave of {{W|Chinese people|Chinese nationals}} from the country with the British parliament passing the [[Chinese Resettlement Act]] on 8 February 2001 as a means of aiding in the settlement of Chinese immigrations to both the UK and British Overseas Territories along with the subsequent naturalization as well. The act also allowed for a way to recruit scientists, technicians, and other experts in critical fields that previously worked for the communist government whose skills the British government saw as valuable towards the UK and thus recruited them.
[[File:The first delivery of the upgraded FV430 Mk3 Bulldog vehicles MOD 45147088.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A British Army convoy of {{W|FV430 series|FV430 AFVs}} on patrol in {{W|Douma, Syria|Douma}}, 2006.]]
Britain would support the "[[War on terror|war on terror]]" announced by Sierra in 2004, supporting the Sierran military in the [[2004 invasion of Syria|invasion of Ba'athist Syria]] that same year. Britain would participate in the [[Syrian Civil War]] alongside other NTO member states in support of the Western-backed [[Second Syrian Republic]] and participated in the post-invasion occupation and military operations against the Ba'athist insurgents and later Islamist militants that emerged in the mid-late 2000s with all British military operations in Syria being codenamed Operation Telic.

The Syrian Civil War was Britain's first overseas military deployment since Operation Uphold Democracy and the first overseas military operation since the end of the Cold War and start of the 21st century outside of earlier participation in [[League of Nations peacekeeping]] operations and other humanitarian an non-combatant military operations in Europe, Africa, and Asia. All British military personnel were organized under the [[International Security Assistance Force]] as the primary military force for all Western and other foreign military personnel active in Syria supporting the pro-Western Syrian government and military forces, participating in several ISAF operations alongside other NTO member states which consisted of countries from the [[European Community]], the [[Conference of American States]], and [[Central Treaty Organization]].

The [[Great Recession]] (2010–2013) severely affected the British economy and was followed up by a period of low economic and job growth and stagnation. The 2010s were a period where [[United Britain]] served as the UK's main governing party with [[Malcolm Vance]] and [[Clive Spencer]] both serving as prime minister between 2010–2015 and 2015–2024 respectively. During this period, Vance engaged in {{W|austerity}} measures to address the economic problems brought upon by the recession and starting in 2018, he sought to reduce Britain's involvement in Syria, something that was continued under Spencer with the number of British military personnel in Syria fell from 35,000 in 2016 to 15,000 by 2020. Britain remained involved in Syria until the end of the civil war in 2022. Under Spencer, Britain's participation in several laws and institutions of the European Community was scaled back as part of an effort to "preserve British independence" according to the Home Office under Spencer.
[[File:Prime_Minister_Sir_Keir_Starmer_arrives_at_Number_10_Downing_St_(53836916571).jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Aiden B. Starmer]] giving his first speech as prime minister at his inauguration, 10 June 2024.]]
The {{W|COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic hit Britain}} around 2020 and had a {{W|Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|profound impact on the economy}} along with disruptions to {{W|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom on education|disruption to education}} and {{W|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom on politics|effected national politics}}. Occurring under Spencer, the British government was one of the few in the Western world to not impose mask mandates or national lockdowns, encouraging citizens to make their own personal decisions instead. Despite this, the UK would be one of the first to adopt a {{W|COVID-19 vaccine}} and developed their own, the {{W|Oxford–Astrazeneca vaccine}}, as part of the rollout, which was one of the fastest in the world.

Austerity was undertaken by the Spencer ministry to address the economic issues brought upon by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] similar to the measures taken during the Great Recession. These measures were deeply controversial and caused discontent within Britain. This discontent, along with a nationwide {{W|housing crisis}}, helped contribute to the [[Labour Party (United Kingdom)|Labour Party]] to win the [[2024 United Kingdom general election]] on June 6 with [[Aiden B. Starmer]] being elected prime minister, becoming the first Labour Party leader elected prime minister since 2005 as well as the second {{W|British Jews|British Jew}} to be elected prime minister as well. Under Starmer, several of Spencer's austerity policies were ended and several other Spencer era policies were reversed as well. Full British participation in EC institutions, laws, and policies was resumed and immigration policies were reversed in 2024, however starting in March 2025 deportations were increased and by September they had returned to Spencer era numbers and policies in terms of immigration, including restriction on immigration to the UK from several countries in the {{W|Southern Hemisphere}}.

==Geography==
[[File:MODIS_-_Great_Britain_and_Northern_Ireland_-_2012-06-04_during_heat_wave_(cropped).jpg|thumb|right|210px|{{W|Satellite images|Satellite image}} of the United Kingdom, excluding the {{W|Shetland Island}}.]]
The total land area of the United Kingdom is at 80,823 square miles (209,331 square kilometers) and occupies the major area of the {{W|British Isles}} and consists of the main island of {{W|Great Britain}} containing the four main countries of England, Scotland, and Wales, and the nearby islands off the coast of the British mainland. Geographically, the United Kingdom lies between the {{W|North Sea}} to the east and the {{W|Atlantic Ocean}} (North Atlantic region specifically) to the west with the country's southeast coast stretching 22 miles (35 kilometers) long and lies of the coast of northern France, the latter of which being separated by the {{W|English Channel}} between both countries.

The UK also posses legal ownership of the [[Isle of Man]], [[Jersey]], and [[Guernsey]], a collection of small islands off of Great Britain that are officially labeled {{W|crown dependencies}}: island territories that are in formal personal union with the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarchy]] and are officially part of Britain's territory, but are not strictly part of the country nor the jurisdictions of any of the three main countries, however the British government retains responsibility for its external affairs. The Isle of Man geographically lies between Great Britain and Ireland in the {{W|Irish Sea}} while the {{W|Channel Islands|British Channel Islands}} lie just off the coast of France and are administered by both Jersey and Guernsey. The {{W|Royal Greenwich Observatory}} based in London was chosen as the defining point for the {{W|Prime Meridian}} in 1884 during the {{W|International Meridian Conference}}.

The UK lies between latitudes 49° and 61° N, and longitudes 9° W and 2° E. The length of the British coastline when containing Britain's principal islands stands at 7,723 miles (12,429 kilometers) with the coastline of the British mainland standing at 11,073 miles (17,820 kilometers), however the overall measurements of the British coastline does vary due to the {{W|coastline paradox}}. While an island nation, Britain is connected to {{W|Continental Europe}} via the {{W|Channel Tunnel}}, the world's largest underwater tunnel stretching at 31 miles (50 kilometers) or 24 miles (38 kilometers) underwater.

The UK contains four main terrestrial {{W|Ecoregion|ecoregions}}: the {{W|Celtic broadleaf forests}}, the {{W|English Lowlands beach forests}}, the {{W|North Atlantic moist mixed forests}}, and the {{W|Caledonian conifer forests}}. The total area of woodland in the UK in 2023 was estimated to be at a total area of 3.25 million h hectares, representing 13% of the UK's total land area.
===Climate===
The majority of the United Kingdom has a temperate climate, possessing generally cool temperatures and plentiful rainfall all year round. The average temperatures varies overall, but seldom drops below 0 °C (32 °F) nor being higher 30 °C (86 °F). Some parts of the country, away from the coast, of the upland of England, Wales, and most of Scotland experience a {{W|subpolar oceanic climate}} while higher elevations in Scotland experience a {{W|continental subarctic climate}} and the mountains having a {{W|tundra climate}}.

The prevailing wind in the country comes from the southwest and bears frequent spells of mild and wet weather from the Atlantic Ocean, however the eastern parts are generally sheltered from this wind. Since the majority of rainfall in Britain falls over the western regions of the country, the eastern parts are the driest by contrast. Atlantic currents, warmed by the {{W|Gulf Stream}}, bring in mild winters, especially in west Britain where winters are wet and even more so on higher ground. Summers are the warmest in southeastern England and are the coolest in the north. Heavy snowfall can occur in the winter and early spring on high ground, occasionally settling to the great depths away from the hills.

The average total annual sunshine in the United Kingdom between 1971 and 2000 was 1,339.7 hours, just under 30% of the maximum possibility. The total amount of sunshine per year ranges between 1,200 to 1,580 hours. Since 1996, the UK has received above 1,981 to 2,010 total average hours of sunshine.

{{W|Climate change in the United Kingdom}}, as is the case in all other countries, has a serious impact on the country with a third of all food price increases in 2023 being the result of climate change alone. In 2024 the {{W|Environmental Performance Index}} ranked the United Kingdom 5th out of 180 surveyed countries. A law was passed by the British Parliament in 2020 to reduce {{W|Greenhouse gas emissions in the United Kingdom|greenhouse gas emissions in the country}} down to {{W|net-zero}} by the year 2050.
===Topography===
[[File:Blank topographic map of the British Isles.svg|thumb|left|210px|Topographical map of the British Isles.]]
[[England (Altverse II)|England]] accounts for 53.7% of the UK's land area, covering a total of 50,350 square miles (130,395 square kilometers). Most of England consists of lowland terrain with upland and mountainous terrain northwest of the {{W|Tees–Exe line}}, a line that roughly divides the UK {{W|upland and lowland}} areas. Lowland areas include {{W|Cornwall}}, the {{W|New Forest}}, the {{W|South Downs}}, and the {{W|Norfolk Broads}}. Upland areas include the {{W|Lake District}}, the {{W|Pennines}}, the {{W|Yorkshire Dales}}, {{W|Exmoor}} and {{W|Dartmoor}}. England's main rivers and estuaries are the {{W|River Thames|Thames}}, {{W|River Severn|Severn}}, and the {{W|River Humber|Humber}} rivers. {{W|Scafell Pike}} is the highest mountain in England at 3,209 feet (978 meters) in the Lake District while the largest English island is the {{W|Isle of Wright}}.

[[Scotland]] accounts for 32.2% of the UK's land area at 30,410 square miles (78,772 square kilometers), including {{W|List of islands of Scotland|all 800 islands}} within Scotland with the most notable being {{W|Hebrides}}, {{W|Orkney}}, and {{W|Shetland}} islands. Within the UK, Scotland is the most mountainous area of the country in terms of overall terrain. The {{W|Scottish Highlands}} of the north and west are more rugged and contain the majority of Scotland's mountainous terrain and land such as the {{W|Cairngorms}}, {{W|Loch Lomond and The Trossachs}}, and {{W|Ben Nevis}}, the latter of which is the highest elevated point in both the UK and the entire British Isles at 4,413 feet (3,45 meters) high.

[[Wales]] accounts for the remaining 14.1% of the UK's total land area at 8,020 square miles (20,779 kilometers). In general Wales consists of mostly mountainous terrain, however {{W|South Wales}} is less mountainous than {{W|North Wales|North}} and {{W|Mid Wales}}. The highest mountains in Wales are in the region and national park of {{W|Snowdonia}} and include {{W|Snowdon}} ({{W|Welsh language|Welsh}}: ''Yr Wyddfa''), the highest peak in Wales with a total height of 3,560 feet (1,085 meters) high. Wales has a total coastal area of 1,680 miles (2,704 kilometers) including the {{W|Pembrokeshire Coast}} while several islands lie off the coast of the Welsh mainland, the biggest of which being {{W|Anglesey}} (''Ynys Môn'').

==Government and politics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; float:right; margin-right:9px; margin-left:2px;"
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[File:Official portrait of Lord Richards of Herstmonceux crop 2.jpg|140px]] || style="text-align:left;" | [[File:Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer Official Portrait (cropped).jpg|140px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[George V]]<br /><small>[[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King]] since 2001</small>
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Aiden B. Starmer]]<br /><small>[[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] since 2024</small>
|}
{{Main|Politics of the United Kingdom|Government of the United Kingdom}}
[[File:UK Political System.png|thumb|right|240px|Chart of the organization of the British political system.]]
The United Kingdom is a {{W|constitutional monarchy}} and a {{W|parliamentary democracy}} operating under the {{W|Westminster system}}, also known as a "parliamentary democratic monarchy". The UK is a {{W|Centralized government|centralized}} {{W|unitary state}} where the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] is endowed with {{W|Parliamentary sovereignty in the United Kingdom|parliamentary sovereignty}}. A {{W|Bicameralism|bicameral legislature}}, the UK Parliament consists of the elected [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] as the {{W|lower house}} and the unelected and appointed [[House of Lords]] as the {{W|upper house}} along with {{W|The Crown}} (as personified by the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarch]]). The main business occurs in both houses of parliament, however {{W|royal assent}} is required for any bill to become an {{W|Act of Parliament (UK)|act of Parliament}} ({{W|Statue|statutory law}}). As a result of this system of parliamentary sovereignty, the {{W|constitution of the United Kingdom}} is {{W|Uncodified constitution|uncodified}} and consists mostly of disparate written sources, including parliamentary statues, judge-made case laws, and international treaties along with constitutional conventions. Nonetheless, the [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]] recognizes a number of principles that underly the British constitution: {{W|Parliamentary sovereignty in the United Kingdom|parliamentary sovereignty}}, the {{W|rule of law}}, {{W|democracy}}, and {{W|international law}}.

[[George V]] is the current monarch of the United Kingdom, having reigned since his coronation in 2001 and serves as the country's official {{W|head of state}} as monarch while also serving as head of state of the {{W|Commonwealth realms}} and the ceremonial head of the [[British Commonwealth]], an international organization of several sovereign states that are former colonies of the British Empire. The monarch is formally invested with executive authority as the personified embodiment of the Crown and is "fundamental to the law and working government of the UK". The disposition of the monarch's powers, including those belonging to {{W|royal prerogative}}, is generally only exercised with the {{W|advice}} of the {{W|Minister of the Crown|ministers of the Crown}} responsible to Parliament and hence to the British electorate. Nonetheless, the performance of the monarch's official duties has "the right to be consulted, the right to be encouraged, and the right to be warn". In addition to this, the monarch also has a number of various reserve powers at their disposal to uphold {{W|responsible government}} and prevent a {{W|constitutional crisis}}. The monarch is responsible for the appointment of the prime minister and the formation of a new government via an official royal invite of the prime minister-designate to do so after a general election.

The [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|prime minister]] is the official {{W|head of government}} of the UK. Acting under the supervision of the [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom|official cabinet]] consisting of senior government ministers appointed by the prime minister themself, [[Government of the United Kingdom|His Majesty's Government]] is the principle instrument for public policymaking, administration of public services, and promulgates statutory instruments and tenders to the advice of the monarch through the {{W|Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council}}. Since 1925, all prime ministers have served as [[First Lord of the Treasury]] and/or [[Minister for Civil Service]] as concurrently held offices during their premiership with two prime ministers, {{W|Winston Churchill}} and [[Edward Lean]], having also served as [[Minister of Defence (United Kingdom)|Minister of Defence]] as well as holding the two aforementioned offices while being prime minister as well. The prime minister is appointed to the position via the monarch and a formal invitation for form and lead a new government, however in modern times all prime ministers have, by convention, served as a sitting MP, the leader of the political party with the largest number of seats in the House of Commons, and holds office by nature of being able to {{W|Confidence motions|command the confidence}} of the House of Commons. The current prime minister is [[Aiden B. Starmer]], [[Leader of the Labour Party|leader of the Labour Party]] and current prime minister since 2024.
[[File:Houses_of_Parliament_in_2022_(cropped).jpg|thumb|left|240px|The {{W|Palace of Westminster}}, the official meeting place of the British Parliament.]]
General elections are held to the House of Commons, typically after a five year legislative term has been completed unless a {{W|snap election}} has been issued following the sudden vacancy of the prime minister and/or the {{W|Motion of no confidence|loss of confidence}} in the current government. The UK is divided into 632 parliamentary constituencies, each of which are single-member districts represented by one {{W|Member of Parliament (UK)|member of Parliament}} that is {{W|Direct election|directly elected}} via {{W|fist-past-the post}} electoral system. MPs are elected to serve five year terms and must stand for re-election if they desire to continue serving as an MP. Since 1994, the two biggest [[List of political parties in the United Kingdom|political parties]] in the UK are the {{W|Right-wing politics|right-leaning}} [[United Britain]] and the {{W|Centre-left politics|center-left}}/{{W|Left-wing politics|left-leaning}} [[Labour Party (United Kingdom)|Labour Party]] in a {{W|two-party system}}. Other political parties are active and hold seats in one or both chambers of the British Parliament such as the [[Liberal Democrats (United Kingdom)|Liberal Democrats]] and the [[Green Party of Britain]] among others, however only United Britain and the Labour Party are capable of forming a government and leading the opposition. Beyond the national level, devolved political parties exist on the subnational level within each of the UK's three constituent countries, both devolved affiliates of national parties as well as regional parties that are present and only run candidates in their respective countries.

While not part of the United Kingdom and its official territory, the {{W|Crown dependencies}} of [[Jersey]], the [[Isle of Man]], and [[Guerney]] along with all [[British Overseas Territories]] are still subject to the sovereignty of the British crown. The Crown exercises its official responsibilities to the crown dependencies via the [[Home Office]] while its responsibilities to the Overseas Territories are exercised via the [[Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office]]. Both crown dependencies and BOTs maintain their own autonomous governments and elections, having been granted said autonomy through {{W|home rule}} while still being under British legal jurisdiction via their union with the Crown, represented by a viceroy or governor.
===Administrative divisions===
[[File:CountiesOfGreatBritain.PNG|thumb|right|210px|Map of counties in the United Kingdom.]]
The United Kingdom is geographically divided into counties and {{W|Shire|shires}}, a system that began in England and Scotland in the {{W|early Middle Ages}} and was completed throughout both Great Britain and Ireland by the {{W|early modern period}}. Modern {{W|local government}} is managed by elected officials and is partly based on ancient counties and was established by various Acts of Parliament in England and Wales {{W|Local Government Act 1888|in 1888}}, in Scotland in {{W|Local Government Act 1889|in 1889}}, and in Ireland {{W|Local Government Act 1898|in 1898}} before gaining independence from Britain in 1925. This means that there is no consistent system of administrative or geographic demarcation across the United Kingdom with {{W|English law|England and Wales}} and {{W|Scots law|Scotland}} having their own distinct jurisdiction. Prior to the 19th century, there was little change to those arrangements, but there has since then been a constant pattern of evolution of the role and function.

{{W|Local government in England}} is complex, with the distribution of functions varying according to various local arrangements. The upper tier of {{W|subdivisions of England}} consist of {{W|Regions of England|nine regions}} and are primarily used for statistical purposes. One of those regions, {{W|Greater London}}, has a directly elected assembly and mayor since 2000 following a {{W|1998 Greater London Authority referendum|1998 referendum}} on establishing an elected regional government.

{{W|Local government in Scotland}} is divided into {{W|Subdivisions of Scotland|32 council areas}} that have a wide variation in both size and population. The cities of {{W|Glasgow}}, {{W|Edinburgh}}, {{W|Aberdeen}}, and {{W|Dundee}} are separate council areas while the {{W|Politics of the Scottish Highland council area|Highland Council}} includes a third of Scotland's land area, but only has a population of 200,000 people. Local councils in Scotland are made up of elected councilors, of which number at 1,223.

{{W|Local government in Wales}} consists of 22 {{W|Unitary authority|unitary authorities}}, each of which are led by a leader and cabinet that are both elected by the council itself. These areas include the capital {{W|Cardiff}}, {{W|Swansea}}, and {{W|Newport}}, all of which are their own unitary authorities in their own right. Elections to these councils are held once every four years under a system of first-past-the-post.
===Foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign relations of the United Kingdom}}
[[File:Embassy of the United Kingdom in Washington, D.C..jpg|thumb|left|240px|[[Embassy of the United Kingdom, Chicago|British Embassy to the Continental States]] in [[Chicago]].]]
The United Kingdom is one of the [[Permanent members of the League of Nations Security Council|five permanent members]] of the [[League of Nations Security Council]] and the leading member of the [[British Commonwealth]] (Commonwealth of Nations). Other prominent international organizations that the UK is affiliated with include the [[European Community]], the [[Group of Eight]], the {{W|OECD}}, the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) and the [[Northern Treaty Organization]] (NTO). The UK leads and maintains the {{W|British Council}}, an organization present in over 100 countries that specialize in international cultural and educational opportunities. Despite the end of the British Empire in 1979, the UK continues to retain the status of a {{W|great power}} and continues to wield considerable economic, political, military, and cultural influence worldwide.

The UK has a "{{W|special relationship}} with the [[Kingdom of Sierra]], has a lose partnership with [[France]] via the {{W|Entente Cordiale}}, including the presence of British military personnel in French territory, and also maintains a longstanding close relationship with [[Portugal]] through the {{W|Anglo-Portuguese Alliance}}, the oldest active political and military alliance in the world. The UK shares a maritime border with [[Ireland]] and despite the complicated historic relationship between the two countries, they maintain active diplomatic contact and actively enforced travel agreements through the {{W|Common Travel Area}} to allow for easy travel of British and Irish citizens between the two countries as member states of the European Community and is overseen and administered by the {{W|British–Irish Intergovernmental Conference}} and the {{W|British–Irish Council}}. The UK maintains active relations with the [[United Commonwealth]] despite past tensions and diplomatic disagreements since the Cold War, however maintains more positive ties with the [[Conference of American States]] by comparison. Britain's global presence and influence if further amplified by its extensive trading relations, foreign investments, {{W|official development assistance}}, and military engagements.
===Law and justice===
[[File:Middlesex_Guildhall_(cropped).jpg|thumb|left|240px|The [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom|UK Supreme Court]] is the highest court of appeal in the country.]]
The United Kingdom doesn't have a unified legal system as stated in Article 19 of the {{W|1706 Treaty of Union}} which provided the continuation of Scotland's own legal system in exchange for its incorporation into England. As a result, the UK has three separate {{W|National legal system|legal systems}}: {{W|English law}}, {{W|Scottish law}}, and {{W|Welsh law}}. The [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]] was first established in 2009 as a successor to the {{W|Appellate Committee of the House of Lords}}. The {{W|Judicial Committee of the Privy Council}}, which includes some members of the UK Supreme Court, is the highest court of appeals in several independent member states of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Crown Dependencies, and the British Overseas Territories.

Both English and Welsh law are based on {{W|common law}} (or {{W|case law}}) principles, originating in England during the {{W|Middle Ages}} and is the basis for the legal systems of several countries around the world. Both the {{W|courts of England and Wales}} are leaded by the senior courts of both constituent countries, consisting of the {{W|Court of Appeal (England and Wales)|Courts of Appeal}} in both England and Wales an d the {{W|High Court of Justice}} with jurisdiction in both countries for civil cases while the {{W|Crown Court}} oversees criminal cases. Scots law is a hybrid system based off of common law and {{W|civil law}} principles. The chief courts of Scotland are the {{W|Court of Session}} for civil cases and the {{W|High Court of Justiciary}} for criminal cases. The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom serves as the highest court of appeal for civil cases under Scots law and for all criminal cases across the entire United Kingdom.

Between 1981 and 1995, crime increased in England and Wales. Since that peak during said period, crime has fallen in England and Wales by 66% between 1995 and 2015 according to {{W|UK crime statistics}}. As of June 2023, the United Kingdom has the highest per-capita incarceration rate in all of Western Europe.

{{W|United Kingdom labour law|UK labour laws}} have established employment rights including {{W|National Minimum Wage Act 1998|a minimum wage}}, a minimum of 28 days annual holiday, statutory sick pay, and {{W|Pensions Act 2006|a pension}}. {{W|Same-sex marriage}} has been legal in the United Kingdom since 2014 while {{W|LGBTQ rights in the United Kingdom|LGBTQ equality and rights}} in the UK are among some of the most advanced in the world, however the country has a contentious record surrounding the rights of {{W|transgender people}} and laws related to them.
===Military===
{{Main|British Armed Forces}}
[[File:3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM DM-SD-04-07481.jpg|thumb|right|240px|British Army soldiers in [[Tartus Governorate]] during the [[2004 invasion of Syria]].]]
The [[British Armed Forces]] are the standing military forces of the United Kingdom and consist of three main branches: the [[British Army]], [[His Majesty's Naval Service]] consisting of the [[Royal Navy]] and [[Royal Marines]], and the [[Royal Air Froce]]. The armed forces of the United Kingdom are managed by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] and controlled by the [[Defence Council of the United Kingdom|Defence Council]], both of which are headed by the [[Secretary of State for Defence]]. The British monarch is the official {{W|commander-in-chief}} of the armed forces, of whom all military personnel swear a formal oath of allegiance towards. The [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] is the highest-ranking military officer who is the overall head of the British Armed Forces below the monarch as commander-in-chief and heads the {{W|Chiefs of Staff Committee}}, a body that consists of military officers that oversee all military operations of the British Armed Forces. As of 2021, the British Armed Forces has 274,620 active duty personnel and 589,105 reserve personnel.

The Armed Forces are charged with protecting the UK and all of its overseas territories, promotion of the UK's global security interests and supporting international peacekeeping efforts. The British Armed Forces are active participants in the [[Northern Treaty Organization]] (including the [[Allied Rapid Response Corps]]), {{W|RIMPAC}}, the [[Atlantic Power Defence Arrangement]], and other worldwide military coalitions and operations. The UK posses various overseas garrisons around the world, in both sovereign states and the British Overseas Territories, with military bases present in [[Malta]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Cyprus]], [[Bahrain]], [[Patagonia]], [[France]], the [[East African Federation]], and [[South Vietnam]]. The UK also participates in [[League of Nations peacekeeping|peacekeeping operations]] of the [[League of Nations]] with British LN peacekeepers having been deployed and seen action in countries across {{W|Africa}}, the {{W|Middle East}}, and {{W|Asia}}.

According to the {{W|Stockholm International Peace Research Institute}} and the {{W|International Institute for Strategic Studies}}, the UK has the world's fifth-largest military expenditure as of 2024 with total defence spending in the country accounting for 2.3% of the country's {{W|gross domestic product}}. Since the end of the [[Cold War]], the UK's official defence policy has a stated assumption that the "most demanding operations" will be undertaken as part of a coalition. Having carried out its first successful in 1947, the United Kingdom is one of five states that [[United Kingdom and weapons of mass destruction|posses nuclear weapons]], the second one in Europe alongside [[Germany]].

==Economy==
[[File:Bank_junction_-_2020-09-20_(2).jpg|thumb|right|240px|{{W|City of London}} skyline from {{W|London City Hall}}. London is the largest financial center in Europe.]]
The United Kingdom has a highly developed {{W|social market economy}} with an estimated nominal GDP of £2.85 trillion as of 2024, making it the sixth-largest national economy in the world and the second-largest in the European Community behind only Germany. The {{W|pound sterling}}, Britain's official {{W|currency}}, is the fourth most-traded currency in the {{W|foreign exchange market}} and the third largest {{W|reserve currency}} in the world after the [[Sierran dollar]] and the [[Continental dollar]]. The pound sterling maintains high nominal value through both its long history of stability and having never undergone formal {{W|redenomination}}. Since 2022, the UK has been the fourth largest importer and exporter of goods and services in the world. The UK has a very high {{W|HDI}} ranking despite having one of the highest levels of {{W|Income inequality in the United Kingdom|income inequality}} among the {{W|OECD}}, maintaining said rank even while adjusting for inequality. As of 2025, the UK has a {{W|Unemployment in the United Kingdom|national unemployment rate}} of 4.7%, being moderately low by European standards.

{{W|His Majesty's Treasury}}, lead by the {{W|Chancellory of the Exchequer}}, is the ministry responsible for developing and executing the government's public finance and economic policies. The {{W|Department for Business and Trade}} is responsible for the business, international trade, and enterprise policies in the UK. The {{W|Bank of England}} is the UK's official {{W|central bank}} and is responsible for issuing notes and coins in the pound sterling while banks in Scotland retain the right to issue their own notes, subject to retaining enough Bank of England notes in reserve to cover the issue. The Bank of England is currently exploring a {{W|Central bank digital currency|digital pound}} to enable instant settlement and improve the UK's payment infrastructure.
===Industries and services===
The {{W|service sector}} makes up around 80% of the UK's {{W|Gross value added|GVA}} in 2023. As of 2023, the UK is the second largest exporter of services in the world and the largest net exporter of {{W|financial services}} as of 2024. In 2023, the UK was 13% above its pre-pandemic peak from 2019 for service exports. {{W|London}} is the world capital for foreign exchange trading, with a market share of 38.1% in 2022 of the daily $7.5 trillion global turnover. London is the largest urban economy in Europe and, alongside [[Porciúncula]], the city is the most integrated into the broader {{W|global economy}}. London is also among one the leading financial centers in the world, ranking second worldwide as of 2025 according to the {{W|Global Financial Centers Index}}. Edinburgh, the second largest financial center in the UK, ranks as the 10th largest in Western Europe and 29th in the world.

The {{W|Manufacturing in the United Kingdom|British manufacturing sector}} is the 10th largest in the world and the fourth largest in Europe as of 2024 in terms of value output. Due to a high period of domestic inflation caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], high energy prices and supply chain shocks caused by the economic effects of said pandemic, the UK imported and exported less goods in 2023 than it did in 2018. At the end of 2024, manufacturing in the UK accounted for 8% of the total workforce and 8.6% of Britain's national economic output. As reported in 2017, both {{W|East Midlands}} and {{W|West Midlands}} had the highest portion of employees in manufacturing at 12.6% and 11.8% respectively while {{W|Economy of London|London's manufacturing sector}} was the lowest at 2.8%.

The {{W|Tourism in the United Kingdom|tourist industry}} is a very important component of the British economy with London being named Europe's most popular tourist destination in 2022. The {{W|creative industries}} account for 5.9% of the UK's GVA in 2019, having grown 43.6% in real terms from 2010. Creative industries accounted for £111 billion worth of contributions to the UK economy in 2018 with the sector having grown five times faster than the rest of the UK economy overall in a year. {{W|Lloyd's of London}}, located in the British capital, is the world's largest {{W|insurance}} and {{W|reinsurance}} market. {{W|WPP plc}} is one of the world's largest advertising companies and is also based in London. The UK is one of the leading retail markets in Europe and the largest {{W|e-commerce}} market in all of Europe and with consumer expenditures of over KS$2 trillion in 2023, it has the second-largest consumer market in all of Europe. {{W|John Lewis Partnership}} is the largest employee-owned business in the UK.

The {{W|Automative industry in the United Kingdom|British automative industry}} employees over 813,000 people with a turnover of £93 billion and generating £47 billion of exports in 2023, accounting for 12% of the UK's total export of goods. In 2024, the UK produced 779,584 passenger vehicles and 125,649 commercial vehicles, with 8 out of 10 cars produced in the UK being exported overseas. Famous car models from Britain include {{W|Mini Hatch|Mini}} and {{W|Jaguar Cars|Jaguar}} along with luxury cars such as {{W|Rolls-Royce}}, {{W|Bentley}}, and {{W|Range Rover}}. The UK is a major center for engine manufacturing with 1.6 million engines being produced in 2024 alone and was the third-largest exporter of engines in the world in 2023. The {{W|Motorsport in the United Kingdom|UK motorsport industry}} employs over 40,000 people and comprises 4,300 companies, having an annual turnover of £10 billion. Seven out of ten {{W|Formula One}} teams are based in the UK with their technology being used in supercars and hypercard from {{W|McLaren Automotive|McLaren}}, {{W|Aston Martin}}, and {{W|Lotus Group|Lotus}}. In 2024, the UK surpassed Germany as the biggest market for {{W|electric vehicles}} in Europe.
[[File:British_Airways_Concorde_G-BOAC_03.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|Concorde}}, a {{W|supersonic}} airliner that reduced transatlantic flight time from 8 to 3.5 hours.]]
The {{W|Aerospace industry of the United Kingdom|British aerospace industry}} is the second largest in the world and has an annual turnover of £30 billion with the {{W|British space programme}} being worth £17.5 billion in 2020/21 and employed round 48,800 people. Since 2012, the number of space organizations in Britain has grown by 21% with 1,239 active space organizations being reported in 2021. In 2023, the {{W|United Kingdom Space Agency}} announced they had invested in £1.6 billion in space-related projects.

The {{W|Agriculture in the United Kingdom|British agricultural industry}} is intensive, highly advanced, and efficient by European standards, producing around 60% of Britain's overall food requirements and 73% of its indigenous food needs, using around 0.9% of the British labour force (292,000 people). Around two-thirds of food production is allocated to {{W|livestock}} and one-third to {{W|arable crops}}. The UK retains a significant, albeit much reduced, fishing industry with 49% of British fish sustainably caught in 2020. Britain's marine natural capital assets in 2021 were estimated to have a value of £211 billion. The UK is also rich in a variety of other natural resources such as {{W|coal}}, {{W|petroleum}}, {{W|natural gas}}, {{W|tin}}, {{W|limestone}}, {{W|iron ore}}, {{W|salt}}, {{W|clay}}, {{W|chalk}}, {{W|gypsum}}, {{W|lead}}, and {{W|silica}} along with an abundance of arable land as well.
===Science and technology===
[[File:Cambridge_Science_Park_Napp.jpg|thumb|left|240px|The {{W|Cambridge Center}} is the most intensive science and technology research enter in the world.]]
England and Scotland were leading centers of the {{W|Scientific Revolution}} of the 17th century and later on the United Kingdom led the {{W|Industrial Revolution}} of the 18th century and has continued to produce scientists and {{W|List of British engineers|researchers}} that are credited with {{W|List of British innovations and discoveries|major innovations and discoveries}}. Major theorists from the 17th and 18th centuries include {{W|Isaac Newton}}; whose {{W|laws of motion}} and illumination of {{W|gravity}} is seen as a keystone of modern science; {{W|Charles Darwin}} of the 19th century whose theory of {{W|evolution}} via {{W|natural selection}} was fundamental for the development of modern biology; and {{W|James Clerk Maxwell}}, who formulated classical {{W|electromagnetic theory}}; and most recently {{W|Stephen Hawking}} of the 20th and 21st centuries, who advanced major theories in the fields of {{W|cosmology}}, {{W|quantum gravity}}, and the investigation of {{W|black holes}}.

The {{W|Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology}} (DSIT) is the government ministry responsible for encouraging, developing, and managing the UK's scientific, research, and technological outputs. Scientific research and developments remain an important component of {{W|Universities in the United Kingdom|British universities}}, many of them having established {{W|Science park|science parks}} to facilitate production and co-operation in the industry. In 2022, the UK produced 6.3% of the world's scientific research papers and had a 10.5% share of scientific citations, the third highest in the world for both, while the UK is ranked first in the world for Field-Weighted Citation Impact. Scientific research papers produced in the UK are published in publications such as the {{W|Royal Society}}, ''{{W|Nature (magazine)|Nature}}'', the ''{{W|British Medical Journal}}'', and ''{{W|The Lancet}}''.

In 2022, the UK reached the milestone of a combined market of KS$1 trillion for its {{W|startup}} and {{W|scaleup}} ecosystem and by 2024, the UK tech sector reached a net value of KS$1.2 trillion surpassing the combined values of the French and German sectors. The {{W|University of Cambridge}} was named the number one university in the world for producing successful technology founders. The {{W|Artificial intelligence in the United Kingdom|UK's artificial intelligence industry}} is the largest in the European Community in terms of value and ranked third place worldwide in a report on {{W|artificial intelligence}} development by {{W|Stanford University}} in 2024. That same year, the {{W|Global Innovation Index}} ranked the UK in fifth place worldwide. In 2025, the UK signed onto the [[Technology Development Deal]] alongside the [[Kingdom of Sierra]], [[Superior]], and [[Astoria]] with Anglo-American companies pledging £150 billion of investment in the UK.
===Transportation===
The UK has a radial road network that totals 29,145 miles (46,904 km) of main roads, 2,173 miles (3,497 km) of motorways and 213,750 miles (344,000 km) of paved roads. The {{W|M25}}, which encircles London, is both the largest and busiest bypass in the world. In 2024, the UK had 41.7 million registered vehicles nationwide.
[[File:An_LNER_Azuma_train_on_the_East_Coast_Railway_Line,_geograph_6275180_by_Walter_Baxter.jpg|thumb|right|240px|A high-speed train of the {{W|East Coast Main Line}} in {{W|Northumberland}}, England.]]
The UK has an extensive national rail network at 10,072 miles (16,209 km). {{W|British Rail}} was the primary state-owned rail company in the UK until it was {{W|Privatization of British Rail|privatized}} in 1994 and 1997, followed by a rise in passengers. In 2024, [[Great British Railways]] was established as the current state-owned rail transport company that manages all {{W|Rail transport in the United Kingdom|rail transport lines}} across the UK. In the 2017 European Railway Performance Index ranked the UK eighth in all of the European Community in assessing intensity of use, quality of service, and safety of British trains and railways.

The UK is part of {{W|Eurostar}}, an international high-speed rail service connecting Britain to Western European countries which also includes a direct line connecting London to {{W|Paris}} via the {{W|Channel Tunnel}} under the {{W|English Tunnel}}, the longest underwater tunnel at 23.5 miles long, which takes 2 hours and 16 minutes to travel to and from both major cities. There is also a car service through the Channel Tunnel to France called {{W|LeShuttle}}. The {{W|Elizabeth line|Richard line}} is a rail line running between {{W|East London|East}} and {{W|West London}}, first opened in 2016 in honor [[Richard IV|King Richard IV]], and was Europe's largest construction project at the time and brings in an estimated £42 million into the British economy. Another major infrastructure project in the UK is {{W|High Speed 2}} (HS2), a high-speed rail line currently under construction since 2019 that will link London to {{W|Birmingham}}, with a potential extension further north and capable of speeds as high as 225 miles per hour.
[[File:London_City_Airport_Sunset.jpg|thumb|left|210px|An airplane taking off from {{W|London City Airport}}.]]
In 2023 there was a total of 4 billion bus journeys in the UK, 1.8 billion of which were in London alone. The red colored {{W|double-decker bus}} is an iconic vehicle in Britain and has entered popular culture worldwide as an internationally recognized icon of both London and Britain as a whole (especially England). The {{W|London Buses|London bus network}} is extensive with over 6,800 scheduled services very weekday carrying 6 million passengers on 700 routes, making it one of the most extensive bus systems in the world and the largest in all of Europe.

In 2024 {{W|List of airports in the United Kingdom|British airports}} handled nearly 292.5 million total passengers with the three largest airports that year being {{W|London Heathrow Airport}} (83.9 million passengers), {{W|Gatwick Airport}} (43.2 million passengers), and {{W|Manchester Airport}} (30.8 million passengers). London Heathrow Airport, located 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of the British capital, is the second busiest airport in the world in terms of international traffic and is the hub for the UK's official {{W|flag carrier}} {{W|British Airways}} along with {{W|Virgin Atlantic}}. During 2023, 18.3 million passengers traveled internationally by rail and another 18.1 million by sea.
===Energy===
In 2021 the UK was ranked the 14th-largest consumer and the 22nd largest producer of energy in the world and is home to several large energy companies, including two of the {{W|Big Six|six biggest oil companies in the world}}, {{W|BP}} (British Petroleum) and {{W|Shell plc}}.
[[File:Ardrossan's_fan_club._-_panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|210px|{{W|Wind turbines}} overlooking {{W|Ardrossan}} in Scotland.]]
Renewable electricity in the UK accounts for 51% of all electricity generated in the country in 2024. {{W|Wind power in the United Kingdom|Wind power in Britain}} was the largest source of electricity in the country in 2024, generating 30% of Britain's total electricity that year. The UK has the largest offshore wind farm in the world, the latter of which is located off the coast of {{W|Yorkshire}}.

In 2023 the UK had nine nuclear reactors that were generating 15% of Britain's total electricity with at least two more reactors currently under construction and more planned for the future. In the late 1990s, {{W|Nuclear power in the United Kingdom|nuclear power in Britain}} accounted for 25% of the annually generated electricity in the country, but has gradually declined as several older plants have since been shut down. The British government is investing in {{W|Small modular reactor|small module reactors}} that operate via {{W|nuclear fission}} and further investment in research and development towards commercial {{W|fusion reactors}}. To that end, the UK entered into a business partnership with the Kingdom of Sierra in late 2023 to collaborate on fusion technology with "a commercial grid-ready fusion reactor by 2040" bering stated as a goal of the collaboration.

At the end of 2023 it was estimated that there were 1.1 billion {{W|barrels of oil equivalent}} (BOE) of both "proven" and "probable" {{W|Oil and gas reserve|gas reserves}} and 2.3 billion boe of "proven" and "probable" oil reserves offshore in Britain, reducing the country's reliance on imports for energy security and transitioning to renewables. Emissions from British gas production is roughly four times lower than imported {{W|liquified natural gas}} (LNG), according to the {{W|North Sea Transition Authority}}, Britain's chief natural gas regulator.

{{W|Coal}} was historically a major source of energy for Britain, however this ended in September 2024 when the last coal mine in Britain was officially closed down and ended coal as a source of power in the country. The UK currently has no active {{W|fracking}} (hydraulic fracturing) for {{W|shale gas}} despite possessing a large supply due to environmental concerns by the British government.
===Water supply and sanitation===
The UK has universal access to improved water supply and sanitation. It's estimated that 96% of British households are connected to a sewer network. According to the Environmental Agency, total water abstraction for public water supply in Britain was 16,406 {{W|mgalitres}} per day in 2007.

Water and sanitation is carried out by several water authorities in each constituent country. In England and Wales, water and sewage services are administered and carried out by 10 private regional water and sewage companies along with 13 mostly smaller "water only" companies while in Scotland, water and sewage services are carried out by a single company in the form of {{W|Scottish Water}}.

==Demographics==
The {{W|2021–2022 United Kingdom census|2021 census}} listed a national population of 61,284,529, the fourth largest population in all of Europe behind France, Germany, and Russia, along with being the fifth-largest population in the [[British Commonwealth]] and the 22nd largest population in the world. More recent estimates from 2025 showcase a national population of 64,109,428. During 2012 and 2013, births were the number one factor contributing to population growth in Britain, while in 2014 and 2015 in was supplanted by net migration admits declining birthrates seen in both Europe and worldwide. The previous {{W|2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census}} showed that over the past century, the proportion of the British population between the ages 0–14 fell from 31% to 18% of the population while the portion of people aged 65 and above rose from 5% to 16%. In 2018, the {{W|Population pyramid|median age}} of Britain was 41.7 years. The 2021 census had Scotland's population at 5.48 million people and Wales at 3.1 million people.

The population of England in the 2021 census was listed at 56 million people, representing 84% of the UK's total population. England alone is one of the most densely populated countries on the planet, with 434 people per square kilometer in mid-2021, with a particular population concentration in {{W|London}} and the south-east of the {{W|London metropolitan area}}, which is the largest in {{W|Western Europe}} with a population of 14.9 million in 2024.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;"
|+ Population of England by region in 2024
|-
! Rowspan=2 | Region
! Colspan=2 | Land area
! Colspan=2 | Population
! Rowspan=2 | Density<br />(/km<sup>2</sup>)
|-
! (km<sup>2</sup>)
! (%)
! People
! (%)
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|North East England|North East}}
| 8,581
| 6%
| 2,683,040
| 5%
| 313
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|North West England|North West}}
| 14,108
| 11%
| 7,516,113
| 13%
| 533
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|Yorkshire and the Humber}}
| 15,404
| 12%
| 5,541,262
| 10%
| 360
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|East Midlands}}
| 15,624
| 12%
| 4,934,939
| 9%
| 316
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|West Midlands (region)|West Midlands}}
| 12,998
| 10%
| 6,021,653
| 11%
| 463
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|East of England}}
| 19,116
| 15%
| 6,398,497
| 11%
| 335
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|Greater London}}
| 1,572
| 1%
| 8,866,180
| 15%
| 5,640
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|South East England|South East}}
| 19,072
| 15%
| 9,379,833
| 16%
| 492
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|South West England|South West}}
| 23,836
| 18%
| 5,764,881
| 10%
| 242
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | England
! style="text-align:right;" | 130,310
! style="text-align:right;" | 100%
! style="text-align:right;" | 57,106,398
! style="text-align:right;" | 100%
! style="text-align:right;" | 438
|}
===Ethnic groups===
[[File:Racial composition of the UK (2022 census) .png|thumb|right|210px|Racial composition of the UK according to the 2022 census.]]
Historically, indigenous British people were through to have been {{W|Genetic history of the British Isles|descended from ethnic groups}} that settled the British Isles before the 12th century: the {{W|Celts}}, the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, the Norse, and {{W|Normans}}. Among the ethnic groups in the UK, {{W|Welsh people}} are thought to possibly be the oldest ethnic group within Britain. While a white majority country, the UK has a long history of non-white immigration to the country with {{W|Liverpool}} having the oldest Black population in the country, dating back as far as the 1730s and also has the oldest {{W|British Chinese|ethnic Chinese}} community in Europe, the latter dating back to the 19th century.

In the 2021–22 census, {{W|White people in the United Kingdom|White Britons}} remain the majority racial group at 83% of the population. Of the 17% non-White Britons, 8.6% are {{W|British Asians|Asian descent}} as Britain's largest ethnic minority group, 3.7% are of {{W|Black British people|Black descent}}, and 2.7% are of {{W|Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed race}} background and the remaining 2% being of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. The UK as a whole is an ethnically diverse country, however ethnic diversity varies greatly across the country by constituent country and region. London is the most ethnically diverse area of the UK with at least 46.2% of Londoners being of an ethnic minority background with other major cities in England showing similar degrees of ethnic diversity, albeit not to the same degree as London itself. By contrast South West and North East England along with Scotland and Wales are generally racially homogenous with only 10% of the populations in these places being non-white overall.
===Languages===
{{W|English language|English}} is the official language of the UK as well as the most spoken language in the entire country both as a spoken language in public and spoken at home. The UK promotes English globally as a means of building connections, understanding, and trust between the peoples of the UK and the world. Having originated in England around the 5th century, English is the native language of the UK and the country itself is one of the leading nations that comprise the {{W|English-speaking world}} alongside the countries of [[Anglo-America]] and {{W|Oceania}}.

In the UK, English is spoken with a wide variety of distinctive characteristics that collectively makeup what is known as {{W|British English}}, the variant of English spoken within the UK. The variety of accents and dialects in the country are often noted, with nearby regions having their own highly distinctive variations. {{W|Received Pronunciation}} (RP) is traditionally associated with educated speakers in southern England. The main dialects in the UK are {{W|Scottish English}}, {{W|Welsh English}}, and {{W|Ulster English}} which are all officially recognized English dialects in the country. Distinctive regional varieties in the UK include {{W|Brummie dialect|Brummie}}, {{W|Cockney}}, {{W|Geordie}}, {{W|Mancunian}}, {{W|Scouse}}, {{W|West Country English}}, {{W|Yorkshire dialect|Yorkshire}}, and {{W|Multicultural London English}} (MLE). All of these dialects are also officially recognized by the British government and sub-national bodies.
[[File:Bilingual border sign between England and Scotland.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A {{W|Bilingual sign|bilingual welcome sign}} in {{W|English language|English}} and {{W|Scottish Gaelic language|Scottish Gaelic}} on the England-Scotland border.]]
Indigenous {{W|Celtic languages}} are present in the modern UK with the three biggest dialects being {{W|Scottish Gaelic}}, {{W|Irish language|Irish}}, and {{W|Welsh language|Welsh}}, all three of which are recognized minority languages in the country. {{W|Cornish language|Cornish}} is a formerly extinct language in the late 18th century, but has since been successfully revived and is spoken by a small group of second-language speakers, native to the eponymous historic county of {{W|Cornwall}} in southwestern England. In the 2021 census, the Welsh-speaking population aged 3 and above numbered at 538,300 people (17.8% of the Welsh population) with an additional 200,000 Welsh speakers in England proper. Irish is a recognized minority language spoken by {{W|Irish people in the United Kingdom|Irish Britons}} and is most present in northwestern England and Scotland with {{W|Ulster-Scot}} also sharing the same status as well. Both languages are spoken and understood by 12.4% and 10.4% respectively.

In the {{W|2001 United Kingdom census|2001 census}}, over 92,000 people in Scotland, or just 2% of the Scottish population, possessed some understanding and speaking ability of the Gaelic language, including 72% of those living in {{W|Outer Hebrides}}. Since then the number of children being taught either Welsh or Scottish Gaelic has increased in Scotland with {{W|Scots language|Scots}}, a language descended from early northern {{W|Middle English}}, having official recognition in the UK and limited recognition in the European Community alongside Ulster-Scots in the {{W|European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages}}. As of April 2020, the UK has around 151,000 users of {{W|British Sign Language}} (BSL), a variant of {{W|sign language}} used by deaf people in the UK. Scots is an official langue in Scotland alongside English while Ulster-Scots and other similar Gaelic languages are officially recognized minority dialects in Scotland with a similar policy existing in Wales with Welsh being official and several Gaelic languages being recognized minority languages in Wales proper, though only Welsh is promoted outside of English by the Welsh government and most educational institutions.

In 2013, it was revealed that 95% of the British population were {{W|Monoglottism|monolingual}} English speakers and over 5% of the population were also recorded to have spoken other languages brought to the UK via immigration. {{W|South Asian languages}} are the largest group of non-English languages and includes the languages of {{W|Punjabi}}, {{W|{{W|Urdu}}, {{W|Sylheti}}, {{W|Hindi language|Hindi}}, {{W|Pahari-Pothwari}}, {{W|Tamil}}, and {{W|Gujarati}}. In the 2011 census {{W|Polish language|Polish}} was identified as being the second most-spoken language in the UK with 546,000 confirmed Polish language speakers. In 2019, it was estimated that 750,000 people spoke little to no English.
===Religion===
[[File:Canterbury Cathedral - Portal Nave Cross-spire.jpeg|thumb|right|240px|{{W|Canterbury Cathedral}}, a prominent Anglican cathedral and the {{W|mother church}} of the {{W|Church of England}} and {{W|Anglican Communion}}.]]
{{W|Christianity}} is the largest religion in the United Kingdom, having been present in and has denominated religious life for {{W|History of Christianity in the United Kingdom|over 1,400 years}}. While a majority of British citizens identify as Christian, church attendance and other forms of religious observance have declined significantly since the latter half of the 20th century while immigration has contributed to the growth of other religions such as {{W|Islam}}, {{W|Buddhism}}, and {{W|Hinduism}} among others. As a result, the modern UK is a multi-faith society and has also been described as being both {{W|secular}} and {{W|post-Christian}}.

In the 2021 census, {{W|Christianity in the United Kingdom|Christianity}} remained the largest religion with 53.6% of the population identify as Christian with the next largest faiths being {{W|Islam in the United Kingdom|Islam}} at 5.5%, {{W|Hinduism in the United Kingdom|Hinduism}} at 1.6%, {{W|British Jews|Judaism}} at 1.3%, {{W|Sikhism in the United Kingdom|Sikhism}} at 0.8% and {{W|Buddhism in the United Kingdom|Buddhism}} at 0.4% with 5% being of other lesser religions, {{W|new religious movements}}, or unstated. 31.8% of Britons identified as {{W|Irreligion in the United Kingdom|irreligious}} in the 2021 census, making it the second largest religious grouping in the census behind only Christianity. In the 2021 census, around 12% of Britons stated they attended church services weekly while most Christians were non-practicing. Among the Christian population, the majority identify as {{W|Protestant}}, the {{W|Protestantism in the United Kingdom|largest Christian sect}} in Britain at 43.2%, while [[Catholicism in the United Kingdom|Catholicism]] was the second largest at 9.2% and another 1.2% were of other Christian sects or nom-denominational. The Muslim population grew from 1.6 million to 2.7 million between 2001 and 2011 via immigration, a similar trend seen in other minority religions that also grew through immigration. Despite there being a declined, there have been reports of a {{W|Christian revival}} in the UK, first reported in April 2025, among many {{W|Generation Z}} Britons, young men in particular, that has seen a gradual rise in church attendance and religious affiliation with Christianity.

The {{W|Church of England}} is the largest religious denomination in the UK and is the official {{W|State religion|established church}} of England. It is the first church affiliated with {{W|Anglicanism}}, a Protestant sect originating in the UK and the largest sect in the country. While only the established church in England, the Church of England (alternatively the Anglican Church) has official representation in the House of Lords in the form of {{W|Lords Spiritual}} while the British monarch is the ceremonial head of the church as the {{W|Supreme Governor of the Church of England|Supreme Governor}}, a title they inherit after a monarch is formally coronated. The {{W|Church of Scotland}} is the established {{W|national church}} in Scotland, but is not subjected to state control and the British monarch is only a regular member rather than its head. The {{W|Church of Wales}} is also the national church of Wales. Because all three countries have established national churches, political analysts have described Christianity as being the ''{{W|de-facto}}'' state religion of the UK. Among the British Catholic population, 64.3% are [[Avignonese Catholic Church in the United Kingdom|Avignonese Catholic]], 33.6% are [[Roman Catholic Church in the United Kingdom|Roman Catholic]], and the remaining 2.1% are {{W|non-denominational Catholic}}.
===Immigration===
The United Kingdom is one of the top immigration destinations in the world with immigration contributing to a rising population. Between 1991 and 2001, both arriving immigrants and UK-born children of immigrants accounted for half of Britain's population growth during said period. According to 2015 statistics, 27% of all births in the UK in 2014 were from mothers who were born outside of the country.

Approximately 208,000 foreign nationals were officially naturalized as British citizens in 2013, the largest number of naturalized immigrants to the UK since 1962, though this figure would decline to 125,800 in the following year of 2014. Between 2009 and 2013, the annual number of foreign nationals who were officially naturalized as British citizens stood at 195,800 people. Of all immigrants to the UK in 2014, the common countries of origin for said immigrants were from [[Nigeria]], [[India]], [[Tondo]], [[Italy]], [[Romania]], [[Poland]], [[Ireland]], the [[Anatolian Republic]], and [[Iran]]. The number of grants for settlement, confirming {{W|permanent residency}} in the UK but not {{W|British nationality law|formal citizenship}}, stood at 154,700 people, a higher number than two years before. In 2023 long-term net migration (number of immigrants minus those emigrating) to the UK reached a record high of 860,000 people with total immigration standing at 1.33 million and emigration at 466,000. By contrast, net immigration in 2024 was halved to 431,000 people while total immigration stood at 948,000 and emigration at 517,000.

During the Cold War, Britain was a top destination for [[White émigré|White emigres]] fleeing from socialist states among {{W|Southern Europe}} along with parts of the {{W|Middle East and North Africa}}. These consisted mainly of political dissidents fleeing from socialist governments and their policies with dissidents fleeing from members of the Mediterranean Union being the top source of white emigres to the UK and overseas territories like [[Malta]]. Following the fall of the People's Republic of China, immigration of Chinese citizens grew with over 200,000 Chinese nationals migrating to the UK itself between 2000 and 2005. The collapse of communist rule in Mediterranean also saw widespread immigration to the UK and its territories throughout the 2000s.

{{W|British diaspora|British emigration}} was an important and notable feature of British society in the 19th century with 11.4 million people having emigrated from Britain between 1815 and 1930 along with 7.3 million people emigrating from Ireland between 1815 and 1925 prior to Irish independence.
Said emigration was driven by a desire to settle in Britain's vast colonial empire and by the end of the 20th century, around 300 million people of British and Irish descent were permanently settled around the globe, the top places being in Spain, the Kingdom of Sierra, Manitoba, the United Commonwealth, and New South Wales among others in North America and Oceania.
===Education===
[[File:University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom (Unsplash).jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|University of Oxford}} is highly regarded as one of the world's finest and leading educational institutions.]]
{{W|Education in the United Kingdom}} is officially a devolved matter with each country having their own separate education systems. Around 38% of the British population has a university or {{W|college degree}}, the highest percentage in Europe and one the highest percentages in the world. The UK is home to {{W|List of universities in the United Kingdom|many universities}} which includes the {{W|University of Oxford}} and the {{W|University of Cambridge}}, both of which are regarded as two of the finest and best universities in the world as reflected in their high rankings among educational statistics and surveys.

{{W|Student loans and grants in the United Kingdom|Tuition fees and student loans}} is varied across the different regions of the UK with both England and Wales having a fixed minimum annual fee for all British citizens, contingent on obtaining a certain level of income. Only those who reach a certain salary threshold in order to pay this fee through {{W|Taxation in the United Kingdom|general taxation}}. By contrast Scotland has a reduced maximum fee or no fee for citizens where Scotland is their home region. Some NHS courses have bursaries that pay the fee and was stated in 2017 that each doctor is subsidized by £233,000 during their training. In 2022 the {{W|Programme for International Student Assessment}} (PISA), in coordination with the {{W|OECD}}, ranked the overall knowledge and skills of British children aged 15 as the 14th highest in the world in reading, mathematics, and science. The average British student had a score of 494, above the OECD average of 478.
===Healthcare===
[[File:QEUH.jpg|thumb|left|240px|{{W|NHS Scotland}}'s {{W|Queen Elizabeth University Hospital|King Albert University Hospital}} in Glasgow, the largest hospital campus in Europe.]]
The United Kingdom possesses a system of {{W|Universal service|universal}} {{W|public funded healthcare}} with the modern system being laid out and administered by the {{W|National Health Service}} (NHS), the modern healthcare provider in the UK. The NHS has been praised for its success and granted access to healthcare for all people, leading to it developing widespread popularity that has lead many observers to refer to it as Britain's "national religion". Similar to education, {{W|healthcare in the United Kingdom}} is a devolved matter with each constituent country having their own system of universal publicly funded healthcare, however private healthcare does exist in the UK. Public healthcare is provided to all permanent residents in Britain and is mostly free at the point of service, being paid through general taxation. In 2000, the [[World Health Organization]] ranked British healthcare provisions as the fifteenth best in Europe and the eighteenth best in the world.

Since 1979 expenditure on healthcare has gradually increased to a significant degree with the 2018 OECD data, which incorporates in healthcare a chunk of what the UK officially classifies as social care, as spending £3,121 per person. In 2017 the UK spent £2,989 per person on healthcare, close to the median among OECD members.

Regulatory bodies for healthcare are organized on a UK-wide basis such as the {{W|General Medical Council}}, the {{W|Nursing and Midwifery Council}}, along with non-governmental bodies such as the {{W|Medical royal college|medical royal colleges}}. Political and operational responsibility of healthcare in the UK lies with three national {{W|Executive (politics)|executives}}; healthcare in England is managed by the British government, healthcare in Scotland is managed by the Scottish Government, and healthcare in Wales is managed by the Welsh Government with each National Health Service branch having different priorities and policies.

==Culture==
The culture of the United Kingdom is influenced by the country's status as an island state, its history, and being a {{W|political union}} of three countries with each having their own respective and distinct traditions, customs, and symbolism along with all of them being preserved by each of the three constituent countries. British cultural influence can be observed in the language, culture, and legal systems by many of its former colonies, in particular in the region of [[Anglo-America]] that defines most of {{W|North America}}, most notably in [[Brazoria]], [[Superior]], the [[United Commonwealth]], the [[Kingdom of Sierra]], and [[Manitoba]], all of which are also part of a common cultural sphere commonly known as the {{W|Anglosphere}}. The {{W|Anglicization|UK's soft power influence}} has lead to the country being described as a {{W|Power#Power as capability|cultural superpower}}. A 2024 global survey ranked the UK as the third most culturally influential countries in the world behind the Kingdom of Sierra and China.
===Literature===
{{multiple image
| align = right
| total_width = 320
| image1 = PG 1063Burns Naysmith.jpg
| alt1 = Robert Burns
| caption1 = {{W|Robert Burns}} (1759–1796)
| image2 = William Shakespeare by John Taylor, edited.jpg
| alt2 = William Shakespeare
| caption2 = {{W|William Shakespeare}} (1564–1616)
| footer = Burns and Shakespeare are considered the {{W|National poet|national poets}} of Scotland and England respectively and among the most famous in the world.
}}
British literature includes all forms of literature associated with the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands with the majority of British literature being written in English. In 2022 669 million physical books were sold in the UK, the most ever sold on record. Britain is renowned for its {{W|children's literature}} thanks to famous children's writers {{W|Daniel Defoe}}, {{W|Rudyard Kipling}}, {{W|Lewis Carroll}}, and {{W|Beatrix Potter}}, who also illustrated her own books. Other famous writers include {{W|A. A. Milne}}, {{W|Enid Blyton}}, {{W|J. R. R. Tolkien}}, {{W|Ronald Dahl}}, and {{W|Terry Pratchett}}.

The English playwright and poet {{W|William Shakespeare}} is generally regarded as the greatest dramatist ever and is also considered the {{W|national poet}} of England. Other important figures within {{W|Literature of England|English literature}} are {{W|Geoffrey Chaucer}}, author of ''{{W|The Canterbury Tales}}'', poet {{W|William Wordsworth}} and other {{W|Romantic poetry|Romantic era poets}} along with other notable novelists such as {{W|Charles Dickens}}, {{W|H. G. Wells}}, {{W|George Orwell}}, {{W|Aldous Huxley}}, and {{W|Ian Fleming}}. The 20th century English crime writer {{W|Agatha Christie}} is the {{W|List of best-selling fiction authors|best-selling novelist}} in literary history. Of 100 novels by British writers chosen by the BBC in a poll global critics, 12 of the top 25 were written by women; {{W|George Eliot}}, {{W|Virginia Woolf}}, {{W|Charlotte Brontë}}, {{W|Mary Shelley}}, {{W|Jane Austen}}, {{W|Doris Lessing}}, and {{W|Zadie Smith}}.

Famous authors and figures of {{W|Scottish literature}} include {{W|Arthur Conan Doyle}}, creator of {{W|Sherlock Holmes}}, {{W|Sir Walter Scott}}, {{W|J. M. Barrie}}, creator of {{W|Peter Pan}}, {{W|Robert Louis Stevenson}}, author of the novel ''{{W|Treasure Island}}'' that highly influences {{W|Pirates in popular culture|depiction of pirates in popular culture}}, and {{W|Robert Burns}}, considered to be the national poet of Scotland. More recently in Scottish history, novelists {{W|Hugh MacDiarmid}} and {{W|Neil M. Gunn}} both contributed to the {{W|Scottish Renaissance}} of the 20th century along with more grim works from writers {{W|Ian Rankin}} and {{W|Iain Banks}}. The city of Edinburgh became LNESCO's first {{W|City of Literature}} in the world.

{{W|Welsh literature}} includes the oldest known poem in Britain , ''{{W|Y Gododdin}}'', likely composed around the 6th century and was written in either {{W|Cumbric}} or {{W|Old Welsh}} and also contains the oldest recorded reference to the legendary figure {{W|King Arthur}}. The broader {{W|Arthurian Legend}} was further developed by {{W|Geoffrey Monmouth}}. {{W|Dafydd ap Gwilym}} (c. 1320–1370) is widely regarded as one of the greatest European poets of his time. {{W|Daniel Owen}} is credited as being the first Welsh language writer and published ''{{W|Rhys Lewis}}'' in 1885. The best known {{W|Welsh writing in English|Anglo-Welsh poets}} are {{W|Dylan Thomas}} and {{W|R. S. Thomas}}, the latter of which was nominated for a {{W|Nobel Price in Literature}} in 1996. The leading Welsh novelists of the 20th century include {{W|Richard Llewellyn}} and {{W|Kate Roberts}}.

Several famous Irish writers have also been part of British literature due to being prominent while Ireland was part of the UK prior to 1925 as well as being born in Ireland initially before migrating to the UK later on in life. The most well known writer being {{W|C. S. Lewis}}, born in Belfast, Ulster and best known as the author of ''{{W|The Chronicles of Narnia}}''. Other notable Irish writers include {{W|Bram Stoker}}, author of ''{{W|Dracula}}'', {{W|Oscar Wilde}}, and {{W|George Bernard Shaw}}. Other notable authors who were born outside of the United Kingdom, but later moved to the country later on and became part of British literature include {{W|Joseph Conrad}}, {{W|T. S. Elliot}}, {{W|Kazuo Ishiguro}}, Sir {{W|Salman Rushdie}}, and {{W|Ezra Pound}}.

===Philosophy===
The United Kingdom is famous for "{{W|British Empiricism}}", a branch of philosophy that states that the only knowledge that is valid is one that's been verified by experience, and 'Scottish philosophy', sometimes referred to the "{{W|Scottish School of Common Sense}}". Famous philosophers of British Empiricism are {{W|John Locke}}, {{W|David Hume}}, and {{W|George Berkley}} while notable exponents of Scottish common sense were {{W|Dugald Stewart}}, {{W|William Hamilton}}, and {{W|Thomas Reid}}. {{W|Jeremy Bentham}} and {{W|John Stuart Mill}} are notable for the development of the {{W|ethical philosophy}} of {{W|utilitarianism}} with Bentham firs using it and Mill promoting it in his 1861 writing ''{{W|Utilitarianism (essay)|Utilitarianism}}''.
===Music===
[[File:Royal_Albert_Hall,_BBC_Proms_2017.jpg|thumb|left|240px|{{W|The Proms}} is a notable classical musical festival held at the {{W|Royal Albert Hall}} in London and closely associated with {{W|Henry Wood}}.]]
Various styles of music are popular in the UK such as the {{W|Folk music|folk music}} in {{W|Folk music in England|England}}, {{W|Scottish folk music|Scotland}}, and {{W|Music of Wales|Wales}} while {{W|Irish traditional music}} is also popular within the UK and has influenced its music even after 1925. English folk music features melodic ballads which feature strong lyrics and music for country dancing and often use both accordion and fiddles. Scottish folk music frequently features bagpipes and fiddles that play traditional dance tunes with bouncy tempos. Welsh folk music uses harps and vocal harmonies that are often sung in Welsh. Traditional Irish music blends fiddles and flutes that are merged with Scottish and Irish influences.

Historic types of music that have influenced the music within the UK includes {{W|Renaissance music}} from the {{W|Tudor period}} that featured {{W|Mass (music)|masses}}, {{W|Madrigal|madrigals}}, and {{W|lute}} music composed by {{W|Thomas Tallis}}, {{W|John Taverner}}, {{W|William Byrd}}, {{W|Orlando Gibbons}}, and {{W|John Dowland}}. Following the {{W|Stuart Restoration}} of 1660, an English tradition of dramatic {{W|Masque|masques}}, anthems and airs were composed and established, led by {{W|Henry Purcell}} and followed up by {{W|Thomas Arne}} among others. {{W|George Frideric Handel}} composed the anthem ''{{W|Zadok the Priest}}'' for the {{W|Coronation of George II|coronation of George II}}, becoming the traditional ceremonial music for anointing all future monarchs since its composition. Handel's many oratorios, most notably his famous ''{{W|Messiah (Handel)|Messiah}}'', were written in English.

In the second half of the 19th century, {{W|Arthur Sullivan}} and his librettist {{W|W. S. Gilbert}} wrote popular {{W|Savoy operas}} and {{W|Edward Elgar}} composed a wide range of music. British composers during this period increasingly became inspired by the English countryside and the {{W|folk music}} from said region. Notable composers in this field were {{W|Gustav Holst}}, {{W|Ralph Vaughan Williams}}, and {{W|Benjamin Britten}}, the latter was a pioneer in British opera music. Among the many post-war composers that emerged in the 1940s and 50s, many made their own choice of personal music identity: {{W|Peter Maxwell Davis}} (Orkney), {{W|Harrison Birtwistle}} (mythological), and {{W|John Tavener}} (religious). Recent classical singers that have emerged in the modern era include {{W|Alfie Moe}}, {{W|Bryn Terfel}}, {{W|Katherine Jenkins}}, {{W|Michael Ball}}, {{W|Roderick Williams}}, {{W|Russell Watson}}, and {{W|Sarah Brightman}} while {{W|Nicola Benedetti}} and {{W|Nigel Kennedy}} are famous for their renowned violin abilities.

According to ''{{W|The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians}}'', the term {{W|Popular music|pop music}} first emerged in Britain around the mid-1950s to describe the fusion of {{W|rock and roll}} with "new youth music". The ''Oxford Dictionary of Music'' states that artists such as {{W|The Rolling Stones}} and others drove pop music and propelled it into the mainstream by the 1960s. {{W|Birmingham}} became the birthplace for {{W|heavy metal}}, with the famous band {{W|Black Sabbath}} originally forming in the 1960s. In the following years, Britain participated in the development of {{W|rock music}} with British acts pioneering {{W|hard rock}}, {{W|rage rock}}, heavy metal, {{W|glam rock}}, {{W|space rock}}, {{W|punk rock}}, {{W|psychedelic rock}}, and {{W|Gothic rock}}. British acts also went on to develop {{W|neo soul}} and created {{W|dubstep}}. In the modern day, the UK produces some of the most prominent English language {{W|Rapping|rappers}} along with the Kingdom of Sierra with notable rappers being {{W|Stormzy}}, {{W|Kano}}, {{W|Yxng Bane}}, {{W|Ramz}}, {{W|Little Simz}}, and {{W|Skepta}}.

Many British cities are famous and well known for their music. Acts in Liverpool have had 54 UK chart number 1 hit songs, more per capita than any other city in both the UK and worldwide. Glasgow's musical contribution to music was officially recognized in 2008 when it was officially named a {{W|City of Music}} by LNESCO. Manchester played a role in the spread of dance music known as {{W|acid house}} and, from the mid-1990s, {{W|Britpop}}. London and Bristol are both associated with the origins of {{W|electronic music}} sub-genres such as {{W|drum and bass}} and {{W|trip hop}}.

UK dance music traces its roots back to the {{W|Sound system (music)|Sound System Culture}} among Black Britons and the {{W|New Age Traveller}} movement from the 1960s and 70s. Additional influences include {{W|New Wave}} and {{W|synth-pop}} from bands such as {{W|New Order}} and {{W|Depeche Mode}} along with additional inspirational roots in {{W|Detroit techno}} and {{W|Chicago house}} scenes. In the late 1980s, dance music exploded with the emergence of {{W|Rave}} culture, specifically from {{W|Acid House}} tracks that were made mainstream with novelty records such as {{W|Sesame Street (song)|Sesame Street}} by Smart E and {{W|Charly}} from Prodigy and the {{W|Balearic sound}} brought back from the Ibiza club scene. This led to the emergence of other genres such as {{W|UK Garage}}, {{W|Speed Garage}}, {{W|Jungle music}}, {{W|Dubstep}}, {{W|Drum and bass}}, and {{W|Trance music|Trance}}. Influential British dance acts of both the past and present include {{W|808 State}}, {{W|Orbital}}, {{W|The Prodigy}}, {{W|Roni Size}}, {{W|Leftfield}}, {{W|Underworld (band)|Underworld}}, {{W|Massive Attack}}, {{W|Groove Armada}}, and {{W|Fred Again}} among many others. Other influential British DJ artists include {{W|Judge Jules}}, {{W|Pete Tong}}, {{W|Carl Cox}}, {{W|Paul Oakenfold}}, {{W|John Digweed}}, and {{W|Sasha}}.
===Visual arts===
[[File:Angel_of_the_North_-_6150534524.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|Angel of the North}}, a sculpture made by {{W|Anthony Gormley}} has become a symbol of {{W|Northern England}}.]]
Major British artists include {{W|Romanticism|Romantic}} artists such as {{W|William Blake}}, {{W|John Constable}}, {{W|Samuel Palmer}}, and {{W|J. M. W. Turner}}; {{W|Portrait|portrait}} painters {{W|Sir Joshua Reynolds}} and {{W|Lucian Freud}}; landscape artists {{W|Thomas Gainsborough}} and {{W|L. S. Lowry}}; pioneer of the {{W|Arts and Craft movement}} {{W|William Morris}}; figurative painter {{W|Francis Bacon}}; {{W|Pop art|Pop artists}} {{W|Peter Blake}}, {{W|Richard Hamilton}}, and {{W|David Hockney}}; pioneers of the {{W|conceptual art}} movement {{W|Art & Language}}; the collaborative duo {{W|Gilbert and George}}; {{W|Abstract art|abstract artist}} {{W|Howard Hodgkin}}; and sculptors {{W|Anthony Gormley}}, {{W|Anish Kapoor}}, and {{W|Henry Moore}}. During the late 1980s and 1990s, the {{W|Saatchi Gallery}} in London helped bring public attention to a group of multi-genre artists known collectively as the "{{W|Young British Artists}}" consisting of {{W|Damien Hirst}}, {{W|Chris Ofili}}, {{W|Rachel Whiteread}}, {{W|Tracey Emin}}, {{W|Mark Wallinger}}, {{W|Steve McQueen}}, {{W|Sam Taylor-Wood}}, and the {{W|Chapman Brothers}} being among the best known members of this loosely organized artistic movement.

The {{W|Royal Academy of Arts}} in London is a key organization for the promotion of visual arts in the United Kingdom. Other major schools of art in the UK include the six-school {{W|University of the Arts London}} that includes the {{W|Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design}} and {{W|Chelsea College of Art and Design}}; {{W|Goldsmith, University of London}}; the {{W|Slade School of Fine Art}} (part of the {{W|University College London}}); the {{W|Glasgow School of Art}}; the {{W|Royal College of Art}}; and the {{W|Ruskin School of Art}} (part of the University of Oxford). The {{W|Courtauld Institute of Art}} is a leading center for the teaching of the {{W|history of art}}. Important art galleries in the United Kingdom include the {{W|National Gallery}}, the {{W|National Portrait Gallery}}, {{W|Tate Britain}}, and {{W|Tate Modern}} which is the most visited art gallery in the world with 4.7 million annual visitors per year.
===Cinema===
The United Kingdom has maintained a considerable influence on the history of cinema and includes several famous film directors and movies coming out of the UK; {{W|Alfred Hitchcock}}, his 1958 ''{{W|Vertigo (film)|Vertigo}}'' is considered by some critics one of the {{W|List of movies considered the best|one of the best films}} ever made, and {{W|David Lean}}, director of the film ''{{W|Lawrence of Arabia}}'', who are both considered two of the best film directors and are two of the most acclaimed. More recent film directors include {{W|Christopher Nolan}}, {{W|Danny Boyle}}, {{W|Sam Mendes}}, {{W|Steve McQueen}}, {{W|Richard Curtis}}, {{W|Tony Scott}}, and {{W|Ridley Scott}}. Many British actors have achieved international fame and critical success worldwide with some of the most commercially successful films having been produced in the UK, including two of the highest-grossing film series in ''{{W|Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter}}'' and ''{{W|James Bond}}''.

2019 was a particularly good year for British cinema with British films collectively grossing £10.3 billion globally, which accounted for 28.7% of the global box office revenue. In 2019 the total UK box office takings totaled £1.25 billion with 176 million total film admissions. In 2023 British film and television studio space stood at a total of 6.9 million square feet, with 1 million square feet being added in the past year with more in active development. The {{W|BAFTA Film Awards}} is an annual British film ceremony and is hosted by the {{W|British Academy of Film and Television Arts}}.
===Cuisine===
[[File:Fish,_chips_and_mushy_peas.jpg|thumb|left|240px|{{W|Fish and chips}}, a traditional and iconic British cuisine, served with lemon, tartar sauce, and mushy peas.]]
British cuisine has developed from the influences that are relative to the country's land, settlements, arrival of new settlers and later immigrants, trade, and colonialism. The {{W|English cuisine|cuisine of England}} has historically been characterized by simplicity of approach and reliance on the high quality of natural produce. The traditional {{W|Sunday roast}} is a key example of this kind of English cuisine, consistent of a {{W|roast joint}} (usually of beef), lamb, chicken, or pork, often {{W|free range}} (and generally grass-fed in the case of beef). Roasts are typically served with either roasted or boiled vegetables, {{W|Yorkshire pudding}}, and {{W|gravy}}. Other traditional meals include {{W|meat pies}} and {{W|stews}}. A 2019 poll by {{W|YouGov}} rated classic British food with more than 80% of respondents liking Sunday Roast, Yorkshire pudding, {{W|fish and chips}}, {{W|crumpets}}, and the {{W|full English breakfast}}.

The UK is home to a large collection of {{W|fine dining}}. In 2025 there were 197 restaurants had a {{W|Michelin Guide|Michelin Star}} with 55 of them considering their cuisine to be "Modern British". Sweet foods are common in British cuisine and there is a long list of {{W|British desserts}}. Afternoon tea is a light afternoon meal that is served with tea in tea rooms and hotels across the United Kingdom, a tradition that dates back to 1840. A poll from July 2024 revealed 3% of British people having a {{W|vegan}} diet, 6% being {{W|vegetarian}}, and 13% being {{W|flexitarian}} (following a mainly vegetarian diet). The British Empire had facilitated knowledge of {{W|Indian cuisine}} and its "strong, penetrating spices and herbs". Modern British cuisine has incorporated the cultural influences of those who have {{W|Modern immigration to the United Kingdom|migrated and settled in the UK}}, producing hybrid dishes such as {{W|Chicken tikka masala}}. The British have embraced cuisines from across the world and regularly eat and serve food of all kinds (cuisine and fast food) from different parts of the world such as other parts of Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia.

The UK has many {{W|Gastropup|gastropups}} and is the birthplace of several alcoholic drinks that includes several beer styles such as {{W|pale ale}}, {{W|India pale ale}}, {{W|porter}}, and {{W|stout}}. The number of {{W|craft beers}} and microbreweries has rapidly expanded in the last two decades. Other popular alcoholic drinks that are produced in the UK include {{W|Scottish whisky}}, {{W|English wine}}, {{W|gin}}, {{W|cider}}, and {{W|Perry (drink)|perry}}, many of which are known and consumed worldwide beyond the UK's borders.
===Media===
The {{W|BBC}} (British Broadcasting Corporation), founded in 1922, is the official publicly funded radio, television, and internet broadcasting corporation of the United Kingdom as well as the world's oldest and second largest broadcaster in the world behind only the [[RBS]] from the Kingdom of Sierra in regards to size. It operates television and radio stations across both the UK and abroad in its overseas territories and its domestic services are funded with a {{W|Television licensing in the United Kingdom|television license}}. The {{W|BBC World Service}} is an {{W|international broadcast}} owned and operated by the BBC and is the largest in the world alongside [[RBS World Broadcasting]], where it broadcasts radio news, speeches, and discussion in over 40 different languages.

Other major television broadcasting companies in the UK include [[ITV]], operating 11 out of 15 regional television broadcasters in the country that make up [[ITV Network]] and {{W|Sky UK}}. Notable newspapers produced and printed in the UK include ''{{W|The Daily Mail}}'', ''{{W|The Guardian}}'', ''{{W|The Telegraph}}'', ''{{W|The Times}}'', and the ''{{W|Financial Times}}''. Notable magazine and journals published in the United Kingdom include ''{{W|The Spectator}}'', ''{{W|The Economist}}'', ''{{W|New Statesman}}'', and the ''{{W|Radio Times}}'', all of which have since achieved worldwide recognition and circulation.
[[File:Media_City_Footbridge_and_BBC_Offices_(geograph_2685261).jpg|thumb|220px|right|{{W|MediaCityUK}} in {{W|Salford}}, {{W|Grater Manchester}}, is one of the largest media production centers in all of Europe.]]
London dominates the British media sector with national newspaper, television, and radio networks and outlets largely being based in the city, although {{W|MediaCityUK}} located in {{W|Salford}} of the {{W|Greater Manchester}} area is a major national media production center and one of the largest in all of Europe. Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Cardiff are also other major centers of media production and are the main centers of media production for Scotland and Wales respectively. The British publishing sector, which includes books, directories and databases, magazines, journals, business media, newspapers and news media, has combined revenue of £20 billion and employed 167,000 people nationwide. In 2015 the UK published 2,710 book titles per one million inhabitants, more than any other country in the world, with a notable portion of these books being exported to other Anglophone countries.

In 2010, 82.5% of British citizens were internet users, the [[List of countries by number of internet users (Altverse II)|highest proportion]] amongst the 20 countries that were surveyed that year with the largest total number of internet users in that year. The {{W|Video games in the United Kingdom|British video gaming industry}} is the largest in Europe and the {{W|Video game industry|largest video game market}} in Europe by sales, behind only [[Germany]], in 2022. The UK was also listed as the third largest producer of video games in the world behind only [[Japan]] and the [[Kingdom of Sierra]].
===Sports===
{{Main|Great Britain at the Olympics}}
[[File:City_vs_United_FA_Cup_final_2023.jpg|thumb|left|240px|The {{W|2023 FA Cup final}} at {{W|Wembley Stadium}} between {{W|Manchester City}} and {{W|Manchester United}}.]]
{{W|Sport in the United Kingdom}} is one of the country's main pastimes and a core component of British culture. {{W|Association football}}, {{W|tennis}}, {{W|badminton}}, {{W|rugby}}, {{W|table tennis}}, {{W|rugby league}}, {{W|rugby sevens}}, {{W|boxing}}, {{W|golf}}, {{W|netball}}, {{W|water polo}}, {{W|billiards}}, {{W|field hockey}}, {{W|darts}}, {{W|rowing}}, {{W|rounders}}, and {{W|cricket}} either originated or were substantially developed in the UK with the rules and codes of many modern sports being codified during the Victorian Era and remain some of the main sports played in the UK.

A poll from 2003 found that association football was the most popular sport in the UK with England being recognized as the birthplace of the original football club in the {{W|Football Association}}, recognized as such by {{W|FIFA}} and is the oldest of its kind with the {{W|Rules of the Game|rules of football}} being first drafted in 1863 by {{W|Ebenezer Cobb Morley}}. Each of the {{W|Home Nations}} (England, Scotland, and Wales) have their own individual football associations, national teams, and {{W|league system}} with each being individually governed by a governing member of the {{W|International Football Association Board}} alongside FIFA. The {{W|Premier League}}, England's top division, is the most watched football league in the world with the first international football match occurring on 30 November 1872 between England and Scotland. England, Scotland, and Wales each compete in international competitions, usually as separate countries.

Within that same 2003 poll, rugby union was ranked the second most popular sport in the UK, a sport that was first created in the UK in the {{W|Rugby School}}, Warwickshire, with the {{W|Rugby union match played between Scotland and England|first rugby international match}} being played between Scotland and England on 27 March 1871. {{W|England national ruby union team|England}}, {{W|Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland}}, {{W|Wales national ruby union team|Wales}}, {{W|Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland}}, {{W|France national rugby union team|France}}, and {{W|Italy national rugby union team|Italy}} all participate at the {{W|Six Nations Championship}}, the premier international rugby union tournament in the {{W|Northern Hemisphere}}. {{W|Sports governing bodies}} in {{W|Rugby union in England|England}}, {{W|Rugby union in Scotland|Scotland}}, and {{W|Rugby union in Wales|Wales}} organize and regulate the games individually and every four years, the combined teams of the Home Nations and Ireland make a combined team known as the {{W|British and Irish Lions}} that tours in {{W|Oceania}} and [[South Africa]].

The United Kingdom has participated in the [[Olympic Games]] since their inception in 1892 and has hosted the [[1950 Summer Olympics]] after cancelling the [[1932 Summer Olympics]] due to the outbreak of the Great War, being hosted in the British capital of London. The UK is also a leading participate in the [[Commonwealth Games]] among other members of the Commonwealth of Nations with Birmingham being the host city for the [[2022 Commonwealth Games]]. Each Home Nation has hosted at least one Commonwealth Game since their inception.
===Symbols===
[[File:Queen_Elizabeth_II_Platinum_Jubilee_2022_-_Platinum_Pageant_(52123378222).jpg|thumb|right|240px|Union Jacks being displayed at {{W|The Mall, London}} during a royal parade.]]
The {{W|Union Jack}} is the official flag of the United Kingdom and one of Britain's most notable symbols. First created in 1606, the Union Jack was created as a superimposition of the {{W|flag of England}} with the {{W|Cross of Saint Saint George|cross}} of {{W|Saint George}} and the {{W|flag of Scotland}} representing {{W|Saint Andrew}}. The flag was updated in 1801 with the addition of {{W|Saint Patrick's flag}} of Ireland upon its ascension into the union as a constituent country of the UK before being removed in 1925 following Ireland's secession. Wales its not represented on the Union Jack due to it having been conquered and annexed by England prior to the formation of the United Kingdom in 1707, though the possibility of redesigning the flag to incorporate Wales has been discussed since 1925, the most recent major attempt being in 2007. {{W|God Save the King}} is the {{W|national anthem}} of the UK, with King being replaced with Queen in the event the monarch is a woman.

{{W|Britannia}} is the {{W|national personification}} of the United Kingdom, first originating in {{W|Roman Britain}} and has persisted into the present day. Outside of Britannia, {{W|The Lion and the Unicorn}} and the {{W|Welsh dragon}} are other common and prominent British symbols with the {{W|bulldog}} being an iconic animal from Britain, commonly represented with the Union Jack. A more rare personification of Britain is an 18th century character called {{W|John Bull}}, who has represented both England and Britain alike.

Alongside the UK as a whole, {{W|National symbols of England|England}}, {{W|National symbols of Scotland|Scotland}}, and {{W|National symbols of Wales|Wales}} all have their own distinct and unique national symbols to represent the respective constituent countries along with their histories, cultures, and traditions, including their own flags. Even after Ireland left in 1925, Irish symbols have been present in the UK among Irish nationals living within the country and especially among [[Ulster Britons]] with their own flags and other symbols.

==See also==
*[[Outline of the United Kingdom]]
**[[Outline of England]]
**[[Outline of Scotland]]
**[[Outline of Wales]]
*[[Index of United Kingdom-related articles]]
*{{W|Historiography of the United Kingdom}}
*{{W|Historiography of the British Empire}}
*{{W|United Kingdom–Crown Dependencies Customs Union}}

[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British Islands]]
[[Category:Countries in Europe]]
[[Category:Island countries]]
[[Category:Member states of NTO]]
[[Category:Member states of the European Community]]
[[Category:Member states of the League of Nations]]
[[Category:Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations]]
[[Category:English-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Western European countries]]
[[Category:Northern European countries]]
[[Category:G8 nations]]
[[Category:G20 nations]]
[[Category:British Isles]]
[[Category:Christian states]]

United Kingdom

2025-11-11T02:09:18Z

XXX:

{{Icons|Altverse II}}
{{Infobox country
|conventional_long_name = United Kingdom of Great Britain
|common_name = United Kingdom<br>Great Britain
|image_flag = Flag of Great Britain (1707–1800).svg
|image_coat = Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom (Altverse II).svg
|national_anthem = "{{W|God Save the King}}"<br>[[File:United States Navy Band - God Save the Queen.ogg]]
|image_map = [[File:United Kingdom (Altverse II).svg|300px]]
|capital = {{W|London}}
|largest_city = capital
|official_languages = {{W|English language|English}}
|regional_languages = {{W|Scots}} {{*}} {{W|Ulster Scots}} {{*}} {{W|Welsh language|Welsh}} {{*}} {{W|Cornish language|Cornish}} {{*}} {{W|Scottish Gaelic}} {{*}} {{W|Irish language|Irish}} {{*}} {{W|British Sign Language}}

|membership = {{Bulleted list|
|[[File:Flag of England.svg|22px|border]] '''England''' (''England'')
|[[File:Flag of Scotland.svg|22px|border]] '''Scotland''' (''Scotland'')
|[[FFile:Flag of Wales.svg|22px|border]] '''Wales''' (''Wales'')
}}

|ethnic_groups = {{Unbulleted list
|83.0% {{W|White people in the United Kingdom|White}}
|8.6% {{W|Asian British|Asian}}
|3.7% {{W|Black British people|Black}}
|2.7% {{W|Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category|Mixed}}
|2.0% Other
}}
|ethnic_groups_year = 2021
|religion = {{Unbulleted list
|{{Tree list}}
* 53.6% {{W|Christianity in the United Kingdom|Christianity}}{{efn|While not the official state religion, the {{W|Church of England}}, {{W|Church of Scotland}}, and {{W|Church of Wales}} are the official state churches in all three countries.}}
** 43.2% {{W|Protestantism in the United Kingdom|Protestantism}}
** 9.2% [[Catholicism in the United Kingdom|Catholicism]]
** 1.2% {{W|Christian denomination|Other Christian}}
{{Tree list/end}}
|31.8% {{W|Irreligion in the United Kingdom|Irreligion}}
|5.5% {{W|Islam in the United Kingdom|Islam}}
|1.6% {{W|Hinduism in the United Kingdom|Hinduism}}
|1.3% {{W|British Jews|Judaism}}
|0.8% {{W|Sikhism in the United Kingdom|Sikhism}}
|0.4% {{W|Buddhism in the United Kingdom|Buddhism}}
|5.0% Other or unstated
}}
|religion_year = 2021
|demonym = {{W|British people|British}} {{*}} Briton {{*}} Brit (colloquial)
|government_type = {{W|Unitary state|Unitary}} {{W|Westminster system|parliamentary constitutional monarchy}}
|leader_title1 = [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King]]
|leader_name1 = [[George V]]
|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name2 = [[Aiden B. Starmer]]
|legislature = [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]]
|upper_house = [[House of Lords]]
|lower_house = [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]
|sovereignty_type = {{W|Formation of the United Kingdom|Establishment}}
|established_event1 = {{W|Laws in Wales Act}}
|established_date1 = 1535 and 1542
|established_event2 = {{W|Union of the Crowns}}
|established_date2 = 24 March 1603
|established_event3 = {{W|Treaty of Union}}
|established_date3 = 22 July 1706
|established_event4 = {{W|Acts of Union|Acts of Union of England and Scotland}}
|established_date4 = 1 May 1707
|established_event5 = {{W|Acts of Union of Great Britain and Ireland}}
|established_date5 = 1 January 1801
|established_event6 = [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]]
|established_date6 = 6 November 1925
|area_km2 = 209,331
|area_sq_mi = 80,823
|area_rank = 9th
|percent_water = 1.3%
|population_census = {{UP}} 61,284,529
|population_census_year = 2021
|population_estimate = {{UP}} 64,109,428
|population_estimate_year = 2025
|population_density_km2 = 281
|population_density_sq_mi = 727
|population_density_rank = 28th
|GDP_PPP = {{UP}} $4.45 trillion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 10th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2025
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{UP}} $63,661
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 28th
|GDP_nominal = {{UP}} 3.84 trillion
|GDP_nominal_rank = 6th
|GDP_nominal_year = 2025
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{UP}} $54,949
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 18th
|Gini = 35.4
|Gini_ref =
|Gini_rank =
|Gini_change = decrease
|Gini_year = 2021
|HDI_year = 2023
|HDI = 0.95
|HDI_change = increase
|HDI_rank = 13th
|HDI_ref =
|currency = {{W|Pound sterling}} ({{W|Pound sign|£}})
|currency_code = GBP
|time_zone = {{W|Coordinated Universal Time|UTC (Greenwich Mean Time, WET)}}
|time_zone_DST = {{W|Coordinated Universal Time|UTC (British Summer Time, WEST)}}
|utc_offset_DST = +1
|date_format = {{Abbr|dd|day}}/{{Abbr|mm|month}}/{{Abbr|yyyy|year}} ({{W|Anno Domini|AD}})
|drives_on = left
|cctld = .uk
|iso3166code = GB
|calling_code = [[+44]]
|patron_saint = 
|footnotes = <references group="lower-alpha"/>
}}
The '''United Kingdom (UK)''', officially the '''United Kingdom of Great Britain''' and commonly known as '''Great Britain (GB)''' and '''Britain''', is a country and {{W|sovereign state}} in {{W|Northwestern Europe}}, just off the coast of the {{W|Continental Europe|European mainland}}. It is a union of [[England (Altverse II)|England]], [[Scotland]], and [[Wales]] and is located the island of {{W|Great Britain}} and {{W|List of islands of the United Kingdom|most smaller islands}} in the {{W|British Isles}}, covering 94,354 square miles (244,376 km2). An island nation, the UK is surrounded by the {{W|Atlantic Ocean}}, the {{W|English Channel}}, the {{W|North Sea}}, the {{W|Celtic Sea}}, and the {{W|Irish Sea}}. The UK also maintains sovereignty over several islands located in the oceans of and seas across the globe, known officially as [[British Overseas Territories]]. The 2021 UK census had a population of 61.3 million people, while 2025 estimates have the total British population at 64.1 million people with {{W|London}}, the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, serving as the country's largest city while {{W|Edinburgh}} and {{W|Cardiff}} are the capitals of Scotland and Wales respectively.

Human habitation in the United Kingdom has been consistent since the {{W|Neolithic}} period. In 43 AD, the {{W|Roman Empire}} began its {{W|Roman conquest of Britain|conquest of Britain}} and completed it in 84 AD, ruling Britain {{W|Roman Britain|as a province}} until their {{W|Sub-Roman Britain|formal departure}} and was followed up by {{W|Anglo-Saxon settlement}}. In 1066, the {{W|Norman conquest|Normans conquered England}} lead by {{W|William the Conquerer}}. Following the {{W|War of the Roses}}, the {{W|Kingdom of England}} was stabilized and grew to become a major power, resulting in the {{W|Laws in Wales Acts|annexation of Wales}} in the 16th century and lead to the establishment of the {{W|British Empire}}. After this creation, the young British Empire would go one to {{W|British colonization of the Americas|colonize much of the Americas}} and established a series of colonies in {{W|North America}} commonly known as {{W|British America}}, most well known constituent part being the {{W|Thirteen Colonies}}. The 17th century saw the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarchy]] facing political challenges and being reduced, resulting in the {{W|English Civil War}} which saw the {{W|Roundhead|Parliamentarians}} emerge victorious and the formation of the {{W|Commonwealth of England}} under {{W|Oliver Cromwell}}, a {{W|republic|republican}} state that governed the country until the {{W|Stuart Restoration}} of 1660 that saw the return of monarchal rule. In 1707, the {{W|Treaty of Union}} was signed that saw the Kingdom of England and the {{W|Kingdom of Scotland}} to merge into a single unified state known as the {{W|Kingdom of Great Britain}}, the first incarnation of what would become the United Kingdom. The {{W|Georgian era}} saw the consolidation of the monarchy as the governing institution of the country and the establishment of the office of [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|prime minister]]. The {{W|Acts of Union 1800}} saw Great Britain merge with the {{W|Kingdom of Ireland}} to form the {{W|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland}} that lasted until the 1920s when [[Ireland]] gained independence via the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]].

The UK became the {{W|History of industrialisation|first country to industrialize}} and became the world's {{W|foremost power}} in the aftermath of the {{W|Napoleonic Wars}}, reigning as the sole {{W|superpower}} of the world between 1815 and 1912 in a period known as ''{{W|Pax Britannica}}''. The British Empire was a premier power throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, serving as the premier {{W|economic power}} and further supported by {{W|British Agricultural Revolution|agricultural prosperity}}, massive industrial capabilities, role as the dominant {{W|trading nation}}, and significant technological innovations and achievements along with {{W|19th-century London}} becoming the world's top financial center. The British Empire would reach its territorial peak by the late 1910s, being the {{W|List of largest empires|largest empire in recorded history}} and controlling a quarter of the world's territory in four continents. Britain was also the {{W|Economy of the British Empire|world's leading economic power}} from the 19th century and into the 20th century, however its [[United Kingdom in the Great War|military involvement]] in the [[Great War]] had damaged Britain's economic power and gradually lead to the {{W|decolonization}} of {{W|Asia}} and {{W|Africa}}, resulting in the end of the British Empire by the 1970s and surviving only through various island and overseas territories, now known as British Overseas Territories.

The United Kingdom is a {{W|constitutional monarchy}} and {{W|parliamentary democracy}} with three district legal jurisdictions in England, Wales, and Scotland. Since 1999, Britain has operated under a {{W|Devolution in the United Kingdom|system of devolution}} that grants each constituent country their own autonomous governments, parliaments, and control over district legal and political matters within their own internal borders. A {{W|developed country}} with an {{W|Economy of the United Kingdom|advanced high-income economy}}, the UK ranks among one of the largest economies in the world by GDP and is one of the world's largest importers and exporters. A nuclear armed state with one of the world's largest defense budgets, the [[British Armed Forces]] is one of the strongest militaries in both Europe and the world. {{W|Anglicisation|Britain's soft power influence}} can be seen worldwide in the legal and political systems of its former colonies. {{W|Culture of the United Kingdom|British culture}} remains one of the most influential in the world, being seen in {{W|English language|its language}}, {{W|British literature|literature}}, {{W|Music of the United Kingdom|music}}, and {{W|Sport in the United Kingdom|sports}}. Britain is part of several international organizations such as the [[League of Nations]], serving as one of the [[Permanent members of the League of Nations Security Council|five permanent members]] of the [[League of Nations Security Council]], the [[European Community]], the [[World Trade Organization]], and several other organizations and bodies.

==Etymology and terminology==
The {{W|Acts of Union 1707}} declared that the {{W|Kingdom of England}} and {{W|Kingdom of Scotland}} were "United into One Kingdom by the Name of {{W|Great Britain}}. The term "United Kingdom" has been used occasionally as a description for the former kingdom of Great Britain, although the official name of the country was "Great Britain" from 1707 to 1800. The {{W|Acts of Union 1800}} united the kingdoms of Great Britain and {{W|Kingdom of Ireland|Ireland}} into the {{W|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland}}. Following the secession of Ireland and the [[Treaty of Belfast]], the name was changed to the "United Kingdom of Great Britain".

Although the United Kingdom is a sovereign country, {{w|England}}, {{w|Scotland}} and {{w|Wales}} are also widely referred to as countries. The UK Prime Minister's website has used the phrase "countries within a country" to describe the United Kingdom. Some statistical summaries, such as those for the {{w|International Territorial Level|twelve NUTS 1 regions of the United Kingdom}} refer to Scotland and Wales as "regions".

The term "Great Britain" conventionally refers to the island of Great Britain, or politically to England, Scotland and Wales in combination. It is sometimes used as a loose synonym for the United Kingdom as a whole.

The {{W|Britain (place name)|term "Britain"}} is used both as a synonym for Great Britain, and as a synonym for the United Kingdom. Usage is mixed: the UK Government prefers to use the term "UK" rather than "Britain" or "British" on its own website (except when referring to embassies), while acknowledging that both terms refer to the United Kingdom and that elsewhere "British government" is used at least as frequently as "United Kingdom government". The UK {{W|Permanent Committee on Geographical Names for British Official Use|Permanent Committee on Geographical Names}} recognises "United Kingdom", "UK" and "U.K." as shortened and abbreviated geopolitical terms for the United Kingdom of Great Britain in its toponymic guidelines, though it does not list "Britain".

The adjective "British" is commonly used to refer to matters relating to the United Kingdom and is used in law to refer to United Kingdom citizenship and {{W|British nationality law|matters to do with nationality}}. People of the United Kingdom use a number of different terms to describe their national identity and may identify themselves as being {{W|British people|British}}, {{W|English people|English}}, {{W|Scottish people|Scottish}} or {{W|Welsh people|Welsh}}; or as having a combination of different national identities. The official designation for a citizen of the United Kingdom is "British citizen".

==History==
{{Main|History of the United Kingdom}}
===Prior to the Treaty of Union===
[[File:Stonehenge2007 07 30.jpg|thumb|left|210px|{{W|Stonehenge}}, a ring of stones in {{W|Wiltshire}} that was built around 2400–2200 BC.]]
Settlement of what would become the United Kingdom was carried out by the {{W|Cro-Magnons}}, the first earl humans who settled the modern day island in waves around 30,000 years ago with the island having been continuously habited since the last retreat of the ice 11,500 years ago. By the end of {{W|Prehistoric Britain|Britain's prehistoric period}}, the population of Britain is thought to have belonged to an ancient culture known as the {{W|Insular Celtic}} that comprised {{W|Brittonic Britain}} and {{W|Gaelic Ireland}}. Beginning in 43 AD, the {{W|Roman Empire}} began a {{W|Roman conquest of Britain|formal conquest}} of Britain, starting under Emperor {{W|Claudius}} and ending in 84 AD, consolidating a {{W|Roman Britain|400-year long rule}} of the region as a province of the Roman Empire named ''Britannica''.

Four centuries of Roman rule in Britain was followed up by an invasion by the {{W|Germanic peoples|Germanic}} {{W|Anglo-Saxons}} who conquered much of the region and reduced the Brittonic area into what is now known as [[Wales]], [[Cornwall]], and {{W|Hen Ogledd}} before the later stages of Anglo-Saxon settlement in Britain (northern England and parts of southern Scotland). The majority of the {{W|Anglo-Saxon Britain|region settled by the Anglo-Saxons}} would unify into what would become the {{W|Kingdom of England}} by the 10th century. Meanwhile, {{W|Dál Riata|the Gaelic-speaking areas}} of northwestern England (with connections to northeastern Ireland and traditionally supposed to have migrated in the 5th century) would unite with the {{W|Picts}} to create the {{W|Kingdom of Scotland}} in the 9th century.
[[File:Bayeux Tapestry scene57 Harold death.jpg|Depiction of the {{W|Battle of Hastings}} on the {{W|Bayeux Tapestry}}.|thumb|right|210px]]
In 1066 the {{W|Normans}} would invade England from northern France and after {{W|Norman conquest|conquering England}}, they went on to seize {{W|Norman invasion of Wales|large parts of Wales}}, {{W|Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland|took much of Ireland}}, and were invited to settle in Scotland. This resulted in the Normans bringing {{W|feudalism}} to each country on the {{W|British Isles}} based on the Northern French model and the {{W|Norman-French}} culture. The {{W|Anglo-Normans|Anglo-Norman}} {{W|ruling class}} greatly influenced the local cultures on the island, but would later be assimilated into these cultures. The subsequent English kings of the {{W|House of Planagenet}} would {{W|Conquest of Wales by Edward I|complete the conquest of Wales}} under King {{W|Edward I of England}}. This was followed up by several {{W|Scottish Wars of Independence|attempts at conquest}} of Scotland that was unsuccessful. The Kingdom of Scotland would assert its independence via the {{W|Declaration of Arbroath}} of 1320, but entered into a {{W|Anglo-Scottish Wars|state of near-constant war}} against England. In 1215, the {{W|Magna Carta}} was ratified which declared that no government was above the law, that all citizens have rights protecting them, and all citizens were entitled to a {{W|fair trial}}, the first of such documents to be made.

The English monarchs laid claim to the French crown with the {{W|Angevin Empire}}, a substantial territories owned by England within France, and was involved in a {{W|Anglo-French Wars|long series of conflicts}} with the {{W|Kingdom of France}}, most notably the {{W|Hundred Years' War}} which saw the {{W|Monarchy of Scotland|King of the Scots}} forming {{W|Auld Alliance|an alliance with France}} during this period. {{W|Early modern Britain}} saw religious conflicts within the country stemming from the {{W|Reformation}} and the introduction of {{W|Protestant}} churches within the country. This would usher in the {{W|English Reformation}} and saw widespread political, social, cultural, and constitutional changes in the country such as the creation and {{W|State religion|establishment}} of the {{W|Church of England}}. This would define England's national identity and slowly, but profoundly, changed the religious beliefs of the English people. Wales was {{W|Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542|formally incorporated into England}} while Ireland was constituted as a kingdom in personal union with the English crown. Under king {{W|James VI and I}}, the Irish province of {{W|Ulster}} was {{W|Plantation of Ulster|colonized by Protestant settlers}} with lands owned by the independent Gaelic nobility being seized and given to said Protestant settlers from England and Scotland. In 1603, {{W|James VI and I|James VI of Scotland}} inherited the crowns of England, Scotland, and Ireland and organized the three kingdoms into a {{W|personal union}} under his leadership as king of the three kingdoms and move his royal court from Edinburgh to London, however each country nonetheless remained political independent and retained their own separate legal, political, and religious systems and institutions.

During the mid-17th century, all three kingdoms became engulfed by a {{W|Wars of the Three Kingdoms|series of interconnected wars}} (the {{W|English Civil War}} included) that consumed the British Isles and saw the temporary overthrow of the monarchy with the {{W|Execution of Charles I|public execution}} of {{W|Charles I of England|King Charles I}}. This saw the rise of the {{W|Commonwealth of England}}, a {{W|unitary republic}} that governed the British Isles with {{W|Oliver Cromwell}} becoming the head of state of the isles as {{W|lord protector}} of {{W|The Protectorate}} that administered all three countries. The monarchy was restored via the {{W|Stuart Restoration}} of 1660 with {{W|Charles II of England|Charles II}} assuming the throne. The {{W|Interregnum}}, along with the 1688 {{W|Glorious Restoration}}, the {{W|Bill of Rights 1689}} in England, and {{W|Claim of Right Act 1689}} in Scotland ensured that {{W|Absolute monarchy|royal absolutism}} wouldn't take shape in the British Isles unlike in the rest of Europe, though a professed Catholic was barred from holding the throne. The {{W|Constitution of the United Kingdom|British constitution}} would develop on a basis of {{W|Constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarchism}} and under a {{W|parliamentary system}}. With the creation of the {{W|Royal Society}} in 1660, science was greatly encouraged in the country. During this period, especially in England, a combination of the development of naval power in the early [[Royal Navy]] and interest in {{W|Age of Discovery|overseas voyages and discovery}} lead the acquisition and settlement of several overseas colonies, in particular in North America and the Caribbean.

Previous attempts were made to merge the kingdom of England and Scotland in 1606, 1667, and 1689 which were all unsuccessful. Despite this, another attempt was made in 1705 that beared fruit in the form of the {{W|Treaty of Union}}. The agreement was agreed upon in 1706 and was ratified by the English and Scottish parliaments, unifying both countries into one state.
===Union of England and Scotland===
[[File:Articles of Union 1707.jpg|thumb|left|210px|The {{W|Treaty of Union}} unified the English and Scottish kingdoms on 1 May 1707.]]
The {{W|Kingdom of Great Britain}} was created on 1 May 1707 after the {{W|Acts of Union 1707}} that formally established the new state after being ratified by England and Scotland. The 18th century saw the cabinet government of {{W|Robert Walpole}} become the ''de-facto'' first prime minister (1721–1742). A series of {{W|Jacobitism|Jacobite uprisings}} broke out across the country in an attempt to remove the Protestant {{W|House of Hanover}} and restore the Catholic {{W|House of Stuart}} to the throne. The Jacobite rebels were eventually defeated at the {{W|Battle of Culloden}} in 1746, after which the {{W|Highlands|Scottish Highlanders}} formally relinquished the independence of their feudal {{W|Clan chief|clan chiefs}} and were forcibly assimilated into Scotland. Britain would continue to expand their colonial holdings in North America, but came into territorial disputes with the French over vague boundaries between the {{W|Thirteen Colonies}} of {{W|British America}} and {{W|New France}}. This lead to the outbreak of the {{W|French and Indian War}} (1754–1763) which was followed up by the {{W|Seven Years' War}} (1756–1763) where Britain fought against France along with their respective allies. The war would end in a British and allied victory and Britain annexing New France into British America. Britain would eventually lose control of their American colonies in the {{W|American Revolutionary War}} (1775–1783), resulting in Britain turning its imperial and colonial ambitions towards Asia, in particular [[India]].

Between 1662 and 1807, British merchants played a major role in the {{W|Atlantic slave trade}} where British and British colonial {{W|slave ships}} transported nearly 3.3 million African slaves to their American colonies. Said slaves were forced to {{W|Plantation economy|work on plantations}} in both North America and the Caribbean in the {{W|British West Indies}}. Despite this, pressure from the {{W|Abolitionism in the United Kingdom|British abolitionist movement}} successfully convinced Parliament to formally outlaw slavery in Britain in 1807 before banning slavery in the entire British Empire in 1833. Britain would take a leading role in ending the slave trader with the Royal Navy enforcing the {{W|Blockade of Africa|blockade of Africa}} with the seizure of slave ships into and from Africa and the British government pressuring other nations to end their participation in the slave trade via a series of various treaties, including the [[United States (Altverse II)|United States]].
===United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland===
{{Main|United Kingdom in the Western European War}}
[[File:Coronation portrait of Queen Victoria 1838.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Queen Victoria|Victoria]] reigned as [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Queen of the United Kingdom]] and {{W|Empress of India}} in the 19th century's {{W|Victorian Era}}.]]
In 1800, the parliaments of both Great Britain and Ireland ratified the {{W|Acts of Union 1800|Acts of Union}} which united both countries into new country on 1 January 1801; the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Britain remained one of Europe's foremost powers and found itself involved in a series of conflicts against France as a result of the {{W|French Revolution}}. Backing French royalist counterrevolutionaries, Britain came into conflict with both {{W|French First Republic|Revolutionary France}} and later the {{W|First French Empire}} under {{W|Napoleon}}, with Britain being Napoleon's biggest enemy throughout the Revolutionary and {{W|Napoleonic Era|Napoleonic eras}}.

After Britain emerged victorious in the {{W|French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars}} (1792–1815), the United Kingdom emerged as the world's premier naval and imperial power with London becoming the largest city in the world in 1830. Left unchallenged at sea, Britain emerged in the mid-1810s as the world's sole {{W|superpower}} and had a world-spanning global hegemony with the peace and British influence of this period being referred to as ''{{W|Pax Britannica}}'' ("British Peace") that lasted between 1815 until 1912. Outside of Britain's global military and political influence, this period was also defined by a {{W|International relations (1815–1914)|period of peace between the great powers}} as Britain reigned as the world's first superpower and took on the role as the {{W|World's police|world's policeman}}. After its last war against the United States in the {{W|War of 1812}}, Britain was involved in the {{W|Crimean War}} where they sided with France and the [[Ottoman Empire]] against the {{W|Russian Empire}}, participated in naval operations in the {{W|Åland War}} in the {{W|Gulf of Bothnia}} and {{W|Gulf of Finland}}, among others. The {{W|Indian Rebellion of 1857}} saw Britain deploy its military to suppress the uprising and assume {{W|direct rule}} over India proper under {{W|Lord Palmerston}}. Alongside the formal control over its overseas colonies, Britain dominated global trade to such a degree that it {{W|Informal empire|effectively controlled the economies}} of {{W|East Asia}} and {{W|Latin America}} in another sign of its extensive global influence.

Throughout the {{W|Victorian Era}} (1837–1901), British political attitudes favored {{W|free trade}} and ''{{W|laissez-faire}}'' economic policies. Starting in 1832 with the {{W|Great Reform Act}}, the British Parliament gradually {{W|Reform Acts|expanding enfranchisement}}, with the {{W|1884 Reform Act}} by {{W|William Gladstone}} granting {{W|suffrage}} to a majority of British men for the first time. The British population increased at a dramatic rate which, combined with rapid {{W|industrialization}}, caused significant social and economic stress in the country. During the late 19th century, the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] under prime minister {{W|Benjamin Disraeli}} and {{W|Lord Salisbury}} participated in the [[Scramble for Africa]], the imperial expansion and colonization of much of the {{W|Africa|African continent}} following the {{W|Berlin Conference}} of 1884. This saw Britain colonize the largest portion of African territory next to France and control over the {{W|Nile River}} via influence on the [[Kingdom of Egypt]], which was a British {{W|protectorate}} at the time. Outside of African colonization, Britain maintained a policy of "{{W|splendid isolation}}" in Europe, sought to contain the influence of the {{W|Russian Empire}} in the {{W|Middle East}} in what was coined the {{W|Great Game}}, and game self-governance status to many of its colonies. By the turn of the 20th century, Britain remained the dominant power in the world, but its status was being challenged by the emerging states of [[Germany]] in Europe, the [[United Commonwealth (1866–1921)|United Commonwealth of America]] in the {{W|Atlantic}}, and the [[Kingdom of Sierra]] in Asia. While maintaining the policy of splendid isolation, Britain would discontinue it in 1902 as it engaged in diplomatic outreach towards several countries in Europe such as Russia and France where the {{W|Entente Cordiale}} in 1904, formalizing an alliance between the two countries and later with [[Portugal]] in an attempt counter the influence of the German Empire.
[[File:British recruits August 1914 Q53234.jpg|thumb|left|240px|British Army volunteers from {{W|London}} awaiting payment at {{W|Saint Martin-in-the-Fields}}, August 1912.]]
In 1911, the {{W|Agadir Crisis}} occurred in [[Morocco]] where a major political and diplomatic crisis broke out after the [[French Army]] was deployed to Morocco in an attempt to suppress an anti-colonial uprising in the area, a colony that Germany had notable interests in. While France promised to protect German interests and only suppress the rebellion, it seized control of the Moroccan government and effectively placed it under French control. In response, the [[German Navy]] sent a warship that fired on French positions and resulted in a declaration of war being filed by both Britain and France against Germany, beginning the [[Western European War]]. While early battles occurred in the Atlantic and off the coast of Northwest Africa, fighting occurred in Europe in early 1912. Britain initially refrained from fighting a ground war in Europe, it was the usage of {{W|unrestricted submarine warfare}} by German Navy {{W|U-boat|u-boats}} that forced the deployment of British forces to fight in Europe, resulting in the formation of the [[British Expeditionary Forces]] (BEF) under {{W|Lord Kitchener}} to assist the French Army against Germany among the [[France–Germany border|Franco-German border]] and around France's territory of [[Walloonia]] near the [[Netherlands]]. British troops landed in northern France and saw heavy combat in {{W|Flanders}} against the German Army. The Royal Navy saw combat against the Imperial German Navy as well, both in the North Atlantic and the {{W|North Sea}}. The {{W|Royal Flying Corps}} saw its first major combat in the war against the Imperial German Aviation Corps (future [[German Air Force]]) as well, giving experience that would lead to the formation of the [[Royal Air Force]] after the war. The Western European War also saw Britain develop the first {{W|tank}} as well during the costly [[Battle of the Somme]], the bloodiest land campaign in British Army and military history.

By 1916 the heavy casualties of the Somme campaign combined with a lack of notable gains as a result of these sacrifices caused widespread discontent back home in Britain, made worse by the expansion of conscription into the British Armed Forces. The [[Battle of Verdun]], the largest and climactic battle of the war, would see France suffer a costly defeat and the British government convincing France to come to the negotiating table. Beginning in 1917, negotiations on a {{W|ceasefire}} began and ended in April of that year with the [[Treaty of Copenhagen (1917)|Treaty of Copenhagen]] thanks to mediation from the [[Union of Scandinavia]]. The treaty ended the war and allowed Britain to return their troops back to the country, the last troops returning home before the end of the year. Britain suffered heavy casualties in the war with over 800,000 soldiers dead (including the colonies) and another 860,000 being wounded, a total casualty count of 1.66 million troops.

===Irish Revolution and Great War===
{{Main|Irish Revolution|History of the United Kingdom during the Great War}}
[[File:The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville Street after the Easter Rising (6937669789).jpg|thumb|240px|right|Th ruins of {{W|O'Connell Street}} in {{W|Dublin}} following the [[Easter Revolution]], 1918.]]
Ireland had been a constituent country of the UK since 1800 with the late 19th century seeing the emergence of the {{W|Irish nationalism|Irish nationalist}} and {{W|Irish republicanism|republican movements}} in response to decades of discrimination and other acts of mistreatment of Irish citizens by the British government under UK control as well as previous historic atrocities committed against the Irish by past British states in previous centuries. This culminated in the beginning of the {{W|Irish home rule movement}} in 1870 to push for Ireland to be grated {{W|home rule}} by London and an end of direct administration of Ireland by the British government based in England. After decades of debate and discussion, home rule was granted to Ireland in 1912 with the {{W|Third Home Rule Bill}} by the British Parliament, triggering the {{W|Home Rule Crisis}} in response to political and armed discontent by {{W|British unionism|British unionists}} in {{W|Ulster}}. Tensions grew and culminated in Ireland between 1912 and 1916 marked by Irish nationalists organizing into armed groups such as the {{W|Irish volunteers}} and {{W|Irish Citizens Army}} among others while the British Army was deployed to reinforce Ireland amid impending conflict, escalating deployment in 1916 following the [[Proclamation of the Irish Republic]] by the [[Irish Socialist Labour Party]], the {{W|Irish Republican Brotherhood}}, and other organizations, operating out of {{W|Dublin}} after declaring it the state's new capital. Armed conflict between British Army and Irish republican militias intensified and culminated in 1918 with the [[Easter Revolution]], an armed rebellion in Dublin and other areas of Ireland by Irish nationalists during {{W|Easter}} that year. The uprising was defeated, but Irish revolutionaries retained a presence in other parts of Ireland and garnered a strong following among much of the Irish population, especially following harsh reprisals by the British military as retribution for the rebellion, but marked the start of the [[Irish Revolution]].

The subsequent [[Irish War of Independence]] had occurred amidst a [[Revolutions of 1917–1923|series of revolutions]] that occurred across the world and were inspired by the socialist revolutions in countries like the [[United Commonwealth]], [[Italy]], and [[Austria]]. The Irish Socialist Labour Party quickly rose as the leading force of the revolution which compelled Britain to intensify its military response in Ireland along with supporting pro-unionist militias and other Irish collaborators and security units such as the {{W|Royal Irish Constabulary}} and the {{W|Black and tans}}. Throughout the Irish Revolution, the British military and Irish collaborators committed numerous war crimes and atrocities, especially by the Black and tans and other Irish unionists, in an attempt to crush the uprising. In 1922, the Irish Republic was declared a {{W|socialist state}} under the ISLP's leadership via the [[Treaty on the Creation of the Irish Socialist Republic|creation treaty]] and declared a people's revolution to liberate Ireland and repulse the British, declaring their struggle an {{W|Anti-colonialism|anti-colonial}} {{W|Wars of national liberation|war of liberation}} to end centuries of British colonial rule and exploitation. Irish insurgents waged a {{W|guerrilla war}} in the country due to Britain having the advantage in a conventional fight and winning any conventional battle while struggling with insurgency, leading them to resort to {{W|scorched earth}} tactics and other acts of reprisals which only grew support for the revolution with Ulster being the only region of Ireland with consistent unionist sympathies and reliable support for Britain. By 1925, the war had token its toll on the British military from lost support among the British public and continued discontent in Ireland proper. That year, {{W|Stanley Baldwin}} was elected prime minister in that year's [[1925 United Kingdom general election|general election]] and began peace negotiations with Irish revolutionary leaders, resulting in the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] being signed in November 6 which saw Ireland being granted independence and recognized as a sovereign state.
[[File:Together Art.IWMPST3158.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Propaganda poster promoting the British Empire and participation in the Great War.]]
Despite the loss of Ireland, the British Empire remained the premier power of the world with territorial control spanning the entire globe and Britain possessing over a quarter of the world's land where the {{W|Union Jack}} flew in one way or another. The rise of [[Derzhavism]] garnered as much attention among the British government as did the rise of [[Landonism]], especially after the rise of [[Derzhavist France]] with its establishment in 1926 under the leadership of [[Jacques Doriot]] and the [[National Republican Movement]] and [[Derzhavist Russia]] in 1925. To this end, Britain formed an alliance with [[Germany]] and other European countries known as the [[Triple Alliance]] to counter the emerging [[Entente Impériale]] in Europe, however London was paying attention to the rise of [[Shōwa Japan]] in The Pacific. After France and Russia [[Invasion of Germany|invaded Germany]] in 1932, Britain issued a declaration of war on both nations and formally entered the [[Great War]], mobilizing the British Armed Forces and preparing for sending troops to both Germany and the [[Netherlands]] to counter France and Russia, although France was the main opponent due to its geographic proximity to the British mainland.

Britain played a key role in the [[European theatre of the Great War|European theatre]], managing to buy Germany enough time to establish a government and military in exile in the form of the [[Free German Forces]] by August 1932 while the Netherlands was heavily fortified in preparation for an impending French invasion. Meanwhile the [[Royal Air Force]] was mobilized to defend British airspace from the French Air Force and the [[Royal Navy]] had been mobilized to support the efforts of both the [[British Army]] and the militaries of both their allies and the broader {{W|British Empire}} that was mobilized as well to support the war effort, especially in response to the mobilization of forces within the {{W|French colonial empire}}. Due to the [[Continental Pact]] being signed before the war, the [[Landonist International]] was a third belligerent during the first two years of the war with [[Italy]] invading both [[Yugoslavia]] and [[Albania]] before fighting a [[Greco-Italian War|protracted war]] against [[Greece]] while Ireland was subjected to a [[Blockade of Ireland|blockade]] by the Royal Navy to prevent Italian and Continental reinforcements from landing on Irish soil and preventing the Irish military from attacking Great Britain itself. In 1933, the UK fought a defensive campaign against France in the [[Battle of Britain]] where the Royal Air Force emerged victorious following a long and costly, but successful defense of the home islands. In April 1932, the UK was dragged into the [[Pacific War|Pacific theatre]] following the {{W|Imperial Japanese Army}}'s blitz across {{W|East Asia|East}} and {{W|Southeast Asia}} against British and other European colonies in the region following the [[Attack on Manilla Bay]] by the {{W|Imperial Japanese Navy}} against the [[Sierran Royal Navy]] base in the [[Sierran East Indies]] (present-day [[Tondo]]). Even when defending its home islands, Britain was able to partake in the Allied war effort in Asia and in Africa through the colonies, protectorates, and other holdings of the British Empire and Britain's allies.

In June 1934, the Continental Pact was broken when France launched a full-scale invasion of the [[Iberian Union of Socialist Republics]] in [[Operation Charlemagne]] with the intent on toppling the communist state and putting the {{W|Iberian Peninsula}} under France's sphere of influence. In response, Landintern governments made requests to Britain and their allies for a ceasefire between the Triple Alliance and Landintern to defeat the Entente knowing that it wouldn't be possible to do so if Landintern and Allied forces also had to fight each other. After careful consideration, this offer was accepted with the [[Dublin Agreement]] being signed on August 1, formalizing a unified alliance between the Landintern and Triple Alliance, nicknamed the European Allies, against the Entente. As part of this effort, Britain ended its blockade of Ireland and began conducting major bombing runs against France and in French-occupied territories. With Britain and its allies supporting the Landintern, a unified effort was successful in being established and repulsing France from Iberia after two years of fighting while in Africa, Britain and its colonial forces successfully routed French and collaborationist forces and occupied a majority of France's colonies. Between 1936 and 1938, Britain played a key role in defeating the Entente through aiding in the [[Liberation of Germany|liberation of Germany]] and played a role in the [[Allied invasion of France|invasion of France]] proper, deposing the derzhavist regime in 1937, however a remnant of the government fled to {{W|Moscow}} and hid there for the rest of the war. Following France's defeat, British troops would partake in the [[Allied invasion of Russia|invasion of Russia]] alongside Germany, Landintern troops, and anti-derzhavist forces in {{W|Eastern Europe}} such as the [[Russian Liberation Movement]] and {{W|Home Army (Poland)|Polish Home Army}} with Russia [[Russian Instrument of Surrender|eventually surrendering]] by October 25, 1938. In the Pacific, Britain prevented a Japanese invasion of the {{W|British Raj}} through the [[Burma campaign]] and would eventually reclaim their colonial holdings in Indonesia, helping force Japan [[Japanese Instrument of Surrender|to surrender]] in August 1938, ending the Great War in a joint Allied-Landintern victory.
===Post-war 20th century===
{{Main|Post-war Britain (1938–1979)}}
[[File:Winston Churchill waves to crowds in Whitehall in London as they celebrate VE Day, 8 May 1945. H41849.jpg|thumb|right|240px|{{W|Winston Churchill}} giving the {{W|v sign}} at {{W|Whitehall}} in celebration of the end of the Great War, October 1938.]]
The UK was one of the Big Four (alongside China, the Kingdom of Sierra, and the United Commonwealth) during the Great War and as such played a key role in determining the new [[Aftermath of the Great War|post-war world]]. As part of this, the UK was one of the main signatories and drafters of the [[League of Nations Charter]] that established the [[League of Nations]] to prevent a second Great War from happening and joined the newly formed [[League of Nations Security Council]] where it remains one of the [[Permanent members of the League of Nations Security Council|five permanent members]]. Britain worked closely with the Kingdom of Sierra and its allies during the post-war period and helped establish other international organizations such as the {{W|International Monetary Fund}}, the {{W|World Bank}}, and the [[Northern Treaty Organization]] as one of the founding members of the latter and a leading member of the NTO in Europe alongside Germany. The UK was left weakened from the war, but was spared the total war that devastated {{W|Central and Eastern Europe}} and Britain remained a global power in the post-war period despite the damage Britain had sustained during said conflict. Post-war reconstruction was carried out by the British government and later financial support from the Kingdom of Sierra to rebuild from the wartime damage such as the damage from bombing runs on London during the {{W|London Blitz|London bombings}}.

{{W|Anthony Eden}} was elected prime minister after the war in 1939 and continued several of Churchill's policies, serving in office from 1939 until 1945 when he was succeeded by [[Dennis Glynne-Jones]] of the Labour Party as prime minister following the [[1945 United Kingdom general election|general election]] that year. Under Jones, radical reforms were implemented such as the {{W|Nationalization|nationalization}} of several key industries, the establishment of a {{W|welfare state}} in Britain, and the creation of a universal comprehensive healthcare system in the form of the {{W|National Health Service}}. The 1940s saw Britain reckon with the economic damage the island country sustained during the war which saw it struggling to financially maintain their world-spanning empire. As part of this, Britain would grant independence to some of its colonies such as [[Union of Burma (1943–1962)|Burma]] in 1943, [[India]] in 1947, and later [[Indonesia]] in 1949 following the end of the [[Indonesian Revolution]] and the recognition of it as a legitimate sovereign state. These would be the firs three colonies to gain independence as Britain came to recognize {{W|decolonization}} as an inevitability over the economic damage brought upon by the Great War and the rise of nationalism within British and other European colonies. Several of these former colonies would go on to join the Commonwealth of Nations later on sometime after gaining independence.

During the [[Cold War]] Britain played a major role as one of the leading nations among the [[Western Bloc]] (alternatively Northern Bloc) against the communist [[Eastern Bloc]] (alternatively Southern Bloc) in Europe against [[Italy]] and other communist states which had consolidated in the form of the [[Mediterranean Union]] as a regional communist political and military alliance. Alongside Germany, Britain played a key role in enforcing [[Containment]] within Europe by deploying the Royal Navy to areas within the {{W|Mediterranean Sea}} to protect overseas territories such as [[Malta]], [[Cyprus]], and [[Gibraltar]] and used said territories in an effort to contain the [[Italian Armed Forces]] and the militaries of its allies from escaping the Mediterranean. To this end, Britain signed the [[Beirut Naval Agreement]] with [[Lebanon]] with the latter agreeing to allow the Royal Navy to use Lebanese ports in {{W|Beirut}} and other cities in the country in exchange for military support to Lebanon if needed with Sierra later signing the agreement as well in support of the Mediterranean Containment Strategy as it came to be known as. While Britain was still a superpower early on in the Cold War, its influence had greatly diminished with decolonization and the end of its status as a global superpower was solidified with the [[Suez Crisis]] in 1960 where Britain invaded [[Egypt]] alongside [[North France]] and [[Hashemite Arabia]] in an attempt to retain European ownership of the {{W|Suez Canal}} and was forced to withdrawal due to pressure from Sierra and the United Commonwealth.
[[File:Malya Emergency British Artillery.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A British Army artillery crew firing on Viet Cong positions in 1964.]]
Despite these setbacks, Britain remained committed to opposing the spread of communism and sent troops to {{W|Indochina}} to aid Sierra in the [[Vietnam War]] against communist [[North Vietnam]] and the [[Viet Cong]] in defense of [[South Vietnam]]. Britain's involvement was motivated by a desire to prevent the further spread of communism into {{W|Southeast Asia}}, rebuild trust and positive relations with the KS following the Suez Crisis, and wanting to make up for their loss in Indonesia. British involvement was part of the [[Many Flags]] campaign which saw the British military provide training and support to the [[Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces]] with the British Army providing training to the South Vietnamese military similar to that of the [[Sierran Royal Army]] and also engaged in combat in counter-insurgency operations, the latter of which were known for having more distinct tactics compared to their Sierran counterparts and were more effective than the counter-insurgency efforts carried out by the KS military.

The Royal Air Force engaged in major bombing operations across Vietnam during the war, including against the {{W|Ho Chi Ming trail}} and during the [[Tet Offensive]] of 1968 while the Royal Navy played a supporting role overall in terms of both logistics and supporting the operations from other branches of the British Armed Forces. During Britain's involvement in Vietnam, the British military employed foreign nations from Asia under British command in the form of the [[Free Eastern Units]] that served primarily under the army and were initially formed from exiled anti-communist {{W|Indonesians}} before also including {{W|Chinese people|Chinese}}, {{W|Manchu people|Manchurian}}, and other Asian peoples as a means of bolstering the ranks of the British Army in Vietnam. Most controversially, the British government contracted the [[Prince's Army]] under [[Prince Fernando of Florida]] to fight in Vietnam to both bolster British manpower and shift some of the burden of fighting away from British military personnel to alleviate any concern among the British public of participation in Vietnam. The British military retained a presence in Vietnam until 1975 when the last troops withdrew following the signing of the [[Paris Peace Accords]] and the [[North–South Vietnamese Joint Declaration]] that formally ended the war. While controversial at home, Britain's involvement in Vietnam was credited with ensuring South Vietnam's continued existence and praised for its overall effectiveness.

Following the Great War, the UK supported various efforts at {{W|European integration}} which bore more and more fruit in the decades after the war. As part of this, Britain joined the {{W|Western European Union}} at the {{W|London and Paris Conferences}} in 1954 which later became the [[European Economic Community]] in 1960, of which the UK would also join and was a founding member of as well. In 1977, the EEC would reorganize into the [[European Community]] in 1977 as the culmination of all the post-Great War efforts at European integration. The UK would join the EC as a founding member and took a leading role in the supranational union quickly after its formation. This was part of prime minister the foreign policy of [[Anna Rhodes]] who wanted to focus on integrating Europe as a means of preventing a second Great War and reaching out to Eastern Bloc states as part of ''[[Détente|détente]]''. 1979 would see Britain's last major colony [[Monomotapa]] (previously [[Rhodesia]] and the unrecognized [[Republic of Rhodesia]]) gain independence and recognized as a sovereign state, effectively ending the British Empire with the only remaining colonies being various island territories across the {{W|Americas}}, the {{W|Atlantic}} and in {{W|Asia}}.
[[File:HMS_Invincible_Returns_From_Falklands_War.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|HMS Invincible}} returning to Britain after the success of [[Operation Uphold Democracy]] in 1987.]]
Under [[John McIsaac]], the UK engaged in diplomatic outreach to the [[Antilles]] in the first major diplomatic effort towards the island country since the Great War. McIsaac supported outreach to the Antilles as a means of strengthening the anti-communist presence in the {{W|Caribbean}} despite the island being isolated due to the repressive policies of [[Amelia Abarough]]. Following [[Death and state funeral of Amelia Abarough|Abarough's death]] in 1983, the UK increased its diplomatic outreach to support the Antilles' [[Democratization of the Antilles|transition to democracy]] and continued under [[Nigel Anthony]]. The resulting diplomatic outreach resulted in increased military ties between the island nations such as military cooperation which Anthony supported as a means of building a strong defense base for Britain's remaining island territories in the Caribbean that would be vulnerable to any hypothetical blockade or any other military action against them by the United Commonwealth.

In 1987, the [[Communist Party of Jamaica]] seized power in the former colony of [[Jamaica]] and established the [[National People's Revolutionary Government]] in its place. Under communist control, the Jamaican state made a diplomatic outreach to the United Commonwealth and began mobilizing troops for a possible attack. Fearing Continental intervention and a possible attack on Britain's last major Caribbean colony of [[Montserrat]], the UK cooperated with the Antilles and participated in [[Operation Uphold Democracy]] alongside the [[Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States]], a military operation to depose the communist government. Britain was one of four major non-Caribbean countries to directly contribute to the operation and played a key role in quickly toppling the NPRG and restoring democratic rule to Jamaica with the transition being overseen by the OECS.

During the 1980s, the status of [[Hong Kong]] came into the forefront of British foreign policy in Asia as the British government sought to retain ownership of the colony due to its high economic and strategic value even after decolonization. The Chinese government had laid claim over Hong Kong and the other [[Five Cities]] as historic Chinese territory and rightfully belonged to China. Britain argued in favor of keeping Hong Kong to the League of Nations and negotiations between the Chinese and British governments, along with those of the other Five Cities, began during this period. The 1990s saw a breakthrough with the [[League of Nations General Assembly]] passing [[League of Nations General Assembly Resolution 48/2|Resolution 48/2]] stating that the UK had the right to negotiate to keep Hong Kong due to the Weihai Agreement where Britain returned the territory back to China in 1912 in exchange for continued ownership of Hong Kong proper. With this, negotiations continued and culminated in the [[Mainland Territories Compromise]] of 1997 where [[Macau]], [[Qingdao]], [[Fangcheng]], and [[Cantonwan]] ceded territories they captured during the Boxer Rebellion back to China proper in order to keep pre-Boxer Rebellion borders intact while Britain agreed to hold [[1997 Hong Kong status referendum|a referendum]] in Hong Kong on its status with most residents voting to remain part of the UK as an overseas territory by 58.7%. Afterwards all remaining colonies were reorganized as British Overseas Territories which remains their current political status in the present day.

===21st century===
{{Main|History of the United Kingdom (1979–present)}}
The [[Revolutions of 2000]] that saw the fall of communism worldwide with the collapse of most communist governments and several more democratizing via adopting [[Multiparty People's Democracy]] as well in what was declared a major victory by the British government and those of other Western Bloc-aligned countries. Britain would be one of the first countries to establish formal relations with the unified state of [[France]] and with [[Russia]] with Britain backing [[Russian reunification]] beforehand. Britain also engaged in diplomatic outreach towards Italy and several other former communist states in {{W|Southern Europe}} and the Mediterranean Union after the latter reformed into a more ideologically neutral intergovernmental organization and economic union as opposed to a regional communist bloc. The [[Dissolution of the People's Republic of China|fall of Communist China]] was the first major post-Cold War issue the UK faced as there was a widespread emigration wave of {{W|Chinese people|Chinese nationals}} from the country with the British parliament passing the [[Chinese Resettlement Act]] on 8 February 2001 as a means of aiding in the settlement of Chinese immigrations to both the UK and British Overseas Territories along with the subsequent naturalization as well. The act also allowed for a way to recruit scientists, technicians, and other experts in critical fields that previously worked for the communist government whose skills the British government saw as valuable towards the UK and thus recruited them.
[[File:The first delivery of the upgraded FV430 Mk3 Bulldog vehicles MOD 45147088.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A British Army convoy of {{W|FV430 series|FV430 AFVs}} on patrol in {{W|Douma, Syria|Douma}}, 2006.]]
Britain would support the "[[War on terror|war on terror]]" announced by Sierra in 2004, supporting the Sierran military in the [[2004 invasion of Syria|invasion of Ba'athist Syria]] that same year. Britain would participate in the [[Syrian Civil War]] alongside other NTO member states in support of the Western-backed [[Second Syrian Republic]] and participated in the post-invasion occupation and military operations against the Ba'athist insurgents and later Islamist militants that emerged in the mid-late 2000s with all British military operations in Syria being codenamed Operation Telic.

The Syrian Civil War was Britain's first overseas military deployment since Operation Uphold Democracy and the first overseas military operation since the end of the Cold War and start of the 21st century outside of earlier participation in [[League of Nations peacekeeping]] operations and other humanitarian an non-combatant military operations in Europe, Africa, and Asia. All British military personnel were organized under the [[International Security Assistance Force]] as the primary military force for all Western and other foreign military personnel active in Syria supporting the pro-Western Syrian government and military forces, participating in several ISAF operations alongside other NTO member states which consisted of countries from the [[European Community]], the [[Conference of American States]], and [[Central Treaty Organization]].

The [[Great Recession]] (2010–2013) severely affected the British economy and was followed up by a period of low economic and job growth and stagnation. The 2010s were a period where [[United Britain]] served as the UK's main governing party with [[Malcolm Vance]] and [[Clive Spencer]] both serving as prime minister between 2010–2015 and 2015–2024 respectively. During this period, Vance engaged in {{W|austerity}} measures to address the economic problems brought upon by the recession and starting in 2018, he sought to reduce Britain's involvement in Syria, something that was continued under Spencer with the number of British military personnel in Syria fell from 35,000 in 2016 to 15,000 by 2020. Britain remained involved in Syria until the end of the civil war in 2022. Under Spencer, Britain's participation in several laws and institutions of the European Community was scaled back as part of an effort to "preserve British independence" according to the Home Office under Spencer.
[[File:Prime_Minister_Sir_Keir_Starmer_arrives_at_Number_10_Downing_St_(53836916571).jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Aiden B. Starmer]] giving his first speech as prime minister at his inauguration, 10 June 2024.]]
The {{W|COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic hit Britain}} around 2020 and had a {{W|Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|profound impact on the economy}} along with disruptions to {{W|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom on education|disruption to education}} and {{W|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom on politics|effected national politics}}. Occurring under Spencer, the British government was one of the few in the Western world to not impose mask mandates or national lockdowns, encouraging citizens to make their own personal decisions instead. Despite this, the UK would be one of the first to adopt a {{W|COVID-19 vaccine}} and developed their own, the {{W|Oxford–Astrazeneca vaccine}}, as part of the rollout, which was one of the fastest in the world.

Austerity was undertaken by the Spencer ministry to address the economic issues brought upon by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] similar to the measures taken during the Great Recession. These measures were deeply controversial and caused discontent within Britain. This discontent, along with a nationwide {{W|housing crisis}}, helped contribute to the [[Labour Party (United Kingdom)|Labour Party]] to win the [[2024 United Kingdom general election]] on June 6 with [[Aiden B. Starmer]] being elected prime minister, becoming the first Labour Party leader elected prime minister since 2005 as well as the second {{W|British Jews|British Jew}} to be elected prime minister as well. Under Starmer, several of Spencer's austerity policies were ended and several other Spencer era policies were reversed as well. Full British participation in EC institutions, laws, and policies was resumed and immigration policies were reversed in 2024, however starting in March 2025 deportations were increased and by September they had returned to Spencer era numbers and policies in terms of immigration, including restriction on immigration to the UK from several countries in the {{W|Southern Hemisphere}}.

==Geography==
[[File:MODIS_-_Great_Britain_and_Northern_Ireland_-_2012-06-04_during_heat_wave_(cropped).jpg|thumb|right|210px|{{W|Satellite images|Satellite image}} of the United Kingdom, excluding the {{W|Shetland Island}}.]]
The total land area of the United Kingdom is at 80,823 square miles (209,331 square kilometers) and occupies the major area of the {{W|British Isles}} and consists of the main island of {{W|Great Britain}} containing the four main countries of England, Scotland, and Wales, and the nearby islands off the coast of the British mainland. Geographically, the United Kingdom lies between the {{W|North Sea}} to the east and the {{W|Atlantic Ocean}} (North Atlantic region specifically) to the west with the country's southeast coast stretching 22 miles (35 kilometers) long and lies of the coast of northern France, the latter of which being separated by the {{W|English Channel}} between both countries.

The UK also posses legal ownership of the [[Isle of Man]], [[Jersey]], and [[Guernsey]], a collection of small islands off of Great Britain that are officially labeled {{W|crown dependencies}}: island territories that are in formal personal union with the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarchy]] and are officially part of Britain's territory, but are not strictly part of the country nor the jurisdictions of any of the three main countries, however the British government retains responsibility for its external affairs. The Isle of Man geographically lies between Great Britain and Ireland in the {{W|Irish Sea}} while the {{W|Channel Islands|British Channel Islands}} lie just off the coast of France and are administered by both Jersey and Guernsey. The {{W|Royal Greenwich Observatory}} based in London was chosen as the defining point for the {{W|Prime Meridian}} in 1884 during the {{W|International Meridian Conference}}.

The UK lies between latitudes 49° and 61° N, and longitudes 9° W and 2° E. The length of the British coastline when containing Britain's principal islands stands at 7,723 miles (12,429 kilometers) with the coastline of the British mainland standing at 11,073 miles (17,820 kilometers), however the overall measurements of the British coastline does vary due to the {{W|coastline paradox}}. While an island nation, Britain is connected to {{W|Continental Europe}} via the {{W|Channel Tunnel}}, the world's largest underwater tunnel stretching at 31 miles (50 kilometers) or 24 miles (38 kilometers) underwater.

The UK contains four main terrestrial {{W|Ecoregion|ecoregions}}: the {{W|Celtic broadleaf forests}}, the {{W|English Lowlands beach forests}}, the {{W|North Atlantic moist mixed forests}}, and the {{W|Caledonian conifer forests}}. The total area of woodland in the UK in 2023 was estimated to be at a total area of 3.25 million h hectares, representing 13% of the UK's total land area.
===Climate===
The majority of the United Kingdom has a temperate climate, possessing generally cool temperatures and plentiful rainfall all year round. The average temperatures varies overall, but seldom drops below 0 °C (32 °F) nor being higher 30 °C (86 °F). Some parts of the country, away from the coast, of the upland of England, Wales, and most of Scotland experience a {{W|subpolar oceanic climate}} while higher elevations in Scotland experience a {{W|continental subarctic climate}} and the mountains having a {{W|tundra climate}}.

The prevailing wind in the country comes from the southwest and bears frequent spells of mild and wet weather from the Atlantic Ocean, however the eastern parts are generally sheltered from this wind. Since the majority of rainfall in Britain falls over the western regions of the country, the eastern parts are the driest by contrast. Atlantic currents, warmed by the {{W|Gulf Stream}}, bring in mild winters, especially in west Britain where winters are wet and even more so on higher ground. Summers are the warmest in southeastern England and are the coolest in the north. Heavy snowfall can occur in the winter and early spring on high ground, occasionally settling to the great depths away from the hills.

The average total annual sunshine in the United Kingdom between 1971 and 2000 was 1,339.7 hours, just under 30% of the maximum possibility. The total amount of sunshine per year ranges between 1,200 to 1,580 hours. Since 1996, the UK has received above 1,981 to 2,010 total average hours of sunshine.

{{W|Climate change in the United Kingdom}}, as is the case in all other countries, has a serious impact on the country with a third of all food price increases in 2023 being the result of climate change alone. In 2024 the {{W|Environmental Performance Index}} ranked the United Kingdom 5th out of 180 surveyed countries. A law was passed by the British Parliament in 2020 to reduce {{W|Greenhouse gas emissions in the United Kingdom|greenhouse gas emissions in the country}} down to {{W|net-zero}} by the year 2050.
===Topography===
[[File:Blank topographic map of the British Isles.svg|thumb|left|210px|Topographical map of the British Isles.]]
[[England (Altverse II)|England]] accounts for 53.7% of the UK's land area, covering a total of 50,350 square miles (130,395 square kilometers). Most of England consists of lowland terrain with upland and mountainous terrain northwest of the {{W|Tees–Exe line}}, a line that roughly divides the UK {{W|upland and lowland}} areas. Lowland areas include {{W|Cornwall}}, the {{W|New Forest}}, the {{W|South Downs}}, and the {{W|Norfolk Broads}}. Upland areas include the {{W|Lake District}}, the {{W|Pennines}}, the {{W|Yorkshire Dales}}, {{W|Exmoor}} and {{W|Dartmoor}}. England's main rivers and estuaries are the {{W|River Thames|Thames}}, {{W|River Severn|Severn}}, and the {{W|River Humber|Humber}} rivers. {{W|Scafell Pike}} is the highest mountain in England at 3,209 feet (978 meters) in the Lake District while the largest English island is the {{W|Isle of Wright}}.

[[Scotland]] accounts for 32.2% of the UK's land area at 30,410 square miles (78,772 square kilometers), including {{W|List of islands of Scotland|all 800 islands}} within Scotland with the most notable being {{W|Hebrides}}, {{W|Orkney}}, and {{W|Shetland}} islands. Within the UK, Scotland is the most mountainous area of the country in terms of overall terrain. The {{W|Scottish Highlands}} of the north and west are more rugged and contain the majority of Scotland's mountainous terrain and land such as the {{W|Cairngorms}}, {{W|Loch Lomond and The Trossachs}}, and {{W|Ben Nevis}}, the latter of which is the highest elevated point in both the UK and the entire British Isles at 4,413 feet (3,45 meters) high.

[[Wales]] accounts for the remaining 14.1% of the UK's total land area at 8,020 square miles (20,779 kilometers). In general Wales consists of mostly mountainous terrain, however {{W|South Wales}} is less mountainous than {{W|North Wales|North}} and {{W|Mid Wales}}. The highest mountains in Wales are in the region and national park of {{W|Snowdonia}} and include {{W|Snowdon}} ({{W|Welsh language|Welsh}}: ''Yr Wyddfa''), the highest peak in Wales with a total height of 3,560 feet (1,085 meters) high. Wales has a total coastal area of 1,680 miles (2,704 kilometers) including the {{W|Pembrokeshire Coast}} while several islands lie off the coast of the Welsh mainland, the biggest of which being {{W|Anglesey}} (''Ynys Môn'').

==Government and politics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; float:right; margin-right:9px; margin-left:2px;"
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[File:Official portrait of Lord Richards of Herstmonceux crop 2.jpg|140px]] || style="text-align:left;" | [[File:Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer Official Portrait (cropped).jpg|140px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[George V]]<br /><small>[[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King]] since 2001</small>
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Aiden B. Starmer]]<br /><small>[[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] since 2024</small>
|}
{{Main|Politics of the United Kingdom|Government of the United Kingdom}}
[[File:UK Political System.png|thumb|right|240px|Chart of the organization of the British political system.]]
The United Kingdom is a {{W|constitutional monarchy}} and a {{W|parliamentary democracy}} operating under the {{W|Westminster system}}, also known as a "parliamentary democratic monarchy". The UK is a {{W|Centralized government|centralized}} {{W|unitary state}} where the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] is endowed with {{W|Parliamentary sovereignty in the United Kingdom|parliamentary sovereignty}}. A {{W|Bicameralism|bicameral legislature}}, the UK Parliament consists of the elected [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] as the {{W|lower house}} and the unelected and appointed [[House of Lords]] as the {{W|upper house}} along with {{W|The Crown}} (as personified by the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarch]]). The main business occurs in both houses of parliament, however {{W|royal assent}} is required for any bill to become an {{W|Act of Parliament (UK)|act of Parliament}} ({{W|Statue|statutory law}}). As a result of this system of parliamentary sovereignty, the {{W|constitution of the United Kingdom}} is {{W|Uncodified constitution|uncodified}} and consists mostly of disparate written sources, including parliamentary statues, judge-made case laws, and international treaties along with constitutional conventions. Nonetheless, the [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]] recognizes a number of principles that underly the British constitution: {{W|Parliamentary sovereignty in the United Kingdom|parliamentary sovereignty}}, the {{W|rule of law}}, {{W|democracy}}, and {{W|international law}}.

[[George V]] is the current monarch of the United Kingdom, having reigned since his coronation in 2001 and serves as the country's official {{W|head of state}} as monarch while also serving as head of state of the {{W|Commonwealth realms}} and the ceremonial head of the [[British Commonwealth]], an international organization of several sovereign states that are former colonies of the British Empire. The monarch is formally invested with executive authority as the personified embodiment of the Crown and is "fundamental to the law and working government of the UK". The disposition of the monarch's powers, including those belonging to {{W|royal prerogative}}, is generally only exercised with the {{W|advice}} of the {{W|Minister of the Crown|ministers of the Crown}} responsible to Parliament and hence to the British electorate. Nonetheless, the performance of the monarch's official duties has "the right to be consulted, the right to be encouraged, and the right to be warn". In addition to this, the monarch also has a number of various reserve powers at their disposal to uphold {{W|responsible government}} and prevent a {{W|constitutional crisis}}. The monarch is responsible for the appointment of the prime minister and the formation of a new government via an official royal invite of the prime minister-designate to do so after a general election.

The [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|prime minister]] is the official {{W|head of government}} of the UK. Acting under the supervision of the [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom|official cabinet]] consisting of senior government ministers appointed by the prime minister themself, [[Government of the United Kingdom|His Majesty's Government]] is the principle instrument for public policymaking, administration of public services, and promulgates statutory instruments and tenders to the advice of the monarch through the {{W|Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council}}. Since 1925, all prime ministers have served as [[First Lord of the Treasury]] and/or [[Minister for Civil Service]] as concurrently held offices during their premiership with two prime ministers, {{W|Winston Churchill}} and [[Edward Lean]], having also served as [[Minister of Defence (United Kingdom)|Minister of Defence]] as well as holding the two aforementioned offices while being prime minister as well. The prime minister is appointed to the position via the monarch and a formal invitation for form and lead a new government, however in modern times all prime ministers have, by convention, served as a sitting MP, the leader of the political party with the largest number of seats in the House of Commons, and holds office by nature of being able to {{W|Confidence motions|command the confidence}} of the House of Commons. The current prime minister is [[Aiden B. Starmer]], [[Leader of the Labour Party|leader of the Labour Party]] and current prime minister since 2024.
[[File:Houses_of_Parliament_in_2022_(cropped).jpg|thumb|left|240px|The {{W|Palace of Westminster}}, the official meeting place of the British Parliament.]]
General elections are held to the House of Commons, typically after a five year legislative term has been completed unless a {{W|snap election}} has been issued following the sudden vacancy of the prime minister and/or the {{W|Motion of no confidence|loss of confidence}} in the current government. The UK is divided into 632 parliamentary constituencies, each of which are single-member districts represented by one {{W|Member of Parliament (UK)|member of Parliament}} that is {{W|Direct election|directly elected}} via {{W|fist-past-the post}} electoral system. MPs are elected to serve five year terms and must stand for re-election if they desire to continue serving as an MP. Since 1994, the two biggest [[List of political parties in the United Kingdom|political parties]] in the UK are the {{W|Right-wing politics|right-leaning}} [[United Britain]] and the {{W|Centre-left politics|center-left}}/{{W|Left-wing politics|left-leaning}} [[Labour Party (United Kingdom)|Labour Party]] in a {{W|two-party system}}. Other political parties are active and hold seats in one or both chambers of the British Parliament such as the [[Liberal Democrats (United Kingdom)|Liberal Democrats]] and the [[Green Party of Britain]] among others, however only United Britain and the Labour Party are capable of forming a government and leading the opposition. Beyond the national level, devolved political parties exist on the subnational level within each of the UK's three constituent countries, both devolved affiliates of national parties as well as regional parties that are present and only run candidates in their respective countries.

While not part of the United Kingdom and its official territory, the {{W|Crown dependencies}} of [[Jersey]], the [[Isle of Man]], and [[Guerney]] along with all [[British Overseas Territories]] are still subject to the sovereignty of the British crown. The Crown exercises its official responsibilities to the crown dependencies via the [[Home Office]] while its responsibilities to the Overseas Territories are exercised via the [[Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office]]. Both crown dependencies and BOTs maintain their own autonomous governments and elections, having been granted said autonomy through {{W|home rule}} while still being under British legal jurisdiction via their union with the Crown, represented by a viceroy or governor.
===Administrative divisions===
[[File:CountiesOfGreatBritain.PNG|thumb|right|210px|Map of counties in the United Kingdom.]]
The United Kingdom is geographically divided into counties and {{W|Shire|shires}}, a system that began in England and Scotland in the {{W|early Middle Ages}} and was completed throughout both Great Britain and Ireland by the {{W|early modern period}}. Modern {{W|local government}} is managed by elected officials and is partly based on ancient counties and was established by various Acts of Parliament in England and Wales {{W|Local Government Act 1888|in 1888}}, in Scotland in {{W|Local Government Act 1889|in 1889}}, and in Ireland {{W|Local Government Act 1898|in 1898}} before gaining independence from Britain in 1925. This means that there is no consistent system of administrative or geographic demarcation across the United Kingdom with {{W|English law|England and Wales}} and {{W|Scots law|Scotland}} having their own distinct jurisdiction. Prior to the 19th century, there was little change to those arrangements, but there has since then been a constant pattern of evolution of the role and function.

{{W|Local government in England}} is complex, with the distribution of functions varying according to various local arrangements. The upper tier of {{W|subdivisions of England}} consist of {{W|Regions of England|nine regions}} and are primarily used for statistical purposes. One of those regions, {{W|Greater London}}, has a directly elected assembly and mayor since 2000 following a {{W|1998 Greater London Authority referendum|1998 referendum}} on establishing an elected regional government.

{{W|Local government in Scotland}} is divided into {{W|Subdivisions of Scotland|32 council areas}} that have a wide variation in both size and population. The cities of {{W|Glasgow}}, {{W|Edinburgh}}, {{W|Aberdeen}}, and {{W|Dundee}} are separate council areas while the {{W|Politics of the Scottish Highland council area|Highland Council}} includes a third of Scotland's land area, but only has a population of 200,000 people. Local councils in Scotland are made up of elected councilors, of which number at 1,223.

{{W|Local government in Wales}} consists of 22 {{W|Unitary authority|unitary authorities}}, each of which are led by a leader and cabinet that are both elected by the council itself. These areas include the capital {{W|Cardiff}}, {{W|Swansea}}, and {{W|Newport}}, all of which are their own unitary authorities in their own right. Elections to these councils are held once every four years under a system of first-past-the-post.
===Foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign relations of the United Kingdom}}
[[File:Embassy of the United Kingdom in Washington, D.C..jpg|thumb|left|240px|[[Embassy of the United Kingdom, Chicago|British Embassy to the Continental States]] in [[Chicago]].]]
The United Kingdom is one of the [[Permanent members of the League of Nations Security Council|five permanent members]] of the [[League of Nations Security Council]] and the leading member of the [[British Commonwealth]] (Commonwealth of Nations). Other prominent international organizations that the UK is affiliated with include the [[European Community]], the [[Group of Eight]], the {{W|OECD}}, the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) and the [[Northern Treaty Organization]] (NTO). The UK leads and maintains the {{W|British Council}}, an organization present in over 100 countries that specialize in international cultural and educational opportunities. Despite the end of the British Empire in 1979, the UK continues to retain the status of a {{W|great power}} and continues to wield considerable economic, political, military, and cultural influence worldwide.

The UK has a "{{W|special relationship}} with the [[Kingdom of Sierra]], has a lose partnership with [[France]] via the {{W|Entente Cordiale}}, including the presence of British military personnel in French territory, and also maintains a longstanding close relationship with [[Portugal]] through the {{W|Anglo-Portuguese Alliance}}, the oldest active political and military alliance in the world. The UK shares a maritime border with [[Ireland]] and despite the complicated historic relationship between the two countries, they maintain active diplomatic contact and actively enforced travel agreements through the {{W|Common Travel Area}} to allow for easy travel of British and Irish citizens between the two countries as member states of the European Community and is overseen and administered by the {{W|British–Irish Intergovernmental Conference}} and the {{W|British–Irish Council}}. The UK maintains active relations with the [[United Commonwealth]] despite past tensions and diplomatic disagreements since the Cold War, however maintains more positive ties with the [[Conference of American States]] by comparison. Britain's global presence and influence if further amplified by its extensive trading relations, foreign investments, {{W|official development assistance}}, and military engagements.
===Law and justice===
[[File:Middlesex_Guildhall_(cropped).jpg|thumb|left|240px|The [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom|UK Supreme Court]] is the highest court of appeal in the country.]]
The United Kingdom doesn't have a unified legal system as stated in Article 19 of the {{W|1706 Treaty of Union}} which provided the continuation of Scotland's own legal system in exchange for its incorporation into England. As a result, the UK has three separate {{W|National legal system|legal systems}}: {{W|English law}}, {{W|Scottish law}}, and {{W|Welsh law}}. The [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]] was first established in 2009 as a successor to the {{W|Appellate Committee of the House of Lords}}. The {{W|Judicial Committee of the Privy Council}}, which includes some members of the UK Supreme Court, is the highest court of appeals in several independent member states of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Crown Dependencies, and the British Overseas Territories.

Both English and Welsh law are based on {{W|common law}} (or {{W|case law}}) principles, originating in England during the {{W|Middle Ages}} and is the basis for the legal systems of several countries around the world. Both the {{W|courts of England and Wales}} are leaded by the senior courts of both constituent countries, consisting of the {{W|Court of Appeal (England and Wales)|Courts of Appeal}} in both England and Wales an d the {{W|High Court of Justice}} with jurisdiction in both countries for civil cases while the {{W|Crown Court}} oversees criminal cases. Scots law is a hybrid system based off of common law and {{W|civil law}} principles. The chief courts of Scotland are the {{W|Court of Session}} for civil cases and the {{W|High Court of Justiciary}} for criminal cases. The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom serves as the highest court of appeal for civil cases under Scots law and for all criminal cases across the entire United Kingdom.

Between 1981 and 1995, crime increased in England and Wales. Since that peak during said period, crime has fallen in England and Wales by 66% between 1995 and 2015 according to {{W|UK crime statistics}}. As of June 2023, the United Kingdom has the highest per-capita incarceration rate in all of Western Europe.

{{W|United Kingdom labour law|UK labour laws}} have established employment rights including {{W|National Minimum Wage Act 1998|a minimum wage}}, a minimum of 28 days annual holiday, statutory sick pay, and {{W|Pensions Act 2006|a pension}}. {{W|Same-sex marriage}} has been legal in the United Kingdom since 2014 while {{W|LGBTQ rights in the United Kingdom|LGBTQ equality and rights}} in the UK are among some of the most advanced in the world, however the country has a contentious record surrounding the rights of {{W|transgender people}} and laws related to them.
===Military===
{{Main|British Armed Forces}}
[[File:3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM DM-SD-04-07481.jpg|thumb|right|240px|British Army soldiers in [[Tartus Governorate]] during the [[2004 invasion of Syria]].]]
The [[British Armed Forces]] are the standing military forces of the United Kingdom and consist of three main branches: the [[British Army]], [[His Majesty's Naval Service]] consisting of the [[Royal Navy]] and [[Royal Marines]], and the [[Royal Air Froce]]. The armed forces of the United Kingdom are managed by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] and controlled by the [[Defence Council of the United Kingdom|Defence Council]], both of which are headed by the [[Secretary of State for Defence]]. The British monarch is the official {{W|commander-in-chief}} of the armed forces, of whom all military personnel swear a formal oath of allegiance towards. The [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] is the highest-ranking military officer who is the overall head of the British Armed Forces below the monarch as commander-in-chief and heads the {{W|Chiefs of Staff Committee}}, a body that consists of military officers that oversee all military operations of the British Armed Forces. As of 2021, the British Armed Forces has 274,620 active duty personnel and 589,105 reserve personnel.

The Armed Forces are charged with protecting the UK and all of its overseas territories, promotion of the UK's global security interests and supporting international peacekeeping efforts. The British Armed Forces are active participants in the [[Northern Treaty Organization]] (including the [[Allied Rapid Response Corps]]), {{W|RIMPAC}}, the [[Atlantic Power Defence Arrangement]], and other worldwide military coalitions and operations. The UK posses various overseas garrisons around the world, in both sovereign states and the British Overseas Territories, with military bases present in [[Malta]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Cyprus]], [[Bahrain]], [[Patagonia]], [[France]], the [[East African Federation]], and [[South Vietnam]]. The UK also participates in [[League of Nations peacekeeping|peacekeeping operations]] of the [[League of Nations]] with British LN peacekeepers having been deployed and seen action in countries across {{W|Africa}}, the {{W|Middle East}}, and {{W|Asia}}.

According to the {{W|Stockholm International Peace Research Institute}} and the {{W|International Institute for Strategic Studies}}, the UK has the world's fifth-largest military expenditure as of 2024 with total defence spending in the country accounting for 2.3% of the country's {{W|gross domestic product}}. Since the end of the [[Cold War]], the UK's official defence policy has a stated assumption that the "most demanding operations" will be undertaken as part of a coalition. Having carried out its first successful in 1947, the United Kingdom is one of five states that [[United Kingdom and weapons of mass destruction|posses nuclear weapons]], the second one in Europe alongside [[Germany]].

==Economy==
[[File:Bank_junction_-_2020-09-20_(2).jpg|thumb|right|240px|{{W|City of London}} skyline from {{W|London City Hall}}. London is the largest financial center in Europe.]]
The United Kingdom has a highly developed {{W|social market economy}} with an estimated nominal GDP of £2.85 trillion as of 2024, making it the sixth-largest national economy in the world and the second-largest in the European Community behind only Germany. The {{W|pound sterling}}, Britain's official {{W|currency}}, is the fourth most-traded currency in the {{W|foreign exchange market}} and the third largest {{W|reserve currency}} in the world after the [[Sierran dollar]] and the [[Continental dollar]]. The pound sterling maintains high nominal value through both its long history of stability and having never undergone formal {{W|redenomination}}. Since 2022, the UK has been the fourth largest importer and exporter of goods and services in the world. The UK has a very high {{W|HDI}} ranking despite having one of the highest levels of {{W|Income inequality in the United Kingdom|income inequality}} among the {{W|OECD}}, maintaining said rank even while adjusting for inequality. As of 2025, the UK has a {{W|Unemployment in the United Kingdom|national unemployment rate}} of 4.7%, being moderately low by European standards.

{{W|His Majesty's Treasury}}, lead by the {{W|Chancellory of the Exchequer}}, is the ministry responsible for developing and executing the government's public finance and economic policies. The {{W|Department for Business and Trade}} is responsible for the business, international trade, and enterprise policies in the UK. The {{W|Bank of England}} is the UK's official {{W|central bank}} and is responsible for issuing notes and coins in the pound sterling while banks in Scotland retain the right to issue their own notes, subject to retaining enough Bank of England notes in reserve to cover the issue. The Bank of England is currently exploring a {{W|Central bank digital currency|digital pound}} to enable instant settlement and improve the UK's payment infrastructure.
===Industries and services===
The {{W|service sector}} makes up around 80% of the UK's {{W|Gross value added|GVA}} in 2023. As of 2023, the UK is the second largest exporter of services in the world and the largest net exporter of {{W|financial services}} as of 2024. In 2023, the UK was 13% above its pre-pandemic peak from 2019 for service exports. {{W|London}} is the world capital for foreign exchange trading, with a market share of 38.1% in 2022 of the daily $7.5 trillion global turnover. London is the largest urban economy in Europe and, alongside [[Porciúncula]], the city is the most integrated into the broader {{W|global economy}}. London is also among one the leading financial centers in the world, ranking second worldwide as of 2025 according to the {{W|Global Financial Centers Index}}. Edinburgh, the second largest financial center in the UK, ranks as the 10th largest in Western Europe and 29th in the world.

The {{W|Manufacturing in the United Kingdom|British manufacturing sector}} is the 10th largest in the world and the fourth largest in Europe as of 2024 in terms of value output. Due to a high period of domestic inflation caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], high energy prices and supply chain shocks caused by the economic effects of said pandemic, the UK imported and exported less goods in 2023 than it did in 2018. At the end of 2024, manufacturing in the UK accounted for 8% of the total workforce and 8.6% of Britain's national economic output. As reported in 2017, both {{W|East Midlands}} and {{W|West Midlands}} had the highest portion of employees in manufacturing at 12.6% and 11.8% respectively while {{W|Economy of London|London's manufacturing sector}} was the lowest at 2.8%.

The {{W|Tourism in the United Kingdom|tourist industry}} is a very important component of the British economy with London being named Europe's most popular tourist destination in 2022. The {{W|creative industries}} account for 5.9% of the UK's GVA in 2019, having grown 43.6% in real terms from 2010. Creative industries accounted for £111 billion worth of contributions to the UK economy in 2018 with the sector having grown five times faster than the rest of the UK economy overall in a year. {{W|Lloyd's of London}}, located in the British capital, is the world's largest {{W|insurance}} and {{W|reinsurance}} market. {{W|WPP plc}} is one of the world's largest advertising companies and is also based in London. The UK is one of the leading retail markets in Europe and the largest {{W|e-commerce}} market in all of Europe and with consumer expenditures of over KS$2 trillion in 2023, it has the second-largest consumer market in all of Europe. {{W|John Lewis Partnership}} is the largest employee-owned business in the UK.

The {{W|Automative industry in the United Kingdom|British automative industry}} employees over 813,000 people with a turnover of £93 billion and generating £47 billion of exports in 2023, accounting for 12% of the UK's total export of goods. In 2024, the UK produced 779,584 passenger vehicles and 125,649 commercial vehicles, with 8 out of 10 cars produced in the UK being exported overseas. Famous car models from Britain include {{W|Mini Hatch|Mini}} and {{W|Jaguar Cars|Jaguar}} along with luxury cars such as {{W|Rolls-Royce}}, {{W|Bentley}}, and {{W|Range Rover}}. The UK is a major center for engine manufacturing with 1.6 million engines being produced in 2024 alone and was the third-largest exporter of engines in the world in 2023. The {{W|Motorsport in the United Kingdom|UK motorsport industry}} employs over 40,000 people and comprises 4,300 companies, having an annual turnover of £10 billion. Seven out of ten {{W|Formula One}} teams are based in the UK with their technology being used in supercars and hypercard from {{W|McLaren Automotive|McLaren}}, {{W|Aston Martin}}, and {{W|Lotus Group|Lotus}}. In 2024, the UK surpassed Germany as the biggest market for {{W|electric vehicles}} in Europe.
[[File:British_Airways_Concorde_G-BOAC_03.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|Concorde}}, a {{W|supersonic}} airliner that reduced transatlantic flight time from 8 to 3.5 hours.]]
The {{W|Aerospace industry of the United Kingdom|British aerospace industry}} is the second largest in the world and has an annual turnover of £30 billion with the {{W|British space programme}} being worth £17.5 billion in 2020/21 and employed round 48,800 people. Since 2012, the number of space organizations in Britain has grown by 21% with 1,239 active space organizations being reported in 2021. In 2023, the {{W|United Kingdom Space Agency}} announced they had invested in £1.6 billion in space-related projects.

The {{W|Agriculture in the United Kingdom|British agricultural industry}} is intensive, highly advanced, and efficient by European standards, producing around 60% of Britain's overall food requirements and 73% of its indigenous food needs, using around 0.9% of the British labour force (292,000 people). Around two-thirds of food production is allocated to {{W|livestock}} and one-third to {{W|arable crops}}. The UK retains a significant, albeit much reduced, fishing industry with 49% of British fish sustainably caught in 2020. Britain's marine natural capital assets in 2021 were estimated to have a value of £211 billion. The UK is also rich in a variety of other natural resources such as {{W|coal}}, {{W|petroleum}}, {{W|natural gas}}, {{W|tin}}, {{W|limestone}}, {{W|iron ore}}, {{W|salt}}, {{W|clay}}, {{W|chalk}}, {{W|gypsum}}, {{W|lead}}, and {{W|silica}} along with an abundance of arable land as well.
===Science and technology===
[[File:Cambridge_Science_Park_Napp.jpg|thumb|left|240px|The {{W|Cambridge Center}} is the most intensive science and technology research enter in the world.]]
England and Scotland were leading centers of the {{W|Scientific Revolution}} of the 17th century and later on the United Kingdom led the {{W|Industrial Revolution}} of the 18th century and has continued to produce scientists and {{W|List of British engineers|researchers}} that are credited with {{W|List of British innovations and discoveries|major innovations and discoveries}}. Major theorists from the 17th and 18th centuries include {{W|Isaac Newton}}; whose {{W|laws of motion}} and illumination of {{W|gravity}} is seen as a keystone of modern science; {{W|Charles Darwin}} of the 19th century whose theory of {{W|evolution}} via {{W|natural selection}} was fundamental for the development of modern biology; and {{W|James Clerk Maxwell}}, who formulated classical {{W|electromagnetic theory}}; and most recently {{W|Stephen Hawking}} of the 20th and 21st centuries, who advanced major theories in the fields of {{W|cosmology}}, {{W|quantum gravity}}, and the investigation of {{W|black holes}}.

The {{W|Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology}} (DSIT) is the government ministry responsible for encouraging, developing, and managing the UK's scientific, research, and technological outputs. Scientific research and developments remain an important component of {{W|Universities in the United Kingdom|British universities}}, many of them having established {{W|Science park|science parks}} to facilitate production and co-operation in the industry. In 2022, the UK produced 6.3% of the world's scientific research papers and had a 10.5% share of scientific citations, the third highest in the world for both, while the UK is ranked first in the world for Field-Weighted Citation Impact. Scientific research papers produced in the UK are published in publications such as the {{W|Royal Society}}, ''{{W|Nature (magazine)|Nature}}'', the ''{{W|British Medical Journal}}'', and ''{{W|The Lancet}}''.

In 2022, the UK reached the milestone of a combined market of KS$1 trillion for its {{W|startup}} and {{W|scaleup}} ecosystem and by 2024, the UK tech sector reached a net value of KS$1.2 trillion surpassing the combined values of the French and German sectors. The {{W|University of Cambridge}} was named the number one university in the world for producing successful technology founders. The {{W|Artificial intelligence in the United Kingdom|UK's artificial intelligence industry}} is the largest in the European Community in terms of value and ranked third place worldwide in a report on {{W|artificial intelligence}} development by {{W|Stanford University}} in 2024. That same year, the {{W|Global Innovation Index}} ranked the UK in fifth place worldwide. In 2025, the UK signed onto the [[Technology Development Deal]] alongside the [[Kingdom of Sierra]], [[Superior]], and [[Astoria]] with Anglo-American companies pledging £150 billion of investment in the UK.
===Transportation===
The UK has a radial road network that totals 29,145 miles (46,904 km) of main roads, 2,173 miles (3,497 km) of motorways and 213,750 miles (344,000 km) of paved roads. The {{W|M25}}, which encircles London, is both the largest and busiest bypass in the world. In 2024, the UK had 41.7 million registered vehicles nationwide.
[[File:An_LNER_Azuma_train_on_the_East_Coast_Railway_Line,_geograph_6275180_by_Walter_Baxter.jpg|thumb|right|240px|A high-speed train of the {{W|East Coast Main Line}} in {{W|Northumberland}}, England.]]
The UK has an extensive national rail network at 10,072 miles (16,209 km). {{W|British Rail}} was the primary state-owned rail company in the UK until it was {{W|Privatization of British Rail|privatized}} in 1994 and 1997, followed by a rise in passengers. In 2024, [[Great British Railways]] was established as the current state-owned rail transport company that manages all {{W|Rail transport in the United Kingdom|rail transport lines}} across the UK. In the 2017 European Railway Performance Index ranked the UK eighth in all of the European Community in assessing intensity of use, quality of service, and safety of British trains and railways.

The UK is part of {{W|Eurostar}}, an international high-speed rail service connecting Britain to Western European countries which also includes a direct line connecting London to {{W|Paris}} via the {{W|Channel Tunnel}} under the {{W|English Tunnel}}, the longest underwater tunnel at 23.5 miles long, which takes 2 hours and 16 minutes to travel to and from both major cities. There is also a car service through the Channel Tunnel to France called {{W|LeShuttle}}. The {{W|Elizabeth line|Richard line}} is a rail line running between {{W|East London|East}} and {{W|West London}}, first opened in 2016 in honor [[Richard IV|King Richard IV]], and was Europe's largest construction project at the time and brings in an estimated £42 million into the British economy. Another major infrastructure project in the UK is {{W|High Speed 2}} (HS2), a high-speed rail line currently under construction since 2019 that will link London to {{W|Birmingham}}, with a potential extension further north and capable of speeds as high as 225 miles per hour.
[[File:London_City_Airport_Sunset.jpg|thumb|left|210px|An airplane taking off from {{W|London City Airport}}.]]
In 2023 there was a total of 4 billion bus journeys in the UK, 1.8 billion of which were in London alone. The red colored {{W|double-decker bus}} is an iconic vehicle in Britain and has entered popular culture worldwide as an internationally recognized icon of both London and Britain as a whole (especially England). The {{W|London Buses|London bus network}} is extensive with over 6,800 scheduled services very weekday carrying 6 million passengers on 700 routes, making it one of the most extensive bus systems in the world and the largest in all of Europe.

In 2024 {{W|List of airports in the United Kingdom|British airports}} handled nearly 292.5 million total passengers with the three largest airports that year being {{W|London Heathrow Airport}} (83.9 million passengers), {{W|Gatwick Airport}} (43.2 million passengers), and {{W|Manchester Airport}} (30.8 million passengers). London Heathrow Airport, located 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of the British capital, is the second busiest airport in the world in terms of international traffic and is the hub for the UK's official {{W|flag carrier}} {{W|British Airways}} along with {{W|Virgin Atlantic}}. During 2023, 18.3 million passengers traveled internationally by rail and another 18.1 million by sea.
===Energy===
In 2021 the UK was ranked the 14th-largest consumer and the 22nd largest producer of energy in the world and is home to several large energy companies, including two of the {{W|Big Six|six biggest oil companies in the world}}, {{W|BP}} (British Petroleum) and {{W|Shell plc}}.
[[File:Ardrossan's_fan_club._-_panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|210px|{{W|Wind turbines}} overlooking {{W|Ardrossan}} in Scotland.]]
Renewable electricity in the UK accounts for 51% of all electricity generated in the country in 2024. {{W|Wind power in the United Kingdom|Wind power in Britain}} was the largest source of electricity in the country in 2024, generating 30% of Britain's total electricity that year. The UK has the largest offshore wind farm in the world, the latter of which is located off the coast of {{W|Yorkshire}}.

In 2023 the UK had nine nuclear reactors that were generating 15% of Britain's total electricity with at least two more reactors currently under construction and more planned for the future. In the late 1990s, {{W|Nuclear power in the United Kingdom|nuclear power in Britain}} accounted for 25% of the annually generated electricity in the country, but has gradually declined as several older plants have since been shut down. The British government is investing in {{W|Small modular reactor|small module reactors}} that operate via {{W|nuclear fission}} and further investment in research and development towards commercial {{W|fusion reactors}}. To that end, the UK entered into a business partnership with the Kingdom of Sierra in late 2023 to collaborate on fusion technology with "a commercial grid-ready fusion reactor by 2040" bering stated as a goal of the collaboration.

At the end of 2023 it was estimated that there were 1.1 billion {{W|barrels of oil equivalent}} (BOE) of both "proven" and "probable" {{W|Oil and gas reserve|gas reserves}} and 2.3 billion boe of "proven" and "probable" oil reserves offshore in Britain, reducing the country's reliance on imports for energy security and transitioning to renewables. Emissions from British gas production is roughly four times lower than imported {{W|liquified natural gas}} (LNG), according to the {{W|North Sea Transition Authority}}, Britain's chief natural gas regulator.

{{W|Coal}} was historically a major source of energy for Britain, however this ended in September 2024 when the last coal mine in Britain was officially closed down and ended coal as a source of power in the country. The UK currently has no active {{W|fracking}} (hydraulic fracturing) for {{W|shale gas}} despite possessing a large supply due to environmental concerns by the British government.
===Water supply and sanitation===
The UK has universal access to improved water supply and sanitation. It's estimated that 96% of British households are connected to a sewer network. According to the Environmental Agency, total water abstraction for public water supply in Britain was 16,406 {{W|mgalitres}} per day in 2007.

Water and sanitation is carried out by several water authorities in each constituent country. In England and Wales, water and sewage services are administered and carried out by 10 private regional water and sewage companies along with 13 mostly smaller "water only" companies while in Scotland, water and sewage services are carried out by a single company in the form of {{W|Scottish Water}}.

==Demographics==
The {{W|2021–2022 United Kingdom census|2021 census}} listed a national population of 61,284,529, the fourth largest population in all of Europe behind France, Germany, and Russia, along with being the fifth-largest population in the [[British Commonwealth]] and the 22nd largest population in the world. More recent estimates from 2025 showcase a national population of 64,109,428. During 2012 and 2013, births were the number one factor contributing to population growth in Britain, while in 2014 and 2015 in was supplanted by net migration admits declining birthrates seen in both Europe and worldwide. The previous {{W|2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census}} showed that over the past century, the proportion of the British population between the ages 0–14 fell from 31% to 18% of the population while the portion of people aged 65 and above rose from 5% to 16%. In 2018, the {{W|Population pyramid|median age}} of Britain was 41.7 years. The 2021 census had Scotland's population at 5.48 million people and Wales at 3.1 million people.

The population of England in the 2021 census was listed at 56 million people, representing 84% of the UK's total population. England alone is one of the most densely populated countries on the planet, with 434 people per square kilometer in mid-2021, with a particular population concentration in {{W|London}} and the south-east of the {{W|London metropolitan area}}, which is the largest in {{W|Western Europe}} with a population of 14.9 million in 2024.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;"
|+ Population of England by region in 2024
|-
! Rowspan=2 | Region
! Colspan=2 | Land area
! Colspan=2 | Population
! Rowspan=2 | Density<br />(/km<sup>2</sup>)
|-
! (km<sup>2</sup>)
! (%)
! People
! (%)
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|North East England|North East}}
| 8,581
| 6%
| 2,683,040
| 5%
| 313
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|North West England|North West}}
| 14,108
| 11%
| 7,516,113
| 13%
| 533
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|Yorkshire and the Humber}}
| 15,404
| 12%
| 5,541,262
| 10%
| 360
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|East Midlands}}
| 15,624
| 12%
| 4,934,939
| 9%
| 316
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|West Midlands (region)|West Midlands}}
| 12,998
| 10%
| 6,021,653
| 11%
| 463
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|East of England}}
| 19,116
| 15%
| 6,398,497
| 11%
| 335
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|Greater London}}
| 1,572
| 1%
| 8,866,180
| 15%
| 5,640
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|South East England|South East}}
| 19,072
| 15%
| 9,379,833
| 16%
| 492
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|South West England|South West}}
| 23,836
| 18%
| 5,764,881
| 10%
| 242
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | England
! style="text-align:right;" | 130,310
! style="text-align:right;" | 100%
! style="text-align:right;" | 57,106,398
! style="text-align:right;" | 100%
! style="text-align:right;" | 438
|}
===Ethnic groups===
[[File:Racial composition of the UK (2022 census) .png|thumb|right|210px|Racial composition of the UK according to the 2022 census.]]
Historically, indigenous British people were through to have been {{W|Genetic history of the British Isles|descended from ethnic groups}} that settled the British Isles before the 12th century: the {{W|Celts}}, the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, the Norse, and {{W|Normans}}. Among the ethnic groups in the UK, {{W|Welsh people}} are thought to possibly be the oldest ethnic group within Britain. While a white majority country, the UK has a long history of non-white immigration to the country with {{W|Liverpool}} having the oldest Black population in the country, dating back as far as the 1730s and also has the oldest {{W|British Chinese|ethnic Chinese}} community in Europe, the latter dating back to the 19th century.

In the 2021–22 census, {{W|White people in the United Kingdom|White Britons}} remain the majority racial group at 83% of the population. Of the 17% non-White Britons, 8.6% are {{W|British Asians|Asian descent}} as Britain's largest ethnic minority group, 3.7% are of {{W|Black British people|Black descent}}, and 2.7% are of {{W|Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed race}} background and the remaining 2% being of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. The UK as a whole is an ethnically diverse country, however ethnic diversity varies greatly across the country by constituent country and region. London is the most ethnically diverse area of the UK with at least 46.2% of Londoners being of an ethnic minority background with other major cities in England showing similar degrees of ethnic diversity, albeit not to the same degree as London itself. By contrast South West and North East England along with Scotland and Wales are generally racially homogenous with only 10% of the populations in these places being non-white overall.
===Languages===
{{W|English language|English}} is the official language of the UK as well as the most spoken language in the entire country both as a spoken language in public and spoken at home. The UK promotes English globally as a means of building connections, understanding, and trust between the peoples of the UK and the world. Having originated in England around the 5th century, English is the native language of the UK and the country itself is one of the leading nations that comprise the {{W|English-speaking world}} alongside the countries of [[Anglo-America]] and {{W|Oceania}}.

In the UK, English is spoken with a wide variety of distinctive characteristics that collectively makeup what is known as {{W|British English}}, the variant of English spoken within the UK. The variety of accents and dialects in the country are often noted, with nearby regions having their own highly distinctive variations. {{W|Received Pronunciation}} (RP) is traditionally associated with educated speakers in southern England. The main dialects in the UK are {{W|Scottish English}}, {{W|Welsh English}}, and {{W|Ulster English}} which are all officially recognized English dialects in the country. Distinctive regional varieties in the UK include {{W|Brummie dialect|Brummie}}, {{W|Cockney}}, {{W|Geordie}}, {{W|Mancunian}}, {{W|Scouse}}, {{W|West Country English}}, {{W|Yorkshire dialect|Yorkshire}}, and {{W|Multicultural London English}} (MLE). All of these dialects are also officially recognized by the British government and sub-national bodies.
[[File:Bilingual border sign between England and Scotland.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A {{W|Bilingual sign|bilingual welcome sign}} in {{W|English language|English}} and {{W|Scottish Gaelic language|Scottish Gaelic}} on the England-Scotland border.]]
Indigenous {{W|Celtic languages}} are present in the modern UK with the three biggest dialects being {{W|Scottish Gaelic}}, {{W|Irish language|Irish}}, and {{W|Welsh language|Welsh}}, all three of which are recognized minority languages in the country. {{W|Cornish language|Cornish}} is a formerly extinct language in the late 18th century, but has since been successfully revived and is spoken by a small group of second-language speakers, native to the eponymous historic county of {{W|Cornwall}} in southwestern England. In the 2021 census, the Welsh-speaking population aged 3 and above numbered at 538,300 people (17.8% of the Welsh population) with an additional 200,000 Welsh speakers in England proper. Irish is a recognized minority language spoken by {{W|Irish people in the United Kingdom|Irish Britons}} and is most present in northwestern England and Scotland with {{W|Ulster-Scot}} also sharing the same status as well. Both languages are spoken and understood by 12.4% and 10.4% respectively.

In the {{W|2001 United Kingdom census|2001 census}}, over 92,000 people in Scotland, or just 2% of the Scottish population, possessed some understanding and speaking ability of the Gaelic language, including 72% of those living in {{W|Outer Hebrides}}. Since then the number of children being taught either Welsh or Scottish Gaelic has increased in Scotland with {{W|Scots language|Scots}}, a language descended from early northern {{W|Middle English}}, having official recognition in the UK and limited recognition in the European Community alongside Ulster-Scots in the {{W|European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages}}. As of April 2020, the UK has around 151,000 users of {{W|British Sign Language}} (BSL), a variant of {{W|sign language}} used by deaf people in the UK. Scots is an official langue in Scotland alongside English while Ulster-Scots and other similar Gaelic languages are officially recognized minority dialects in Scotland with a similar policy existing in Wales with Welsh being official and several Gaelic languages being recognized minority languages in Wales proper, though only Welsh is promoted outside of English by the Welsh government and most educational institutions.

In 2013, it was revealed that 95% of the British population were {{W|Monoglottism|monolingual}} English speakers and over 5% of the population were also recorded to have spoken other languages brought to the UK via immigration. {{W|South Asian languages}} are the largest group of non-English languages and includes the languages of {{W|Punjabi}}, {{W|{{W|Urdu}}, {{W|Sylheti}}, {{W|Hindi language|Hindi}}, {{W|Pahari-Pothwari}}, {{W|Tamil}}, and {{W|Gujarati}}. In the 2011 census {{W|Polish language|Polish}} was identified as being the second most-spoken language in the UK with 546,000 confirmed Polish language speakers. In 2019, it was estimated that 750,000 people spoke little to no English.
===Religion===
[[File:Canterbury Cathedral - Portal Nave Cross-spire.jpeg|thumb|right|240px|{{W|Canterbury Cathedral}}, a prominent Anglican cathedral and the {{W|mother church}} of the {{W|Church of England}} and {{W|Anglican Communion}}.]]
{{W|Christianity}} is the largest religion in the United Kingdom, having been present in and has denominated religious life for {{W|History of Christianity in the United Kingdom|over 1,400 years}}. While a majority of British citizens identify as Christian, church attendance and other forms of religious observance have declined significantly since the latter half of the 20th century while immigration has contributed to the growth of other religions such as {{W|Islam}}, {{W|Buddhism}}, and {{W|Hinduism}} among others. As a result, the modern UK is a multi-faith society and has also been described as being both {{W|secular}} and {{W|post-Christian}}.

In the 2021 census, {{W|Christianity in the United Kingdom|Christianity}} remained the largest religion with 53.6% of the population identify as Christian with the next largest faiths being {{W|Islam in the United Kingdom|Islam}} at 5.5%, {{W|Hinduism in the United Kingdom|Hinduism}} at 1.6%, {{W|British Jews|Judaism}} at 1.3%, {{W|Sikhism in the United Kingdom|Sikhism}} at 0.8% and {{W|Buddhism in the United Kingdom|Buddhism}} at 0.4% with 5% being of other lesser religions, {{W|new religious movements}}, or unstated. 31.8% of Britons identified as {{W|Irreligion in the United Kingdom|irreligious}} in the 2021 census, making it the second largest religious grouping in the census behind only Christianity. In the 2021 census, around 12% of Britons stated they attended church services weekly while most Christians were non-practicing. Among the Christian population, the majority identify as {{W|Protestant}}, the {{W|Protestantism in the United Kingdom|largest Christian sect}} in Britain at 43.2%, while [[Catholicism in the United Kingdom|Catholicism]] was the second largest at 9.2% and another 1.2% were of other Christian sects or nom-denominational. The Muslim population grew from 1.6 million to 2.7 million between 2001 and 2011 via immigration, a similar trend seen in other minority religions that also grew through immigration. Despite there being a declined, there have been reports of a {{W|Christian revival}} in the UK, first reported in April 2025, among many {{W|Generation Z}} Britons, young men in particular, that has seen a gradual rise in church attendance and religious affiliation with Christianity.

The {{W|Church of England}} is the largest religious denomination in the UK and is the official {{W|State religion|established church}} of England. It is the first church affiliated with {{W|Anglicanism}}, a Protestant sect originating in the UK and the largest sect in the country. While only the established church in England, the Church of England (alternatively the Anglican Church) has official representation in the House of Lords in the form of {{W|Lords Spiritual}} while the British monarch is the ceremonial head of the church as the {{W|Supreme Governor of the Church of England|Supreme Governor}}, a title they inherit after a monarch is formally coronated. The {{W|Church of Scotland}} is the established {{W|national church}} in Scotland, but is not subjected to state control and the British monarch is only a regular member rather than its head. The {{W|Church of Wales}} is also the national church of Wales. Because all three countries have established national churches, political analysts have described Christianity as being the ''{{W|de-facto}}'' state religion of the UK. Among the British Catholic population, 64.3% are [[Avignonese Catholic Church in the United Kingdom|Avignonese Catholic]], 33.6% are [[Roman Catholic Church in the United Kingdom|Roman Catholic]], and the remaining 2.1% are {{W|non-denominational Catholic}}.
===Immigration===
The United Kingdom is one of the top immigration destinations in the world with immigration contributing to a rising population. Between 1991 and 2001, both arriving immigrants and UK-born children of immigrants accounted for half of Britain's population growth during said period. According to 2015 statistics, 27% of all births in the UK in 2014 were from mothers who were born outside of the country.

Approximately 208,000 foreign nationals were officially naturalized as British citizens in 2013, the largest number of naturalized immigrants to the UK since 1962, though this figure would decline to 125,800 in the following year of 2014. Between 2009 and 2013, the annual number of foreign nationals who were officially naturalized as British citizens stood at 195,800 people. Of all immigrants to the UK in 2014, the common countries of origin for said immigrants were from [[Nigeria]], [[India]], [[Tondo]], [[Italy]], [[Romania]], [[Poland]], [[Ireland]], the [[Anatolian Republic]], and [[Iran]]. The number of grants for settlement, confirming {{W|permanent residency}} in the UK but not {{W|British nationality law|formal citizenship}}, stood at 154,700 people, a higher number than two years before. In 2023 long-term net migration (number of immigrants minus those emigrating) to the UK reached a record high of 860,000 people with total immigration standing at 1.33 million and emigration at 466,000. By contrast, net immigration in 2024 was halved to 431,000 people while total immigration stood at 948,000 and emigration at 517,000.

During the Cold War, Britain was a top destination for [[White émigré|White emigres]] fleeing from socialist states among {{W|Southern Europe}} along with parts of the {{W|Middle East and North Africa}}. These consisted mainly of political dissidents fleeing from socialist governments and their policies with dissidents fleeing from members of the Mediterranean Union being the top source of white emigres to the UK and overseas territories like [[Malta]]. Following the fall of the People's Republic of China, immigration of Chinese citizens grew with over 200,000 Chinese nationals migrating to the UK itself between 2000 and 2005. The collapse of communist rule in Mediterranean also saw widespread immigration to the UK and its territories throughout the 2000s.

{{W|British diaspora|British emigration}} was an important and notable feature of British society in the 19th century with 11.4 million people having emigrated from Britain between 1815 and 1930 along with 7.3 million people emigrating from Ireland between 1815 and 1925 prior to Irish independence.
Said emigration was driven by a desire to settle in Britain's vast colonial empire and by the end of the 20th century, around 300 million people of British and Irish descent were permanently settled around the globe, the top places being in Spain, the Kingdom of Sierra, Manitoba, the United Commonwealth, and New South Wales among others in North America and Oceania.
===Education===
[[File:University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom (Unsplash).jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|University of Oxford}} is highly regarded as one of the world's finest and leading educational institutions.]]
{{W|Education in the United Kingdom}} is officially a devolved matter with each country having their own separate education systems. Around 38% of the British population has a university or {{W|college degree}}, the highest percentage in Europe and one the highest percentages in the world. The UK is home to {{W|List of universities in the United Kingdom|many universities}} which includes the {{W|University of Oxford}} and the {{W|University of Cambridge}}, both of which are regarded as two of the finest and best universities in the world as reflected in their high rankings among educational statistics and surveys.

{{W|Student loans and grants in the United Kingdom|Tuition fees and student loans}} is varied across the different regions of the UK with both England and Wales having a fixed minimum annual fee for all British citizens, contingent on obtaining a certain level of income. Only those who reach a certain salary threshold in order to pay this fee through {{W|Taxation in the United Kingdom|general taxation}}. By contrast Scotland has a reduced maximum fee or no fee for citizens where Scotland is their home region. Some NHS courses have bursaries that pay the fee and was stated in 2017 that each doctor is subsidized by £233,000 during their training. In 2022 the {{W|Programme for International Student Assessment}} (PISA), in coordination with the {{W|OECD}}, ranked the overall knowledge and skills of British children aged 15 as the 14th highest in the world in reading, mathematics, and science. The average British student had a score of 494, above the OECD average of 478.
===Healthcare===
[[File:QEUH.jpg|thumb|left|240px|{{W|NHS Scotland}}'s {{W|Queen Elizabeth University Hospital|King Albert University Hospital}} in Glasgow, the largest hospital campus in Europe.]]
The United Kingdom possesses a system of {{W|Universal service|universal}} {{W|public funded healthcare}} with the modern system being laid out and administered by the {{W|National Health Service}} (NHS), the modern healthcare provider in the UK. The NHS has been praised for its success and granted access to healthcare for all people, leading to it developing widespread popularity that has lead many observers to refer to it as Britain's "national religion". Similar to education, {{W|healthcare in the United Kingdom}} is a devolved matter with each constituent country having their own system of universal publicly funded healthcare, however private healthcare does exist in the UK. Public healthcare is provided to all permanent residents in Britain and is mostly free at the point of service, being paid through general taxation. In 2000, the [[World Health Organization]] ranked British healthcare provisions as the fifteenth best in Europe and the eighteenth best in the world.

Since 1979 expenditure on healthcare has gradually increased to a significant degree with the 2018 OECD data, which incorporates in healthcare a chunk of what the UK officially classifies as social care, as spending £3,121 per person. In 2017 the UK spent £2,989 per person on healthcare, close to the median among OECD members.

Regulatory bodies for healthcare are organized on a UK-wide basis such as the {{W|General Medical Council}}, the {{W|Nursing and Midwifery Council}}, along with non-governmental bodies such as the {{W|Medical royal college|medical royal colleges}}. Political and operational responsibility of healthcare in the UK lies with three national {{W|Executive (politics)|executives}}; healthcare in England is managed by the British government, healthcare in Scotland is managed by the Scottish Government, and healthcare in Wales is managed by the Welsh Government with each National Health Service branch having different priorities and policies.

==Culture==
The culture of the United Kingdom is influenced by the country's status as an island state, its history, and being a {{W|political union}} of three countries with each having their own respective and distinct traditions, customs, and symbolism along with all of them being preserved by each of the three constituent countries. British cultural influence can be observed in the language, culture, and legal systems by many of its former colonies, in particular in the region of [[Anglo-America]] that defines most of {{W|North America}}, most notably in [[Brazoria]], [[Superior]], the [[United Commonwealth]], the [[Kingdom of Sierra]], and [[Manitoba]], all of which are also part of a common cultural sphere commonly known as the {{W|Anglosphere}}. The {{W|Anglicization|UK's soft power influence}} has lead to the country being described as a {{W|Power#Power as capability|cultural superpower}}. A 2024 global survey ranked the UK as the third most culturally influential countries in the world behind the Kingdom of Sierra and China.
===Literature===
{{multiple image
| align = right
| total_width = 320
| image1 = PG 1063Burns Naysmith.jpg
| alt1 = Robert Burns
| caption1 = {{W|Robert Burns}} (1759–1796)
| image2 = William Shakespeare by John Taylor, edited.jpg
| alt2 = William Shakespeare
| caption2 = {{W|William Shakespeare}} (1564–1616)
| footer = Burns and Shakespeare are considered the {{W|National poet|national poets}} of Scotland and England respectively and among the most famous in the world.
}}
British literature includes all forms of literature associated with the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands with the majority of British literature being written in English. In 2022 669 million physical books were sold in the UK, the most ever sold on record. Britain is renowned for its {{W|children's literature}} thanks to famous children's writers {{W|Daniel Defoe}}, {{W|Rudyard Kipling}}, {{W|Lewis Carroll}}, and {{W|Beatrix Potter}}, who also illustrated her own books. Other famous writers include {{W|A. A. Milne}}, {{W|Enid Blyton}}, {{W|J. R. R. Tolkien}}, {{W|Ronald Dahl}}, and {{W|Terry Pratchett}}.

The English playwright and poet {{W|William Shakespeare}} is generally regarded as the greatest dramatist ever and is also considered the {{W|national poet}} of England. Other important figures within {{W|Literature of England|English literature}} are {{W|Geoffrey Chaucer}}, author of ''{{W|The Canterbury Tales}}'', poet {{W|William Wordsworth}} and other {{W|Romantic poetry|Romantic era poets}} along with other notable novelists such as {{W|Charles Dickens}}, {{W|H. G. Wells}}, {{W|George Orwell}}, {{W|Aldous Huxley}}, and {{W|Ian Fleming}}. The 20th century English crime writer {{W|Agatha Christie}} is the {{W|List of best-selling fiction authors|best-selling novelist}} in literary history. Of 100 novels by British writers chosen by the BBC in a poll global critics, 12 of the top 25 were written by women; {{W|George Eliot}}, {{W|Virginia Woolf}}, {{W|Charlotte Brontë}}, {{W|Mary Shelley}}, {{W|Jane Austen}}, {{W|Doris Lessing}}, and {{W|Zadie Smith}}.

Famous authors and figures of {{W|Scottish literature}} include {{W|Arthur Conan Doyle}}, creator of {{W|Sherlock Holmes}}, {{W|Sir Walter Scott}}, {{W|J. M. Barrie}}, creator of {{W|Peter Pan}}, {{W|Robert Louis Stevenson}}, author of the novel ''{{W|Treasure Island}}'' that highly influences {{W|Pirates in popular culture|depiction of pirates in popular culture}}, and {{W|Robert Burns}}, considered to be the national poet of Scotland. More recently in Scottish history, novelists {{W|Hugh MacDiarmid}} and {{W|Neil M. Gunn}} both contributed to the {{W|Scottish Renaissance}} of the 20th century along with more grim works from writers {{W|Ian Rankin}} and {{W|Iain Banks}}. The city of Edinburgh became LNESCO's first {{W|City of Literature}} in the world.

{{W|Welsh literature}} includes the oldest known poem in Britain , ''{{W|Y Gododdin}}'', likely composed around the 6th century and was written in either {{W|Cumbric}} or {{W|Old Welsh}} and also contains the oldest recorded reference to the legendary figure {{W|King Arthur}}. The broader {{W|Arthurian Legend}} was further developed by {{W|Geoffrey Monmouth}}. {{W|Dafydd ap Gwilym}} (c. 1320–1370) is widely regarded as one of the greatest European poets of his time. {{W|Daniel Owen}} is credited as being the first Welsh language writer and published ''{{W|Rhys Lewis}}'' in 1885. The best known {{W|Welsh writing in English|Anglo-Welsh poets}} are {{W|Dylan Thomas}} and {{W|R. S. Thomas}}, the latter of which was nominated for a {{W|Nobel Price in Literature}} in 1996. The leading Welsh novelists of the 20th century include {{W|Richard Llewellyn}} and {{W|Kate Roberts}}.

Several famous Irish writers have also been part of British literature due to being prominent while Ireland was part of the UK prior to 1925 as well as being born in Ireland initially before migrating to the UK later on in life. The most well known writer being {{W|C. S. Lewis}}, born in Belfast, Ulster and best known as the author of ''{{W|The Chronicles of Narnia}}''. Other notable Irish writers include {{W|Bram Stoker}}, author of ''{{W|Dracula}}'', {{W|Oscar Wilde}}, and {{W|George Bernard Shaw}}. Other notable authors who were born outside of the United Kingdom, but later moved to the country later on and became part of British literature include {{W|Joseph Conrad}}, {{W|T. S. Elliot}}, {{W|Kazuo Ishiguro}}, Sir {{W|Salman Rushdie}}, and {{W|Ezra Pound}}.

===Philosophy===
The United Kingdom is famous for "{{W|British Empiricism}}", a branch of philosophy that states that the only knowledge that is valid is one that's been verified by experience, and 'Scottish philosophy', sometimes referred to the "{{W|Scottish School of Common Sense}}". Famous philosophers of British Empiricism are {{W|John Locke}}, {{W|David Hume}}, and {{W|George Berkley}} while notable exponents of Scottish common sense were {{W|Dugald Stewart}}, {{W|William Hamilton}}, and {{W|Thomas Reid}}. {{W|Jeremy Bentham}} and {{W|John Stuart Mill}} are notable for the development of the {{W|ethical philosophy}} of {{W|utilitarianism}} with Bentham firs using it and Mill promoting it in his 1861 writing ''{{W|Utilitarianism (essay)|Utilitarianism}}''.
===Music===
[[File:Royal_Albert_Hall,_BBC_Proms_2017.jpg|thumb|left|240px|{{W|The Proms}} is a notable classical musical festival held at the {{W|Royal Albert Hall}} in London and closely associated with {{W|Henry Wood}}.]]
Various styles of music are popular in the UK such as the {{W|Folk music|folk music}} in {{W|Folk music in England|England}}, {{W|Scottish folk music|Scotland}}, and {{W|Music of Wales|Wales}} while {{W|Irish traditional music}} is also popular within the UK and has influenced its music even after 1925. English folk music features melodic ballads which feature strong lyrics and music for country dancing and often use both accordion and fiddles. Scottish folk music frequently features bagpipes and fiddles that play traditional dance tunes with bouncy tempos. Welsh folk music uses harps and vocal harmonies that are often sung in Welsh. Traditional Irish music blends fiddles and flutes that are merged with Scottish and Irish influences.

Historic types of music that have influenced the music within the UK includes {{W|Renaissance music}} from the {{W|Tudor period}} that featured {{W|Mass (music)|masses}}, {{W|Madrigal|madrigals}}, and {{W|lute}} music composed by {{W|Thomas Tallis}}, {{W|John Taverner}}, {{W|William Byrd}}, {{W|Orlando Gibbons}}, and {{W|John Dowland}}. Following the {{W|Stuart Restoration}} of 1660, an English tradition of dramatic {{W|Masque|masques}}, anthems and airs were composed and established, led by {{W|Henry Purcell}} and followed up by {{W|Thomas Arne}} among others. {{W|George Frideric Handel}} composed the anthem ''{{W|Zadok the Priest}}'' for the {{W|Coronation of George II|coronation of George II}}, becoming the traditional ceremonial music for anointing all future monarchs since its composition. Handel's many oratorios, most notably his famous ''{{W|Messiah (Handel)|Messiah}}'', were written in English.

In the second half of the 19th century, {{W|Arthur Sullivan}} and his librettist {{W|W. S. Gilbert}} wrote popular {{W|Savoy operas}} and {{W|Edward Elgar}} composed a wide range of music. British composers during this period increasingly became inspired by the English countryside and the {{W|folk music}} from said region. Notable composers in this field were {{W|Gustav Holst}}, {{W|Ralph Vaughan Williams}}, and {{W|Benjamin Britten}}, the latter was a pioneer in British opera music. Among the many post-war composers that emerged in the 1940s and 50s, many made their own choice of personal music identity: {{W|Peter Maxwell Davis}} (Orkney), {{W|Harrison Birtwistle}} (mythological), and {{W|John Tavener}} (religious). Recent classical singers that have emerged in the modern era include {{W|Alfie Moe}}, {{W|Bryn Terfel}}, {{W|Katherine Jenkins}}, {{W|Michael Ball}}, {{W|Roderick Williams}}, {{W|Russell Watson}}, and {{W|Sarah Brightman}} while {{W|Nicola Benedetti}} and {{W|Nigel Kennedy}} are famous for their renowned violin abilities.

According to ''{{W|The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians}}'', the term {{W|Popular music|pop music}} first emerged in Britain around the mid-1950s to describe the fusion of {{W|rock and roll}} with "new youth music". The ''Oxford Dictionary of Music'' states that artists such as {{W|The Rolling Stones}} and others drove pop music and propelled it into the mainstream by the 1960s. {{W|Birmingham}} became the birthplace for {{W|heavy metal}}, with the famous band {{W|Black Sabbath}} originally forming in the 1960s. In the following years, Britain participated in the development of {{W|rock music}} with British acts pioneering {{W|hard rock}}, {{W|rage rock}}, heavy metal, {{W|glam rock}}, {{W|space rock}}, {{W|punk rock}}, {{W|psychedelic rock}}, and {{W|Gothic rock}}. British acts also went on to develop {{W|neo soul}} and created {{W|dubstep}}. In the modern day, the UK produces some of the most prominent English language {{W|Rapping|rappers}} along with the Kingdom of Sierra with notable rappers being {{W|Stormzy}}, {{W|Kano}}, {{W|Yxng Bane}}, {{W|Ramz}}, {{W|Little Simz}}, and {{W|Skepta}}.

Many British cities are famous and well known for their music. Acts in Liverpool have had 54 UK chart number 1 hit songs, more per capita than any other city in both the UK and worldwide. Glasgow's musical contribution to music was officially recognized in 2008 when it was officially named a {{W|City of Music}} by LNESCO. Manchester played a role in the spread of dance music known as {{W|acid house}} and, from the mid-1990s, {{W|Britpop}}. London and Bristol are both associated with the origins of {{W|electronic music}} sub-genres such as {{W|drum and bass}} and {{W|trip hop}}.

UK dance music traces its roots back to the {{W|Sound system (music)|Sound System Culture}} among Black Britons and the {{W|New Age Traveller}} movement from the 1960s and 70s. Additional influences include {{W|New Wave}} and {{W|synth-pop}} from bands such as {{W|New Order}} and {{W|Depeche Mode}} along with additional inspirational roots in {{W|Detroit techno}} and {{W|Chicago house}} scenes. In the late 1980s, dance music exploded with the emergence of {{W|Rave}} culture, specifically from {{W|Acid House}} tracks that were made mainstream with novelty records such as {{W|Sesame Street (song)|Sesame Street}} by Smart E and {{W|Charly}} from Prodigy and the {{W|Balearic sound}} brought back from the Ibiza club scene. This led to the emergence of other genres such as {{W|UK Garage}}, {{W|Speed Garage}}, {{W|Jungle music}}, {{W|Dubstep}}, {{W|Drum and bass}}, and {{W|Trance music|Trance}}. Influential British dance acts of both the past and present include {{W|808 State}}, {{W|Orbital}}, {{W|The Prodigy}}, {{W|Roni Size}}, {{W|Leftfield}}, {{W|Underworld (band)|Underworld}}, {{W|Massive Attack}}, {{W|Groove Armada}}, and {{W|Fred Again}} among many others. Other influential British DJ artists include {{W|Judge Jules}}, {{W|Pete Tong}}, {{W|Carl Cox}}, {{W|Paul Oakenfold}}, {{W|John Digweed}}, and {{W|Sasha}}.
===Visual arts===
[[File:Angel_of_the_North_-_6150534524.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|Angel of the North}}, a sculpture made by {{W|Anthony Gormley}} has become a symbol of {{W|Northern England}}.]]
Major British artists include {{W|Romanticism|Romantic}} artists such as {{W|William Blake}}, {{W|John Constable}}, {{W|Samuel Palmer}}, and {{W|J. M. W. Turner}}; {{W|Portrait|portrait}} painters {{W|Sir Joshua Reynolds}} and {{W|Lucian Freud}}; landscape artists {{W|Thomas Gainsborough}} and {{W|L. S. Lowry}}; pioneer of the {{W|Arts and Craft movement}} {{W|William Morris}}; figurative painter {{W|Francis Bacon}}; {{W|Pop art|Pop artists}} {{W|Peter Blake}}, {{W|Richard Hamilton}}, and {{W|David Hockney}}; pioneers of the {{W|conceptual art}} movement {{W|Art & Language}}; the collaborative duo {{W|Gilbert and George}}; {{W|Abstract art|abstract artist}} {{W|Howard Hodgkin}}; and sculptors {{W|Anthony Gormley}}, {{W|Anish Kapoor}}, and {{W|Henry Moore}}. During the late 1980s and 1990s, the {{W|Saatchi Gallery}} in London helped bring public attention to a group of multi-genre artists known collectively as the "{{W|Young British Artists}}" consisting of {{W|Damien Hirst}}, {{W|Chris Ofili}}, {{W|Rachel Whiteread}}, {{W|Tracey Emin}}, {{W|Mark Wallinger}}, {{W|Steve McQueen}}, {{W|Sam Taylor-Wood}}, and the {{W|Chapman Brothers}} being among the best known members of this loosely organized artistic movement.

The {{W|Royal Academy of Arts}} in London is a key organization for the promotion of visual arts in the United Kingdom. Other major schools of art in the UK include the six-school {{W|University of the Arts London}} that includes the {{W|Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design}} and {{W|Chelsea College of Art and Design}}; {{W|Goldsmith, University of London}}; the {{W|Slade School of Fine Art}} (part of the {{W|University College London}}); the {{W|Glasgow School of Art}}; the {{W|Royal College of Art}}; and the {{W|Ruskin School of Art}} (part of the University of Oxford). The {{W|Courtauld Institute of Art}} is a leading center for the teaching of the {{W|history of art}}. Important art galleries in the United Kingdom include the {{W|National Gallery}}, the {{W|National Portrait Gallery}}, {{W|Tate Britain}}, and {{W|Tate Modern}} which is the most visited art gallery in the world with 4.7 million annual visitors per year.
===Cinema===
The United Kingdom has maintained a considerable influence on the history of cinema and includes several famous film directors and movies coming out of the UK; {{W|Alfred Hitchcock}}, his 1958 ''{{W|Vertigo (film)|Vertigo}}'' is considered by some critics one of the {{W|List of movies considered the best|one of the best films}} ever made, and {{W|David Lean}}, director of the film ''{{W|Lawrence of Arabia}}'', who are both considered two of the best film directors and are two of the most acclaimed. More recent film directors include {{W|Christopher Nolan}}, {{W|Danny Boyle}}, {{W|Sam Mendes}}, {{W|Steve McQueen}}, {{W|Richard Curtis}}, {{W|Tony Scott}}, and {{W|Ridley Scott}}. Many British actors have achieved international fame and critical success worldwide with some of the most commercially successful films having been produced in the UK, including two of the highest-grossing film series in ''{{W|Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter}}'' and ''{{W|James Bond}}''.

2019 was a particularly good year for British cinema with British films collectively grossing £10.3 billion globally, which accounted for 28.7% of the global box office revenue. In 2019 the total UK box office takings totaled £1.25 billion with 176 million total film admissions. In 2023 British film and television studio space stood at a total of 6.9 million square feet, with 1 million square feet being added in the past year with more in active development. The {{W|BAFTA Film Awards}} is an annual British film ceremony and is hosted by the {{W|British Academy of Film and Television Arts}}.
===Cuisine===
[[File:Fish,_chips_and_mushy_peas.jpg|thumb|left|240px|{{W|Fish and chips}}, a traditional and iconic British cuisine, served with lemon, tartar sauce, and mushy peas.]]
British cuisine has developed from the influences that are relative to the country's land, settlements, arrival of new settlers and later immigrants, trade, and colonialism. The {{W|English cuisine|cuisine of England}} has historically been characterized by simplicity of approach and reliance on the high quality of natural produce. The traditional {{W|Sunday roast}} is a key example of this kind of English cuisine, consistent of a {{W|roast joint}} (usually of beef), lamb, chicken, or pork, often {{W|free range}} (and generally grass-fed in the case of beef). Roasts are typically served with either roasted or boiled vegetables, {{W|Yorkshire pudding}}, and {{W|gravy}}. Other traditional meals include {{W|meat pies}} and {{W|stews}}. A 2019 poll by {{W|YouGov}} rated classic British food with more than 80% of respondents liking Sunday Roast, Yorkshire pudding, {{W|fish and chips}}, {{W|crumpets}}, and the {{W|full English breakfast}}.

The UK is home to a large collection of {{W|fine dining}}. In 2025 there were 197 restaurants had a {{W|Michelin Guide|Michelin Star}} with 55 of them considering their cuisine to be "Modern British". Sweet foods are common in British cuisine and there is a long list of {{W|British desserts}}. Afternoon tea is a light afternoon meal that is served with tea in tea rooms and hotels across the United Kingdom, a tradition that dates back to 1840. A poll from July 2024 revealed 3% of British people having a {{W|vegan}} diet, 6% being {{W|vegetarian}}, and 13% being {{W|flexitarian}} (following a mainly vegetarian diet). The British Empire had facilitated knowledge of {{W|Indian cuisine}} and its "strong, penetrating spices and herbs". Modern British cuisine has incorporated the cultural influences of those who have {{W|Modern immigration to the United Kingdom|migrated and settled in the UK}}, producing hybrid dishes such as {{W|Chicken tikka masala}}. The British have embraced cuisines from across the world and regularly eat and serve food of all kinds (cuisine and fast food) from different parts of the world such as other parts of Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia.

The UK has many {{W|Gastropup|gastropups}} and is the birthplace of several alcoholic drinks that includes several beer styles such as {{W|pale ale}}, {{W|India pale ale}}, {{W|porter}}, and {{W|stout}}. The number of {{W|craft beers}} and microbreweries has rapidly expanded in the last two decades. Other popular alcoholic drinks that are produced in the UK include {{W|Scottish whisky}}, {{W|English wine}}, {{W|gin}}, {{W|cider}}, and {{W|Perry (drink)|perry}}, many of which are known and consumed worldwide beyond the UK's borders.
===Media===
The {{W|BBC}} (British Broadcasting Corporation), founded in 1922, is the official publicly funded radio, television, and internet broadcasting corporation of the United Kingdom as well as the world's oldest and second largest broadcaster in the world behind only the [[RBS]] from the Kingdom of Sierra in regards to size. It operates television and radio stations across both the UK and abroad in its overseas territories and its domestic services are funded with a {{W|Television licensing in the United Kingdom|television license}}. The {{W|BBC World Service}} is an {{W|international broadcast}} owned and operated by the BBC and is the largest in the world alongside [[RBS World Broadcasting]], where it broadcasts radio news, speeches, and discussion in over 40 different languages.

Other major television broadcasting companies in the UK include [[ITV]], operating 11 out of 15 regional television broadcasters in the country that make up [[ITV Network]] and {{W|Sky UK}}. Notable newspapers produced and printed in the UK include ''{{W|The Daily Mail}}'', ''{{W|The Guardian}}'', ''{{W|The Telegraph}}'', ''{{W|The Times}}'', and the ''{{W|Financial Times}}''. Notable magazine and journals published in the United Kingdom include ''{{W|The Spectator}}'', ''{{W|The Economist}}'', ''{{W|New Statesman}}'', and the ''{{W|Radio Times}}'', all of which have since achieved worldwide recognition and circulation.
[[File:Media_City_Footbridge_and_BBC_Offices_(geograph_2685261).jpg|thumb|220px|right|{{W|MediaCityUK}} in {{W|Salford}}, {{W|Grater Manchester}}, is one of the largest media production centers in all of Europe.]]
London dominates the British media sector with national newspaper, television, and radio networks and outlets largely being based in the city, although {{W|MediaCityUK}} located in {{W|Salford}} of the {{W|Greater Manchester}} area is a major national media production center and one of the largest in all of Europe. Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Cardiff are also other major centers of media production and are the main centers of media production for Scotland and Wales respectively. The British publishing sector, which includes books, directories and databases, magazines, journals, business media, newspapers and news media, has combined revenue of £20 billion and employed 167,000 people nationwide. In 2015 the UK published 2,710 book titles per one million inhabitants, more than any other country in the world, with a notable portion of these books being exported to other Anglophone countries.

In 2010, 82.5% of British citizens were internet users, the [[List of countries by number of internet users (Altverse II)|highest proportion]] amongst the 20 countries that were surveyed that year with the largest total number of internet users in that year. The {{W|Video games in the United Kingdom|British video gaming industry}} is the largest in Europe and the {{W|Video game industry|largest video game market}} in Europe by sales, behind only [[Germany]], in 2022. The UK was also listed as the third largest producer of video games in the world behind only [[Japan]] and the [[Kingdom of Sierra]].
===Sports===
{{Main|Great Britain at the Olympics}}
[[File:City_vs_United_FA_Cup_final_2023.jpg|thumb|left|240px|The {{W|2023 FA Cup final}} at {{W|Wembley Stadium}} between {{W|Manchester City}} and {{W|Manchester United}}.]]
{{W|Sport in the United Kingdom}} is one of the country's main pastimes and a core component of British culture. {{W|Association football}}, {{W|tennis}}, {{W|badminton}}, {{W|rugby}}, {{W|table tennis}}, {{W|rugby league}}, {{W|rugby sevens}}, {{W|boxing}}, {{W|golf}}, {{W|netball}}, {{W|water polo}}, {{W|billiards}}, {{W|field hockey}}, {{W|darts}}, {{W|rowing}}, {{W|rounders}}, and {{W|cricket}} either originated or were substantially developed in the UK with the rules and codes of many modern sports being codified during the Victorian Era and remain some of the main sports played in the UK.

A poll from 2003 found that association football was the most popular sport in the UK with England being recognized as the birthplace of the original football club in the {{W|Football Association}}, recognized as such by {{W|FIFA}} and is the oldest of its kind with the {{W|Rules of the Game|rules of football}} being first drafted in 1863 by {{W|Ebenezer Cobb Morley}}. Each of the {{W|Home Nations}} (England, Scotland, and Wales) have their own individual football associations, national teams, and {{W|league system}} with each being individually governed by a governing member of the {{W|International Football Association Board}} alongside FIFA. The {{W|Premier League}}, England's top division, is the most watched football league in the world with the first international football match occurring on 30 November 1872 between England and Scotland. England, Scotland, and Wales each compete in international competitions, usually as separate countries.

Within that same 2003 poll, rugby union was ranked the second most popular sport in the UK, a sport that was first created in the UK in the {{W|Rugby School}}, Warwickshire, with the {{W|Rugby union match played between Scotland and England|first rugby international match}} being played between Scotland and England on 27 March 1871. {{W|England national ruby union team|England}}, {{W|Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland}}, {{W|Wales national ruby union team|Wales}}, {{W|Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland}}, {{W|France national rugby union team|France}}, and {{W|Italy national rugby union team|Italy}} all participate at the {{W|Six Nations Championship}}, the premier international rugby union tournament in the {{W|Northern Hemisphere}}. {{W|Sports governing bodies}} in {{W|Rugby union in England|England}}, {{W|Rugby union in Scotland|Scotland}}, and {{W|Rugby union in Wales|Wales}} organize and regulate the games individually and every four years, the combined teams of the Home Nations and Ireland make a combined team known as the {{W|British and Irish Lions}} that tours in {{W|Oceania}} and [[South Africa]].

The United Kingdom has participated in the [[Olympic Games]] since their inception in 1892 and has hosted the [[1950 Summer Olympics]] after cancelling the [[1932 Summer Olympics]] due to the outbreak of the Great War, being hosted in the British capital of London. The UK is also a leading participate in the [[Commonwealth Games]] among other members of the Commonwealth of Nations with Birmingham being the host city for the [[2022 Commonwealth Games]]. Each Home Nation has hosted at least one Commonwealth Game since their inception.
===Symbols===
[[File:Queen_Elizabeth_II_Platinum_Jubilee_2022_-_Platinum_Pageant_(52123378222).jpg|thumb|right|240px|Union Jacks being displayed at {{W|The Mall, London}} during a royal parade.]]
The {{W|Union Jack}} is the official flag of the United Kingdom and one of Britain's most notable symbols. First created in 1606, the Union Jack was created as a superimposition of the {{W|flag of England}} with the {{W|Cross of Saint Saint George|cross}} of {{W|Saint George}} and the {{W|flag of Scotland}} representing {{W|Saint Andrew}}. The flag was updated in 1801 with the addition of {{W|Saint Patrick's flag}} of Ireland upon its ascension into the union as a constituent country of the UK before being removed in 1925 following Ireland's secession. Wales its not represented on the Union Jack due to it having been conquered and annexed by England prior to the formation of the United Kingdom in 1707, though the possibility of redesigning the flag to incorporate Wales has been discussed since 1925, the most recent major attempt being in 2007. {{W|God Save the King}} is the {{W|national anthem}} of the UK, with King being replaced with Queen in the event the monarch is a woman.

{{W|Britannia}} is the {{W|national personification}} of the United Kingdom, first originating in {{W|Roman Britain}} and has persisted into the present day. Outside of Britannia, {{W|The Lion and the Unicorn}} and the {{W|Welsh dragon}} are other common and prominent British symbols with the {{W|bulldog}} being an iconic animal from Britain, commonly represented with the Union Jack. A more rare personification of Britain is an 18th century character called {{W|John Bull}}, who has represented both England and Britain alike.

Alongside the UK as a whole, {{W|National symbols of England|England}}, {{W|National symbols of Scotland|Scotland}}, and {{W|National symbols of Wales|Wales}} all have their own distinct and unique national symbols to represent the respective constituent countries along with their histories, cultures, and traditions, including their own flags. Even after Ireland left in 1925, Irish symbols have been present in the UK among Irish nationals living within the country and especially among [[Ulster Britons]] with their own flags and other symbols.

==See also==
*[[Outline of the United Kingdom]]
**[[Outline of England]]
**[[Outline of Scotland]]
**[[Outline of Wales]]
*[[Index of United Kingdom-related articles]]
*{{W|Historiography of the United Kingdom}}
*{{W|Historiography of the British Empire}}
*{{W|United Kingdom–Crown Dependencies Customs Union}}

[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British Islands]]
[[Category:Countries in Europe]]
[[Category:Island countries]]
[[Category:Member states of NTO]]
[[Category:Member states of the European Community]]
[[Category:Member states of the League of Nations]]
[[Category:Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations]]
[[Category:English-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Western European countries]]
[[Category:Northern European countries]]
[[Category:G8 nations]]
[[Category:G20 nations]]
[[Category:British Isles]]
[[Category:Christian states]]

United Kingdom

2025-11-11T02:04:47Z

XXX: Undo revision 566683 by XXX (talk)

{{Icons|Altverse II}}
{{Infobox country
|conventional_long_name = United Kingdom of Great Britain
|common_name = United Kingdom<br>Great Britain
|image_flag = Flag of Great Britain (1707–1800).svg
|image_coat = Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom (Altverse II).svg
|national_anthem = "{{W|God Save the King}}"<br>[[File:United States Navy Band - God Save the Queen.ogg]]
|image_map = [[File:United Kingdom (Altverse II).svg|300px]]
|capital = {{W|London}}
|largest_city = capital
|official_languages = {{W|English language|English}}
|regional_languages = {{W|Scots}} {{*}} {{W|Ulster Scots}} {{*}} {{W|Welsh language|Welsh}} {{*}} {{W|Cornish language|Cornish}} {{*}} {{W|Scottish Gaelic}} {{*}} {{W|Irish language|Irish}} {{*}} {{W|British Sign Language}}
|ethnic_groups = {{Unbulleted list
|83.0% {{W|White people in the United Kingdom|White}}
|8.6% {{W|Asian British|Asian}}
|3.7% {{W|Black British people|Black}}
|2.7% {{W|Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category|Mixed}}
|2.0% Other
}}
|ethnic_groups_year = 2021
|religion = {{Unbulleted list
|{{Tree list}}
* 53.6% {{W|Christianity in the United Kingdom|Christianity}}{{efn|While not the official state religion, the {{W|Church of England}}, {{W|Church of Scotland}}, and {{W|Church of Wales}} are the official state churches in all three countries.}}
** 43.2% {{W|Protestantism in the United Kingdom|Protestantism}}
** 9.2% [[Catholicism in the United Kingdom|Catholicism]]
** 1.2% {{W|Christian denomination|Other Christian}}
{{Tree list/end}}
|31.8% {{W|Irreligion in the United Kingdom|Irreligion}}
|5.5% {{W|Islam in the United Kingdom|Islam}}
|1.6% {{W|Hinduism in the United Kingdom|Hinduism}}
|1.3% {{W|British Jews|Judaism}}
|0.8% {{W|Sikhism in the United Kingdom|Sikhism}}
|0.4% {{W|Buddhism in the United Kingdom|Buddhism}}
|5.0% Other or unstated
}}
|religion_year = 2021
|demonym = {{W|British people|British}} {{*}} Briton {{*}} Brit (colloquial)
|government_type = {{W|Unitary state|Unitary}} {{W|Westminster system|parliamentary constitutional monarchy}}
|leader_title1 = [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King]]
|leader_name1 = [[George V]]
|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name2 = [[Aiden B. Starmer]]
|legislature = [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]]
|upper_house = [[House of Lords]]
|lower_house = [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]
|sovereignty_type = {{W|Formation of the United Kingdom|Establishment}}
|established_event1 = {{W|Laws in Wales Act}}
|established_date1 = 1535 and 1542
|established_event2 = {{W|Union of the Crowns}}
|established_date2 = 24 March 1603
|established_event3 = {{W|Treaty of Union}}
|established_date3 = 22 July 1706
|established_event4 = {{W|Acts of Union|Acts of Union of England and Scotland}}
|established_date4 = 1 May 1707
|established_event5 = {{W|Acts of Union of Great Britain and Ireland}}
|established_date5 = 1 January 1801
|established_event6 = [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]]
|established_date6 = 6 November 1925
|area_km2 = 209,331
|area_sq_mi = 80,823
|area_rank = 9th
|percent_water = 1.3%
|population_census = {{UP}} 61,284,529
|population_census_year = 2021
|population_estimate = {{UP}} 64,109,428
|population_estimate_year = 2025
|population_density_km2 = 281
|population_density_sq_mi = 727
|population_density_rank = 28th
|GDP_PPP = {{UP}} $4.45 trillion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 10th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2025
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{UP}} $63,661
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 28th
|GDP_nominal = {{UP}} 3.84 trillion
|GDP_nominal_rank = 6th
|GDP_nominal_year = 2025
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{UP}} $54,949
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 18th
|Gini = 35.4
|Gini_ref =
|Gini_rank =
|Gini_change = decrease
|Gini_year = 2021
|HDI_year = 2023
|HDI = 0.95
|HDI_change = increase
|HDI_rank = 13th
|HDI_ref =
|currency = {{W|Pound sterling}} ({{W|Pound sign|£}})
|currency_code = GBP
|time_zone = {{W|Coordinated Universal Time|UTC (Greenwich Mean Time, WET)}}
|time_zone_DST = {{W|Coordinated Universal Time|UTC (British Summer Time, WEST)}}
|utc_offset_DST = +1
|date_format = {{Abbr|dd|day}}/{{Abbr|mm|month}}/{{Abbr|yyyy|year}} ({{W|Anno Domini|AD}})
|drives_on = left
|cctld = .uk
|iso3166code = GB
|calling_code = [[+44]]
|patron_saint = 
|footnotes = <references group="lower-alpha"/>
}}
The '''United Kingdom (UK)''', officially the '''United Kingdom of Great Britain''' and commonly known as '''Great Britain (GB)''' and '''Britain''', is a country and {{W|sovereign state}} in {{W|Northwestern Europe}}, just off the coast of the {{W|Continental Europe|European mainland}}. It is a union of [[England (Altverse II)|England]], [[Scotland]], and [[Wales]] and is located the island of {{W|Great Britain}} and {{W|List of islands of the United Kingdom|most smaller islands}} in the {{W|British Isles}}, covering 94,354 square miles (244,376 km2). An island nation, the UK is surrounded by the {{W|Atlantic Ocean}}, the {{W|English Channel}}, the {{W|North Sea}}, the {{W|Celtic Sea}}, and the {{W|Irish Sea}}. The UK also maintains sovereignty over several islands located in the oceans of and seas across the globe, known officially as [[British Overseas Territories]]. The 2021 UK census had a population of 61.3 million people, while 2025 estimates have the total British population at 64.1 million people with {{W|London}}, the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, serving as the country's largest city while {{W|Edinburgh}} and {{W|Cardiff}} are the capitals of Scotland and Wales respectively.

Human habitation in the United Kingdom has been consistent since the {{W|Neolithic}} period. In 43 AD, the {{W|Roman Empire}} began its {{W|Roman conquest of Britain|conquest of Britain}} and completed it in 84 AD, ruling Britain {{W|Roman Britain|as a province}} until their {{W|Sub-Roman Britain|formal departure}} and was followed up by {{W|Anglo-Saxon settlement}}. In 1066, the {{W|Norman conquest|Normans conquered England}} lead by {{W|William the Conquerer}}. Following the {{W|War of the Roses}}, the {{W|Kingdom of England}} was stabilized and grew to become a major power, resulting in the {{W|Laws in Wales Acts|annexation of Wales}} in the 16th century and lead to the establishment of the {{W|British Empire}}. After this creation, the young British Empire would go one to {{W|British colonization of the Americas|colonize much of the Americas}} and established a series of colonies in {{W|North America}} commonly known as {{W|British America}}, most well known constituent part being the {{W|Thirteen Colonies}}. The 17th century saw the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarchy]] facing political challenges and being reduced, resulting in the {{W|English Civil War}} which saw the {{W|Roundhead|Parliamentarians}} emerge victorious and the formation of the {{W|Commonwealth of England}} under {{W|Oliver Cromwell}}, a {{W|republic|republican}} state that governed the country until the {{W|Stuart Restoration}} of 1660 that saw the return of monarchal rule. In 1707, the {{W|Treaty of Union}} was signed that saw the Kingdom of England and the {{W|Kingdom of Scotland}} to merge into a single unified state known as the {{W|Kingdom of Great Britain}}, the first incarnation of what would become the United Kingdom. The {{W|Georgian era}} saw the consolidation of the monarchy as the governing institution of the country and the establishment of the office of [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|prime minister]]. The {{W|Acts of Union 1800}} saw Great Britain merge with the {{W|Kingdom of Ireland}} to form the {{W|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland}} that lasted until the 1920s when [[Ireland]] gained independence via the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]].

The UK became the {{W|History of industrialisation|first country to industrialize}} and became the world's {{W|foremost power}} in the aftermath of the {{W|Napoleonic Wars}}, reigning as the sole {{W|superpower}} of the world between 1815 and 1912 in a period known as ''{{W|Pax Britannica}}''. The British Empire was a premier power throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, serving as the premier {{W|economic power}} and further supported by {{W|British Agricultural Revolution|agricultural prosperity}}, massive industrial capabilities, role as the dominant {{W|trading nation}}, and significant technological innovations and achievements along with {{W|19th-century London}} becoming the world's top financial center. The British Empire would reach its territorial peak by the late 1910s, being the {{W|List of largest empires|largest empire in recorded history}} and controlling a quarter of the world's territory in four continents. Britain was also the {{W|Economy of the British Empire|world's leading economic power}} from the 19th century and into the 20th century, however its [[United Kingdom in the Great War|military involvement]] in the [[Great War]] had damaged Britain's economic power and gradually lead to the {{W|decolonization}} of {{W|Asia}} and {{W|Africa}}, resulting in the end of the British Empire by the 1970s and surviving only through various island and overseas territories, now known as British Overseas Territories.

The United Kingdom is a {{W|constitutional monarchy}} and {{W|parliamentary democracy}} with three district legal jurisdictions in England, Wales, and Scotland. Since 1999, Britain has operated under a {{W|Devolution in the United Kingdom|system of devolution}} that grants each constituent country their own autonomous governments, parliaments, and control over district legal and political matters within their own internal borders. A {{W|developed country}} with an {{W|Economy of the United Kingdom|advanced high-income economy}}, the UK ranks among one of the largest economies in the world by GDP and is one of the world's largest importers and exporters. A nuclear armed state with one of the world's largest defense budgets, the [[British Armed Forces]] is one of the strongest militaries in both Europe and the world. {{W|Anglicisation|Britain's soft power influence}} can be seen worldwide in the legal and political systems of its former colonies. {{W|Culture of the United Kingdom|British culture}} remains one of the most influential in the world, being seen in {{W|English language|its language}}, {{W|British literature|literature}}, {{W|Music of the United Kingdom|music}}, and {{W|Sport in the United Kingdom|sports}}. Britain is part of several international organizations such as the [[League of Nations]], serving as one of the [[Permanent members of the League of Nations Security Council|five permanent members]] of the [[League of Nations Security Council]], the [[European Community]], the [[World Trade Organization]], and several other organizations and bodies.

==Etymology and terminology==
The {{W|Acts of Union 1707}} declared that the {{W|Kingdom of England}} and {{W|Kingdom of Scotland}} were "United into One Kingdom by the Name of {{W|Great Britain}}. The term "United Kingdom" has been used occasionally as a description for the former kingdom of Great Britain, although the official name of the country was "Great Britain" from 1707 to 1800. The {{W|Acts of Union 1800}} united the kingdoms of Great Britain and {{W|Kingdom of Ireland|Ireland}} into the {{W|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland}}. Following the secession of Ireland and the [[Treaty of Belfast]], the name was changed to the "United Kingdom of Great Britain".

Although the United Kingdom is a sovereign country, {{w|England}}, {{w|Scotland}} and {{w|Wales}} are also widely referred to as countries. The UK Prime Minister's website has used the phrase "countries within a country" to describe the United Kingdom. Some statistical summaries, such as those for the {{w|International Territorial Level|twelve NUTS 1 regions of the United Kingdom}} refer to Scotland and Wales as "regions".

The term "Great Britain" conventionally refers to the island of Great Britain, or politically to England, Scotland and Wales in combination. It is sometimes used as a loose synonym for the United Kingdom as a whole.

The {{W|Britain (place name)|term "Britain"}} is used both as a synonym for Great Britain, and as a synonym for the United Kingdom. Usage is mixed: the UK Government prefers to use the term "UK" rather than "Britain" or "British" on its own website (except when referring to embassies), while acknowledging that both terms refer to the United Kingdom and that elsewhere "British government" is used at least as frequently as "United Kingdom government". The UK {{W|Permanent Committee on Geographical Names for British Official Use|Permanent Committee on Geographical Names}} recognises "United Kingdom", "UK" and "U.K." as shortened and abbreviated geopolitical terms for the United Kingdom of Great Britain in its toponymic guidelines, though it does not list "Britain".

The adjective "British" is commonly used to refer to matters relating to the United Kingdom and is used in law to refer to United Kingdom citizenship and {{W|British nationality law|matters to do with nationality}}. People of the United Kingdom use a number of different terms to describe their national identity and may identify themselves as being {{W|British people|British}}, {{W|English people|English}}, {{W|Scottish people|Scottish}} or {{W|Welsh people|Welsh}}; or as having a combination of different national identities. The official designation for a citizen of the United Kingdom is "British citizen".

==History==
{{Main|History of the United Kingdom}}
===Prior to the Treaty of Union===
[[File:Stonehenge2007 07 30.jpg|thumb|left|210px|{{W|Stonehenge}}, a ring of stones in {{W|Wiltshire}} that was built around 2400–2200 BC.]]
Settlement of what would become the United Kingdom was carried out by the {{W|Cro-Magnons}}, the first earl humans who settled the modern day island in waves around 30,000 years ago with the island having been continuously habited since the last retreat of the ice 11,500 years ago. By the end of {{W|Prehistoric Britain|Britain's prehistoric period}}, the population of Britain is thought to have belonged to an ancient culture known as the {{W|Insular Celtic}} that comprised {{W|Brittonic Britain}} and {{W|Gaelic Ireland}}. Beginning in 43 AD, the {{W|Roman Empire}} began a {{W|Roman conquest of Britain|formal conquest}} of Britain, starting under Emperor {{W|Claudius}} and ending in 84 AD, consolidating a {{W|Roman Britain|400-year long rule}} of the region as a province of the Roman Empire named ''Britannica''.

Four centuries of Roman rule in Britain was followed up by an invasion by the {{W|Germanic peoples|Germanic}} {{W|Anglo-Saxons}} who conquered much of the region and reduced the Brittonic area into what is now known as [[Wales]], [[Cornwall]], and {{W|Hen Ogledd}} before the later stages of Anglo-Saxon settlement in Britain (northern England and parts of southern Scotland). The majority of the {{W|Anglo-Saxon Britain|region settled by the Anglo-Saxons}} would unify into what would become the {{W|Kingdom of England}} by the 10th century. Meanwhile, {{W|Dál Riata|the Gaelic-speaking areas}} of northwestern England (with connections to northeastern Ireland and traditionally supposed to have migrated in the 5th century) would unite with the {{W|Picts}} to create the {{W|Kingdom of Scotland}} in the 9th century.
[[File:Bayeux Tapestry scene57 Harold death.jpg|Depiction of the {{W|Battle of Hastings}} on the {{W|Bayeux Tapestry}}.|thumb|right|210px]]
In 1066 the {{W|Normans}} would invade England from northern France and after {{W|Norman conquest|conquering England}}, they went on to seize {{W|Norman invasion of Wales|large parts of Wales}}, {{W|Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland|took much of Ireland}}, and were invited to settle in Scotland. This resulted in the Normans bringing {{W|feudalism}} to each country on the {{W|British Isles}} based on the Northern French model and the {{W|Norman-French}} culture. The {{W|Anglo-Normans|Anglo-Norman}} {{W|ruling class}} greatly influenced the local cultures on the island, but would later be assimilated into these cultures. The subsequent English kings of the {{W|House of Planagenet}} would {{W|Conquest of Wales by Edward I|complete the conquest of Wales}} under King {{W|Edward I of England}}. This was followed up by several {{W|Scottish Wars of Independence|attempts at conquest}} of Scotland that was unsuccessful. The Kingdom of Scotland would assert its independence via the {{W|Declaration of Arbroath}} of 1320, but entered into a {{W|Anglo-Scottish Wars|state of near-constant war}} against England. In 1215, the {{W|Magna Carta}} was ratified which declared that no government was above the law, that all citizens have rights protecting them, and all citizens were entitled to a {{W|fair trial}}, the first of such documents to be made.

The English monarchs laid claim to the French crown with the {{W|Angevin Empire}}, a substantial territories owned by England within France, and was involved in a {{W|Anglo-French Wars|long series of conflicts}} with the {{W|Kingdom of France}}, most notably the {{W|Hundred Years' War}} which saw the {{W|Monarchy of Scotland|King of the Scots}} forming {{W|Auld Alliance|an alliance with France}} during this period. {{W|Early modern Britain}} saw religious conflicts within the country stemming from the {{W|Reformation}} and the introduction of {{W|Protestant}} churches within the country. This would usher in the {{W|English Reformation}} and saw widespread political, social, cultural, and constitutional changes in the country such as the creation and {{W|State religion|establishment}} of the {{W|Church of England}}. This would define England's national identity and slowly, but profoundly, changed the religious beliefs of the English people. Wales was {{W|Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542|formally incorporated into England}} while Ireland was constituted as a kingdom in personal union with the English crown. Under king {{W|James VI and I}}, the Irish province of {{W|Ulster}} was {{W|Plantation of Ulster|colonized by Protestant settlers}} with lands owned by the independent Gaelic nobility being seized and given to said Protestant settlers from England and Scotland. In 1603, {{W|James VI and I|James VI of Scotland}} inherited the crowns of England, Scotland, and Ireland and organized the three kingdoms into a {{W|personal union}} under his leadership as king of the three kingdoms and move his royal court from Edinburgh to London, however each country nonetheless remained political independent and retained their own separate legal, political, and religious systems and institutions.

During the mid-17th century, all three kingdoms became engulfed by a {{W|Wars of the Three Kingdoms|series of interconnected wars}} (the {{W|English Civil War}} included) that consumed the British Isles and saw the temporary overthrow of the monarchy with the {{W|Execution of Charles I|public execution}} of {{W|Charles I of England|King Charles I}}. This saw the rise of the {{W|Commonwealth of England}}, a {{W|unitary republic}} that governed the British Isles with {{W|Oliver Cromwell}} becoming the head of state of the isles as {{W|lord protector}} of {{W|The Protectorate}} that administered all three countries. The monarchy was restored via the {{W|Stuart Restoration}} of 1660 with {{W|Charles II of England|Charles II}} assuming the throne. The {{W|Interregnum}}, along with the 1688 {{W|Glorious Restoration}}, the {{W|Bill of Rights 1689}} in England, and {{W|Claim of Right Act 1689}} in Scotland ensured that {{W|Absolute monarchy|royal absolutism}} wouldn't take shape in the British Isles unlike in the rest of Europe, though a professed Catholic was barred from holding the throne. The {{W|Constitution of the United Kingdom|British constitution}} would develop on a basis of {{W|Constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarchism}} and under a {{W|parliamentary system}}. With the creation of the {{W|Royal Society}} in 1660, science was greatly encouraged in the country. During this period, especially in England, a combination of the development of naval power in the early [[Royal Navy]] and interest in {{W|Age of Discovery|overseas voyages and discovery}} lead the acquisition and settlement of several overseas colonies, in particular in North America and the Caribbean.

Previous attempts were made to merge the kingdom of England and Scotland in 1606, 1667, and 1689 which were all unsuccessful. Despite this, another attempt was made in 1705 that beared fruit in the form of the {{W|Treaty of Union}}. The agreement was agreed upon in 1706 and was ratified by the English and Scottish parliaments, unifying both countries into one state.
===Union of England and Scotland===
[[File:Articles of Union 1707.jpg|thumb|left|210px|The {{W|Treaty of Union}} unified the English and Scottish kingdoms on 1 May 1707.]]
The {{W|Kingdom of Great Britain}} was created on 1 May 1707 after the {{W|Acts of Union 1707}} that formally established the new state after being ratified by England and Scotland. The 18th century saw the cabinet government of {{W|Robert Walpole}} become the ''de-facto'' first prime minister (1721–1742). A series of {{W|Jacobitism|Jacobite uprisings}} broke out across the country in an attempt to remove the Protestant {{W|House of Hanover}} and restore the Catholic {{W|House of Stuart}} to the throne. The Jacobite rebels were eventually defeated at the {{W|Battle of Culloden}} in 1746, after which the {{W|Highlands|Scottish Highlanders}} formally relinquished the independence of their feudal {{W|Clan chief|clan chiefs}} and were forcibly assimilated into Scotland. Britain would continue to expand their colonial holdings in North America, but came into territorial disputes with the French over vague boundaries between the {{W|Thirteen Colonies}} of {{W|British America}} and {{W|New France}}. This lead to the outbreak of the {{W|French and Indian War}} (1754–1763) which was followed up by the {{W|Seven Years' War}} (1756–1763) where Britain fought against France along with their respective allies. The war would end in a British and allied victory and Britain annexing New France into British America. Britain would eventually lose control of their American colonies in the {{W|American Revolutionary War}} (1775–1783), resulting in Britain turning its imperial and colonial ambitions towards Asia, in particular [[India]].

Between 1662 and 1807, British merchants played a major role in the {{W|Atlantic slave trade}} where British and British colonial {{W|slave ships}} transported nearly 3.3 million African slaves to their American colonies. Said slaves were forced to {{W|Plantation economy|work on plantations}} in both North America and the Caribbean in the {{W|British West Indies}}. Despite this, pressure from the {{W|Abolitionism in the United Kingdom|British abolitionist movement}} successfully convinced Parliament to formally outlaw slavery in Britain in 1807 before banning slavery in the entire British Empire in 1833. Britain would take a leading role in ending the slave trader with the Royal Navy enforcing the {{W|Blockade of Africa|blockade of Africa}} with the seizure of slave ships into and from Africa and the British government pressuring other nations to end their participation in the slave trade via a series of various treaties, including the [[United States (Altverse II)|United States]].
===United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland===
{{Main|United Kingdom in the Western European War}}
[[File:Coronation portrait of Queen Victoria 1838.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Queen Victoria|Victoria]] reigned as [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Queen of the United Kingdom]] and {{W|Empress of India}} in the 19th century's {{W|Victorian Era}}.]]
In 1800, the parliaments of both Great Britain and Ireland ratified the {{W|Acts of Union 1800|Acts of Union}} which united both countries into new country on 1 January 1801; the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Britain remained one of Europe's foremost powers and found itself involved in a series of conflicts against France as a result of the {{W|French Revolution}}. Backing French royalist counterrevolutionaries, Britain came into conflict with both {{W|French First Republic|Revolutionary France}} and later the {{W|First French Empire}} under {{W|Napoleon}}, with Britain being Napoleon's biggest enemy throughout the Revolutionary and {{W|Napoleonic Era|Napoleonic eras}}.

After Britain emerged victorious in the {{W|French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars}} (1792–1815), the United Kingdom emerged as the world's premier naval and imperial power with London becoming the largest city in the world in 1830. Left unchallenged at sea, Britain emerged in the mid-1810s as the world's sole {{W|superpower}} and had a world-spanning global hegemony with the peace and British influence of this period being referred to as ''{{W|Pax Britannica}}'' ("British Peace") that lasted between 1815 until 1912. Outside of Britain's global military and political influence, this period was also defined by a {{W|International relations (1815–1914)|period of peace between the great powers}} as Britain reigned as the world's first superpower and took on the role as the {{W|World's police|world's policeman}}. After its last war against the United States in the {{W|War of 1812}}, Britain was involved in the {{W|Crimean War}} where they sided with France and the [[Ottoman Empire]] against the {{W|Russian Empire}}, participated in naval operations in the {{W|Åland War}} in the {{W|Gulf of Bothnia}} and {{W|Gulf of Finland}}, among others. The {{W|Indian Rebellion of 1857}} saw Britain deploy its military to suppress the uprising and assume {{W|direct rule}} over India proper under {{W|Lord Palmerston}}. Alongside the formal control over its overseas colonies, Britain dominated global trade to such a degree that it {{W|Informal empire|effectively controlled the economies}} of {{W|East Asia}} and {{W|Latin America}} in another sign of its extensive global influence.

Throughout the {{W|Victorian Era}} (1837–1901), British political attitudes favored {{W|free trade}} and ''{{W|laissez-faire}}'' economic policies. Starting in 1832 with the {{W|Great Reform Act}}, the British Parliament gradually {{W|Reform Acts|expanding enfranchisement}}, with the {{W|1884 Reform Act}} by {{W|William Gladstone}} granting {{W|suffrage}} to a majority of British men for the first time. The British population increased at a dramatic rate which, combined with rapid {{W|industrialization}}, caused significant social and economic stress in the country. During the late 19th century, the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] under prime minister {{W|Benjamin Disraeli}} and {{W|Lord Salisbury}} participated in the [[Scramble for Africa]], the imperial expansion and colonization of much of the {{W|Africa|African continent}} following the {{W|Berlin Conference}} of 1884. This saw Britain colonize the largest portion of African territory next to France and control over the {{W|Nile River}} via influence on the [[Kingdom of Egypt]], which was a British {{W|protectorate}} at the time. Outside of African colonization, Britain maintained a policy of "{{W|splendid isolation}}" in Europe, sought to contain the influence of the {{W|Russian Empire}} in the {{W|Middle East}} in what was coined the {{W|Great Game}}, and game self-governance status to many of its colonies. By the turn of the 20th century, Britain remained the dominant power in the world, but its status was being challenged by the emerging states of [[Germany]] in Europe, the [[United Commonwealth (1866–1921)|United Commonwealth of America]] in the {{W|Atlantic}}, and the [[Kingdom of Sierra]] in Asia. While maintaining the policy of splendid isolation, Britain would discontinue it in 1902 as it engaged in diplomatic outreach towards several countries in Europe such as Russia and France where the {{W|Entente Cordiale}} in 1904, formalizing an alliance between the two countries and later with [[Portugal]] in an attempt counter the influence of the German Empire.
[[File:British recruits August 1914 Q53234.jpg|thumb|left|240px|British Army volunteers from {{W|London}} awaiting payment at {{W|Saint Martin-in-the-Fields}}, August 1912.]]
In 1911, the {{W|Agadir Crisis}} occurred in [[Morocco]] where a major political and diplomatic crisis broke out after the [[French Army]] was deployed to Morocco in an attempt to suppress an anti-colonial uprising in the area, a colony that Germany had notable interests in. While France promised to protect German interests and only suppress the rebellion, it seized control of the Moroccan government and effectively placed it under French control. In response, the [[German Navy]] sent a warship that fired on French positions and resulted in a declaration of war being filed by both Britain and France against Germany, beginning the [[Western European War]]. While early battles occurred in the Atlantic and off the coast of Northwest Africa, fighting occurred in Europe in early 1912. Britain initially refrained from fighting a ground war in Europe, it was the usage of {{W|unrestricted submarine warfare}} by German Navy {{W|U-boat|u-boats}} that forced the deployment of British forces to fight in Europe, resulting in the formation of the [[British Expeditionary Forces]] (BEF) under {{W|Lord Kitchener}} to assist the French Army against Germany among the [[France–Germany border|Franco-German border]] and around France's territory of [[Walloonia]] near the [[Netherlands]]. British troops landed in northern France and saw heavy combat in {{W|Flanders}} against the German Army. The Royal Navy saw combat against the Imperial German Navy as well, both in the North Atlantic and the {{W|North Sea}}. The {{W|Royal Flying Corps}} saw its first major combat in the war against the Imperial German Aviation Corps (future [[German Air Force]]) as well, giving experience that would lead to the formation of the [[Royal Air Force]] after the war. The Western European War also saw Britain develop the first {{W|tank}} as well during the costly [[Battle of the Somme]], the bloodiest land campaign in British Army and military history.

By 1916 the heavy casualties of the Somme campaign combined with a lack of notable gains as a result of these sacrifices caused widespread discontent back home in Britain, made worse by the expansion of conscription into the British Armed Forces. The [[Battle of Verdun]], the largest and climactic battle of the war, would see France suffer a costly defeat and the British government convincing France to come to the negotiating table. Beginning in 1917, negotiations on a {{W|ceasefire}} began and ended in April of that year with the [[Treaty of Copenhagen (1917)|Treaty of Copenhagen]] thanks to mediation from the [[Union of Scandinavia]]. The treaty ended the war and allowed Britain to return their troops back to the country, the last troops returning home before the end of the year. Britain suffered heavy casualties in the war with over 800,000 soldiers dead (including the colonies) and another 860,000 being wounded, a total casualty count of 1.66 million troops.

===Irish Revolution and Great War===
{{Main|Irish Revolution|History of the United Kingdom during the Great War}}
[[File:The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville Street after the Easter Rising (6937669789).jpg|thumb|240px|right|Th ruins of {{W|O'Connell Street}} in {{W|Dublin}} following the [[Easter Revolution]], 1918.]]
Ireland had been a constituent country of the UK since 1800 with the late 19th century seeing the emergence of the {{W|Irish nationalism|Irish nationalist}} and {{W|Irish republicanism|republican movements}} in response to decades of discrimination and other acts of mistreatment of Irish citizens by the British government under UK control as well as previous historic atrocities committed against the Irish by past British states in previous centuries. This culminated in the beginning of the {{W|Irish home rule movement}} in 1870 to push for Ireland to be grated {{W|home rule}} by London and an end of direct administration of Ireland by the British government based in England. After decades of debate and discussion, home rule was granted to Ireland in 1912 with the {{W|Third Home Rule Bill}} by the British Parliament, triggering the {{W|Home Rule Crisis}} in response to political and armed discontent by {{W|British unionism|British unionists}} in {{W|Ulster}}. Tensions grew and culminated in Ireland between 1912 and 1916 marked by Irish nationalists organizing into armed groups such as the {{W|Irish volunteers}} and {{W|Irish Citizens Army}} among others while the British Army was deployed to reinforce Ireland amid impending conflict, escalating deployment in 1916 following the [[Proclamation of the Irish Republic]] by the [[Irish Socialist Labour Party]], the {{W|Irish Republican Brotherhood}}, and other organizations, operating out of {{W|Dublin}} after declaring it the state's new capital. Armed conflict between British Army and Irish republican militias intensified and culminated in 1918 with the [[Easter Revolution]], an armed rebellion in Dublin and other areas of Ireland by Irish nationalists during {{W|Easter}} that year. The uprising was defeated, but Irish revolutionaries retained a presence in other parts of Ireland and garnered a strong following among much of the Irish population, especially following harsh reprisals by the British military as retribution for the rebellion, but marked the start of the [[Irish Revolution]].

The subsequent [[Irish War of Independence]] had occurred amidst a [[Revolutions of 1917–1923|series of revolutions]] that occurred across the world and were inspired by the socialist revolutions in countries like the [[United Commonwealth]], [[Italy]], and [[Austria]]. The Irish Socialist Labour Party quickly rose as the leading force of the revolution which compelled Britain to intensify its military response in Ireland along with supporting pro-unionist militias and other Irish collaborators and security units such as the {{W|Royal Irish Constabulary}} and the {{W|Black and tans}}. Throughout the Irish Revolution, the British military and Irish collaborators committed numerous war crimes and atrocities, especially by the Black and tans and other Irish unionists, in an attempt to crush the uprising. In 1922, the Irish Republic was declared a {{W|socialist state}} under the ISLP's leadership via the [[Treaty on the Creation of the Irish Socialist Republic|creation treaty]] and declared a people's revolution to liberate Ireland and repulse the British, declaring their struggle an {{W|Anti-colonialism|anti-colonial}} {{W|Wars of national liberation|war of liberation}} to end centuries of British colonial rule and exploitation. Irish insurgents waged a {{W|guerrilla war}} in the country due to Britain having the advantage in a conventional fight and winning any conventional battle while struggling with insurgency, leading them to resort to {{W|scorched earth}} tactics and other acts of reprisals which only grew support for the revolution with Ulster being the only region of Ireland with consistent unionist sympathies and reliable support for Britain. By 1925, the war had token its toll on the British military from lost support among the British public and continued discontent in Ireland proper. That year, {{W|Stanley Baldwin}} was elected prime minister in that year's [[1925 United Kingdom general election|general election]] and began peace negotiations with Irish revolutionary leaders, resulting in the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] being signed in November 6 which saw Ireland being granted independence and recognized as a sovereign state.
[[File:Together Art.IWMPST3158.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Propaganda poster promoting the British Empire and participation in the Great War.]]
Despite the loss of Ireland, the British Empire remained the premier power of the world with territorial control spanning the entire globe and Britain possessing over a quarter of the world's land where the {{W|Union Jack}} flew in one way or another. The rise of [[Derzhavism]] garnered as much attention among the British government as did the rise of [[Landonism]], especially after the rise of [[Derzhavist France]] with its establishment in 1926 under the leadership of [[Jacques Doriot]] and the [[National Republican Movement]] and [[Derzhavist Russia]] in 1925. To this end, Britain formed an alliance with [[Germany]] and other European countries known as the [[Triple Alliance]] to counter the emerging [[Entente Impériale]] in Europe, however London was paying attention to the rise of [[Shōwa Japan]] in The Pacific. After France and Russia [[Invasion of Germany|invaded Germany]] in 1932, Britain issued a declaration of war on both nations and formally entered the [[Great War]], mobilizing the British Armed Forces and preparing for sending troops to both Germany and the [[Netherlands]] to counter France and Russia, although France was the main opponent due to its geographic proximity to the British mainland.

Britain played a key role in the [[European theatre of the Great War|European theatre]], managing to buy Germany enough time to establish a government and military in exile in the form of the [[Free German Forces]] by August 1932 while the Netherlands was heavily fortified in preparation for an impending French invasion. Meanwhile the [[Royal Air Force]] was mobilized to defend British airspace from the French Air Force and the [[Royal Navy]] had been mobilized to support the efforts of both the [[British Army]] and the militaries of both their allies and the broader {{W|British Empire}} that was mobilized as well to support the war effort, especially in response to the mobilization of forces within the {{W|French colonial empire}}. Due to the [[Continental Pact]] being signed before the war, the [[Landonist International]] was a third belligerent during the first two years of the war with [[Italy]] invading both [[Yugoslavia]] and [[Albania]] before fighting a [[Greco-Italian War|protracted war]] against [[Greece]] while Ireland was subjected to a [[Blockade of Ireland|blockade]] by the Royal Navy to prevent Italian and Continental reinforcements from landing on Irish soil and preventing the Irish military from attacking Great Britain itself. In 1933, the UK fought a defensive campaign against France in the [[Battle of Britain]] where the Royal Air Force emerged victorious following a long and costly, but successful defense of the home islands. In April 1932, the UK was dragged into the [[Pacific War|Pacific theatre]] following the {{W|Imperial Japanese Army}}'s blitz across {{W|East Asia|East}} and {{W|Southeast Asia}} against British and other European colonies in the region following the [[Attack on Manilla Bay]] by the {{W|Imperial Japanese Navy}} against the [[Sierran Royal Navy]] base in the [[Sierran East Indies]] (present-day [[Tondo]]). Even when defending its home islands, Britain was able to partake in the Allied war effort in Asia and in Africa through the colonies, protectorates, and other holdings of the British Empire and Britain's allies.

In June 1934, the Continental Pact was broken when France launched a full-scale invasion of the [[Iberian Union of Socialist Republics]] in [[Operation Charlemagne]] with the intent on toppling the communist state and putting the {{W|Iberian Peninsula}} under France's sphere of influence. In response, Landintern governments made requests to Britain and their allies for a ceasefire between the Triple Alliance and Landintern to defeat the Entente knowing that it wouldn't be possible to do so if Landintern and Allied forces also had to fight each other. After careful consideration, this offer was accepted with the [[Dublin Agreement]] being signed on August 1, formalizing a unified alliance between the Landintern and Triple Alliance, nicknamed the European Allies, against the Entente. As part of this effort, Britain ended its blockade of Ireland and began conducting major bombing runs against France and in French-occupied territories. With Britain and its allies supporting the Landintern, a unified effort was successful in being established and repulsing France from Iberia after two years of fighting while in Africa, Britain and its colonial forces successfully routed French and collaborationist forces and occupied a majority of France's colonies. Between 1936 and 1938, Britain played a key role in defeating the Entente through aiding in the [[Liberation of Germany|liberation of Germany]] and played a role in the [[Allied invasion of France|invasion of France]] proper, deposing the derzhavist regime in 1937, however a remnant of the government fled to {{W|Moscow}} and hid there for the rest of the war. Following France's defeat, British troops would partake in the [[Allied invasion of Russia|invasion of Russia]] alongside Germany, Landintern troops, and anti-derzhavist forces in {{W|Eastern Europe}} such as the [[Russian Liberation Movement]] and {{W|Home Army (Poland)|Polish Home Army}} with Russia [[Russian Instrument of Surrender|eventually surrendering]] by October 25, 1938. In the Pacific, Britain prevented a Japanese invasion of the {{W|British Raj}} through the [[Burma campaign]] and would eventually reclaim their colonial holdings in Indonesia, helping force Japan [[Japanese Instrument of Surrender|to surrender]] in August 1938, ending the Great War in a joint Allied-Landintern victory.
===Post-war 20th century===
{{Main|Post-war Britain (1938–1979)}}
[[File:Winston Churchill waves to crowds in Whitehall in London as they celebrate VE Day, 8 May 1945. H41849.jpg|thumb|right|240px|{{W|Winston Churchill}} giving the {{W|v sign}} at {{W|Whitehall}} in celebration of the end of the Great War, October 1938.]]
The UK was one of the Big Four (alongside China, the Kingdom of Sierra, and the United Commonwealth) during the Great War and as such played a key role in determining the new [[Aftermath of the Great War|post-war world]]. As part of this, the UK was one of the main signatories and drafters of the [[League of Nations Charter]] that established the [[League of Nations]] to prevent a second Great War from happening and joined the newly formed [[League of Nations Security Council]] where it remains one of the [[Permanent members of the League of Nations Security Council|five permanent members]]. Britain worked closely with the Kingdom of Sierra and its allies during the post-war period and helped establish other international organizations such as the {{W|International Monetary Fund}}, the {{W|World Bank}}, and the [[Northern Treaty Organization]] as one of the founding members of the latter and a leading member of the NTO in Europe alongside Germany. The UK was left weakened from the war, but was spared the total war that devastated {{W|Central and Eastern Europe}} and Britain remained a global power in the post-war period despite the damage Britain had sustained during said conflict. Post-war reconstruction was carried out by the British government and later financial support from the Kingdom of Sierra to rebuild from the wartime damage such as the damage from bombing runs on London during the {{W|London Blitz|London bombings}}.

{{W|Anthony Eden}} was elected prime minister after the war in 1939 and continued several of Churchill's policies, serving in office from 1939 until 1945 when he was succeeded by [[Dennis Glynne-Jones]] of the Labour Party as prime minister following the [[1945 United Kingdom general election|general election]] that year. Under Jones, radical reforms were implemented such as the {{W|Nationalization|nationalization}} of several key industries, the establishment of a {{W|welfare state}} in Britain, and the creation of a universal comprehensive healthcare system in the form of the {{W|National Health Service}}. The 1940s saw Britain reckon with the economic damage the island country sustained during the war which saw it struggling to financially maintain their world-spanning empire. As part of this, Britain would grant independence to some of its colonies such as [[Union of Burma (1943–1962)|Burma]] in 1943, [[India]] in 1947, and later [[Indonesia]] in 1949 following the end of the [[Indonesian Revolution]] and the recognition of it as a legitimate sovereign state. These would be the firs three colonies to gain independence as Britain came to recognize {{W|decolonization}} as an inevitability over the economic damage brought upon by the Great War and the rise of nationalism within British and other European colonies. Several of these former colonies would go on to join the Commonwealth of Nations later on sometime after gaining independence.

During the [[Cold War]] Britain played a major role as one of the leading nations among the [[Western Bloc]] (alternatively Northern Bloc) against the communist [[Eastern Bloc]] (alternatively Southern Bloc) in Europe against [[Italy]] and other communist states which had consolidated in the form of the [[Mediterranean Union]] as a regional communist political and military alliance. Alongside Germany, Britain played a key role in enforcing [[Containment]] within Europe by deploying the Royal Navy to areas within the {{W|Mediterranean Sea}} to protect overseas territories such as [[Malta]], [[Cyprus]], and [[Gibraltar]] and used said territories in an effort to contain the [[Italian Armed Forces]] and the militaries of its allies from escaping the Mediterranean. To this end, Britain signed the [[Beirut Naval Agreement]] with [[Lebanon]] with the latter agreeing to allow the Royal Navy to use Lebanese ports in {{W|Beirut}} and other cities in the country in exchange for military support to Lebanon if needed with Sierra later signing the agreement as well in support of the Mediterranean Containment Strategy as it came to be known as. While Britain was still a superpower early on in the Cold War, its influence had greatly diminished with decolonization and the end of its status as a global superpower was solidified with the [[Suez Crisis]] in 1960 where Britain invaded [[Egypt]] alongside [[North France]] and [[Hashemite Arabia]] in an attempt to retain European ownership of the {{W|Suez Canal}} and was forced to withdrawal due to pressure from Sierra and the United Commonwealth.
[[File:Malya Emergency British Artillery.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A British Army artillery crew firing on Viet Cong positions in 1964.]]
Despite these setbacks, Britain remained committed to opposing the spread of communism and sent troops to {{W|Indochina}} to aid Sierra in the [[Vietnam War]] against communist [[North Vietnam]] and the [[Viet Cong]] in defense of [[South Vietnam]]. Britain's involvement was motivated by a desire to prevent the further spread of communism into {{W|Southeast Asia}}, rebuild trust and positive relations with the KS following the Suez Crisis, and wanting to make up for their loss in Indonesia. British involvement was part of the [[Many Flags]] campaign which saw the British military provide training and support to the [[Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces]] with the British Army providing training to the South Vietnamese military similar to that of the [[Sierran Royal Army]] and also engaged in combat in counter-insurgency operations, the latter of which were known for having more distinct tactics compared to their Sierran counterparts and were more effective than the counter-insurgency efforts carried out by the KS military.

The Royal Air Force engaged in major bombing operations across Vietnam during the war, including against the {{W|Ho Chi Ming trail}} and during the [[Tet Offensive]] of 1968 while the Royal Navy played a supporting role overall in terms of both logistics and supporting the operations from other branches of the British Armed Forces. During Britain's involvement in Vietnam, the British military employed foreign nations from Asia under British command in the form of the [[Free Eastern Units]] that served primarily under the army and were initially formed from exiled anti-communist {{W|Indonesians}} before also including {{W|Chinese people|Chinese}}, {{W|Manchu people|Manchurian}}, and other Asian peoples as a means of bolstering the ranks of the British Army in Vietnam. Most controversially, the British government contracted the [[Prince's Army]] under [[Prince Fernando of Florida]] to fight in Vietnam to both bolster British manpower and shift some of the burden of fighting away from British military personnel to alleviate any concern among the British public of participation in Vietnam. The British military retained a presence in Vietnam until 1975 when the last troops withdrew following the signing of the [[Paris Peace Accords]] and the [[North–South Vietnamese Joint Declaration]] that formally ended the war. While controversial at home, Britain's involvement in Vietnam was credited with ensuring South Vietnam's continued existence and praised for its overall effectiveness.

Following the Great War, the UK supported various efforts at {{W|European integration}} which bore more and more fruit in the decades after the war. As part of this, Britain joined the {{W|Western European Union}} at the {{W|London and Paris Conferences}} in 1954 which later became the [[European Economic Community]] in 1960, of which the UK would also join and was a founding member of as well. In 1977, the EEC would reorganize into the [[European Community]] in 1977 as the culmination of all the post-Great War efforts at European integration. The UK would join the EC as a founding member and took a leading role in the supranational union quickly after its formation. This was part of prime minister the foreign policy of [[Anna Rhodes]] who wanted to focus on integrating Europe as a means of preventing a second Great War and reaching out to Eastern Bloc states as part of ''[[Détente|détente]]''. 1979 would see Britain's last major colony [[Monomotapa]] (previously [[Rhodesia]] and the unrecognized [[Republic of Rhodesia]]) gain independence and recognized as a sovereign state, effectively ending the British Empire with the only remaining colonies being various island territories across the {{W|Americas}}, the {{W|Atlantic}} and in {{W|Asia}}.
[[File:HMS_Invincible_Returns_From_Falklands_War.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|HMS Invincible}} returning to Britain after the success of [[Operation Uphold Democracy]] in 1987.]]
Under [[John McIsaac]], the UK engaged in diplomatic outreach to the [[Antilles]] in the first major diplomatic effort towards the island country since the Great War. McIsaac supported outreach to the Antilles as a means of strengthening the anti-communist presence in the {{W|Caribbean}} despite the island being isolated due to the repressive policies of [[Amelia Abarough]]. Following [[Death and state funeral of Amelia Abarough|Abarough's death]] in 1983, the UK increased its diplomatic outreach to support the Antilles' [[Democratization of the Antilles|transition to democracy]] and continued under [[Nigel Anthony]]. The resulting diplomatic outreach resulted in increased military ties between the island nations such as military cooperation which Anthony supported as a means of building a strong defense base for Britain's remaining island territories in the Caribbean that would be vulnerable to any hypothetical blockade or any other military action against them by the United Commonwealth.

In 1987, the [[Communist Party of Jamaica]] seized power in the former colony of [[Jamaica]] and established the [[National People's Revolutionary Government]] in its place. Under communist control, the Jamaican state made a diplomatic outreach to the United Commonwealth and began mobilizing troops for a possible attack. Fearing Continental intervention and a possible attack on Britain's last major Caribbean colony of [[Montserrat]], the UK cooperated with the Antilles and participated in [[Operation Uphold Democracy]] alongside the [[Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States]], a military operation to depose the communist government. Britain was one of four major non-Caribbean countries to directly contribute to the operation and played a key role in quickly toppling the NPRG and restoring democratic rule to Jamaica with the transition being overseen by the OECS.

During the 1980s, the status of [[Hong Kong]] came into the forefront of British foreign policy in Asia as the British government sought to retain ownership of the colony due to its high economic and strategic value even after decolonization. The Chinese government had laid claim over Hong Kong and the other [[Five Cities]] as historic Chinese territory and rightfully belonged to China. Britain argued in favor of keeping Hong Kong to the League of Nations and negotiations between the Chinese and British governments, along with those of the other Five Cities, began during this period. The 1990s saw a breakthrough with the [[League of Nations General Assembly]] passing [[League of Nations General Assembly Resolution 48/2|Resolution 48/2]] stating that the UK had the right to negotiate to keep Hong Kong due to the Weihai Agreement where Britain returned the territory back to China in 1912 in exchange for continued ownership of Hong Kong proper. With this, negotiations continued and culminated in the [[Mainland Territories Compromise]] of 1997 where [[Macau]], [[Qingdao]], [[Fangcheng]], and [[Cantonwan]] ceded territories they captured during the Boxer Rebellion back to China proper in order to keep pre-Boxer Rebellion borders intact while Britain agreed to hold [[1997 Hong Kong status referendum|a referendum]] in Hong Kong on its status with most residents voting to remain part of the UK as an overseas territory by 58.7%. Afterwards all remaining colonies were reorganized as British Overseas Territories which remains their current political status in the present day.

===21st century===
{{Main|History of the United Kingdom (1979–present)}}
The [[Revolutions of 2000]] that saw the fall of communism worldwide with the collapse of most communist governments and several more democratizing via adopting [[Multiparty People's Democracy]] as well in what was declared a major victory by the British government and those of other Western Bloc-aligned countries. Britain would be one of the first countries to establish formal relations with the unified state of [[France]] and with [[Russia]] with Britain backing [[Russian reunification]] beforehand. Britain also engaged in diplomatic outreach towards Italy and several other former communist states in {{W|Southern Europe}} and the Mediterranean Union after the latter reformed into a more ideologically neutral intergovernmental organization and economic union as opposed to a regional communist bloc. The [[Dissolution of the People's Republic of China|fall of Communist China]] was the first major post-Cold War issue the UK faced as there was a widespread emigration wave of {{W|Chinese people|Chinese nationals}} from the country with the British parliament passing the [[Chinese Resettlement Act]] on 8 February 2001 as a means of aiding in the settlement of Chinese immigrations to both the UK and British Overseas Territories along with the subsequent naturalization as well. The act also allowed for a way to recruit scientists, technicians, and other experts in critical fields that previously worked for the communist government whose skills the British government saw as valuable towards the UK and thus recruited them.
[[File:The first delivery of the upgraded FV430 Mk3 Bulldog vehicles MOD 45147088.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A British Army convoy of {{W|FV430 series|FV430 AFVs}} on patrol in {{W|Douma, Syria|Douma}}, 2006.]]
Britain would support the "[[War on terror|war on terror]]" announced by Sierra in 2004, supporting the Sierran military in the [[2004 invasion of Syria|invasion of Ba'athist Syria]] that same year. Britain would participate in the [[Syrian Civil War]] alongside other NTO member states in support of the Western-backed [[Second Syrian Republic]] and participated in the post-invasion occupation and military operations against the Ba'athist insurgents and later Islamist militants that emerged in the mid-late 2000s with all British military operations in Syria being codenamed Operation Telic.

The Syrian Civil War was Britain's first overseas military deployment since Operation Uphold Democracy and the first overseas military operation since the end of the Cold War and start of the 21st century outside of earlier participation in [[League of Nations peacekeeping]] operations and other humanitarian an non-combatant military operations in Europe, Africa, and Asia. All British military personnel were organized under the [[International Security Assistance Force]] as the primary military force for all Western and other foreign military personnel active in Syria supporting the pro-Western Syrian government and military forces, participating in several ISAF operations alongside other NTO member states which consisted of countries from the [[European Community]], the [[Conference of American States]], and [[Central Treaty Organization]].

The [[Great Recession]] (2010–2013) severely affected the British economy and was followed up by a period of low economic and job growth and stagnation. The 2010s were a period where [[United Britain]] served as the UK's main governing party with [[Malcolm Vance]] and [[Clive Spencer]] both serving as prime minister between 2010–2015 and 2015–2024 respectively. During this period, Vance engaged in {{W|austerity}} measures to address the economic problems brought upon by the recession and starting in 2018, he sought to reduce Britain's involvement in Syria, something that was continued under Spencer with the number of British military personnel in Syria fell from 35,000 in 2016 to 15,000 by 2020. Britain remained involved in Syria until the end of the civil war in 2022. Under Spencer, Britain's participation in several laws and institutions of the European Community was scaled back as part of an effort to "preserve British independence" according to the Home Office under Spencer.
[[File:Prime_Minister_Sir_Keir_Starmer_arrives_at_Number_10_Downing_St_(53836916571).jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Aiden B. Starmer]] giving his first speech as prime minister at his inauguration, 10 June 2024.]]
The {{W|COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic hit Britain}} around 2020 and had a {{W|Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|profound impact on the economy}} along with disruptions to {{W|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom on education|disruption to education}} and {{W|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom on politics|effected national politics}}. Occurring under Spencer, the British government was one of the few in the Western world to not impose mask mandates or national lockdowns, encouraging citizens to make their own personal decisions instead. Despite this, the UK would be one of the first to adopt a {{W|COVID-19 vaccine}} and developed their own, the {{W|Oxford–Astrazeneca vaccine}}, as part of the rollout, which was one of the fastest in the world.

Austerity was undertaken by the Spencer ministry to address the economic issues brought upon by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] similar to the measures taken during the Great Recession. These measures were deeply controversial and caused discontent within Britain. This discontent, along with a nationwide {{W|housing crisis}}, helped contribute to the [[Labour Party (United Kingdom)|Labour Party]] to win the [[2024 United Kingdom general election]] on June 6 with [[Aiden B. Starmer]] being elected prime minister, becoming the first Labour Party leader elected prime minister since 2005 as well as the second {{W|British Jews|British Jew}} to be elected prime minister as well. Under Starmer, several of Spencer's austerity policies were ended and several other Spencer era policies were reversed as well. Full British participation in EC institutions, laws, and policies was resumed and immigration policies were reversed in 2024, however starting in March 2025 deportations were increased and by September they had returned to Spencer era numbers and policies in terms of immigration, including restriction on immigration to the UK from several countries in the {{W|Southern Hemisphere}}.

==Geography==
[[File:MODIS_-_Great_Britain_and_Northern_Ireland_-_2012-06-04_during_heat_wave_(cropped).jpg|thumb|right|210px|{{W|Satellite images|Satellite image}} of the United Kingdom, excluding the {{W|Shetland Island}}.]]
The total land area of the United Kingdom is at 80,823 square miles (209,331 square kilometers) and occupies the major area of the {{W|British Isles}} and consists of the main island of {{W|Great Britain}} containing the four main countries of England, Scotland, and Wales, and the nearby islands off the coast of the British mainland. Geographically, the United Kingdom lies between the {{W|North Sea}} to the east and the {{W|Atlantic Ocean}} (North Atlantic region specifically) to the west with the country's southeast coast stretching 22 miles (35 kilometers) long and lies of the coast of northern France, the latter of which being separated by the {{W|English Channel}} between both countries.

The UK also posses legal ownership of the [[Isle of Man]], [[Jersey]], and [[Guernsey]], a collection of small islands off of Great Britain that are officially labeled {{W|crown dependencies}}: island territories that are in formal personal union with the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarchy]] and are officially part of Britain's territory, but are not strictly part of the country nor the jurisdictions of any of the three main countries, however the British government retains responsibility for its external affairs. The Isle of Man geographically lies between Great Britain and Ireland in the {{W|Irish Sea}} while the {{W|Channel Islands|British Channel Islands}} lie just off the coast of France and are administered by both Jersey and Guernsey. The {{W|Royal Greenwich Observatory}} based in London was chosen as the defining point for the {{W|Prime Meridian}} in 1884 during the {{W|International Meridian Conference}}.

The UK lies between latitudes 49° and 61° N, and longitudes 9° W and 2° E. The length of the British coastline when containing Britain's principal islands stands at 7,723 miles (12,429 kilometers) with the coastline of the British mainland standing at 11,073 miles (17,820 kilometers), however the overall measurements of the British coastline does vary due to the {{W|coastline paradox}}. While an island nation, Britain is connected to {{W|Continental Europe}} via the {{W|Channel Tunnel}}, the world's largest underwater tunnel stretching at 31 miles (50 kilometers) or 24 miles (38 kilometers) underwater.

The UK contains four main terrestrial {{W|Ecoregion|ecoregions}}: the {{W|Celtic broadleaf forests}}, the {{W|English Lowlands beach forests}}, the {{W|North Atlantic moist mixed forests}}, and the {{W|Caledonian conifer forests}}. The total area of woodland in the UK in 2023 was estimated to be at a total area of 3.25 million h hectares, representing 13% of the UK's total land area.
===Climate===
The majority of the United Kingdom has a temperate climate, possessing generally cool temperatures and plentiful rainfall all year round. The average temperatures varies overall, but seldom drops below 0 °C (32 °F) nor being higher 30 °C (86 °F). Some parts of the country, away from the coast, of the upland of England, Wales, and most of Scotland experience a {{W|subpolar oceanic climate}} while higher elevations in Scotland experience a {{W|continental subarctic climate}} and the mountains having a {{W|tundra climate}}.

The prevailing wind in the country comes from the southwest and bears frequent spells of mild and wet weather from the Atlantic Ocean, however the eastern parts are generally sheltered from this wind. Since the majority of rainfall in Britain falls over the western regions of the country, the eastern parts are the driest by contrast. Atlantic currents, warmed by the {{W|Gulf Stream}}, bring in mild winters, especially in west Britain where winters are wet and even more so on higher ground. Summers are the warmest in southeastern England and are the coolest in the north. Heavy snowfall can occur in the winter and early spring on high ground, occasionally settling to the great depths away from the hills.

The average total annual sunshine in the United Kingdom between 1971 and 2000 was 1,339.7 hours, just under 30% of the maximum possibility. The total amount of sunshine per year ranges between 1,200 to 1,580 hours. Since 1996, the UK has received above 1,981 to 2,010 total average hours of sunshine.

{{W|Climate change in the United Kingdom}}, as is the case in all other countries, has a serious impact on the country with a third of all food price increases in 2023 being the result of climate change alone. In 2024 the {{W|Environmental Performance Index}} ranked the United Kingdom 5th out of 180 surveyed countries. A law was passed by the British Parliament in 2020 to reduce {{W|Greenhouse gas emissions in the United Kingdom|greenhouse gas emissions in the country}} down to {{W|net-zero}} by the year 2050.
===Topography===
[[File:Blank topographic map of the British Isles.svg|thumb|left|210px|Topographical map of the British Isles.]]
[[England (Altverse II)|England]] accounts for 53.7% of the UK's land area, covering a total of 50,350 square miles (130,395 square kilometers). Most of England consists of lowland terrain with upland and mountainous terrain northwest of the {{W|Tees–Exe line}}, a line that roughly divides the UK {{W|upland and lowland}} areas. Lowland areas include {{W|Cornwall}}, the {{W|New Forest}}, the {{W|South Downs}}, and the {{W|Norfolk Broads}}. Upland areas include the {{W|Lake District}}, the {{W|Pennines}}, the {{W|Yorkshire Dales}}, {{W|Exmoor}} and {{W|Dartmoor}}. England's main rivers and estuaries are the {{W|River Thames|Thames}}, {{W|River Severn|Severn}}, and the {{W|River Humber|Humber}} rivers. {{W|Scafell Pike}} is the highest mountain in England at 3,209 feet (978 meters) in the Lake District while the largest English island is the {{W|Isle of Wright}}.

[[Scotland]] accounts for 32.2% of the UK's land area at 30,410 square miles (78,772 square kilometers), including {{W|List of islands of Scotland|all 800 islands}} within Scotland with the most notable being {{W|Hebrides}}, {{W|Orkney}}, and {{W|Shetland}} islands. Within the UK, Scotland is the most mountainous area of the country in terms of overall terrain. The {{W|Scottish Highlands}} of the north and west are more rugged and contain the majority of Scotland's mountainous terrain and land such as the {{W|Cairngorms}}, {{W|Loch Lomond and The Trossachs}}, and {{W|Ben Nevis}}, the latter of which is the highest elevated point in both the UK and the entire British Isles at 4,413 feet (3,45 meters) high.

[[Wales]] accounts for the remaining 14.1% of the UK's total land area at 8,020 square miles (20,779 kilometers). In general Wales consists of mostly mountainous terrain, however {{W|South Wales}} is less mountainous than {{W|North Wales|North}} and {{W|Mid Wales}}. The highest mountains in Wales are in the region and national park of {{W|Snowdonia}} and include {{W|Snowdon}} ({{W|Welsh language|Welsh}}: ''Yr Wyddfa''), the highest peak in Wales with a total height of 3,560 feet (1,085 meters) high. Wales has a total coastal area of 1,680 miles (2,704 kilometers) including the {{W|Pembrokeshire Coast}} while several islands lie off the coast of the Welsh mainland, the biggest of which being {{W|Anglesey}} (''Ynys Môn'').

==Government and politics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; float:right; margin-right:9px; margin-left:2px;"
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[File:Official portrait of Lord Richards of Herstmonceux crop 2.jpg|140px]] || style="text-align:left;" | [[File:Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer Official Portrait (cropped).jpg|140px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[George V]]<br /><small>[[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King]] since 2001</small>
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Aiden B. Starmer]]<br /><small>[[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] since 2024</small>
|}
{{Main|Politics of the United Kingdom|Government of the United Kingdom}}
[[File:UK Political System.png|thumb|right|240px|Chart of the organization of the British political system.]]
The United Kingdom is a {{W|constitutional monarchy}} and a {{W|parliamentary democracy}} operating under the {{W|Westminster system}}, also known as a "parliamentary democratic monarchy". The UK is a {{W|Centralized government|centralized}} {{W|unitary state}} where the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] is endowed with {{W|Parliamentary sovereignty in the United Kingdom|parliamentary sovereignty}}. A {{W|Bicameralism|bicameral legislature}}, the UK Parliament consists of the elected [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] as the {{W|lower house}} and the unelected and appointed [[House of Lords]] as the {{W|upper house}} along with {{W|The Crown}} (as personified by the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarch]]). The main business occurs in both houses of parliament, however {{W|royal assent}} is required for any bill to become an {{W|Act of Parliament (UK)|act of Parliament}} ({{W|Statue|statutory law}}). As a result of this system of parliamentary sovereignty, the {{W|constitution of the United Kingdom}} is {{W|Uncodified constitution|uncodified}} and consists mostly of disparate written sources, including parliamentary statues, judge-made case laws, and international treaties along with constitutional conventions. Nonetheless, the [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]] recognizes a number of principles that underly the British constitution: {{W|Parliamentary sovereignty in the United Kingdom|parliamentary sovereignty}}, the {{W|rule of law}}, {{W|democracy}}, and {{W|international law}}.

[[George V]] is the current monarch of the United Kingdom, having reigned since his coronation in 2001 and serves as the country's official {{W|head of state}} as monarch while also serving as head of state of the {{W|Commonwealth realms}} and the ceremonial head of the [[British Commonwealth]], an international organization of several sovereign states that are former colonies of the British Empire. The monarch is formally invested with executive authority as the personified embodiment of the Crown and is "fundamental to the law and working government of the UK". The disposition of the monarch's powers, including those belonging to {{W|royal prerogative}}, is generally only exercised with the {{W|advice}} of the {{W|Minister of the Crown|ministers of the Crown}} responsible to Parliament and hence to the British electorate. Nonetheless, the performance of the monarch's official duties has "the right to be consulted, the right to be encouraged, and the right to be warn". In addition to this, the monarch also has a number of various reserve powers at their disposal to uphold {{W|responsible government}} and prevent a {{W|constitutional crisis}}. The monarch is responsible for the appointment of the prime minister and the formation of a new government via an official royal invite of the prime minister-designate to do so after a general election.

The [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|prime minister]] is the official {{W|head of government}} of the UK. Acting under the supervision of the [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom|official cabinet]] consisting of senior government ministers appointed by the prime minister themself, [[Government of the United Kingdom|His Majesty's Government]] is the principle instrument for public policymaking, administration of public services, and promulgates statutory instruments and tenders to the advice of the monarch through the {{W|Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council}}. Since 1925, all prime ministers have served as [[First Lord of the Treasury]] and/or [[Minister for Civil Service]] as concurrently held offices during their premiership with two prime ministers, {{W|Winston Churchill}} and [[Edward Lean]], having also served as [[Minister of Defence (United Kingdom)|Minister of Defence]] as well as holding the two aforementioned offices while being prime minister as well. The prime minister is appointed to the position via the monarch and a formal invitation for form and lead a new government, however in modern times all prime ministers have, by convention, served as a sitting MP, the leader of the political party with the largest number of seats in the House of Commons, and holds office by nature of being able to {{W|Confidence motions|command the confidence}} of the House of Commons. The current prime minister is [[Aiden B. Starmer]], [[Leader of the Labour Party|leader of the Labour Party]] and current prime minister since 2024.
[[File:Houses_of_Parliament_in_2022_(cropped).jpg|thumb|left|240px|The {{W|Palace of Westminster}}, the official meeting place of the British Parliament.]]
General elections are held to the House of Commons, typically after a five year legislative term has been completed unless a {{W|snap election}} has been issued following the sudden vacancy of the prime minister and/or the {{W|Motion of no confidence|loss of confidence}} in the current government. The UK is divided into 632 parliamentary constituencies, each of which are single-member districts represented by one {{W|Member of Parliament (UK)|member of Parliament}} that is {{W|Direct election|directly elected}} via {{W|fist-past-the post}} electoral system. MPs are elected to serve five year terms and must stand for re-election if they desire to continue serving as an MP. Since 1994, the two biggest [[List of political parties in the United Kingdom|political parties]] in the UK are the {{W|Right-wing politics|right-leaning}} [[United Britain]] and the {{W|Centre-left politics|center-left}}/{{W|Left-wing politics|left-leaning}} [[Labour Party (United Kingdom)|Labour Party]] in a {{W|two-party system}}. Other political parties are active and hold seats in one or both chambers of the British Parliament such as the [[Liberal Democrats (United Kingdom)|Liberal Democrats]] and the [[Green Party of Britain]] among others, however only United Britain and the Labour Party are capable of forming a government and leading the opposition. Beyond the national level, devolved political parties exist on the subnational level within each of the UK's three constituent countries, both devolved affiliates of national parties as well as regional parties that are present and only run candidates in their respective countries.

While not part of the United Kingdom and its official territory, the {{W|Crown dependencies}} of [[Jersey]], the [[Isle of Man]], and [[Guerney]] along with all [[British Overseas Territories]] are still subject to the sovereignty of the British crown. The Crown exercises its official responsibilities to the crown dependencies via the [[Home Office]] while its responsibilities to the Overseas Territories are exercised via the [[Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office]]. Both crown dependencies and BOTs maintain their own autonomous governments and elections, having been granted said autonomy through {{W|home rule}} while still being under British legal jurisdiction via their union with the Crown, represented by a viceroy or governor.
===Administrative divisions===
[[File:CountiesOfGreatBritain.PNG|thumb|right|210px|Map of counties in the United Kingdom.]]
The United Kingdom is geographically divided into counties and {{W|Shire|shires}}, a system that began in England and Scotland in the {{W|early Middle Ages}} and was completed throughout both Great Britain and Ireland by the {{W|early modern period}}. Modern {{W|local government}} is managed by elected officials and is partly based on ancient counties and was established by various Acts of Parliament in England and Wales {{W|Local Government Act 1888|in 1888}}, in Scotland in {{W|Local Government Act 1889|in 1889}}, and in Ireland {{W|Local Government Act 1898|in 1898}} before gaining independence from Britain in 1925. This means that there is no consistent system of administrative or geographic demarcation across the United Kingdom with {{W|English law|England and Wales}} and {{W|Scots law|Scotland}} having their own distinct jurisdiction. Prior to the 19th century, there was little change to those arrangements, but there has since then been a constant pattern of evolution of the role and function.

{{W|Local government in England}} is complex, with the distribution of functions varying according to various local arrangements. The upper tier of {{W|subdivisions of England}} consist of {{W|Regions of England|nine regions}} and are primarily used for statistical purposes. One of those regions, {{W|Greater London}}, has a directly elected assembly and mayor since 2000 following a {{W|1998 Greater London Authority referendum|1998 referendum}} on establishing an elected regional government.

{{W|Local government in Scotland}} is divided into {{W|Subdivisions of Scotland|32 council areas}} that have a wide variation in both size and population. The cities of {{W|Glasgow}}, {{W|Edinburgh}}, {{W|Aberdeen}}, and {{W|Dundee}} are separate council areas while the {{W|Politics of the Scottish Highland council area|Highland Council}} includes a third of Scotland's land area, but only has a population of 200,000 people. Local councils in Scotland are made up of elected councilors, of which number at 1,223.

{{W|Local government in Wales}} consists of 22 {{W|Unitary authority|unitary authorities}}, each of which are led by a leader and cabinet that are both elected by the council itself. These areas include the capital {{W|Cardiff}}, {{W|Swansea}}, and {{W|Newport}}, all of which are their own unitary authorities in their own right. Elections to these councils are held once every four years under a system of first-past-the-post.
===Foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign relations of the United Kingdom}}
[[File:Embassy of the United Kingdom in Washington, D.C..jpg|thumb|left|240px|[[Embassy of the United Kingdom, Chicago|British Embassy to the Continental States]] in [[Chicago]].]]
The United Kingdom is one of the [[Permanent members of the League of Nations Security Council|five permanent members]] of the [[League of Nations Security Council]] and the leading member of the [[British Commonwealth]] (Commonwealth of Nations). Other prominent international organizations that the UK is affiliated with include the [[European Community]], the [[Group of Eight]], the {{W|OECD}}, the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) and the [[Northern Treaty Organization]] (NTO). The UK leads and maintains the {{W|British Council}}, an organization present in over 100 countries that specialize in international cultural and educational opportunities. Despite the end of the British Empire in 1979, the UK continues to retain the status of a {{W|great power}} and continues to wield considerable economic, political, military, and cultural influence worldwide.

The UK has a "{{W|special relationship}} with the [[Kingdom of Sierra]], has a lose partnership with [[France]] via the {{W|Entente Cordiale}}, including the presence of British military personnel in French territory, and also maintains a longstanding close relationship with [[Portugal]] through the {{W|Anglo-Portuguese Alliance}}, the oldest active political and military alliance in the world. The UK shares a maritime border with [[Ireland]] and despite the complicated historic relationship between the two countries, they maintain active diplomatic contact and actively enforced travel agreements through the {{W|Common Travel Area}} to allow for easy travel of British and Irish citizens between the two countries as member states of the European Community and is overseen and administered by the {{W|British–Irish Intergovernmental Conference}} and the {{W|British–Irish Council}}. The UK maintains active relations with the [[United Commonwealth]] despite past tensions and diplomatic disagreements since the Cold War, however maintains more positive ties with the [[Conference of American States]] by comparison. Britain's global presence and influence if further amplified by its extensive trading relations, foreign investments, {{W|official development assistance}}, and military engagements.
===Law and justice===
[[File:Middlesex_Guildhall_(cropped).jpg|thumb|left|240px|The [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom|UK Supreme Court]] is the highest court of appeal in the country.]]
The United Kingdom doesn't have a unified legal system as stated in Article 19 of the {{W|1706 Treaty of Union}} which provided the continuation of Scotland's own legal system in exchange for its incorporation into England. As a result, the UK has three separate {{W|National legal system|legal systems}}: {{W|English law}}, {{W|Scottish law}}, and {{W|Welsh law}}. The [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]] was first established in 2009 as a successor to the {{W|Appellate Committee of the House of Lords}}. The {{W|Judicial Committee of the Privy Council}}, which includes some members of the UK Supreme Court, is the highest court of appeals in several independent member states of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Crown Dependencies, and the British Overseas Territories.

Both English and Welsh law are based on {{W|common law}} (or {{W|case law}}) principles, originating in England during the {{W|Middle Ages}} and is the basis for the legal systems of several countries around the world. Both the {{W|courts of England and Wales}} are leaded by the senior courts of both constituent countries, consisting of the {{W|Court of Appeal (England and Wales)|Courts of Appeal}} in both England and Wales an d the {{W|High Court of Justice}} with jurisdiction in both countries for civil cases while the {{W|Crown Court}} oversees criminal cases. Scots law is a hybrid system based off of common law and {{W|civil law}} principles. The chief courts of Scotland are the {{W|Court of Session}} for civil cases and the {{W|High Court of Justiciary}} for criminal cases. The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom serves as the highest court of appeal for civil cases under Scots law and for all criminal cases across the entire United Kingdom.

Between 1981 and 1995, crime increased in England and Wales. Since that peak during said period, crime has fallen in England and Wales by 66% between 1995 and 2015 according to {{W|UK crime statistics}}. As of June 2023, the United Kingdom has the highest per-capita incarceration rate in all of Western Europe.

{{W|United Kingdom labour law|UK labour laws}} have established employment rights including {{W|National Minimum Wage Act 1998|a minimum wage}}, a minimum of 28 days annual holiday, statutory sick pay, and {{W|Pensions Act 2006|a pension}}. {{W|Same-sex marriage}} has been legal in the United Kingdom since 2014 while {{W|LGBTQ rights in the United Kingdom|LGBTQ equality and rights}} in the UK are among some of the most advanced in the world, however the country has a contentious record surrounding the rights of {{W|transgender people}} and laws related to them.
===Military===
{{Main|British Armed Forces}}
[[File:3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM DM-SD-04-07481.jpg|thumb|right|240px|British Army soldiers in [[Tartus Governorate]] during the [[2004 invasion of Syria]].]]
The [[British Armed Forces]] are the standing military forces of the United Kingdom and consist of three main branches: the [[British Army]], [[His Majesty's Naval Service]] consisting of the [[Royal Navy]] and [[Royal Marines]], and the [[Royal Air Froce]]. The armed forces of the United Kingdom are managed by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] and controlled by the [[Defence Council of the United Kingdom|Defence Council]], both of which are headed by the [[Secretary of State for Defence]]. The British monarch is the official {{W|commander-in-chief}} of the armed forces, of whom all military personnel swear a formal oath of allegiance towards. The [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] is the highest-ranking military officer who is the overall head of the British Armed Forces below the monarch as commander-in-chief and heads the {{W|Chiefs of Staff Committee}}, a body that consists of military officers that oversee all military operations of the British Armed Forces. As of 2021, the British Armed Forces has 274,620 active duty personnel and 589,105 reserve personnel.

The Armed Forces are charged with protecting the UK and all of its overseas territories, promotion of the UK's global security interests and supporting international peacekeeping efforts. The British Armed Forces are active participants in the [[Northern Treaty Organization]] (including the [[Allied Rapid Response Corps]]), {{W|RIMPAC}}, the [[Atlantic Power Defence Arrangement]], and other worldwide military coalitions and operations. The UK posses various overseas garrisons around the world, in both sovereign states and the British Overseas Territories, with military bases present in [[Malta]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Cyprus]], [[Bahrain]], [[Patagonia]], [[France]], the [[East African Federation]], and [[South Vietnam]]. The UK also participates in [[League of Nations peacekeeping|peacekeeping operations]] of the [[League of Nations]] with British LN peacekeepers having been deployed and seen action in countries across {{W|Africa}}, the {{W|Middle East}}, and {{W|Asia}}.

According to the {{W|Stockholm International Peace Research Institute}} and the {{W|International Institute for Strategic Studies}}, the UK has the world's fifth-largest military expenditure as of 2024 with total defence spending in the country accounting for 2.3% of the country's {{W|gross domestic product}}. Since the end of the [[Cold War]], the UK's official defence policy has a stated assumption that the "most demanding operations" will be undertaken as part of a coalition. Having carried out its first successful in 1947, the United Kingdom is one of five states that [[United Kingdom and weapons of mass destruction|posses nuclear weapons]], the second one in Europe alongside [[Germany]].

==Economy==
[[File:Bank_junction_-_2020-09-20_(2).jpg|thumb|right|240px|{{W|City of London}} skyline from {{W|London City Hall}}. London is the largest financial center in Europe.]]
The United Kingdom has a highly developed {{W|social market economy}} with an estimated nominal GDP of £2.85 trillion as of 2024, making it the sixth-largest national economy in the world and the second-largest in the European Community behind only Germany. The {{W|pound sterling}}, Britain's official {{W|currency}}, is the fourth most-traded currency in the {{W|foreign exchange market}} and the third largest {{W|reserve currency}} in the world after the [[Sierran dollar]] and the [[Continental dollar]]. The pound sterling maintains high nominal value through both its long history of stability and having never undergone formal {{W|redenomination}}. Since 2022, the UK has been the fourth largest importer and exporter of goods and services in the world. The UK has a very high {{W|HDI}} ranking despite having one of the highest levels of {{W|Income inequality in the United Kingdom|income inequality}} among the {{W|OECD}}, maintaining said rank even while adjusting for inequality. As of 2025, the UK has a {{W|Unemployment in the United Kingdom|national unemployment rate}} of 4.7%, being moderately low by European standards.

{{W|His Majesty's Treasury}}, lead by the {{W|Chancellory of the Exchequer}}, is the ministry responsible for developing and executing the government's public finance and economic policies. The {{W|Department for Business and Trade}} is responsible for the business, international trade, and enterprise policies in the UK. The {{W|Bank of England}} is the UK's official {{W|central bank}} and is responsible for issuing notes and coins in the pound sterling while banks in Scotland retain the right to issue their own notes, subject to retaining enough Bank of England notes in reserve to cover the issue. The Bank of England is currently exploring a {{W|Central bank digital currency|digital pound}} to enable instant settlement and improve the UK's payment infrastructure.
===Industries and services===
The {{W|service sector}} makes up around 80% of the UK's {{W|Gross value added|GVA}} in 2023. As of 2023, the UK is the second largest exporter of services in the world and the largest net exporter of {{W|financial services}} as of 2024. In 2023, the UK was 13% above its pre-pandemic peak from 2019 for service exports. {{W|London}} is the world capital for foreign exchange trading, with a market share of 38.1% in 2022 of the daily $7.5 trillion global turnover. London is the largest urban economy in Europe and, alongside [[Porciúncula]], the city is the most integrated into the broader {{W|global economy}}. London is also among one the leading financial centers in the world, ranking second worldwide as of 2025 according to the {{W|Global Financial Centers Index}}. Edinburgh, the second largest financial center in the UK, ranks as the 10th largest in Western Europe and 29th in the world.

The {{W|Manufacturing in the United Kingdom|British manufacturing sector}} is the 10th largest in the world and the fourth largest in Europe as of 2024 in terms of value output. Due to a high period of domestic inflation caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], high energy prices and supply chain shocks caused by the economic effects of said pandemic, the UK imported and exported less goods in 2023 than it did in 2018. At the end of 2024, manufacturing in the UK accounted for 8% of the total workforce and 8.6% of Britain's national economic output. As reported in 2017, both {{W|East Midlands}} and {{W|West Midlands}} had the highest portion of employees in manufacturing at 12.6% and 11.8% respectively while {{W|Economy of London|London's manufacturing sector}} was the lowest at 2.8%.

The {{W|Tourism in the United Kingdom|tourist industry}} is a very important component of the British economy with London being named Europe's most popular tourist destination in 2022. The {{W|creative industries}} account for 5.9% of the UK's GVA in 2019, having grown 43.6% in real terms from 2010. Creative industries accounted for £111 billion worth of contributions to the UK economy in 2018 with the sector having grown five times faster than the rest of the UK economy overall in a year. {{W|Lloyd's of London}}, located in the British capital, is the world's largest {{W|insurance}} and {{W|reinsurance}} market. {{W|WPP plc}} is one of the world's largest advertising companies and is also based in London. The UK is one of the leading retail markets in Europe and the largest {{W|e-commerce}} market in all of Europe and with consumer expenditures of over KS$2 trillion in 2023, it has the second-largest consumer market in all of Europe. {{W|John Lewis Partnership}} is the largest employee-owned business in the UK.

The {{W|Automative industry in the United Kingdom|British automative industry}} employees over 813,000 people with a turnover of £93 billion and generating £47 billion of exports in 2023, accounting for 12% of the UK's total export of goods. In 2024, the UK produced 779,584 passenger vehicles and 125,649 commercial vehicles, with 8 out of 10 cars produced in the UK being exported overseas. Famous car models from Britain include {{W|Mini Hatch|Mini}} and {{W|Jaguar Cars|Jaguar}} along with luxury cars such as {{W|Rolls-Royce}}, {{W|Bentley}}, and {{W|Range Rover}}. The UK is a major center for engine manufacturing with 1.6 million engines being produced in 2024 alone and was the third-largest exporter of engines in the world in 2023. The {{W|Motorsport in the United Kingdom|UK motorsport industry}} employs over 40,000 people and comprises 4,300 companies, having an annual turnover of £10 billion. Seven out of ten {{W|Formula One}} teams are based in the UK with their technology being used in supercars and hypercard from {{W|McLaren Automotive|McLaren}}, {{W|Aston Martin}}, and {{W|Lotus Group|Lotus}}. In 2024, the UK surpassed Germany as the biggest market for {{W|electric vehicles}} in Europe.
[[File:British_Airways_Concorde_G-BOAC_03.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|Concorde}}, a {{W|supersonic}} airliner that reduced transatlantic flight time from 8 to 3.5 hours.]]
The {{W|Aerospace industry of the United Kingdom|British aerospace industry}} is the second largest in the world and has an annual turnover of £30 billion with the {{W|British space programme}} being worth £17.5 billion in 2020/21 and employed round 48,800 people. Since 2012, the number of space organizations in Britain has grown by 21% with 1,239 active space organizations being reported in 2021. In 2023, the {{W|United Kingdom Space Agency}} announced they had invested in £1.6 billion in space-related projects.

The {{W|Agriculture in the United Kingdom|British agricultural industry}} is intensive, highly advanced, and efficient by European standards, producing around 60% of Britain's overall food requirements and 73% of its indigenous food needs, using around 0.9% of the British labour force (292,000 people). Around two-thirds of food production is allocated to {{W|livestock}} and one-third to {{W|arable crops}}. The UK retains a significant, albeit much reduced, fishing industry with 49% of British fish sustainably caught in 2020. Britain's marine natural capital assets in 2021 were estimated to have a value of £211 billion. The UK is also rich in a variety of other natural resources such as {{W|coal}}, {{W|petroleum}}, {{W|natural gas}}, {{W|tin}}, {{W|limestone}}, {{W|iron ore}}, {{W|salt}}, {{W|clay}}, {{W|chalk}}, {{W|gypsum}}, {{W|lead}}, and {{W|silica}} along with an abundance of arable land as well.
===Science and technology===
[[File:Cambridge_Science_Park_Napp.jpg|thumb|left|240px|The {{W|Cambridge Center}} is the most intensive science and technology research enter in the world.]]
England and Scotland were leading centers of the {{W|Scientific Revolution}} of the 17th century and later on the United Kingdom led the {{W|Industrial Revolution}} of the 18th century and has continued to produce scientists and {{W|List of British engineers|researchers}} that are credited with {{W|List of British innovations and discoveries|major innovations and discoveries}}. Major theorists from the 17th and 18th centuries include {{W|Isaac Newton}}; whose {{W|laws of motion}} and illumination of {{W|gravity}} is seen as a keystone of modern science; {{W|Charles Darwin}} of the 19th century whose theory of {{W|evolution}} via {{W|natural selection}} was fundamental for the development of modern biology; and {{W|James Clerk Maxwell}}, who formulated classical {{W|electromagnetic theory}}; and most recently {{W|Stephen Hawking}} of the 20th and 21st centuries, who advanced major theories in the fields of {{W|cosmology}}, {{W|quantum gravity}}, and the investigation of {{W|black holes}}.

The {{W|Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology}} (DSIT) is the government ministry responsible for encouraging, developing, and managing the UK's scientific, research, and technological outputs. Scientific research and developments remain an important component of {{W|Universities in the United Kingdom|British universities}}, many of them having established {{W|Science park|science parks}} to facilitate production and co-operation in the industry. In 2022, the UK produced 6.3% of the world's scientific research papers and had a 10.5% share of scientific citations, the third highest in the world for both, while the UK is ranked first in the world for Field-Weighted Citation Impact. Scientific research papers produced in the UK are published in publications such as the {{W|Royal Society}}, ''{{W|Nature (magazine)|Nature}}'', the ''{{W|British Medical Journal}}'', and ''{{W|The Lancet}}''.

In 2022, the UK reached the milestone of a combined market of KS$1 trillion for its {{W|startup}} and {{W|scaleup}} ecosystem and by 2024, the UK tech sector reached a net value of KS$1.2 trillion surpassing the combined values of the French and German sectors. The {{W|University of Cambridge}} was named the number one university in the world for producing successful technology founders. The {{W|Artificial intelligence in the United Kingdom|UK's artificial intelligence industry}} is the largest in the European Community in terms of value and ranked third place worldwide in a report on {{W|artificial intelligence}} development by {{W|Stanford University}} in 2024. That same year, the {{W|Global Innovation Index}} ranked the UK in fifth place worldwide. In 2025, the UK signed onto the [[Technology Development Deal]] alongside the [[Kingdom of Sierra]], [[Superior]], and [[Astoria]] with Anglo-American companies pledging £150 billion of investment in the UK.
===Transportation===
The UK has a radial road network that totals 29,145 miles (46,904 km) of main roads, 2,173 miles (3,497 km) of motorways and 213,750 miles (344,000 km) of paved roads. The {{W|M25}}, which encircles London, is both the largest and busiest bypass in the world. In 2024, the UK had 41.7 million registered vehicles nationwide.
[[File:An_LNER_Azuma_train_on_the_East_Coast_Railway_Line,_geograph_6275180_by_Walter_Baxter.jpg|thumb|right|240px|A high-speed train of the {{W|East Coast Main Line}} in {{W|Northumberland}}, England.]]
The UK has an extensive national rail network at 10,072 miles (16,209 km). {{W|British Rail}} was the primary state-owned rail company in the UK until it was {{W|Privatization of British Rail|privatized}} in 1994 and 1997, followed by a rise in passengers. In 2024, [[Great British Railways]] was established as the current state-owned rail transport company that manages all {{W|Rail transport in the United Kingdom|rail transport lines}} across the UK. In the 2017 European Railway Performance Index ranked the UK eighth in all of the European Community in assessing intensity of use, quality of service, and safety of British trains and railways.

The UK is part of {{W|Eurostar}}, an international high-speed rail service connecting Britain to Western European countries which also includes a direct line connecting London to {{W|Paris}} via the {{W|Channel Tunnel}} under the {{W|English Tunnel}}, the longest underwater tunnel at 23.5 miles long, which takes 2 hours and 16 minutes to travel to and from both major cities. There is also a car service through the Channel Tunnel to France called {{W|LeShuttle}}. The {{W|Elizabeth line|Richard line}} is a rail line running between {{W|East London|East}} and {{W|West London}}, first opened in 2016 in honor [[Richard IV|King Richard IV]], and was Europe's largest construction project at the time and brings in an estimated £42 million into the British economy. Another major infrastructure project in the UK is {{W|High Speed 2}} (HS2), a high-speed rail line currently under construction since 2019 that will link London to {{W|Birmingham}}, with a potential extension further north and capable of speeds as high as 225 miles per hour.
[[File:London_City_Airport_Sunset.jpg|thumb|left|210px|An airplane taking off from {{W|London City Airport}}.]]
In 2023 there was a total of 4 billion bus journeys in the UK, 1.8 billion of which were in London alone. The red colored {{W|double-decker bus}} is an iconic vehicle in Britain and has entered popular culture worldwide as an internationally recognized icon of both London and Britain as a whole (especially England). The {{W|London Buses|London bus network}} is extensive with over 6,800 scheduled services very weekday carrying 6 million passengers on 700 routes, making it one of the most extensive bus systems in the world and the largest in all of Europe.

In 2024 {{W|List of airports in the United Kingdom|British airports}} handled nearly 292.5 million total passengers with the three largest airports that year being {{W|London Heathrow Airport}} (83.9 million passengers), {{W|Gatwick Airport}} (43.2 million passengers), and {{W|Manchester Airport}} (30.8 million passengers). London Heathrow Airport, located 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of the British capital, is the second busiest airport in the world in terms of international traffic and is the hub for the UK's official {{W|flag carrier}} {{W|British Airways}} along with {{W|Virgin Atlantic}}. During 2023, 18.3 million passengers traveled internationally by rail and another 18.1 million by sea.
===Energy===
In 2021 the UK was ranked the 14th-largest consumer and the 22nd largest producer of energy in the world and is home to several large energy companies, including two of the {{W|Big Six|six biggest oil companies in the world}}, {{W|BP}} (British Petroleum) and {{W|Shell plc}}.
[[File:Ardrossan's_fan_club._-_panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|210px|{{W|Wind turbines}} overlooking {{W|Ardrossan}} in Scotland.]]
Renewable electricity in the UK accounts for 51% of all electricity generated in the country in 2024. {{W|Wind power in the United Kingdom|Wind power in Britain}} was the largest source of electricity in the country in 2024, generating 30% of Britain's total electricity that year. The UK has the largest offshore wind farm in the world, the latter of which is located off the coast of {{W|Yorkshire}}.

In 2023 the UK had nine nuclear reactors that were generating 15% of Britain's total electricity with at least two more reactors currently under construction and more planned for the future. In the late 1990s, {{W|Nuclear power in the United Kingdom|nuclear power in Britain}} accounted for 25% of the annually generated electricity in the country, but has gradually declined as several older plants have since been shut down. The British government is investing in {{W|Small modular reactor|small module reactors}} that operate via {{W|nuclear fission}} and further investment in research and development towards commercial {{W|fusion reactors}}. To that end, the UK entered into a business partnership with the Kingdom of Sierra in late 2023 to collaborate on fusion technology with "a commercial grid-ready fusion reactor by 2040" bering stated as a goal of the collaboration.

At the end of 2023 it was estimated that there were 1.1 billion {{W|barrels of oil equivalent}} (BOE) of both "proven" and "probable" {{W|Oil and gas reserve|gas reserves}} and 2.3 billion boe of "proven" and "probable" oil reserves offshore in Britain, reducing the country's reliance on imports for energy security and transitioning to renewables. Emissions from British gas production is roughly four times lower than imported {{W|liquified natural gas}} (LNG), according to the {{W|North Sea Transition Authority}}, Britain's chief natural gas regulator.

{{W|Coal}} was historically a major source of energy for Britain, however this ended in September 2024 when the last coal mine in Britain was officially closed down and ended coal as a source of power in the country. The UK currently has no active {{W|fracking}} (hydraulic fracturing) for {{W|shale gas}} despite possessing a large supply due to environmental concerns by the British government.
===Water supply and sanitation===
The UK has universal access to improved water supply and sanitation. It's estimated that 96% of British households are connected to a sewer network. According to the Environmental Agency, total water abstraction for public water supply in Britain was 16,406 {{W|mgalitres}} per day in 2007.

Water and sanitation is carried out by several water authorities in each constituent country. In England and Wales, water and sewage services are administered and carried out by 10 private regional water and sewage companies along with 13 mostly smaller "water only" companies while in Scotland, water and sewage services are carried out by a single company in the form of {{W|Scottish Water}}.

==Demographics==
The {{W|2021–2022 United Kingdom census|2021 census}} listed a national population of 61,284,529, the fourth largest population in all of Europe behind France, Germany, and Russia, along with being the fifth-largest population in the [[British Commonwealth]] and the 22nd largest population in the world. More recent estimates from 2025 showcase a national population of 64,109,428. During 2012 and 2013, births were the number one factor contributing to population growth in Britain, while in 2014 and 2015 in was supplanted by net migration admits declining birthrates seen in both Europe and worldwide. The previous {{W|2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census}} showed that over the past century, the proportion of the British population between the ages 0–14 fell from 31% to 18% of the population while the portion of people aged 65 and above rose from 5% to 16%. In 2018, the {{W|Population pyramid|median age}} of Britain was 41.7 years. The 2021 census had Scotland's population at 5.48 million people and Wales at 3.1 million people.

The population of England in the 2021 census was listed at 56 million people, representing 84% of the UK's total population. England alone is one of the most densely populated countries on the planet, with 434 people per square kilometer in mid-2021, with a particular population concentration in {{W|London}} and the south-east of the {{W|London metropolitan area}}, which is the largest in {{W|Western Europe}} with a population of 14.9 million in 2024.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;"
|+ Population of England by region in 2024
|-
! Rowspan=2 | Region
! Colspan=2 | Land area
! Colspan=2 | Population
! Rowspan=2 | Density<br />(/km<sup>2</sup>)
|-
! (km<sup>2</sup>)
! (%)
! People
! (%)
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|North East England|North East}}
| 8,581
| 6%
| 2,683,040
| 5%
| 313
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|North West England|North West}}
| 14,108
| 11%
| 7,516,113
| 13%
| 533
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|Yorkshire and the Humber}}
| 15,404
| 12%
| 5,541,262
| 10%
| 360
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|East Midlands}}
| 15,624
| 12%
| 4,934,939
| 9%
| 316
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|West Midlands (region)|West Midlands}}
| 12,998
| 10%
| 6,021,653
| 11%
| 463
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|East of England}}
| 19,116
| 15%
| 6,398,497
| 11%
| 335
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|Greater London}}
| 1,572
| 1%
| 8,866,180
| 15%
| 5,640
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|South East England|South East}}
| 19,072
| 15%
| 9,379,833
| 16%
| 492
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|South West England|South West}}
| 23,836
| 18%
| 5,764,881
| 10%
| 242
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | England
! style="text-align:right;" | 130,310
! style="text-align:right;" | 100%
! style="text-align:right;" | 57,106,398
! style="text-align:right;" | 100%
! style="text-align:right;" | 438
|}
===Ethnic groups===
[[File:Racial composition of the UK (2022 census) .png|thumb|right|210px|Racial composition of the UK according to the 2022 census.]]
Historically, indigenous British people were through to have been {{W|Genetic history of the British Isles|descended from ethnic groups}} that settled the British Isles before the 12th century: the {{W|Celts}}, the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, the Norse, and {{W|Normans}}. Among the ethnic groups in the UK, {{W|Welsh people}} are thought to possibly be the oldest ethnic group within Britain. While a white majority country, the UK has a long history of non-white immigration to the country with {{W|Liverpool}} having the oldest Black population in the country, dating back as far as the 1730s and also has the oldest {{W|British Chinese|ethnic Chinese}} community in Europe, the latter dating back to the 19th century.

In the 2021–22 census, {{W|White people in the United Kingdom|White Britons}} remain the majority racial group at 83% of the population. Of the 17% non-White Britons, 8.6% are {{W|British Asians|Asian descent}} as Britain's largest ethnic minority group, 3.7% are of {{W|Black British people|Black descent}}, and 2.7% are of {{W|Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed race}} background and the remaining 2% being of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. The UK as a whole is an ethnically diverse country, however ethnic diversity varies greatly across the country by constituent country and region. London is the most ethnically diverse area of the UK with at least 46.2% of Londoners being of an ethnic minority background with other major cities in England showing similar degrees of ethnic diversity, albeit not to the same degree as London itself. By contrast South West and North East England along with Scotland and Wales are generally racially homogenous with only 10% of the populations in these places being non-white overall.
===Languages===
{{W|English language|English}} is the official language of the UK as well as the most spoken language in the entire country both as a spoken language in public and spoken at home. The UK promotes English globally as a means of building connections, understanding, and trust between the peoples of the UK and the world. Having originated in England around the 5th century, English is the native language of the UK and the country itself is one of the leading nations that comprise the {{W|English-speaking world}} alongside the countries of [[Anglo-America]] and {{W|Oceania}}.

In the UK, English is spoken with a wide variety of distinctive characteristics that collectively makeup what is known as {{W|British English}}, the variant of English spoken within the UK. The variety of accents and dialects in the country are often noted, with nearby regions having their own highly distinctive variations. {{W|Received Pronunciation}} (RP) is traditionally associated with educated speakers in southern England. The main dialects in the UK are {{W|Scottish English}}, {{W|Welsh English}}, and {{W|Ulster English}} which are all officially recognized English dialects in the country. Distinctive regional varieties in the UK include {{W|Brummie dialect|Brummie}}, {{W|Cockney}}, {{W|Geordie}}, {{W|Mancunian}}, {{W|Scouse}}, {{W|West Country English}}, {{W|Yorkshire dialect|Yorkshire}}, and {{W|Multicultural London English}} (MLE). All of these dialects are also officially recognized by the British government and sub-national bodies.
[[File:Bilingual border sign between England and Scotland.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A {{W|Bilingual sign|bilingual welcome sign}} in {{W|English language|English}} and {{W|Scottish Gaelic language|Scottish Gaelic}} on the England-Scotland border.]]
Indigenous {{W|Celtic languages}} are present in the modern UK with the three biggest dialects being {{W|Scottish Gaelic}}, {{W|Irish language|Irish}}, and {{W|Welsh language|Welsh}}, all three of which are recognized minority languages in the country. {{W|Cornish language|Cornish}} is a formerly extinct language in the late 18th century, but has since been successfully revived and is spoken by a small group of second-language speakers, native to the eponymous historic county of {{W|Cornwall}} in southwestern England. In the 2021 census, the Welsh-speaking population aged 3 and above numbered at 538,300 people (17.8% of the Welsh population) with an additional 200,000 Welsh speakers in England proper. Irish is a recognized minority language spoken by {{W|Irish people in the United Kingdom|Irish Britons}} and is most present in northwestern England and Scotland with {{W|Ulster-Scot}} also sharing the same status as well. Both languages are spoken and understood by 12.4% and 10.4% respectively.

In the {{W|2001 United Kingdom census|2001 census}}, over 92,000 people in Scotland, or just 2% of the Scottish population, possessed some understanding and speaking ability of the Gaelic language, including 72% of those living in {{W|Outer Hebrides}}. Since then the number of children being taught either Welsh or Scottish Gaelic has increased in Scotland with {{W|Scots language|Scots}}, a language descended from early northern {{W|Middle English}}, having official recognition in the UK and limited recognition in the European Community alongside Ulster-Scots in the {{W|European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages}}. As of April 2020, the UK has around 151,000 users of {{W|British Sign Language}} (BSL), a variant of {{W|sign language}} used by deaf people in the UK. Scots is an official langue in Scotland alongside English while Ulster-Scots and other similar Gaelic languages are officially recognized minority dialects in Scotland with a similar policy existing in Wales with Welsh being official and several Gaelic languages being recognized minority languages in Wales proper, though only Welsh is promoted outside of English by the Welsh government and most educational institutions.

In 2013, it was revealed that 95% of the British population were {{W|Monoglottism|monolingual}} English speakers and over 5% of the population were also recorded to have spoken other languages brought to the UK via immigration. {{W|South Asian languages}} are the largest group of non-English languages and includes the languages of {{W|Punjabi}}, {{W|{{W|Urdu}}, {{W|Sylheti}}, {{W|Hindi language|Hindi}}, {{W|Pahari-Pothwari}}, {{W|Tamil}}, and {{W|Gujarati}}. In the 2011 census {{W|Polish language|Polish}} was identified as being the second most-spoken language in the UK with 546,000 confirmed Polish language speakers. In 2019, it was estimated that 750,000 people spoke little to no English.
===Religion===
[[File:Canterbury Cathedral - Portal Nave Cross-spire.jpeg|thumb|right|240px|{{W|Canterbury Cathedral}}, a prominent Anglican cathedral and the {{W|mother church}} of the {{W|Church of England}} and {{W|Anglican Communion}}.]]
{{W|Christianity}} is the largest religion in the United Kingdom, having been present in and has denominated religious life for {{W|History of Christianity in the United Kingdom|over 1,400 years}}. While a majority of British citizens identify as Christian, church attendance and other forms of religious observance have declined significantly since the latter half of the 20th century while immigration has contributed to the growth of other religions such as {{W|Islam}}, {{W|Buddhism}}, and {{W|Hinduism}} among others. As a result, the modern UK is a multi-faith society and has also been described as being both {{W|secular}} and {{W|post-Christian}}.

In the 2021 census, {{W|Christianity in the United Kingdom|Christianity}} remained the largest religion with 53.6% of the population identify as Christian with the next largest faiths being {{W|Islam in the United Kingdom|Islam}} at 5.5%, {{W|Hinduism in the United Kingdom|Hinduism}} at 1.6%, {{W|British Jews|Judaism}} at 1.3%, {{W|Sikhism in the United Kingdom|Sikhism}} at 0.8% and {{W|Buddhism in the United Kingdom|Buddhism}} at 0.4% with 5% being of other lesser religions, {{W|new religious movements}}, or unstated. 31.8% of Britons identified as {{W|Irreligion in the United Kingdom|irreligious}} in the 2021 census, making it the second largest religious grouping in the census behind only Christianity. In the 2021 census, around 12% of Britons stated they attended church services weekly while most Christians were non-practicing. Among the Christian population, the majority identify as {{W|Protestant}}, the {{W|Protestantism in the United Kingdom|largest Christian sect}} in Britain at 43.2%, while [[Catholicism in the United Kingdom|Catholicism]] was the second largest at 9.2% and another 1.2% were of other Christian sects or nom-denominational. The Muslim population grew from 1.6 million to 2.7 million between 2001 and 2011 via immigration, a similar trend seen in other minority religions that also grew through immigration. Despite there being a declined, there have been reports of a {{W|Christian revival}} in the UK, first reported in April 2025, among many {{W|Generation Z}} Britons, young men in particular, that has seen a gradual rise in church attendance and religious affiliation with Christianity.

The {{W|Church of England}} is the largest religious denomination in the UK and is the official {{W|State religion|established church}} of England. It is the first church affiliated with {{W|Anglicanism}}, a Protestant sect originating in the UK and the largest sect in the country. While only the established church in England, the Church of England (alternatively the Anglican Church) has official representation in the House of Lords in the form of {{W|Lords Spiritual}} while the British monarch is the ceremonial head of the church as the {{W|Supreme Governor of the Church of England|Supreme Governor}}, a title they inherit after a monarch is formally coronated. The {{W|Church of Scotland}} is the established {{W|national church}} in Scotland, but is not subjected to state control and the British monarch is only a regular member rather than its head. The {{W|Church of Wales}} is also the national church of Wales. Because all three countries have established national churches, political analysts have described Christianity as being the ''{{W|de-facto}}'' state religion of the UK. Among the British Catholic population, 64.3% are [[Avignonese Catholic Church in the United Kingdom|Avignonese Catholic]], 33.6% are [[Roman Catholic Church in the United Kingdom|Roman Catholic]], and the remaining 2.1% are {{W|non-denominational Catholic}}.
===Immigration===
The United Kingdom is one of the top immigration destinations in the world with immigration contributing to a rising population. Between 1991 and 2001, both arriving immigrants and UK-born children of immigrants accounted for half of Britain's population growth during said period. According to 2015 statistics, 27% of all births in the UK in 2014 were from mothers who were born outside of the country.

Approximately 208,000 foreign nationals were officially naturalized as British citizens in 2013, the largest number of naturalized immigrants to the UK since 1962, though this figure would decline to 125,800 in the following year of 2014. Between 2009 and 2013, the annual number of foreign nationals who were officially naturalized as British citizens stood at 195,800 people. Of all immigrants to the UK in 2014, the common countries of origin for said immigrants were from [[Nigeria]], [[India]], [[Tondo]], [[Italy]], [[Romania]], [[Poland]], [[Ireland]], the [[Anatolian Republic]], and [[Iran]]. The number of grants for settlement, confirming {{W|permanent residency}} in the UK but not {{W|British nationality law|formal citizenship}}, stood at 154,700 people, a higher number than two years before. In 2023 long-term net migration (number of immigrants minus those emigrating) to the UK reached a record high of 860,000 people with total immigration standing at 1.33 million and emigration at 466,000. By contrast, net immigration in 2024 was halved to 431,000 people while total immigration stood at 948,000 and emigration at 517,000.

During the Cold War, Britain was a top destination for [[White émigré|White emigres]] fleeing from socialist states among {{W|Southern Europe}} along with parts of the {{W|Middle East and North Africa}}. These consisted mainly of political dissidents fleeing from socialist governments and their policies with dissidents fleeing from members of the Mediterranean Union being the top source of white emigres to the UK and overseas territories like [[Malta]]. Following the fall of the People's Republic of China, immigration of Chinese citizens grew with over 200,000 Chinese nationals migrating to the UK itself between 2000 and 2005. The collapse of communist rule in Mediterranean also saw widespread immigration to the UK and its territories throughout the 2000s.

{{W|British diaspora|British emigration}} was an important and notable feature of British society in the 19th century with 11.4 million people having emigrated from Britain between 1815 and 1930 along with 7.3 million people emigrating from Ireland between 1815 and 1925 prior to Irish independence.
Said emigration was driven by a desire to settle in Britain's vast colonial empire and by the end of the 20th century, around 300 million people of British and Irish descent were permanently settled around the globe, the top places being in Spain, the Kingdom of Sierra, Manitoba, the United Commonwealth, and New South Wales among others in North America and Oceania.
===Education===
[[File:University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom (Unsplash).jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|University of Oxford}} is highly regarded as one of the world's finest and leading educational institutions.]]
{{W|Education in the United Kingdom}} is officially a devolved matter with each country having their own separate education systems. Around 38% of the British population has a university or {{W|college degree}}, the highest percentage in Europe and one the highest percentages in the world. The UK is home to {{W|List of universities in the United Kingdom|many universities}} which includes the {{W|University of Oxford}} and the {{W|University of Cambridge}}, both of which are regarded as two of the finest and best universities in the world as reflected in their high rankings among educational statistics and surveys.

{{W|Student loans and grants in the United Kingdom|Tuition fees and student loans}} is varied across the different regions of the UK with both England and Wales having a fixed minimum annual fee for all British citizens, contingent on obtaining a certain level of income. Only those who reach a certain salary threshold in order to pay this fee through {{W|Taxation in the United Kingdom|general taxation}}. By contrast Scotland has a reduced maximum fee or no fee for citizens where Scotland is their home region. Some NHS courses have bursaries that pay the fee and was stated in 2017 that each doctor is subsidized by £233,000 during their training. In 2022 the {{W|Programme for International Student Assessment}} (PISA), in coordination with the {{W|OECD}}, ranked the overall knowledge and skills of British children aged 15 as the 14th highest in the world in reading, mathematics, and science. The average British student had a score of 494, above the OECD average of 478.
===Healthcare===
[[File:QEUH.jpg|thumb|left|240px|{{W|NHS Scotland}}'s {{W|Queen Elizabeth University Hospital|King Albert University Hospital}} in Glasgow, the largest hospital campus in Europe.]]
The United Kingdom possesses a system of {{W|Universal service|universal}} {{W|public funded healthcare}} with the modern system being laid out and administered by the {{W|National Health Service}} (NHS), the modern healthcare provider in the UK. The NHS has been praised for its success and granted access to healthcare for all people, leading to it developing widespread popularity that has lead many observers to refer to it as Britain's "national religion". Similar to education, {{W|healthcare in the United Kingdom}} is a devolved matter with each constituent country having their own system of universal publicly funded healthcare, however private healthcare does exist in the UK. Public healthcare is provided to all permanent residents in Britain and is mostly free at the point of service, being paid through general taxation. In 2000, the [[World Health Organization]] ranked British healthcare provisions as the fifteenth best in Europe and the eighteenth best in the world.

Since 1979 expenditure on healthcare has gradually increased to a significant degree with the 2018 OECD data, which incorporates in healthcare a chunk of what the UK officially classifies as social care, as spending £3,121 per person. In 2017 the UK spent £2,989 per person on healthcare, close to the median among OECD members.

Regulatory bodies for healthcare are organized on a UK-wide basis such as the {{W|General Medical Council}}, the {{W|Nursing and Midwifery Council}}, along with non-governmental bodies such as the {{W|Medical royal college|medical royal colleges}}. Political and operational responsibility of healthcare in the UK lies with three national {{W|Executive (politics)|executives}}; healthcare in England is managed by the British government, healthcare in Scotland is managed by the Scottish Government, and healthcare in Wales is managed by the Welsh Government with each National Health Service branch having different priorities and policies.

==Culture==
The culture of the United Kingdom is influenced by the country's status as an island state, its history, and being a {{W|political union}} of three countries with each having their own respective and distinct traditions, customs, and symbolism along with all of them being preserved by each of the three constituent countries. British cultural influence can be observed in the language, culture, and legal systems by many of its former colonies, in particular in the region of [[Anglo-America]] that defines most of {{W|North America}}, most notably in [[Brazoria]], [[Superior]], the [[United Commonwealth]], the [[Kingdom of Sierra]], and [[Manitoba]], all of which are also part of a common cultural sphere commonly known as the {{W|Anglosphere}}. The {{W|Anglicization|UK's soft power influence}} has lead to the country being described as a {{W|Power#Power as capability|cultural superpower}}. A 2024 global survey ranked the UK as the third most culturally influential countries in the world behind the Kingdom of Sierra and China.
===Literature===
{{multiple image
| align = right
| total_width = 320
| image1 = PG 1063Burns Naysmith.jpg
| alt1 = Robert Burns
| caption1 = {{W|Robert Burns}} (1759–1796)
| image2 = William Shakespeare by John Taylor, edited.jpg
| alt2 = William Shakespeare
| caption2 = {{W|William Shakespeare}} (1564–1616)
| footer = Burns and Shakespeare are considered the {{W|National poet|national poets}} of Scotland and England respectively and among the most famous in the world.
}}
British literature includes all forms of literature associated with the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands with the majority of British literature being written in English. In 2022 669 million physical books were sold in the UK, the most ever sold on record. Britain is renowned for its {{W|children's literature}} thanks to famous children's writers {{W|Daniel Defoe}}, {{W|Rudyard Kipling}}, {{W|Lewis Carroll}}, and {{W|Beatrix Potter}}, who also illustrated her own books. Other famous writers include {{W|A. A. Milne}}, {{W|Enid Blyton}}, {{W|J. R. R. Tolkien}}, {{W|Ronald Dahl}}, and {{W|Terry Pratchett}}.

The English playwright and poet {{W|William Shakespeare}} is generally regarded as the greatest dramatist ever and is also considered the {{W|national poet}} of England. Other important figures within {{W|Literature of England|English literature}} are {{W|Geoffrey Chaucer}}, author of ''{{W|The Canterbury Tales}}'', poet {{W|William Wordsworth}} and other {{W|Romantic poetry|Romantic era poets}} along with other notable novelists such as {{W|Charles Dickens}}, {{W|H. G. Wells}}, {{W|George Orwell}}, {{W|Aldous Huxley}}, and {{W|Ian Fleming}}. The 20th century English crime writer {{W|Agatha Christie}} is the {{W|List of best-selling fiction authors|best-selling novelist}} in literary history. Of 100 novels by British writers chosen by the BBC in a poll global critics, 12 of the top 25 were written by women; {{W|George Eliot}}, {{W|Virginia Woolf}}, {{W|Charlotte Brontë}}, {{W|Mary Shelley}}, {{W|Jane Austen}}, {{W|Doris Lessing}}, and {{W|Zadie Smith}}.

Famous authors and figures of {{W|Scottish literature}} include {{W|Arthur Conan Doyle}}, creator of {{W|Sherlock Holmes}}, {{W|Sir Walter Scott}}, {{W|J. M. Barrie}}, creator of {{W|Peter Pan}}, {{W|Robert Louis Stevenson}}, author of the novel ''{{W|Treasure Island}}'' that highly influences {{W|Pirates in popular culture|depiction of pirates in popular culture}}, and {{W|Robert Burns}}, considered to be the national poet of Scotland. More recently in Scottish history, novelists {{W|Hugh MacDiarmid}} and {{W|Neil M. Gunn}} both contributed to the {{W|Scottish Renaissance}} of the 20th century along with more grim works from writers {{W|Ian Rankin}} and {{W|Iain Banks}}. The city of Edinburgh became LNESCO's first {{W|City of Literature}} in the world.

{{W|Welsh literature}} includes the oldest known poem in Britain , ''{{W|Y Gododdin}}'', likely composed around the 6th century and was written in either {{W|Cumbric}} or {{W|Old Welsh}} and also contains the oldest recorded reference to the legendary figure {{W|King Arthur}}. The broader {{W|Arthurian Legend}} was further developed by {{W|Geoffrey Monmouth}}. {{W|Dafydd ap Gwilym}} (c. 1320–1370) is widely regarded as one of the greatest European poets of his time. {{W|Daniel Owen}} is credited as being the first Welsh language writer and published ''{{W|Rhys Lewis}}'' in 1885. The best known {{W|Welsh writing in English|Anglo-Welsh poets}} are {{W|Dylan Thomas}} and {{W|R. S. Thomas}}, the latter of which was nominated for a {{W|Nobel Price in Literature}} in 1996. The leading Welsh novelists of the 20th century include {{W|Richard Llewellyn}} and {{W|Kate Roberts}}.

Several famous Irish writers have also been part of British literature due to being prominent while Ireland was part of the UK prior to 1925 as well as being born in Ireland initially before migrating to the UK later on in life. The most well known writer being {{W|C. S. Lewis}}, born in Belfast, Ulster and best known as the author of ''{{W|The Chronicles of Narnia}}''. Other notable Irish writers include {{W|Bram Stoker}}, author of ''{{W|Dracula}}'', {{W|Oscar Wilde}}, and {{W|George Bernard Shaw}}. Other notable authors who were born outside of the United Kingdom, but later moved to the country later on and became part of British literature include {{W|Joseph Conrad}}, {{W|T. S. Elliot}}, {{W|Kazuo Ishiguro}}, Sir {{W|Salman Rushdie}}, and {{W|Ezra Pound}}.

===Philosophy===
The United Kingdom is famous for "{{W|British Empiricism}}", a branch of philosophy that states that the only knowledge that is valid is one that's been verified by experience, and 'Scottish philosophy', sometimes referred to the "{{W|Scottish School of Common Sense}}". Famous philosophers of British Empiricism are {{W|John Locke}}, {{W|David Hume}}, and {{W|George Berkley}} while notable exponents of Scottish common sense were {{W|Dugald Stewart}}, {{W|William Hamilton}}, and {{W|Thomas Reid}}. {{W|Jeremy Bentham}} and {{W|John Stuart Mill}} are notable for the development of the {{W|ethical philosophy}} of {{W|utilitarianism}} with Bentham firs using it and Mill promoting it in his 1861 writing ''{{W|Utilitarianism (essay)|Utilitarianism}}''.
===Music===
[[File:Royal_Albert_Hall,_BBC_Proms_2017.jpg|thumb|left|240px|{{W|The Proms}} is a notable classical musical festival held at the {{W|Royal Albert Hall}} in London and closely associated with {{W|Henry Wood}}.]]
Various styles of music are popular in the UK such as the {{W|Folk music|folk music}} in {{W|Folk music in England|England}}, {{W|Scottish folk music|Scotland}}, and {{W|Music of Wales|Wales}} while {{W|Irish traditional music}} is also popular within the UK and has influenced its music even after 1925. English folk music features melodic ballads which feature strong lyrics and music for country dancing and often use both accordion and fiddles. Scottish folk music frequently features bagpipes and fiddles that play traditional dance tunes with bouncy tempos. Welsh folk music uses harps and vocal harmonies that are often sung in Welsh. Traditional Irish music blends fiddles and flutes that are merged with Scottish and Irish influences.

Historic types of music that have influenced the music within the UK includes {{W|Renaissance music}} from the {{W|Tudor period}} that featured {{W|Mass (music)|masses}}, {{W|Madrigal|madrigals}}, and {{W|lute}} music composed by {{W|Thomas Tallis}}, {{W|John Taverner}}, {{W|William Byrd}}, {{W|Orlando Gibbons}}, and {{W|John Dowland}}. Following the {{W|Stuart Restoration}} of 1660, an English tradition of dramatic {{W|Masque|masques}}, anthems and airs were composed and established, led by {{W|Henry Purcell}} and followed up by {{W|Thomas Arne}} among others. {{W|George Frideric Handel}} composed the anthem ''{{W|Zadok the Priest}}'' for the {{W|Coronation of George II|coronation of George II}}, becoming the traditional ceremonial music for anointing all future monarchs since its composition. Handel's many oratorios, most notably his famous ''{{W|Messiah (Handel)|Messiah}}'', were written in English.

In the second half of the 19th century, {{W|Arthur Sullivan}} and his librettist {{W|W. S. Gilbert}} wrote popular {{W|Savoy operas}} and {{W|Edward Elgar}} composed a wide range of music. British composers during this period increasingly became inspired by the English countryside and the {{W|folk music}} from said region. Notable composers in this field were {{W|Gustav Holst}}, {{W|Ralph Vaughan Williams}}, and {{W|Benjamin Britten}}, the latter was a pioneer in British opera music. Among the many post-war composers that emerged in the 1940s and 50s, many made their own choice of personal music identity: {{W|Peter Maxwell Davis}} (Orkney), {{W|Harrison Birtwistle}} (mythological), and {{W|John Tavener}} (religious). Recent classical singers that have emerged in the modern era include {{W|Alfie Moe}}, {{W|Bryn Terfel}}, {{W|Katherine Jenkins}}, {{W|Michael Ball}}, {{W|Roderick Williams}}, {{W|Russell Watson}}, and {{W|Sarah Brightman}} while {{W|Nicola Benedetti}} and {{W|Nigel Kennedy}} are famous for their renowned violin abilities.

According to ''{{W|The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians}}'', the term {{W|Popular music|pop music}} first emerged in Britain around the mid-1950s to describe the fusion of {{W|rock and roll}} with "new youth music". The ''Oxford Dictionary of Music'' states that artists such as {{W|The Rolling Stones}} and others drove pop music and propelled it into the mainstream by the 1960s. {{W|Birmingham}} became the birthplace for {{W|heavy metal}}, with the famous band {{W|Black Sabbath}} originally forming in the 1960s. In the following years, Britain participated in the development of {{W|rock music}} with British acts pioneering {{W|hard rock}}, {{W|rage rock}}, heavy metal, {{W|glam rock}}, {{W|space rock}}, {{W|punk rock}}, {{W|psychedelic rock}}, and {{W|Gothic rock}}. British acts also went on to develop {{W|neo soul}} and created {{W|dubstep}}. In the modern day, the UK produces some of the most prominent English language {{W|Rapping|rappers}} along with the Kingdom of Sierra with notable rappers being {{W|Stormzy}}, {{W|Kano}}, {{W|Yxng Bane}}, {{W|Ramz}}, {{W|Little Simz}}, and {{W|Skepta}}.

Many British cities are famous and well known for their music. Acts in Liverpool have had 54 UK chart number 1 hit songs, more per capita than any other city in both the UK and worldwide. Glasgow's musical contribution to music was officially recognized in 2008 when it was officially named a {{W|City of Music}} by LNESCO. Manchester played a role in the spread of dance music known as {{W|acid house}} and, from the mid-1990s, {{W|Britpop}}. London and Bristol are both associated with the origins of {{W|electronic music}} sub-genres such as {{W|drum and bass}} and {{W|trip hop}}.

UK dance music traces its roots back to the {{W|Sound system (music)|Sound System Culture}} among Black Britons and the {{W|New Age Traveller}} movement from the 1960s and 70s. Additional influences include {{W|New Wave}} and {{W|synth-pop}} from bands such as {{W|New Order}} and {{W|Depeche Mode}} along with additional inspirational roots in {{W|Detroit techno}} and {{W|Chicago house}} scenes. In the late 1980s, dance music exploded with the emergence of {{W|Rave}} culture, specifically from {{W|Acid House}} tracks that were made mainstream with novelty records such as {{W|Sesame Street (song)|Sesame Street}} by Smart E and {{W|Charly}} from Prodigy and the {{W|Balearic sound}} brought back from the Ibiza club scene. This led to the emergence of other genres such as {{W|UK Garage}}, {{W|Speed Garage}}, {{W|Jungle music}}, {{W|Dubstep}}, {{W|Drum and bass}}, and {{W|Trance music|Trance}}. Influential British dance acts of both the past and present include {{W|808 State}}, {{W|Orbital}}, {{W|The Prodigy}}, {{W|Roni Size}}, {{W|Leftfield}}, {{W|Underworld (band)|Underworld}}, {{W|Massive Attack}}, {{W|Groove Armada}}, and {{W|Fred Again}} among many others. Other influential British DJ artists include {{W|Judge Jules}}, {{W|Pete Tong}}, {{W|Carl Cox}}, {{W|Paul Oakenfold}}, {{W|John Digweed}}, and {{W|Sasha}}.
===Visual arts===
[[File:Angel_of_the_North_-_6150534524.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|Angel of the North}}, a sculpture made by {{W|Anthony Gormley}} has become a symbol of {{W|Northern England}}.]]
Major British artists include {{W|Romanticism|Romantic}} artists such as {{W|William Blake}}, {{W|John Constable}}, {{W|Samuel Palmer}}, and {{W|J. M. W. Turner}}; {{W|Portrait|portrait}} painters {{W|Sir Joshua Reynolds}} and {{W|Lucian Freud}}; landscape artists {{W|Thomas Gainsborough}} and {{W|L. S. Lowry}}; pioneer of the {{W|Arts and Craft movement}} {{W|William Morris}}; figurative painter {{W|Francis Bacon}}; {{W|Pop art|Pop artists}} {{W|Peter Blake}}, {{W|Richard Hamilton}}, and {{W|David Hockney}}; pioneers of the {{W|conceptual art}} movement {{W|Art & Language}}; the collaborative duo {{W|Gilbert and George}}; {{W|Abstract art|abstract artist}} {{W|Howard Hodgkin}}; and sculptors {{W|Anthony Gormley}}, {{W|Anish Kapoor}}, and {{W|Henry Moore}}. During the late 1980s and 1990s, the {{W|Saatchi Gallery}} in London helped bring public attention to a group of multi-genre artists known collectively as the "{{W|Young British Artists}}" consisting of {{W|Damien Hirst}}, {{W|Chris Ofili}}, {{W|Rachel Whiteread}}, {{W|Tracey Emin}}, {{W|Mark Wallinger}}, {{W|Steve McQueen}}, {{W|Sam Taylor-Wood}}, and the {{W|Chapman Brothers}} being among the best known members of this loosely organized artistic movement.

The {{W|Royal Academy of Arts}} in London is a key organization for the promotion of visual arts in the United Kingdom. Other major schools of art in the UK include the six-school {{W|University of the Arts London}} that includes the {{W|Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design}} and {{W|Chelsea College of Art and Design}}; {{W|Goldsmith, University of London}}; the {{W|Slade School of Fine Art}} (part of the {{W|University College London}}); the {{W|Glasgow School of Art}}; the {{W|Royal College of Art}}; and the {{W|Ruskin School of Art}} (part of the University of Oxford). The {{W|Courtauld Institute of Art}} is a leading center for the teaching of the {{W|history of art}}. Important art galleries in the United Kingdom include the {{W|National Gallery}}, the {{W|National Portrait Gallery}}, {{W|Tate Britain}}, and {{W|Tate Modern}} which is the most visited art gallery in the world with 4.7 million annual visitors per year.
===Cinema===
The United Kingdom has maintained a considerable influence on the history of cinema and includes several famous film directors and movies coming out of the UK; {{W|Alfred Hitchcock}}, his 1958 ''{{W|Vertigo (film)|Vertigo}}'' is considered by some critics one of the {{W|List of movies considered the best|one of the best films}} ever made, and {{W|David Lean}}, director of the film ''{{W|Lawrence of Arabia}}'', who are both considered two of the best film directors and are two of the most acclaimed. More recent film directors include {{W|Christopher Nolan}}, {{W|Danny Boyle}}, {{W|Sam Mendes}}, {{W|Steve McQueen}}, {{W|Richard Curtis}}, {{W|Tony Scott}}, and {{W|Ridley Scott}}. Many British actors have achieved international fame and critical success worldwide with some of the most commercially successful films having been produced in the UK, including two of the highest-grossing film series in ''{{W|Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter}}'' and ''{{W|James Bond}}''.

2019 was a particularly good year for British cinema with British films collectively grossing £10.3 billion globally, which accounted for 28.7% of the global box office revenue. In 2019 the total UK box office takings totaled £1.25 billion with 176 million total film admissions. In 2023 British film and television studio space stood at a total of 6.9 million square feet, with 1 million square feet being added in the past year with more in active development. The {{W|BAFTA Film Awards}} is an annual British film ceremony and is hosted by the {{W|British Academy of Film and Television Arts}}.
===Cuisine===
[[File:Fish,_chips_and_mushy_peas.jpg|thumb|left|240px|{{W|Fish and chips}}, a traditional and iconic British cuisine, served with lemon, tartar sauce, and mushy peas.]]
British cuisine has developed from the influences that are relative to the country's land, settlements, arrival of new settlers and later immigrants, trade, and colonialism. The {{W|English cuisine|cuisine of England}} has historically been characterized by simplicity of approach and reliance on the high quality of natural produce. The traditional {{W|Sunday roast}} is a key example of this kind of English cuisine, consistent of a {{W|roast joint}} (usually of beef), lamb, chicken, or pork, often {{W|free range}} (and generally grass-fed in the case of beef). Roasts are typically served with either roasted or boiled vegetables, {{W|Yorkshire pudding}}, and {{W|gravy}}. Other traditional meals include {{W|meat pies}} and {{W|stews}}. A 2019 poll by {{W|YouGov}} rated classic British food with more than 80% of respondents liking Sunday Roast, Yorkshire pudding, {{W|fish and chips}}, {{W|crumpets}}, and the {{W|full English breakfast}}.

The UK is home to a large collection of {{W|fine dining}}. In 2025 there were 197 restaurants had a {{W|Michelin Guide|Michelin Star}} with 55 of them considering their cuisine to be "Modern British". Sweet foods are common in British cuisine and there is a long list of {{W|British desserts}}. Afternoon tea is a light afternoon meal that is served with tea in tea rooms and hotels across the United Kingdom, a tradition that dates back to 1840. A poll from July 2024 revealed 3% of British people having a {{W|vegan}} diet, 6% being {{W|vegetarian}}, and 13% being {{W|flexitarian}} (following a mainly vegetarian diet). The British Empire had facilitated knowledge of {{W|Indian cuisine}} and its "strong, penetrating spices and herbs". Modern British cuisine has incorporated the cultural influences of those who have {{W|Modern immigration to the United Kingdom|migrated and settled in the UK}}, producing hybrid dishes such as {{W|Chicken tikka masala}}. The British have embraced cuisines from across the world and regularly eat and serve food of all kinds (cuisine and fast food) from different parts of the world such as other parts of Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia.

The UK has many {{W|Gastropup|gastropups}} and is the birthplace of several alcoholic drinks that includes several beer styles such as {{W|pale ale}}, {{W|India pale ale}}, {{W|porter}}, and {{W|stout}}. The number of {{W|craft beers}} and microbreweries has rapidly expanded in the last two decades. Other popular alcoholic drinks that are produced in the UK include {{W|Scottish whisky}}, {{W|English wine}}, {{W|gin}}, {{W|cider}}, and {{W|Perry (drink)|perry}}, many of which are known and consumed worldwide beyond the UK's borders.
===Media===
The {{W|BBC}} (British Broadcasting Corporation), founded in 1922, is the official publicly funded radio, television, and internet broadcasting corporation of the United Kingdom as well as the world's oldest and second largest broadcaster in the world behind only the [[RBS]] from the Kingdom of Sierra in regards to size. It operates television and radio stations across both the UK and abroad in its overseas territories and its domestic services are funded with a {{W|Television licensing in the United Kingdom|television license}}. The {{W|BBC World Service}} is an {{W|international broadcast}} owned and operated by the BBC and is the largest in the world alongside [[RBS World Broadcasting]], where it broadcasts radio news, speeches, and discussion in over 40 different languages.

Other major television broadcasting companies in the UK include [[ITV]], operating 11 out of 15 regional television broadcasters in the country that make up [[ITV Network]] and {{W|Sky UK}}. Notable newspapers produced and printed in the UK include ''{{W|The Daily Mail}}'', ''{{W|The Guardian}}'', ''{{W|The Telegraph}}'', ''{{W|The Times}}'', and the ''{{W|Financial Times}}''. Notable magazine and journals published in the United Kingdom include ''{{W|The Spectator}}'', ''{{W|The Economist}}'', ''{{W|New Statesman}}'', and the ''{{W|Radio Times}}'', all of which have since achieved worldwide recognition and circulation.
[[File:Media_City_Footbridge_and_BBC_Offices_(geograph_2685261).jpg|thumb|220px|right|{{W|MediaCityUK}} in {{W|Salford}}, {{W|Grater Manchester}}, is one of the largest media production centers in all of Europe.]]
London dominates the British media sector with national newspaper, television, and radio networks and outlets largely being based in the city, although {{W|MediaCityUK}} located in {{W|Salford}} of the {{W|Greater Manchester}} area is a major national media production center and one of the largest in all of Europe. Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Cardiff are also other major centers of media production and are the main centers of media production for Scotland and Wales respectively. The British publishing sector, which includes books, directories and databases, magazines, journals, business media, newspapers and news media, has combined revenue of £20 billion and employed 167,000 people nationwide. In 2015 the UK published 2,710 book titles per one million inhabitants, more than any other country in the world, with a notable portion of these books being exported to other Anglophone countries.

In 2010, 82.5% of British citizens were internet users, the [[List of countries by number of internet users (Altverse II)|highest proportion]] amongst the 20 countries that were surveyed that year with the largest total number of internet users in that year. The {{W|Video games in the United Kingdom|British video gaming industry}} is the largest in Europe and the {{W|Video game industry|largest video game market}} in Europe by sales, behind only [[Germany]], in 2022. The UK was also listed as the third largest producer of video games in the world behind only [[Japan]] and the [[Kingdom of Sierra]].
===Sports===
{{Main|Great Britain at the Olympics}}
[[File:City_vs_United_FA_Cup_final_2023.jpg|thumb|left|240px|The {{W|2023 FA Cup final}} at {{W|Wembley Stadium}} between {{W|Manchester City}} and {{W|Manchester United}}.]]
{{W|Sport in the United Kingdom}} is one of the country's main pastimes and a core component of British culture. {{W|Association football}}, {{W|tennis}}, {{W|badminton}}, {{W|rugby}}, {{W|table tennis}}, {{W|rugby league}}, {{W|rugby sevens}}, {{W|boxing}}, {{W|golf}}, {{W|netball}}, {{W|water polo}}, {{W|billiards}}, {{W|field hockey}}, {{W|darts}}, {{W|rowing}}, {{W|rounders}}, and {{W|cricket}} either originated or were substantially developed in the UK with the rules and codes of many modern sports being codified during the Victorian Era and remain some of the main sports played in the UK.

A poll from 2003 found that association football was the most popular sport in the UK with England being recognized as the birthplace of the original football club in the {{W|Football Association}}, recognized as such by {{W|FIFA}} and is the oldest of its kind with the {{W|Rules of the Game|rules of football}} being first drafted in 1863 by {{W|Ebenezer Cobb Morley}}. Each of the {{W|Home Nations}} (England, Scotland, and Wales) have their own individual football associations, national teams, and {{W|league system}} with each being individually governed by a governing member of the {{W|International Football Association Board}} alongside FIFA. The {{W|Premier League}}, England's top division, is the most watched football league in the world with the first international football match occurring on 30 November 1872 between England and Scotland. England, Scotland, and Wales each compete in international competitions, usually as separate countries.

Within that same 2003 poll, rugby union was ranked the second most popular sport in the UK, a sport that was first created in the UK in the {{W|Rugby School}}, Warwickshire, with the {{W|Rugby union match played between Scotland and England|first rugby international match}} being played between Scotland and England on 27 March 1871. {{W|England national ruby union team|England}}, {{W|Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland}}, {{W|Wales national ruby union team|Wales}}, {{W|Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland}}, {{W|France national rugby union team|France}}, and {{W|Italy national rugby union team|Italy}} all participate at the {{W|Six Nations Championship}}, the premier international rugby union tournament in the {{W|Northern Hemisphere}}. {{W|Sports governing bodies}} in {{W|Rugby union in England|England}}, {{W|Rugby union in Scotland|Scotland}}, and {{W|Rugby union in Wales|Wales}} organize and regulate the games individually and every four years, the combined teams of the Home Nations and Ireland make a combined team known as the {{W|British and Irish Lions}} that tours in {{W|Oceania}} and [[South Africa]].

The United Kingdom has participated in the [[Olympic Games]] since their inception in 1892 and has hosted the [[1950 Summer Olympics]] after cancelling the [[1932 Summer Olympics]] due to the outbreak of the Great War, being hosted in the British capital of London. The UK is also a leading participate in the [[Commonwealth Games]] among other members of the Commonwealth of Nations with Birmingham being the host city for the [[2022 Commonwealth Games]]. Each Home Nation has hosted at least one Commonwealth Game since their inception.
===Symbols===
[[File:Queen_Elizabeth_II_Platinum_Jubilee_2022_-_Platinum_Pageant_(52123378222).jpg|thumb|right|240px|Union Jacks being displayed at {{W|The Mall, London}} during a royal parade.]]
The {{W|Union Jack}} is the official flag of the United Kingdom and one of Britain's most notable symbols. First created in 1606, the Union Jack was created as a superimposition of the {{W|flag of England}} with the {{W|Cross of Saint Saint George|cross}} of {{W|Saint George}} and the {{W|flag of Scotland}} representing {{W|Saint Andrew}}. The flag was updated in 1801 with the addition of {{W|Saint Patrick's flag}} of Ireland upon its ascension into the union as a constituent country of the UK before being removed in 1925 following Ireland's secession. Wales its not represented on the Union Jack due to it having been conquered and annexed by England prior to the formation of the United Kingdom in 1707, though the possibility of redesigning the flag to incorporate Wales has been discussed since 1925, the most recent major attempt being in 2007. {{W|God Save the King}} is the {{W|national anthem}} of the UK, with King being replaced with Queen in the event the monarch is a woman.

{{W|Britannia}} is the {{W|national personification}} of the United Kingdom, first originating in {{W|Roman Britain}} and has persisted into the present day. Outside of Britannia, {{W|The Lion and the Unicorn}} and the {{W|Welsh dragon}} are other common and prominent British symbols with the {{W|bulldog}} being an iconic animal from Britain, commonly represented with the Union Jack. A more rare personification of Britain is an 18th century character called {{W|John Bull}}, who has represented both England and Britain alike.

Alongside the UK as a whole, {{W|National symbols of England|England}}, {{W|National symbols of Scotland|Scotland}}, and {{W|National symbols of Wales|Wales}} all have their own distinct and unique national symbols to represent the respective constituent countries along with their histories, cultures, and traditions, including their own flags. Even after Ireland left in 1925, Irish symbols have been present in the UK among Irish nationals living within the country and especially among [[Ulster Britons]] with their own flags and other symbols.

==See also==
*[[Outline of the United Kingdom]]
**[[Outline of England]]
**[[Outline of Scotland]]
**[[Outline of Wales]]
*[[Index of United Kingdom-related articles]]
*{{W|Historiography of the United Kingdom}}
*{{W|Historiography of the British Empire}}
*{{W|United Kingdom–Crown Dependencies Customs Union}}

[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British Islands]]
[[Category:Countries in Europe]]
[[Category:Island countries]]
[[Category:Member states of NTO]]
[[Category:Member states of the European Community]]
[[Category:Member states of the League of Nations]]
[[Category:Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations]]
[[Category:English-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Western European countries]]
[[Category:Northern European countries]]
[[Category:G8 nations]]
[[Category:G20 nations]]
[[Category:British Isles]]
[[Category:Christian states]]

United Kingdom

2025-11-11T02:04:31Z

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{{Icons|Altverse II}}
{{Infobox country
|conventional_long_name = United Kingdom of Great Britain
|common_name = United Kingdom<br>Great Britain
|image_flag = Flag of Great Britain (1707–1800).svg
|image_coat = Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom (Altverse II).svg
|national_anthem = "{{W|God Save the King}}"<br>[[File:United States Navy Band - God Save the Queen.ogg]]
|image_map = [[File:United Kingdom (Altverse II).svg|300px]]
|capital = {{W|London}}
|largest_city = capital
|official_languages = {{W|English language|English}}
|regional_languages = {{W|Scots}} {{*}} {{W|Ulster Scots}} {{*}} {{W|Welsh language|Welsh}} {{*}} {{W|Cornish language|Cornish}} {{*}} {{W|Scottish Gaelic}} {{*}} {{W|Irish language|Irish}} {{*}} {{W|British Sign Language}}
|ethnic_groups = {{Unbulleted list
|83.0% {{W|White people in the United Kingdom|White}}
|8.6% {{W|Asian British|Asian}}
|3.7% {{W|Black British people|Black}}
|2.7% {{W|Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category|Mixed}}
|2.0% Other
}}
|membership = {{Bulleted list|
|{{flagicon|Anatolia}} '''Anatolia''' (''Anadolu'')
|{{flagicon|Payitaht}} '''Capital State''' (''Payitaht'')
|{{flagicon|Rumeli}} '''Thrace''' (''Rumeli'')
}}
|ethnic_groups_year = 2021
|religion = {{Unbulleted list
|{{Tree list}}
* 53.6% {{W|Christianity in the United Kingdom|Christianity}}{{efn|While not the official state religion, the {{W|Church of England}}, {{W|Church of Scotland}}, and {{W|Church of Wales}} are the official state churches in all three countries.}}
** 43.2% {{W|Protestantism in the United Kingdom|Protestantism}}
** 9.2% [[Catholicism in the United Kingdom|Catholicism]]
** 1.2% {{W|Christian denomination|Other Christian}}
{{Tree list/end}}
|31.8% {{W|Irreligion in the United Kingdom|Irreligion}}
|5.5% {{W|Islam in the United Kingdom|Islam}}
|1.6% {{W|Hinduism in the United Kingdom|Hinduism}}
|1.3% {{W|British Jews|Judaism}}
|0.8% {{W|Sikhism in the United Kingdom|Sikhism}}
|0.4% {{W|Buddhism in the United Kingdom|Buddhism}}
|5.0% Other or unstated
}}
|religion_year = 2021
|demonym = {{W|British people|British}} {{*}} Briton {{*}} Brit (colloquial)
|government_type = {{W|Unitary state|Unitary}} {{W|Westminster system|parliamentary constitutional monarchy}}
|leader_title1 = [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King]]
|leader_name1 = [[George V]]
|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name2 = [[Aiden B. Starmer]]
|legislature = [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]]
|upper_house = [[House of Lords]]
|lower_house = [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]
|sovereignty_type = {{W|Formation of the United Kingdom|Establishment}}
|established_event1 = {{W|Laws in Wales Act}}
|established_date1 = 1535 and 1542
|established_event2 = {{W|Union of the Crowns}}
|established_date2 = 24 March 1603
|established_event3 = {{W|Treaty of Union}}
|established_date3 = 22 July 1706
|established_event4 = {{W|Acts of Union|Acts of Union of England and Scotland}}
|established_date4 = 1 May 1707
|established_event5 = {{W|Acts of Union of Great Britain and Ireland}}
|established_date5 = 1 January 1801
|established_event6 = [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]]
|established_date6 = 6 November 1925
|area_km2 = 209,331
|area_sq_mi = 80,823
|area_rank = 9th
|percent_water = 1.3%
|population_census = {{UP}} 61,284,529
|population_census_year = 2021
|population_estimate = {{UP}} 64,109,428
|population_estimate_year = 2025
|population_density_km2 = 281
|population_density_sq_mi = 727
|population_density_rank = 28th
|GDP_PPP = {{UP}} $4.45 trillion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 10th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2025
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{UP}} $63,661
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 28th
|GDP_nominal = {{UP}} 3.84 trillion
|GDP_nominal_rank = 6th
|GDP_nominal_year = 2025
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{UP}} $54,949
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 18th
|Gini = 35.4
|Gini_ref =
|Gini_rank =
|Gini_change = decrease
|Gini_year = 2021
|HDI_year = 2023
|HDI = 0.95
|HDI_change = increase
|HDI_rank = 13th
|HDI_ref =
|currency = {{W|Pound sterling}} ({{W|Pound sign|£}})
|currency_code = GBP
|time_zone = {{W|Coordinated Universal Time|UTC (Greenwich Mean Time, WET)}}
|time_zone_DST = {{W|Coordinated Universal Time|UTC (British Summer Time, WEST)}}
|utc_offset_DST = +1
|date_format = {{Abbr|dd|day}}/{{Abbr|mm|month}}/{{Abbr|yyyy|year}} ({{W|Anno Domini|AD}})
|drives_on = left
|cctld = .uk
|iso3166code = GB
|calling_code = [[+44]]
|patron_saint = 
|footnotes = <references group="lower-alpha"/>
}}
The '''United Kingdom (UK)''', officially the '''United Kingdom of Great Britain''' and commonly known as '''Great Britain (GB)''' and '''Britain''', is a country and {{W|sovereign state}} in {{W|Northwestern Europe}}, just off the coast of the {{W|Continental Europe|European mainland}}. It is a union of [[England (Altverse II)|England]], [[Scotland]], and [[Wales]] and is located the island of {{W|Great Britain}} and {{W|List of islands of the United Kingdom|most smaller islands}} in the {{W|British Isles}}, covering 94,354 square miles (244,376 km2). An island nation, the UK is surrounded by the {{W|Atlantic Ocean}}, the {{W|English Channel}}, the {{W|North Sea}}, the {{W|Celtic Sea}}, and the {{W|Irish Sea}}. The UK also maintains sovereignty over several islands located in the oceans of and seas across the globe, known officially as [[British Overseas Territories]]. The 2021 UK census had a population of 61.3 million people, while 2025 estimates have the total British population at 64.1 million people with {{W|London}}, the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, serving as the country's largest city while {{W|Edinburgh}} and {{W|Cardiff}} are the capitals of Scotland and Wales respectively.

Human habitation in the United Kingdom has been consistent since the {{W|Neolithic}} period. In 43 AD, the {{W|Roman Empire}} began its {{W|Roman conquest of Britain|conquest of Britain}} and completed it in 84 AD, ruling Britain {{W|Roman Britain|as a province}} until their {{W|Sub-Roman Britain|formal departure}} and was followed up by {{W|Anglo-Saxon settlement}}. In 1066, the {{W|Norman conquest|Normans conquered England}} lead by {{W|William the Conquerer}}. Following the {{W|War of the Roses}}, the {{W|Kingdom of England}} was stabilized and grew to become a major power, resulting in the {{W|Laws in Wales Acts|annexation of Wales}} in the 16th century and lead to the establishment of the {{W|British Empire}}. After this creation, the young British Empire would go one to {{W|British colonization of the Americas|colonize much of the Americas}} and established a series of colonies in {{W|North America}} commonly known as {{W|British America}}, most well known constituent part being the {{W|Thirteen Colonies}}. The 17th century saw the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarchy]] facing political challenges and being reduced, resulting in the {{W|English Civil War}} which saw the {{W|Roundhead|Parliamentarians}} emerge victorious and the formation of the {{W|Commonwealth of England}} under {{W|Oliver Cromwell}}, a {{W|republic|republican}} state that governed the country until the {{W|Stuart Restoration}} of 1660 that saw the return of monarchal rule. In 1707, the {{W|Treaty of Union}} was signed that saw the Kingdom of England and the {{W|Kingdom of Scotland}} to merge into a single unified state known as the {{W|Kingdom of Great Britain}}, the first incarnation of what would become the United Kingdom. The {{W|Georgian era}} saw the consolidation of the monarchy as the governing institution of the country and the establishment of the office of [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|prime minister]]. The {{W|Acts of Union 1800}} saw Great Britain merge with the {{W|Kingdom of Ireland}} to form the {{W|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland}} that lasted until the 1920s when [[Ireland]] gained independence via the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]].

The UK became the {{W|History of industrialisation|first country to industrialize}} and became the world's {{W|foremost power}} in the aftermath of the {{W|Napoleonic Wars}}, reigning as the sole {{W|superpower}} of the world between 1815 and 1912 in a period known as ''{{W|Pax Britannica}}''. The British Empire was a premier power throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, serving as the premier {{W|economic power}} and further supported by {{W|British Agricultural Revolution|agricultural prosperity}}, massive industrial capabilities, role as the dominant {{W|trading nation}}, and significant technological innovations and achievements along with {{W|19th-century London}} becoming the world's top financial center. The British Empire would reach its territorial peak by the late 1910s, being the {{W|List of largest empires|largest empire in recorded history}} and controlling a quarter of the world's territory in four continents. Britain was also the {{W|Economy of the British Empire|world's leading economic power}} from the 19th century and into the 20th century, however its [[United Kingdom in the Great War|military involvement]] in the [[Great War]] had damaged Britain's economic power and gradually lead to the {{W|decolonization}} of {{W|Asia}} and {{W|Africa}}, resulting in the end of the British Empire by the 1970s and surviving only through various island and overseas territories, now known as British Overseas Territories.

The United Kingdom is a {{W|constitutional monarchy}} and {{W|parliamentary democracy}} with three district legal jurisdictions in England, Wales, and Scotland. Since 1999, Britain has operated under a {{W|Devolution in the United Kingdom|system of devolution}} that grants each constituent country their own autonomous governments, parliaments, and control over district legal and political matters within their own internal borders. A {{W|developed country}} with an {{W|Economy of the United Kingdom|advanced high-income economy}}, the UK ranks among one of the largest economies in the world by GDP and is one of the world's largest importers and exporters. A nuclear armed state with one of the world's largest defense budgets, the [[British Armed Forces]] is one of the strongest militaries in both Europe and the world. {{W|Anglicisation|Britain's soft power influence}} can be seen worldwide in the legal and political systems of its former colonies. {{W|Culture of the United Kingdom|British culture}} remains one of the most influential in the world, being seen in {{W|English language|its language}}, {{W|British literature|literature}}, {{W|Music of the United Kingdom|music}}, and {{W|Sport in the United Kingdom|sports}}. Britain is part of several international organizations such as the [[League of Nations]], serving as one of the [[Permanent members of the League of Nations Security Council|five permanent members]] of the [[League of Nations Security Council]], the [[European Community]], the [[World Trade Organization]], and several other organizations and bodies.

==Etymology and terminology==
The {{W|Acts of Union 1707}} declared that the {{W|Kingdom of England}} and {{W|Kingdom of Scotland}} were "United into One Kingdom by the Name of {{W|Great Britain}}. The term "United Kingdom" has been used occasionally as a description for the former kingdom of Great Britain, although the official name of the country was "Great Britain" from 1707 to 1800. The {{W|Acts of Union 1800}} united the kingdoms of Great Britain and {{W|Kingdom of Ireland|Ireland}} into the {{W|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland}}. Following the secession of Ireland and the [[Treaty of Belfast]], the name was changed to the "United Kingdom of Great Britain".

Although the United Kingdom is a sovereign country, {{w|England}}, {{w|Scotland}} and {{w|Wales}} are also widely referred to as countries. The UK Prime Minister's website has used the phrase "countries within a country" to describe the United Kingdom. Some statistical summaries, such as those for the {{w|International Territorial Level|twelve NUTS 1 regions of the United Kingdom}} refer to Scotland and Wales as "regions".

The term "Great Britain" conventionally refers to the island of Great Britain, or politically to England, Scotland and Wales in combination. It is sometimes used as a loose synonym for the United Kingdom as a whole.

The {{W|Britain (place name)|term "Britain"}} is used both as a synonym for Great Britain, and as a synonym for the United Kingdom. Usage is mixed: the UK Government prefers to use the term "UK" rather than "Britain" or "British" on its own website (except when referring to embassies), while acknowledging that both terms refer to the United Kingdom and that elsewhere "British government" is used at least as frequently as "United Kingdom government". The UK {{W|Permanent Committee on Geographical Names for British Official Use|Permanent Committee on Geographical Names}} recognises "United Kingdom", "UK" and "U.K." as shortened and abbreviated geopolitical terms for the United Kingdom of Great Britain in its toponymic guidelines, though it does not list "Britain".

The adjective "British" is commonly used to refer to matters relating to the United Kingdom and is used in law to refer to United Kingdom citizenship and {{W|British nationality law|matters to do with nationality}}. People of the United Kingdom use a number of different terms to describe their national identity and may identify themselves as being {{W|British people|British}}, {{W|English people|English}}, {{W|Scottish people|Scottish}} or {{W|Welsh people|Welsh}}; or as having a combination of different national identities. The official designation for a citizen of the United Kingdom is "British citizen".

==History==
{{Main|History of the United Kingdom}}
===Prior to the Treaty of Union===
[[File:Stonehenge2007 07 30.jpg|thumb|left|210px|{{W|Stonehenge}}, a ring of stones in {{W|Wiltshire}} that was built around 2400–2200 BC.]]
Settlement of what would become the United Kingdom was carried out by the {{W|Cro-Magnons}}, the first earl humans who settled the modern day island in waves around 30,000 years ago with the island having been continuously habited since the last retreat of the ice 11,500 years ago. By the end of {{W|Prehistoric Britain|Britain's prehistoric period}}, the population of Britain is thought to have belonged to an ancient culture known as the {{W|Insular Celtic}} that comprised {{W|Brittonic Britain}} and {{W|Gaelic Ireland}}. Beginning in 43 AD, the {{W|Roman Empire}} began a {{W|Roman conquest of Britain|formal conquest}} of Britain, starting under Emperor {{W|Claudius}} and ending in 84 AD, consolidating a {{W|Roman Britain|400-year long rule}} of the region as a province of the Roman Empire named ''Britannica''.

Four centuries of Roman rule in Britain was followed up by an invasion by the {{W|Germanic peoples|Germanic}} {{W|Anglo-Saxons}} who conquered much of the region and reduced the Brittonic area into what is now known as [[Wales]], [[Cornwall]], and {{W|Hen Ogledd}} before the later stages of Anglo-Saxon settlement in Britain (northern England and parts of southern Scotland). The majority of the {{W|Anglo-Saxon Britain|region settled by the Anglo-Saxons}} would unify into what would become the {{W|Kingdom of England}} by the 10th century. Meanwhile, {{W|Dál Riata|the Gaelic-speaking areas}} of northwestern England (with connections to northeastern Ireland and traditionally supposed to have migrated in the 5th century) would unite with the {{W|Picts}} to create the {{W|Kingdom of Scotland}} in the 9th century.
[[File:Bayeux Tapestry scene57 Harold death.jpg|Depiction of the {{W|Battle of Hastings}} on the {{W|Bayeux Tapestry}}.|thumb|right|210px]]
In 1066 the {{W|Normans}} would invade England from northern France and after {{W|Norman conquest|conquering England}}, they went on to seize {{W|Norman invasion of Wales|large parts of Wales}}, {{W|Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland|took much of Ireland}}, and were invited to settle in Scotland. This resulted in the Normans bringing {{W|feudalism}} to each country on the {{W|British Isles}} based on the Northern French model and the {{W|Norman-French}} culture. The {{W|Anglo-Normans|Anglo-Norman}} {{W|ruling class}} greatly influenced the local cultures on the island, but would later be assimilated into these cultures. The subsequent English kings of the {{W|House of Planagenet}} would {{W|Conquest of Wales by Edward I|complete the conquest of Wales}} under King {{W|Edward I of England}}. This was followed up by several {{W|Scottish Wars of Independence|attempts at conquest}} of Scotland that was unsuccessful. The Kingdom of Scotland would assert its independence via the {{W|Declaration of Arbroath}} of 1320, but entered into a {{W|Anglo-Scottish Wars|state of near-constant war}} against England. In 1215, the {{W|Magna Carta}} was ratified which declared that no government was above the law, that all citizens have rights protecting them, and all citizens were entitled to a {{W|fair trial}}, the first of such documents to be made.

The English monarchs laid claim to the French crown with the {{W|Angevin Empire}}, a substantial territories owned by England within France, and was involved in a {{W|Anglo-French Wars|long series of conflicts}} with the {{W|Kingdom of France}}, most notably the {{W|Hundred Years' War}} which saw the {{W|Monarchy of Scotland|King of the Scots}} forming {{W|Auld Alliance|an alliance with France}} during this period. {{W|Early modern Britain}} saw religious conflicts within the country stemming from the {{W|Reformation}} and the introduction of {{W|Protestant}} churches within the country. This would usher in the {{W|English Reformation}} and saw widespread political, social, cultural, and constitutional changes in the country such as the creation and {{W|State religion|establishment}} of the {{W|Church of England}}. This would define England's national identity and slowly, but profoundly, changed the religious beliefs of the English people. Wales was {{W|Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542|formally incorporated into England}} while Ireland was constituted as a kingdom in personal union with the English crown. Under king {{W|James VI and I}}, the Irish province of {{W|Ulster}} was {{W|Plantation of Ulster|colonized by Protestant settlers}} with lands owned by the independent Gaelic nobility being seized and given to said Protestant settlers from England and Scotland. In 1603, {{W|James VI and I|James VI of Scotland}} inherited the crowns of England, Scotland, and Ireland and organized the three kingdoms into a {{W|personal union}} under his leadership as king of the three kingdoms and move his royal court from Edinburgh to London, however each country nonetheless remained political independent and retained their own separate legal, political, and religious systems and institutions.

During the mid-17th century, all three kingdoms became engulfed by a {{W|Wars of the Three Kingdoms|series of interconnected wars}} (the {{W|English Civil War}} included) that consumed the British Isles and saw the temporary overthrow of the monarchy with the {{W|Execution of Charles I|public execution}} of {{W|Charles I of England|King Charles I}}. This saw the rise of the {{W|Commonwealth of England}}, a {{W|unitary republic}} that governed the British Isles with {{W|Oliver Cromwell}} becoming the head of state of the isles as {{W|lord protector}} of {{W|The Protectorate}} that administered all three countries. The monarchy was restored via the {{W|Stuart Restoration}} of 1660 with {{W|Charles II of England|Charles II}} assuming the throne. The {{W|Interregnum}}, along with the 1688 {{W|Glorious Restoration}}, the {{W|Bill of Rights 1689}} in England, and {{W|Claim of Right Act 1689}} in Scotland ensured that {{W|Absolute monarchy|royal absolutism}} wouldn't take shape in the British Isles unlike in the rest of Europe, though a professed Catholic was barred from holding the throne. The {{W|Constitution of the United Kingdom|British constitution}} would develop on a basis of {{W|Constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarchism}} and under a {{W|parliamentary system}}. With the creation of the {{W|Royal Society}} in 1660, science was greatly encouraged in the country. During this period, especially in England, a combination of the development of naval power in the early [[Royal Navy]] and interest in {{W|Age of Discovery|overseas voyages and discovery}} lead the acquisition and settlement of several overseas colonies, in particular in North America and the Caribbean.

Previous attempts were made to merge the kingdom of England and Scotland in 1606, 1667, and 1689 which were all unsuccessful. Despite this, another attempt was made in 1705 that beared fruit in the form of the {{W|Treaty of Union}}. The agreement was agreed upon in 1706 and was ratified by the English and Scottish parliaments, unifying both countries into one state.
===Union of England and Scotland===
[[File:Articles of Union 1707.jpg|thumb|left|210px|The {{W|Treaty of Union}} unified the English and Scottish kingdoms on 1 May 1707.]]
The {{W|Kingdom of Great Britain}} was created on 1 May 1707 after the {{W|Acts of Union 1707}} that formally established the new state after being ratified by England and Scotland. The 18th century saw the cabinet government of {{W|Robert Walpole}} become the ''de-facto'' first prime minister (1721–1742). A series of {{W|Jacobitism|Jacobite uprisings}} broke out across the country in an attempt to remove the Protestant {{W|House of Hanover}} and restore the Catholic {{W|House of Stuart}} to the throne. The Jacobite rebels were eventually defeated at the {{W|Battle of Culloden}} in 1746, after which the {{W|Highlands|Scottish Highlanders}} formally relinquished the independence of their feudal {{W|Clan chief|clan chiefs}} and were forcibly assimilated into Scotland. Britain would continue to expand their colonial holdings in North America, but came into territorial disputes with the French over vague boundaries between the {{W|Thirteen Colonies}} of {{W|British America}} and {{W|New France}}. This lead to the outbreak of the {{W|French and Indian War}} (1754–1763) which was followed up by the {{W|Seven Years' War}} (1756–1763) where Britain fought against France along with their respective allies. The war would end in a British and allied victory and Britain annexing New France into British America. Britain would eventually lose control of their American colonies in the {{W|American Revolutionary War}} (1775–1783), resulting in Britain turning its imperial and colonial ambitions towards Asia, in particular [[India]].

Between 1662 and 1807, British merchants played a major role in the {{W|Atlantic slave trade}} where British and British colonial {{W|slave ships}} transported nearly 3.3 million African slaves to their American colonies. Said slaves were forced to {{W|Plantation economy|work on plantations}} in both North America and the Caribbean in the {{W|British West Indies}}. Despite this, pressure from the {{W|Abolitionism in the United Kingdom|British abolitionist movement}} successfully convinced Parliament to formally outlaw slavery in Britain in 1807 before banning slavery in the entire British Empire in 1833. Britain would take a leading role in ending the slave trader with the Royal Navy enforcing the {{W|Blockade of Africa|blockade of Africa}} with the seizure of slave ships into and from Africa and the British government pressuring other nations to end their participation in the slave trade via a series of various treaties, including the [[United States (Altverse II)|United States]].
===United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland===
{{Main|United Kingdom in the Western European War}}
[[File:Coronation portrait of Queen Victoria 1838.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Queen Victoria|Victoria]] reigned as [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Queen of the United Kingdom]] and {{W|Empress of India}} in the 19th century's {{W|Victorian Era}}.]]
In 1800, the parliaments of both Great Britain and Ireland ratified the {{W|Acts of Union 1800|Acts of Union}} which united both countries into new country on 1 January 1801; the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Britain remained one of Europe's foremost powers and found itself involved in a series of conflicts against France as a result of the {{W|French Revolution}}. Backing French royalist counterrevolutionaries, Britain came into conflict with both {{W|French First Republic|Revolutionary France}} and later the {{W|First French Empire}} under {{W|Napoleon}}, with Britain being Napoleon's biggest enemy throughout the Revolutionary and {{W|Napoleonic Era|Napoleonic eras}}.

After Britain emerged victorious in the {{W|French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars}} (1792–1815), the United Kingdom emerged as the world's premier naval and imperial power with London becoming the largest city in the world in 1830. Left unchallenged at sea, Britain emerged in the mid-1810s as the world's sole {{W|superpower}} and had a world-spanning global hegemony with the peace and British influence of this period being referred to as ''{{W|Pax Britannica}}'' ("British Peace") that lasted between 1815 until 1912. Outside of Britain's global military and political influence, this period was also defined by a {{W|International relations (1815–1914)|period of peace between the great powers}} as Britain reigned as the world's first superpower and took on the role as the {{W|World's police|world's policeman}}. After its last war against the United States in the {{W|War of 1812}}, Britain was involved in the {{W|Crimean War}} where they sided with France and the [[Ottoman Empire]] against the {{W|Russian Empire}}, participated in naval operations in the {{W|Åland War}} in the {{W|Gulf of Bothnia}} and {{W|Gulf of Finland}}, among others. The {{W|Indian Rebellion of 1857}} saw Britain deploy its military to suppress the uprising and assume {{W|direct rule}} over India proper under {{W|Lord Palmerston}}. Alongside the formal control over its overseas colonies, Britain dominated global trade to such a degree that it {{W|Informal empire|effectively controlled the economies}} of {{W|East Asia}} and {{W|Latin America}} in another sign of its extensive global influence.

Throughout the {{W|Victorian Era}} (1837–1901), British political attitudes favored {{W|free trade}} and ''{{W|laissez-faire}}'' economic policies. Starting in 1832 with the {{W|Great Reform Act}}, the British Parliament gradually {{W|Reform Acts|expanding enfranchisement}}, with the {{W|1884 Reform Act}} by {{W|William Gladstone}} granting {{W|suffrage}} to a majority of British men for the first time. The British population increased at a dramatic rate which, combined with rapid {{W|industrialization}}, caused significant social and economic stress in the country. During the late 19th century, the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] under prime minister {{W|Benjamin Disraeli}} and {{W|Lord Salisbury}} participated in the [[Scramble for Africa]], the imperial expansion and colonization of much of the {{W|Africa|African continent}} following the {{W|Berlin Conference}} of 1884. This saw Britain colonize the largest portion of African territory next to France and control over the {{W|Nile River}} via influence on the [[Kingdom of Egypt]], which was a British {{W|protectorate}} at the time. Outside of African colonization, Britain maintained a policy of "{{W|splendid isolation}}" in Europe, sought to contain the influence of the {{W|Russian Empire}} in the {{W|Middle East}} in what was coined the {{W|Great Game}}, and game self-governance status to many of its colonies. By the turn of the 20th century, Britain remained the dominant power in the world, but its status was being challenged by the emerging states of [[Germany]] in Europe, the [[United Commonwealth (1866–1921)|United Commonwealth of America]] in the {{W|Atlantic}}, and the [[Kingdom of Sierra]] in Asia. While maintaining the policy of splendid isolation, Britain would discontinue it in 1902 as it engaged in diplomatic outreach towards several countries in Europe such as Russia and France where the {{W|Entente Cordiale}} in 1904, formalizing an alliance between the two countries and later with [[Portugal]] in an attempt counter the influence of the German Empire.
[[File:British recruits August 1914 Q53234.jpg|thumb|left|240px|British Army volunteers from {{W|London}} awaiting payment at {{W|Saint Martin-in-the-Fields}}, August 1912.]]
In 1911, the {{W|Agadir Crisis}} occurred in [[Morocco]] where a major political and diplomatic crisis broke out after the [[French Army]] was deployed to Morocco in an attempt to suppress an anti-colonial uprising in the area, a colony that Germany had notable interests in. While France promised to protect German interests and only suppress the rebellion, it seized control of the Moroccan government and effectively placed it under French control. In response, the [[German Navy]] sent a warship that fired on French positions and resulted in a declaration of war being filed by both Britain and France against Germany, beginning the [[Western European War]]. While early battles occurred in the Atlantic and off the coast of Northwest Africa, fighting occurred in Europe in early 1912. Britain initially refrained from fighting a ground war in Europe, it was the usage of {{W|unrestricted submarine warfare}} by German Navy {{W|U-boat|u-boats}} that forced the deployment of British forces to fight in Europe, resulting in the formation of the [[British Expeditionary Forces]] (BEF) under {{W|Lord Kitchener}} to assist the French Army against Germany among the [[France–Germany border|Franco-German border]] and around France's territory of [[Walloonia]] near the [[Netherlands]]. British troops landed in northern France and saw heavy combat in {{W|Flanders}} against the German Army. The Royal Navy saw combat against the Imperial German Navy as well, both in the North Atlantic and the {{W|North Sea}}. The {{W|Royal Flying Corps}} saw its first major combat in the war against the Imperial German Aviation Corps (future [[German Air Force]]) as well, giving experience that would lead to the formation of the [[Royal Air Force]] after the war. The Western European War also saw Britain develop the first {{W|tank}} as well during the costly [[Battle of the Somme]], the bloodiest land campaign in British Army and military history.

By 1916 the heavy casualties of the Somme campaign combined with a lack of notable gains as a result of these sacrifices caused widespread discontent back home in Britain, made worse by the expansion of conscription into the British Armed Forces. The [[Battle of Verdun]], the largest and climactic battle of the war, would see France suffer a costly defeat and the British government convincing France to come to the negotiating table. Beginning in 1917, negotiations on a {{W|ceasefire}} began and ended in April of that year with the [[Treaty of Copenhagen (1917)|Treaty of Copenhagen]] thanks to mediation from the [[Union of Scandinavia]]. The treaty ended the war and allowed Britain to return their troops back to the country, the last troops returning home before the end of the year. Britain suffered heavy casualties in the war with over 800,000 soldiers dead (including the colonies) and another 860,000 being wounded, a total casualty count of 1.66 million troops.

===Irish Revolution and Great War===
{{Main|Irish Revolution|History of the United Kingdom during the Great War}}
[[File:The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville Street after the Easter Rising (6937669789).jpg|thumb|240px|right|Th ruins of {{W|O'Connell Street}} in {{W|Dublin}} following the [[Easter Revolution]], 1918.]]
Ireland had been a constituent country of the UK since 1800 with the late 19th century seeing the emergence of the {{W|Irish nationalism|Irish nationalist}} and {{W|Irish republicanism|republican movements}} in response to decades of discrimination and other acts of mistreatment of Irish citizens by the British government under UK control as well as previous historic atrocities committed against the Irish by past British states in previous centuries. This culminated in the beginning of the {{W|Irish home rule movement}} in 1870 to push for Ireland to be grated {{W|home rule}} by London and an end of direct administration of Ireland by the British government based in England. After decades of debate and discussion, home rule was granted to Ireland in 1912 with the {{W|Third Home Rule Bill}} by the British Parliament, triggering the {{W|Home Rule Crisis}} in response to political and armed discontent by {{W|British unionism|British unionists}} in {{W|Ulster}}. Tensions grew and culminated in Ireland between 1912 and 1916 marked by Irish nationalists organizing into armed groups such as the {{W|Irish volunteers}} and {{W|Irish Citizens Army}} among others while the British Army was deployed to reinforce Ireland amid impending conflict, escalating deployment in 1916 following the [[Proclamation of the Irish Republic]] by the [[Irish Socialist Labour Party]], the {{W|Irish Republican Brotherhood}}, and other organizations, operating out of {{W|Dublin}} after declaring it the state's new capital. Armed conflict between British Army and Irish republican militias intensified and culminated in 1918 with the [[Easter Revolution]], an armed rebellion in Dublin and other areas of Ireland by Irish nationalists during {{W|Easter}} that year. The uprising was defeated, but Irish revolutionaries retained a presence in other parts of Ireland and garnered a strong following among much of the Irish population, especially following harsh reprisals by the British military as retribution for the rebellion, but marked the start of the [[Irish Revolution]].

The subsequent [[Irish War of Independence]] had occurred amidst a [[Revolutions of 1917–1923|series of revolutions]] that occurred across the world and were inspired by the socialist revolutions in countries like the [[United Commonwealth]], [[Italy]], and [[Austria]]. The Irish Socialist Labour Party quickly rose as the leading force of the revolution which compelled Britain to intensify its military response in Ireland along with supporting pro-unionist militias and other Irish collaborators and security units such as the {{W|Royal Irish Constabulary}} and the {{W|Black and tans}}. Throughout the Irish Revolution, the British military and Irish collaborators committed numerous war crimes and atrocities, especially by the Black and tans and other Irish unionists, in an attempt to crush the uprising. In 1922, the Irish Republic was declared a {{W|socialist state}} under the ISLP's leadership via the [[Treaty on the Creation of the Irish Socialist Republic|creation treaty]] and declared a people's revolution to liberate Ireland and repulse the British, declaring their struggle an {{W|Anti-colonialism|anti-colonial}} {{W|Wars of national liberation|war of liberation}} to end centuries of British colonial rule and exploitation. Irish insurgents waged a {{W|guerrilla war}} in the country due to Britain having the advantage in a conventional fight and winning any conventional battle while struggling with insurgency, leading them to resort to {{W|scorched earth}} tactics and other acts of reprisals which only grew support for the revolution with Ulster being the only region of Ireland with consistent unionist sympathies and reliable support for Britain. By 1925, the war had token its toll on the British military from lost support among the British public and continued discontent in Ireland proper. That year, {{W|Stanley Baldwin}} was elected prime minister in that year's [[1925 United Kingdom general election|general election]] and began peace negotiations with Irish revolutionary leaders, resulting in the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] being signed in November 6 which saw Ireland being granted independence and recognized as a sovereign state.
[[File:Together Art.IWMPST3158.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Propaganda poster promoting the British Empire and participation in the Great War.]]
Despite the loss of Ireland, the British Empire remained the premier power of the world with territorial control spanning the entire globe and Britain possessing over a quarter of the world's land where the {{W|Union Jack}} flew in one way or another. The rise of [[Derzhavism]] garnered as much attention among the British government as did the rise of [[Landonism]], especially after the rise of [[Derzhavist France]] with its establishment in 1926 under the leadership of [[Jacques Doriot]] and the [[National Republican Movement]] and [[Derzhavist Russia]] in 1925. To this end, Britain formed an alliance with [[Germany]] and other European countries known as the [[Triple Alliance]] to counter the emerging [[Entente Impériale]] in Europe, however London was paying attention to the rise of [[Shōwa Japan]] in The Pacific. After France and Russia [[Invasion of Germany|invaded Germany]] in 1932, Britain issued a declaration of war on both nations and formally entered the [[Great War]], mobilizing the British Armed Forces and preparing for sending troops to both Germany and the [[Netherlands]] to counter France and Russia, although France was the main opponent due to its geographic proximity to the British mainland.

Britain played a key role in the [[European theatre of the Great War|European theatre]], managing to buy Germany enough time to establish a government and military in exile in the form of the [[Free German Forces]] by August 1932 while the Netherlands was heavily fortified in preparation for an impending French invasion. Meanwhile the [[Royal Air Force]] was mobilized to defend British airspace from the French Air Force and the [[Royal Navy]] had been mobilized to support the efforts of both the [[British Army]] and the militaries of both their allies and the broader {{W|British Empire}} that was mobilized as well to support the war effort, especially in response to the mobilization of forces within the {{W|French colonial empire}}. Due to the [[Continental Pact]] being signed before the war, the [[Landonist International]] was a third belligerent during the first two years of the war with [[Italy]] invading both [[Yugoslavia]] and [[Albania]] before fighting a [[Greco-Italian War|protracted war]] against [[Greece]] while Ireland was subjected to a [[Blockade of Ireland|blockade]] by the Royal Navy to prevent Italian and Continental reinforcements from landing on Irish soil and preventing the Irish military from attacking Great Britain itself. In 1933, the UK fought a defensive campaign against France in the [[Battle of Britain]] where the Royal Air Force emerged victorious following a long and costly, but successful defense of the home islands. In April 1932, the UK was dragged into the [[Pacific War|Pacific theatre]] following the {{W|Imperial Japanese Army}}'s blitz across {{W|East Asia|East}} and {{W|Southeast Asia}} against British and other European colonies in the region following the [[Attack on Manilla Bay]] by the {{W|Imperial Japanese Navy}} against the [[Sierran Royal Navy]] base in the [[Sierran East Indies]] (present-day [[Tondo]]). Even when defending its home islands, Britain was able to partake in the Allied war effort in Asia and in Africa through the colonies, protectorates, and other holdings of the British Empire and Britain's allies.

In June 1934, the Continental Pact was broken when France launched a full-scale invasion of the [[Iberian Union of Socialist Republics]] in [[Operation Charlemagne]] with the intent on toppling the communist state and putting the {{W|Iberian Peninsula}} under France's sphere of influence. In response, Landintern governments made requests to Britain and their allies for a ceasefire between the Triple Alliance and Landintern to defeat the Entente knowing that it wouldn't be possible to do so if Landintern and Allied forces also had to fight each other. After careful consideration, this offer was accepted with the [[Dublin Agreement]] being signed on August 1, formalizing a unified alliance between the Landintern and Triple Alliance, nicknamed the European Allies, against the Entente. As part of this effort, Britain ended its blockade of Ireland and began conducting major bombing runs against France and in French-occupied territories. With Britain and its allies supporting the Landintern, a unified effort was successful in being established and repulsing France from Iberia after two years of fighting while in Africa, Britain and its colonial forces successfully routed French and collaborationist forces and occupied a majority of France's colonies. Between 1936 and 1938, Britain played a key role in defeating the Entente through aiding in the [[Liberation of Germany|liberation of Germany]] and played a role in the [[Allied invasion of France|invasion of France]] proper, deposing the derzhavist regime in 1937, however a remnant of the government fled to {{W|Moscow}} and hid there for the rest of the war. Following France's defeat, British troops would partake in the [[Allied invasion of Russia|invasion of Russia]] alongside Germany, Landintern troops, and anti-derzhavist forces in {{W|Eastern Europe}} such as the [[Russian Liberation Movement]] and {{W|Home Army (Poland)|Polish Home Army}} with Russia [[Russian Instrument of Surrender|eventually surrendering]] by October 25, 1938. In the Pacific, Britain prevented a Japanese invasion of the {{W|British Raj}} through the [[Burma campaign]] and would eventually reclaim their colonial holdings in Indonesia, helping force Japan [[Japanese Instrument of Surrender|to surrender]] in August 1938, ending the Great War in a joint Allied-Landintern victory.
===Post-war 20th century===
{{Main|Post-war Britain (1938–1979)}}
[[File:Winston Churchill waves to crowds in Whitehall in London as they celebrate VE Day, 8 May 1945. H41849.jpg|thumb|right|240px|{{W|Winston Churchill}} giving the {{W|v sign}} at {{W|Whitehall}} in celebration of the end of the Great War, October 1938.]]
The UK was one of the Big Four (alongside China, the Kingdom of Sierra, and the United Commonwealth) during the Great War and as such played a key role in determining the new [[Aftermath of the Great War|post-war world]]. As part of this, the UK was one of the main signatories and drafters of the [[League of Nations Charter]] that established the [[League of Nations]] to prevent a second Great War from happening and joined the newly formed [[League of Nations Security Council]] where it remains one of the [[Permanent members of the League of Nations Security Council|five permanent members]]. Britain worked closely with the Kingdom of Sierra and its allies during the post-war period and helped establish other international organizations such as the {{W|International Monetary Fund}}, the {{W|World Bank}}, and the [[Northern Treaty Organization]] as one of the founding members of the latter and a leading member of the NTO in Europe alongside Germany. The UK was left weakened from the war, but was spared the total war that devastated {{W|Central and Eastern Europe}} and Britain remained a global power in the post-war period despite the damage Britain had sustained during said conflict. Post-war reconstruction was carried out by the British government and later financial support from the Kingdom of Sierra to rebuild from the wartime damage such as the damage from bombing runs on London during the {{W|London Blitz|London bombings}}.

{{W|Anthony Eden}} was elected prime minister after the war in 1939 and continued several of Churchill's policies, serving in office from 1939 until 1945 when he was succeeded by [[Dennis Glynne-Jones]] of the Labour Party as prime minister following the [[1945 United Kingdom general election|general election]] that year. Under Jones, radical reforms were implemented such as the {{W|Nationalization|nationalization}} of several key industries, the establishment of a {{W|welfare state}} in Britain, and the creation of a universal comprehensive healthcare system in the form of the {{W|National Health Service}}. The 1940s saw Britain reckon with the economic damage the island country sustained during the war which saw it struggling to financially maintain their world-spanning empire. As part of this, Britain would grant independence to some of its colonies such as [[Union of Burma (1943–1962)|Burma]] in 1943, [[India]] in 1947, and later [[Indonesia]] in 1949 following the end of the [[Indonesian Revolution]] and the recognition of it as a legitimate sovereign state. These would be the firs three colonies to gain independence as Britain came to recognize {{W|decolonization}} as an inevitability over the economic damage brought upon by the Great War and the rise of nationalism within British and other European colonies. Several of these former colonies would go on to join the Commonwealth of Nations later on sometime after gaining independence.

During the [[Cold War]] Britain played a major role as one of the leading nations among the [[Western Bloc]] (alternatively Northern Bloc) against the communist [[Eastern Bloc]] (alternatively Southern Bloc) in Europe against [[Italy]] and other communist states which had consolidated in the form of the [[Mediterranean Union]] as a regional communist political and military alliance. Alongside Germany, Britain played a key role in enforcing [[Containment]] within Europe by deploying the Royal Navy to areas within the {{W|Mediterranean Sea}} to protect overseas territories such as [[Malta]], [[Cyprus]], and [[Gibraltar]] and used said territories in an effort to contain the [[Italian Armed Forces]] and the militaries of its allies from escaping the Mediterranean. To this end, Britain signed the [[Beirut Naval Agreement]] with [[Lebanon]] with the latter agreeing to allow the Royal Navy to use Lebanese ports in {{W|Beirut}} and other cities in the country in exchange for military support to Lebanon if needed with Sierra later signing the agreement as well in support of the Mediterranean Containment Strategy as it came to be known as. While Britain was still a superpower early on in the Cold War, its influence had greatly diminished with decolonization and the end of its status as a global superpower was solidified with the [[Suez Crisis]] in 1960 where Britain invaded [[Egypt]] alongside [[North France]] and [[Hashemite Arabia]] in an attempt to retain European ownership of the {{W|Suez Canal}} and was forced to withdrawal due to pressure from Sierra and the United Commonwealth.
[[File:Malya Emergency British Artillery.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A British Army artillery crew firing on Viet Cong positions in 1964.]]
Despite these setbacks, Britain remained committed to opposing the spread of communism and sent troops to {{W|Indochina}} to aid Sierra in the [[Vietnam War]] against communist [[North Vietnam]] and the [[Viet Cong]] in defense of [[South Vietnam]]. Britain's involvement was motivated by a desire to prevent the further spread of communism into {{W|Southeast Asia}}, rebuild trust and positive relations with the KS following the Suez Crisis, and wanting to make up for their loss in Indonesia. British involvement was part of the [[Many Flags]] campaign which saw the British military provide training and support to the [[Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces]] with the British Army providing training to the South Vietnamese military similar to that of the [[Sierran Royal Army]] and also engaged in combat in counter-insurgency operations, the latter of which were known for having more distinct tactics compared to their Sierran counterparts and were more effective than the counter-insurgency efforts carried out by the KS military.

The Royal Air Force engaged in major bombing operations across Vietnam during the war, including against the {{W|Ho Chi Ming trail}} and during the [[Tet Offensive]] of 1968 while the Royal Navy played a supporting role overall in terms of both logistics and supporting the operations from other branches of the British Armed Forces. During Britain's involvement in Vietnam, the British military employed foreign nations from Asia under British command in the form of the [[Free Eastern Units]] that served primarily under the army and were initially formed from exiled anti-communist {{W|Indonesians}} before also including {{W|Chinese people|Chinese}}, {{W|Manchu people|Manchurian}}, and other Asian peoples as a means of bolstering the ranks of the British Army in Vietnam. Most controversially, the British government contracted the [[Prince's Army]] under [[Prince Fernando of Florida]] to fight in Vietnam to both bolster British manpower and shift some of the burden of fighting away from British military personnel to alleviate any concern among the British public of participation in Vietnam. The British military retained a presence in Vietnam until 1975 when the last troops withdrew following the signing of the [[Paris Peace Accords]] and the [[North–South Vietnamese Joint Declaration]] that formally ended the war. While controversial at home, Britain's involvement in Vietnam was credited with ensuring South Vietnam's continued existence and praised for its overall effectiveness.

Following the Great War, the UK supported various efforts at {{W|European integration}} which bore more and more fruit in the decades after the war. As part of this, Britain joined the {{W|Western European Union}} at the {{W|London and Paris Conferences}} in 1954 which later became the [[European Economic Community]] in 1960, of which the UK would also join and was a founding member of as well. In 1977, the EEC would reorganize into the [[European Community]] in 1977 as the culmination of all the post-Great War efforts at European integration. The UK would join the EC as a founding member and took a leading role in the supranational union quickly after its formation. This was part of prime minister the foreign policy of [[Anna Rhodes]] who wanted to focus on integrating Europe as a means of preventing a second Great War and reaching out to Eastern Bloc states as part of ''[[Détente|détente]]''. 1979 would see Britain's last major colony [[Monomotapa]] (previously [[Rhodesia]] and the unrecognized [[Republic of Rhodesia]]) gain independence and recognized as a sovereign state, effectively ending the British Empire with the only remaining colonies being various island territories across the {{W|Americas}}, the {{W|Atlantic}} and in {{W|Asia}}.
[[File:HMS_Invincible_Returns_From_Falklands_War.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|HMS Invincible}} returning to Britain after the success of [[Operation Uphold Democracy]] in 1987.]]
Under [[John McIsaac]], the UK engaged in diplomatic outreach to the [[Antilles]] in the first major diplomatic effort towards the island country since the Great War. McIsaac supported outreach to the Antilles as a means of strengthening the anti-communist presence in the {{W|Caribbean}} despite the island being isolated due to the repressive policies of [[Amelia Abarough]]. Following [[Death and state funeral of Amelia Abarough|Abarough's death]] in 1983, the UK increased its diplomatic outreach to support the Antilles' [[Democratization of the Antilles|transition to democracy]] and continued under [[Nigel Anthony]]. The resulting diplomatic outreach resulted in increased military ties between the island nations such as military cooperation which Anthony supported as a means of building a strong defense base for Britain's remaining island territories in the Caribbean that would be vulnerable to any hypothetical blockade or any other military action against them by the United Commonwealth.

In 1987, the [[Communist Party of Jamaica]] seized power in the former colony of [[Jamaica]] and established the [[National People's Revolutionary Government]] in its place. Under communist control, the Jamaican state made a diplomatic outreach to the United Commonwealth and began mobilizing troops for a possible attack. Fearing Continental intervention and a possible attack on Britain's last major Caribbean colony of [[Montserrat]], the UK cooperated with the Antilles and participated in [[Operation Uphold Democracy]] alongside the [[Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States]], a military operation to depose the communist government. Britain was one of four major non-Caribbean countries to directly contribute to the operation and played a key role in quickly toppling the NPRG and restoring democratic rule to Jamaica with the transition being overseen by the OECS.

During the 1980s, the status of [[Hong Kong]] came into the forefront of British foreign policy in Asia as the British government sought to retain ownership of the colony due to its high economic and strategic value even after decolonization. The Chinese government had laid claim over Hong Kong and the other [[Five Cities]] as historic Chinese territory and rightfully belonged to China. Britain argued in favor of keeping Hong Kong to the League of Nations and negotiations between the Chinese and British governments, along with those of the other Five Cities, began during this period. The 1990s saw a breakthrough with the [[League of Nations General Assembly]] passing [[League of Nations General Assembly Resolution 48/2|Resolution 48/2]] stating that the UK had the right to negotiate to keep Hong Kong due to the Weihai Agreement where Britain returned the territory back to China in 1912 in exchange for continued ownership of Hong Kong proper. With this, negotiations continued and culminated in the [[Mainland Territories Compromise]] of 1997 where [[Macau]], [[Qingdao]], [[Fangcheng]], and [[Cantonwan]] ceded territories they captured during the Boxer Rebellion back to China proper in order to keep pre-Boxer Rebellion borders intact while Britain agreed to hold [[1997 Hong Kong status referendum|a referendum]] in Hong Kong on its status with most residents voting to remain part of the UK as an overseas territory by 58.7%. Afterwards all remaining colonies were reorganized as British Overseas Territories which remains their current political status in the present day.

===21st century===
{{Main|History of the United Kingdom (1979–present)}}
The [[Revolutions of 2000]] that saw the fall of communism worldwide with the collapse of most communist governments and several more democratizing via adopting [[Multiparty People's Democracy]] as well in what was declared a major victory by the British government and those of other Western Bloc-aligned countries. Britain would be one of the first countries to establish formal relations with the unified state of [[France]] and with [[Russia]] with Britain backing [[Russian reunification]] beforehand. Britain also engaged in diplomatic outreach towards Italy and several other former communist states in {{W|Southern Europe}} and the Mediterranean Union after the latter reformed into a more ideologically neutral intergovernmental organization and economic union as opposed to a regional communist bloc. The [[Dissolution of the People's Republic of China|fall of Communist China]] was the first major post-Cold War issue the UK faced as there was a widespread emigration wave of {{W|Chinese people|Chinese nationals}} from the country with the British parliament passing the [[Chinese Resettlement Act]] on 8 February 2001 as a means of aiding in the settlement of Chinese immigrations to both the UK and British Overseas Territories along with the subsequent naturalization as well. The act also allowed for a way to recruit scientists, technicians, and other experts in critical fields that previously worked for the communist government whose skills the British government saw as valuable towards the UK and thus recruited them.
[[File:The first delivery of the upgraded FV430 Mk3 Bulldog vehicles MOD 45147088.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A British Army convoy of {{W|FV430 series|FV430 AFVs}} on patrol in {{W|Douma, Syria|Douma}}, 2006.]]
Britain would support the "[[War on terror|war on terror]]" announced by Sierra in 2004, supporting the Sierran military in the [[2004 invasion of Syria|invasion of Ba'athist Syria]] that same year. Britain would participate in the [[Syrian Civil War]] alongside other NTO member states in support of the Western-backed [[Second Syrian Republic]] and participated in the post-invasion occupation and military operations against the Ba'athist insurgents and later Islamist militants that emerged in the mid-late 2000s with all British military operations in Syria being codenamed Operation Telic.

The Syrian Civil War was Britain's first overseas military deployment since Operation Uphold Democracy and the first overseas military operation since the end of the Cold War and start of the 21st century outside of earlier participation in [[League of Nations peacekeeping]] operations and other humanitarian an non-combatant military operations in Europe, Africa, and Asia. All British military personnel were organized under the [[International Security Assistance Force]] as the primary military force for all Western and other foreign military personnel active in Syria supporting the pro-Western Syrian government and military forces, participating in several ISAF operations alongside other NTO member states which consisted of countries from the [[European Community]], the [[Conference of American States]], and [[Central Treaty Organization]].

The [[Great Recession]] (2010–2013) severely affected the British economy and was followed up by a period of low economic and job growth and stagnation. The 2010s were a period where [[United Britain]] served as the UK's main governing party with [[Malcolm Vance]] and [[Clive Spencer]] both serving as prime minister between 2010–2015 and 2015–2024 respectively. During this period, Vance engaged in {{W|austerity}} measures to address the economic problems brought upon by the recession and starting in 2018, he sought to reduce Britain's involvement in Syria, something that was continued under Spencer with the number of British military personnel in Syria fell from 35,000 in 2016 to 15,000 by 2020. Britain remained involved in Syria until the end of the civil war in 2022. Under Spencer, Britain's participation in several laws and institutions of the European Community was scaled back as part of an effort to "preserve British independence" according to the Home Office under Spencer.
[[File:Prime_Minister_Sir_Keir_Starmer_arrives_at_Number_10_Downing_St_(53836916571).jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Aiden B. Starmer]] giving his first speech as prime minister at his inauguration, 10 June 2024.]]
The {{W|COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic hit Britain}} around 2020 and had a {{W|Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|profound impact on the economy}} along with disruptions to {{W|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom on education|disruption to education}} and {{W|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom on politics|effected national politics}}. Occurring under Spencer, the British government was one of the few in the Western world to not impose mask mandates or national lockdowns, encouraging citizens to make their own personal decisions instead. Despite this, the UK would be one of the first to adopt a {{W|COVID-19 vaccine}} and developed their own, the {{W|Oxford–Astrazeneca vaccine}}, as part of the rollout, which was one of the fastest in the world.

Austerity was undertaken by the Spencer ministry to address the economic issues brought upon by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] similar to the measures taken during the Great Recession. These measures were deeply controversial and caused discontent within Britain. This discontent, along with a nationwide {{W|housing crisis}}, helped contribute to the [[Labour Party (United Kingdom)|Labour Party]] to win the [[2024 United Kingdom general election]] on June 6 with [[Aiden B. Starmer]] being elected prime minister, becoming the first Labour Party leader elected prime minister since 2005 as well as the second {{W|British Jews|British Jew}} to be elected prime minister as well. Under Starmer, several of Spencer's austerity policies were ended and several other Spencer era policies were reversed as well. Full British participation in EC institutions, laws, and policies was resumed and immigration policies were reversed in 2024, however starting in March 2025 deportations were increased and by September they had returned to Spencer era numbers and policies in terms of immigration, including restriction on immigration to the UK from several countries in the {{W|Southern Hemisphere}}.

==Geography==
[[File:MODIS_-_Great_Britain_and_Northern_Ireland_-_2012-06-04_during_heat_wave_(cropped).jpg|thumb|right|210px|{{W|Satellite images|Satellite image}} of the United Kingdom, excluding the {{W|Shetland Island}}.]]
The total land area of the United Kingdom is at 80,823 square miles (209,331 square kilometers) and occupies the major area of the {{W|British Isles}} and consists of the main island of {{W|Great Britain}} containing the four main countries of England, Scotland, and Wales, and the nearby islands off the coast of the British mainland. Geographically, the United Kingdom lies between the {{W|North Sea}} to the east and the {{W|Atlantic Ocean}} (North Atlantic region specifically) to the west with the country's southeast coast stretching 22 miles (35 kilometers) long and lies of the coast of northern France, the latter of which being separated by the {{W|English Channel}} between both countries.

The UK also posses legal ownership of the [[Isle of Man]], [[Jersey]], and [[Guernsey]], a collection of small islands off of Great Britain that are officially labeled {{W|crown dependencies}}: island territories that are in formal personal union with the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarchy]] and are officially part of Britain's territory, but are not strictly part of the country nor the jurisdictions of any of the three main countries, however the British government retains responsibility for its external affairs. The Isle of Man geographically lies between Great Britain and Ireland in the {{W|Irish Sea}} while the {{W|Channel Islands|British Channel Islands}} lie just off the coast of France and are administered by both Jersey and Guernsey. The {{W|Royal Greenwich Observatory}} based in London was chosen as the defining point for the {{W|Prime Meridian}} in 1884 during the {{W|International Meridian Conference}}.

The UK lies between latitudes 49° and 61° N, and longitudes 9° W and 2° E. The length of the British coastline when containing Britain's principal islands stands at 7,723 miles (12,429 kilometers) with the coastline of the British mainland standing at 11,073 miles (17,820 kilometers), however the overall measurements of the British coastline does vary due to the {{W|coastline paradox}}. While an island nation, Britain is connected to {{W|Continental Europe}} via the {{W|Channel Tunnel}}, the world's largest underwater tunnel stretching at 31 miles (50 kilometers) or 24 miles (38 kilometers) underwater.

The UK contains four main terrestrial {{W|Ecoregion|ecoregions}}: the {{W|Celtic broadleaf forests}}, the {{W|English Lowlands beach forests}}, the {{W|North Atlantic moist mixed forests}}, and the {{W|Caledonian conifer forests}}. The total area of woodland in the UK in 2023 was estimated to be at a total area of 3.25 million h hectares, representing 13% of the UK's total land area.
===Climate===
The majority of the United Kingdom has a temperate climate, possessing generally cool temperatures and plentiful rainfall all year round. The average temperatures varies overall, but seldom drops below 0 °C (32 °F) nor being higher 30 °C (86 °F). Some parts of the country, away from the coast, of the upland of England, Wales, and most of Scotland experience a {{W|subpolar oceanic climate}} while higher elevations in Scotland experience a {{W|continental subarctic climate}} and the mountains having a {{W|tundra climate}}.

The prevailing wind in the country comes from the southwest and bears frequent spells of mild and wet weather from the Atlantic Ocean, however the eastern parts are generally sheltered from this wind. Since the majority of rainfall in Britain falls over the western regions of the country, the eastern parts are the driest by contrast. Atlantic currents, warmed by the {{W|Gulf Stream}}, bring in mild winters, especially in west Britain where winters are wet and even more so on higher ground. Summers are the warmest in southeastern England and are the coolest in the north. Heavy snowfall can occur in the winter and early spring on high ground, occasionally settling to the great depths away from the hills.

The average total annual sunshine in the United Kingdom between 1971 and 2000 was 1,339.7 hours, just under 30% of the maximum possibility. The total amount of sunshine per year ranges between 1,200 to 1,580 hours. Since 1996, the UK has received above 1,981 to 2,010 total average hours of sunshine.

{{W|Climate change in the United Kingdom}}, as is the case in all other countries, has a serious impact on the country with a third of all food price increases in 2023 being the result of climate change alone. In 2024 the {{W|Environmental Performance Index}} ranked the United Kingdom 5th out of 180 surveyed countries. A law was passed by the British Parliament in 2020 to reduce {{W|Greenhouse gas emissions in the United Kingdom|greenhouse gas emissions in the country}} down to {{W|net-zero}} by the year 2050.
===Topography===
[[File:Blank topographic map of the British Isles.svg|thumb|left|210px|Topographical map of the British Isles.]]
[[England (Altverse II)|England]] accounts for 53.7% of the UK's land area, covering a total of 50,350 square miles (130,395 square kilometers). Most of England consists of lowland terrain with upland and mountainous terrain northwest of the {{W|Tees–Exe line}}, a line that roughly divides the UK {{W|upland and lowland}} areas. Lowland areas include {{W|Cornwall}}, the {{W|New Forest}}, the {{W|South Downs}}, and the {{W|Norfolk Broads}}. Upland areas include the {{W|Lake District}}, the {{W|Pennines}}, the {{W|Yorkshire Dales}}, {{W|Exmoor}} and {{W|Dartmoor}}. England's main rivers and estuaries are the {{W|River Thames|Thames}}, {{W|River Severn|Severn}}, and the {{W|River Humber|Humber}} rivers. {{W|Scafell Pike}} is the highest mountain in England at 3,209 feet (978 meters) in the Lake District while the largest English island is the {{W|Isle of Wright}}.

[[Scotland]] accounts for 32.2% of the UK's land area at 30,410 square miles (78,772 square kilometers), including {{W|List of islands of Scotland|all 800 islands}} within Scotland with the most notable being {{W|Hebrides}}, {{W|Orkney}}, and {{W|Shetland}} islands. Within the UK, Scotland is the most mountainous area of the country in terms of overall terrain. The {{W|Scottish Highlands}} of the north and west are more rugged and contain the majority of Scotland's mountainous terrain and land such as the {{W|Cairngorms}}, {{W|Loch Lomond and The Trossachs}}, and {{W|Ben Nevis}}, the latter of which is the highest elevated point in both the UK and the entire British Isles at 4,413 feet (3,45 meters) high.

[[Wales]] accounts for the remaining 14.1% of the UK's total land area at 8,020 square miles (20,779 kilometers). In general Wales consists of mostly mountainous terrain, however {{W|South Wales}} is less mountainous than {{W|North Wales|North}} and {{W|Mid Wales}}. The highest mountains in Wales are in the region and national park of {{W|Snowdonia}} and include {{W|Snowdon}} ({{W|Welsh language|Welsh}}: ''Yr Wyddfa''), the highest peak in Wales with a total height of 3,560 feet (1,085 meters) high. Wales has a total coastal area of 1,680 miles (2,704 kilometers) including the {{W|Pembrokeshire Coast}} while several islands lie off the coast of the Welsh mainland, the biggest of which being {{W|Anglesey}} (''Ynys Môn'').

==Government and politics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; float:right; margin-right:9px; margin-left:2px;"
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[File:Official portrait of Lord Richards of Herstmonceux crop 2.jpg|140px]] || style="text-align:left;" | [[File:Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer Official Portrait (cropped).jpg|140px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[George V]]<br /><small>[[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King]] since 2001</small>
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Aiden B. Starmer]]<br /><small>[[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] since 2024</small>
|}
{{Main|Politics of the United Kingdom|Government of the United Kingdom}}
[[File:UK Political System.png|thumb|right|240px|Chart of the organization of the British political system.]]
The United Kingdom is a {{W|constitutional monarchy}} and a {{W|parliamentary democracy}} operating under the {{W|Westminster system}}, also known as a "parliamentary democratic monarchy". The UK is a {{W|Centralized government|centralized}} {{W|unitary state}} where the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] is endowed with {{W|Parliamentary sovereignty in the United Kingdom|parliamentary sovereignty}}. A {{W|Bicameralism|bicameral legislature}}, the UK Parliament consists of the elected [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] as the {{W|lower house}} and the unelected and appointed [[House of Lords]] as the {{W|upper house}} along with {{W|The Crown}} (as personified by the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarch]]). The main business occurs in both houses of parliament, however {{W|royal assent}} is required for any bill to become an {{W|Act of Parliament (UK)|act of Parliament}} ({{W|Statue|statutory law}}). As a result of this system of parliamentary sovereignty, the {{W|constitution of the United Kingdom}} is {{W|Uncodified constitution|uncodified}} and consists mostly of disparate written sources, including parliamentary statues, judge-made case laws, and international treaties along with constitutional conventions. Nonetheless, the [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]] recognizes a number of principles that underly the British constitution: {{W|Parliamentary sovereignty in the United Kingdom|parliamentary sovereignty}}, the {{W|rule of law}}, {{W|democracy}}, and {{W|international law}}.

[[George V]] is the current monarch of the United Kingdom, having reigned since his coronation in 2001 and serves as the country's official {{W|head of state}} as monarch while also serving as head of state of the {{W|Commonwealth realms}} and the ceremonial head of the [[British Commonwealth]], an international organization of several sovereign states that are former colonies of the British Empire. The monarch is formally invested with executive authority as the personified embodiment of the Crown and is "fundamental to the law and working government of the UK". The disposition of the monarch's powers, including those belonging to {{W|royal prerogative}}, is generally only exercised with the {{W|advice}} of the {{W|Minister of the Crown|ministers of the Crown}} responsible to Parliament and hence to the British electorate. Nonetheless, the performance of the monarch's official duties has "the right to be consulted, the right to be encouraged, and the right to be warn". In addition to this, the monarch also has a number of various reserve powers at their disposal to uphold {{W|responsible government}} and prevent a {{W|constitutional crisis}}. The monarch is responsible for the appointment of the prime minister and the formation of a new government via an official royal invite of the prime minister-designate to do so after a general election.

The [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|prime minister]] is the official {{W|head of government}} of the UK. Acting under the supervision of the [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom|official cabinet]] consisting of senior government ministers appointed by the prime minister themself, [[Government of the United Kingdom|His Majesty's Government]] is the principle instrument for public policymaking, administration of public services, and promulgates statutory instruments and tenders to the advice of the monarch through the {{W|Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council}}. Since 1925, all prime ministers have served as [[First Lord of the Treasury]] and/or [[Minister for Civil Service]] as concurrently held offices during their premiership with two prime ministers, {{W|Winston Churchill}} and [[Edward Lean]], having also served as [[Minister of Defence (United Kingdom)|Minister of Defence]] as well as holding the two aforementioned offices while being prime minister as well. The prime minister is appointed to the position via the monarch and a formal invitation for form and lead a new government, however in modern times all prime ministers have, by convention, served as a sitting MP, the leader of the political party with the largest number of seats in the House of Commons, and holds office by nature of being able to {{W|Confidence motions|command the confidence}} of the House of Commons. The current prime minister is [[Aiden B. Starmer]], [[Leader of the Labour Party|leader of the Labour Party]] and current prime minister since 2024.
[[File:Houses_of_Parliament_in_2022_(cropped).jpg|thumb|left|240px|The {{W|Palace of Westminster}}, the official meeting place of the British Parliament.]]
General elections are held to the House of Commons, typically after a five year legislative term has been completed unless a {{W|snap election}} has been issued following the sudden vacancy of the prime minister and/or the {{W|Motion of no confidence|loss of confidence}} in the current government. The UK is divided into 632 parliamentary constituencies, each of which are single-member districts represented by one {{W|Member of Parliament (UK)|member of Parliament}} that is {{W|Direct election|directly elected}} via {{W|fist-past-the post}} electoral system. MPs are elected to serve five year terms and must stand for re-election if they desire to continue serving as an MP. Since 1994, the two biggest [[List of political parties in the United Kingdom|political parties]] in the UK are the {{W|Right-wing politics|right-leaning}} [[United Britain]] and the {{W|Centre-left politics|center-left}}/{{W|Left-wing politics|left-leaning}} [[Labour Party (United Kingdom)|Labour Party]] in a {{W|two-party system}}. Other political parties are active and hold seats in one or both chambers of the British Parliament such as the [[Liberal Democrats (United Kingdom)|Liberal Democrats]] and the [[Green Party of Britain]] among others, however only United Britain and the Labour Party are capable of forming a government and leading the opposition. Beyond the national level, devolved political parties exist on the subnational level within each of the UK's three constituent countries, both devolved affiliates of national parties as well as regional parties that are present and only run candidates in their respective countries.

While not part of the United Kingdom and its official territory, the {{W|Crown dependencies}} of [[Jersey]], the [[Isle of Man]], and [[Guerney]] along with all [[British Overseas Territories]] are still subject to the sovereignty of the British crown. The Crown exercises its official responsibilities to the crown dependencies via the [[Home Office]] while its responsibilities to the Overseas Territories are exercised via the [[Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office]]. Both crown dependencies and BOTs maintain their own autonomous governments and elections, having been granted said autonomy through {{W|home rule}} while still being under British legal jurisdiction via their union with the Crown, represented by a viceroy or governor.
===Administrative divisions===
[[File:CountiesOfGreatBritain.PNG|thumb|right|210px|Map of counties in the United Kingdom.]]
The United Kingdom is geographically divided into counties and {{W|Shire|shires}}, a system that began in England and Scotland in the {{W|early Middle Ages}} and was completed throughout both Great Britain and Ireland by the {{W|early modern period}}. Modern {{W|local government}} is managed by elected officials and is partly based on ancient counties and was established by various Acts of Parliament in England and Wales {{W|Local Government Act 1888|in 1888}}, in Scotland in {{W|Local Government Act 1889|in 1889}}, and in Ireland {{W|Local Government Act 1898|in 1898}} before gaining independence from Britain in 1925. This means that there is no consistent system of administrative or geographic demarcation across the United Kingdom with {{W|English law|England and Wales}} and {{W|Scots law|Scotland}} having their own distinct jurisdiction. Prior to the 19th century, there was little change to those arrangements, but there has since then been a constant pattern of evolution of the role and function.

{{W|Local government in England}} is complex, with the distribution of functions varying according to various local arrangements. The upper tier of {{W|subdivisions of England}} consist of {{W|Regions of England|nine regions}} and are primarily used for statistical purposes. One of those regions, {{W|Greater London}}, has a directly elected assembly and mayor since 2000 following a {{W|1998 Greater London Authority referendum|1998 referendum}} on establishing an elected regional government.

{{W|Local government in Scotland}} is divided into {{W|Subdivisions of Scotland|32 council areas}} that have a wide variation in both size and population. The cities of {{W|Glasgow}}, {{W|Edinburgh}}, {{W|Aberdeen}}, and {{W|Dundee}} are separate council areas while the {{W|Politics of the Scottish Highland council area|Highland Council}} includes a third of Scotland's land area, but only has a population of 200,000 people. Local councils in Scotland are made up of elected councilors, of which number at 1,223.

{{W|Local government in Wales}} consists of 22 {{W|Unitary authority|unitary authorities}}, each of which are led by a leader and cabinet that are both elected by the council itself. These areas include the capital {{W|Cardiff}}, {{W|Swansea}}, and {{W|Newport}}, all of which are their own unitary authorities in their own right. Elections to these councils are held once every four years under a system of first-past-the-post.
===Foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign relations of the United Kingdom}}
[[File:Embassy of the United Kingdom in Washington, D.C..jpg|thumb|left|240px|[[Embassy of the United Kingdom, Chicago|British Embassy to the Continental States]] in [[Chicago]].]]
The United Kingdom is one of the [[Permanent members of the League of Nations Security Council|five permanent members]] of the [[League of Nations Security Council]] and the leading member of the [[British Commonwealth]] (Commonwealth of Nations). Other prominent international organizations that the UK is affiliated with include the [[European Community]], the [[Group of Eight]], the {{W|OECD}}, the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) and the [[Northern Treaty Organization]] (NTO). The UK leads and maintains the {{W|British Council}}, an organization present in over 100 countries that specialize in international cultural and educational opportunities. Despite the end of the British Empire in 1979, the UK continues to retain the status of a {{W|great power}} and continues to wield considerable economic, political, military, and cultural influence worldwide.

The UK has a "{{W|special relationship}} with the [[Kingdom of Sierra]], has a lose partnership with [[France]] via the {{W|Entente Cordiale}}, including the presence of British military personnel in French territory, and also maintains a longstanding close relationship with [[Portugal]] through the {{W|Anglo-Portuguese Alliance}}, the oldest active political and military alliance in the world. The UK shares a maritime border with [[Ireland]] and despite the complicated historic relationship between the two countries, they maintain active diplomatic contact and actively enforced travel agreements through the {{W|Common Travel Area}} to allow for easy travel of British and Irish citizens between the two countries as member states of the European Community and is overseen and administered by the {{W|British–Irish Intergovernmental Conference}} and the {{W|British–Irish Council}}. The UK maintains active relations with the [[United Commonwealth]] despite past tensions and diplomatic disagreements since the Cold War, however maintains more positive ties with the [[Conference of American States]] by comparison. Britain's global presence and influence if further amplified by its extensive trading relations, foreign investments, {{W|official development assistance}}, and military engagements.
===Law and justice===
[[File:Middlesex_Guildhall_(cropped).jpg|thumb|left|240px|The [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom|UK Supreme Court]] is the highest court of appeal in the country.]]
The United Kingdom doesn't have a unified legal system as stated in Article 19 of the {{W|1706 Treaty of Union}} which provided the continuation of Scotland's own legal system in exchange for its incorporation into England. As a result, the UK has three separate {{W|National legal system|legal systems}}: {{W|English law}}, {{W|Scottish law}}, and {{W|Welsh law}}. The [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom]] was first established in 2009 as a successor to the {{W|Appellate Committee of the House of Lords}}. The {{W|Judicial Committee of the Privy Council}}, which includes some members of the UK Supreme Court, is the highest court of appeals in several independent member states of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Crown Dependencies, and the British Overseas Territories.

Both English and Welsh law are based on {{W|common law}} (or {{W|case law}}) principles, originating in England during the {{W|Middle Ages}} and is the basis for the legal systems of several countries around the world. Both the {{W|courts of England and Wales}} are leaded by the senior courts of both constituent countries, consisting of the {{W|Court of Appeal (England and Wales)|Courts of Appeal}} in both England and Wales an d the {{W|High Court of Justice}} with jurisdiction in both countries for civil cases while the {{W|Crown Court}} oversees criminal cases. Scots law is a hybrid system based off of common law and {{W|civil law}} principles. The chief courts of Scotland are the {{W|Court of Session}} for civil cases and the {{W|High Court of Justiciary}} for criminal cases. The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom serves as the highest court of appeal for civil cases under Scots law and for all criminal cases across the entire United Kingdom.

Between 1981 and 1995, crime increased in England and Wales. Since that peak during said period, crime has fallen in England and Wales by 66% between 1995 and 2015 according to {{W|UK crime statistics}}. As of June 2023, the United Kingdom has the highest per-capita incarceration rate in all of Western Europe.

{{W|United Kingdom labour law|UK labour laws}} have established employment rights including {{W|National Minimum Wage Act 1998|a minimum wage}}, a minimum of 28 days annual holiday, statutory sick pay, and {{W|Pensions Act 2006|a pension}}. {{W|Same-sex marriage}} has been legal in the United Kingdom since 2014 while {{W|LGBTQ rights in the United Kingdom|LGBTQ equality and rights}} in the UK are among some of the most advanced in the world, however the country has a contentious record surrounding the rights of {{W|transgender people}} and laws related to them.
===Military===
{{Main|British Armed Forces}}
[[File:3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM DM-SD-04-07481.jpg|thumb|right|240px|British Army soldiers in [[Tartus Governorate]] during the [[2004 invasion of Syria]].]]
The [[British Armed Forces]] are the standing military forces of the United Kingdom and consist of three main branches: the [[British Army]], [[His Majesty's Naval Service]] consisting of the [[Royal Navy]] and [[Royal Marines]], and the [[Royal Air Froce]]. The armed forces of the United Kingdom are managed by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] and controlled by the [[Defence Council of the United Kingdom|Defence Council]], both of which are headed by the [[Secretary of State for Defence]]. The British monarch is the official {{W|commander-in-chief}} of the armed forces, of whom all military personnel swear a formal oath of allegiance towards. The [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] is the highest-ranking military officer who is the overall head of the British Armed Forces below the monarch as commander-in-chief and heads the {{W|Chiefs of Staff Committee}}, a body that consists of military officers that oversee all military operations of the British Armed Forces. As of 2021, the British Armed Forces has 274,620 active duty personnel and 589,105 reserve personnel.

The Armed Forces are charged with protecting the UK and all of its overseas territories, promotion of the UK's global security interests and supporting international peacekeeping efforts. The British Armed Forces are active participants in the [[Northern Treaty Organization]] (including the [[Allied Rapid Response Corps]]), {{W|RIMPAC}}, the [[Atlantic Power Defence Arrangement]], and other worldwide military coalitions and operations. The UK posses various overseas garrisons around the world, in both sovereign states and the British Overseas Territories, with military bases present in [[Malta]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Cyprus]], [[Bahrain]], [[Patagonia]], [[France]], the [[East African Federation]], and [[South Vietnam]]. The UK also participates in [[League of Nations peacekeeping|peacekeeping operations]] of the [[League of Nations]] with British LN peacekeepers having been deployed and seen action in countries across {{W|Africa}}, the {{W|Middle East}}, and {{W|Asia}}.

According to the {{W|Stockholm International Peace Research Institute}} and the {{W|International Institute for Strategic Studies}}, the UK has the world's fifth-largest military expenditure as of 2024 with total defence spending in the country accounting for 2.3% of the country's {{W|gross domestic product}}. Since the end of the [[Cold War]], the UK's official defence policy has a stated assumption that the "most demanding operations" will be undertaken as part of a coalition. Having carried out its first successful in 1947, the United Kingdom is one of five states that [[United Kingdom and weapons of mass destruction|posses nuclear weapons]], the second one in Europe alongside [[Germany]].

==Economy==
[[File:Bank_junction_-_2020-09-20_(2).jpg|thumb|right|240px|{{W|City of London}} skyline from {{W|London City Hall}}. London is the largest financial center in Europe.]]
The United Kingdom has a highly developed {{W|social market economy}} with an estimated nominal GDP of £2.85 trillion as of 2024, making it the sixth-largest national economy in the world and the second-largest in the European Community behind only Germany. The {{W|pound sterling}}, Britain's official {{W|currency}}, is the fourth most-traded currency in the {{W|foreign exchange market}} and the third largest {{W|reserve currency}} in the world after the [[Sierran dollar]] and the [[Continental dollar]]. The pound sterling maintains high nominal value through both its long history of stability and having never undergone formal {{W|redenomination}}. Since 2022, the UK has been the fourth largest importer and exporter of goods and services in the world. The UK has a very high {{W|HDI}} ranking despite having one of the highest levels of {{W|Income inequality in the United Kingdom|income inequality}} among the {{W|OECD}}, maintaining said rank even while adjusting for inequality. As of 2025, the UK has a {{W|Unemployment in the United Kingdom|national unemployment rate}} of 4.7%, being moderately low by European standards.

{{W|His Majesty's Treasury}}, lead by the {{W|Chancellory of the Exchequer}}, is the ministry responsible for developing and executing the government's public finance and economic policies. The {{W|Department for Business and Trade}} is responsible for the business, international trade, and enterprise policies in the UK. The {{W|Bank of England}} is the UK's official {{W|central bank}} and is responsible for issuing notes and coins in the pound sterling while banks in Scotland retain the right to issue their own notes, subject to retaining enough Bank of England notes in reserve to cover the issue. The Bank of England is currently exploring a {{W|Central bank digital currency|digital pound}} to enable instant settlement and improve the UK's payment infrastructure.
===Industries and services===
The {{W|service sector}} makes up around 80% of the UK's {{W|Gross value added|GVA}} in 2023. As of 2023, the UK is the second largest exporter of services in the world and the largest net exporter of {{W|financial services}} as of 2024. In 2023, the UK was 13% above its pre-pandemic peak from 2019 for service exports. {{W|London}} is the world capital for foreign exchange trading, with a market share of 38.1% in 2022 of the daily $7.5 trillion global turnover. London is the largest urban economy in Europe and, alongside [[Porciúncula]], the city is the most integrated into the broader {{W|global economy}}. London is also among one the leading financial centers in the world, ranking second worldwide as of 2025 according to the {{W|Global Financial Centers Index}}. Edinburgh, the second largest financial center in the UK, ranks as the 10th largest in Western Europe and 29th in the world.

The {{W|Manufacturing in the United Kingdom|British manufacturing sector}} is the 10th largest in the world and the fourth largest in Europe as of 2024 in terms of value output. Due to a high period of domestic inflation caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], high energy prices and supply chain shocks caused by the economic effects of said pandemic, the UK imported and exported less goods in 2023 than it did in 2018. At the end of 2024, manufacturing in the UK accounted for 8% of the total workforce and 8.6% of Britain's national economic output. As reported in 2017, both {{W|East Midlands}} and {{W|West Midlands}} had the highest portion of employees in manufacturing at 12.6% and 11.8% respectively while {{W|Economy of London|London's manufacturing sector}} was the lowest at 2.8%.

The {{W|Tourism in the United Kingdom|tourist industry}} is a very important component of the British economy with London being named Europe's most popular tourist destination in 2022. The {{W|creative industries}} account for 5.9% of the UK's GVA in 2019, having grown 43.6% in real terms from 2010. Creative industries accounted for £111 billion worth of contributions to the UK economy in 2018 with the sector having grown five times faster than the rest of the UK economy overall in a year. {{W|Lloyd's of London}}, located in the British capital, is the world's largest {{W|insurance}} and {{W|reinsurance}} market. {{W|WPP plc}} is one of the world's largest advertising companies and is also based in London. The UK is one of the leading retail markets in Europe and the largest {{W|e-commerce}} market in all of Europe and with consumer expenditures of over KS$2 trillion in 2023, it has the second-largest consumer market in all of Europe. {{W|John Lewis Partnership}} is the largest employee-owned business in the UK.

The {{W|Automative industry in the United Kingdom|British automative industry}} employees over 813,000 people with a turnover of £93 billion and generating £47 billion of exports in 2023, accounting for 12% of the UK's total export of goods. In 2024, the UK produced 779,584 passenger vehicles and 125,649 commercial vehicles, with 8 out of 10 cars produced in the UK being exported overseas. Famous car models from Britain include {{W|Mini Hatch|Mini}} and {{W|Jaguar Cars|Jaguar}} along with luxury cars such as {{W|Rolls-Royce}}, {{W|Bentley}}, and {{W|Range Rover}}. The UK is a major center for engine manufacturing with 1.6 million engines being produced in 2024 alone and was the third-largest exporter of engines in the world in 2023. The {{W|Motorsport in the United Kingdom|UK motorsport industry}} employs over 40,000 people and comprises 4,300 companies, having an annual turnover of £10 billion. Seven out of ten {{W|Formula One}} teams are based in the UK with their technology being used in supercars and hypercard from {{W|McLaren Automotive|McLaren}}, {{W|Aston Martin}}, and {{W|Lotus Group|Lotus}}. In 2024, the UK surpassed Germany as the biggest market for {{W|electric vehicles}} in Europe.
[[File:British_Airways_Concorde_G-BOAC_03.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|Concorde}}, a {{W|supersonic}} airliner that reduced transatlantic flight time from 8 to 3.5 hours.]]
The {{W|Aerospace industry of the United Kingdom|British aerospace industry}} is the second largest in the world and has an annual turnover of £30 billion with the {{W|British space programme}} being worth £17.5 billion in 2020/21 and employed round 48,800 people. Since 2012, the number of space organizations in Britain has grown by 21% with 1,239 active space organizations being reported in 2021. In 2023, the {{W|United Kingdom Space Agency}} announced they had invested in £1.6 billion in space-related projects.

The {{W|Agriculture in the United Kingdom|British agricultural industry}} is intensive, highly advanced, and efficient by European standards, producing around 60% of Britain's overall food requirements and 73% of its indigenous food needs, using around 0.9% of the British labour force (292,000 people). Around two-thirds of food production is allocated to {{W|livestock}} and one-third to {{W|arable crops}}. The UK retains a significant, albeit much reduced, fishing industry with 49% of British fish sustainably caught in 2020. Britain's marine natural capital assets in 2021 were estimated to have a value of £211 billion. The UK is also rich in a variety of other natural resources such as {{W|coal}}, {{W|petroleum}}, {{W|natural gas}}, {{W|tin}}, {{W|limestone}}, {{W|iron ore}}, {{W|salt}}, {{W|clay}}, {{W|chalk}}, {{W|gypsum}}, {{W|lead}}, and {{W|silica}} along with an abundance of arable land as well.
===Science and technology===
[[File:Cambridge_Science_Park_Napp.jpg|thumb|left|240px|The {{W|Cambridge Center}} is the most intensive science and technology research enter in the world.]]
England and Scotland were leading centers of the {{W|Scientific Revolution}} of the 17th century and later on the United Kingdom led the {{W|Industrial Revolution}} of the 18th century and has continued to produce scientists and {{W|List of British engineers|researchers}} that are credited with {{W|List of British innovations and discoveries|major innovations and discoveries}}. Major theorists from the 17th and 18th centuries include {{W|Isaac Newton}}; whose {{W|laws of motion}} and illumination of {{W|gravity}} is seen as a keystone of modern science; {{W|Charles Darwin}} of the 19th century whose theory of {{W|evolution}} via {{W|natural selection}} was fundamental for the development of modern biology; and {{W|James Clerk Maxwell}}, who formulated classical {{W|electromagnetic theory}}; and most recently {{W|Stephen Hawking}} of the 20th and 21st centuries, who advanced major theories in the fields of {{W|cosmology}}, {{W|quantum gravity}}, and the investigation of {{W|black holes}}.

The {{W|Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology}} (DSIT) is the government ministry responsible for encouraging, developing, and managing the UK's scientific, research, and technological outputs. Scientific research and developments remain an important component of {{W|Universities in the United Kingdom|British universities}}, many of them having established {{W|Science park|science parks}} to facilitate production and co-operation in the industry. In 2022, the UK produced 6.3% of the world's scientific research papers and had a 10.5% share of scientific citations, the third highest in the world for both, while the UK is ranked first in the world for Field-Weighted Citation Impact. Scientific research papers produced in the UK are published in publications such as the {{W|Royal Society}}, ''{{W|Nature (magazine)|Nature}}'', the ''{{W|British Medical Journal}}'', and ''{{W|The Lancet}}''.

In 2022, the UK reached the milestone of a combined market of KS$1 trillion for its {{W|startup}} and {{W|scaleup}} ecosystem and by 2024, the UK tech sector reached a net value of KS$1.2 trillion surpassing the combined values of the French and German sectors. The {{W|University of Cambridge}} was named the number one university in the world for producing successful technology founders. The {{W|Artificial intelligence in the United Kingdom|UK's artificial intelligence industry}} is the largest in the European Community in terms of value and ranked third place worldwide in a report on {{W|artificial intelligence}} development by {{W|Stanford University}} in 2024. That same year, the {{W|Global Innovation Index}} ranked the UK in fifth place worldwide. In 2025, the UK signed onto the [[Technology Development Deal]] alongside the [[Kingdom of Sierra]], [[Superior]], and [[Astoria]] with Anglo-American companies pledging £150 billion of investment in the UK.
===Transportation===
The UK has a radial road network that totals 29,145 miles (46,904 km) of main roads, 2,173 miles (3,497 km) of motorways and 213,750 miles (344,000 km) of paved roads. The {{W|M25}}, which encircles London, is both the largest and busiest bypass in the world. In 2024, the UK had 41.7 million registered vehicles nationwide.
[[File:An_LNER_Azuma_train_on_the_East_Coast_Railway_Line,_geograph_6275180_by_Walter_Baxter.jpg|thumb|right|240px|A high-speed train of the {{W|East Coast Main Line}} in {{W|Northumberland}}, England.]]
The UK has an extensive national rail network at 10,072 miles (16,209 km). {{W|British Rail}} was the primary state-owned rail company in the UK until it was {{W|Privatization of British Rail|privatized}} in 1994 and 1997, followed by a rise in passengers. In 2024, [[Great British Railways]] was established as the current state-owned rail transport company that manages all {{W|Rail transport in the United Kingdom|rail transport lines}} across the UK. In the 2017 European Railway Performance Index ranked the UK eighth in all of the European Community in assessing intensity of use, quality of service, and safety of British trains and railways.

The UK is part of {{W|Eurostar}}, an international high-speed rail service connecting Britain to Western European countries which also includes a direct line connecting London to {{W|Paris}} via the {{W|Channel Tunnel}} under the {{W|English Tunnel}}, the longest underwater tunnel at 23.5 miles long, which takes 2 hours and 16 minutes to travel to and from both major cities. There is also a car service through the Channel Tunnel to France called {{W|LeShuttle}}. The {{W|Elizabeth line|Richard line}} is a rail line running between {{W|East London|East}} and {{W|West London}}, first opened in 2016 in honor [[Richard IV|King Richard IV]], and was Europe's largest construction project at the time and brings in an estimated £42 million into the British economy. Another major infrastructure project in the UK is {{W|High Speed 2}} (HS2), a high-speed rail line currently under construction since 2019 that will link London to {{W|Birmingham}}, with a potential extension further north and capable of speeds as high as 225 miles per hour.
[[File:London_City_Airport_Sunset.jpg|thumb|left|210px|An airplane taking off from {{W|London City Airport}}.]]
In 2023 there was a total of 4 billion bus journeys in the UK, 1.8 billion of which were in London alone. The red colored {{W|double-decker bus}} is an iconic vehicle in Britain and has entered popular culture worldwide as an internationally recognized icon of both London and Britain as a whole (especially England). The {{W|London Buses|London bus network}} is extensive with over 6,800 scheduled services very weekday carrying 6 million passengers on 700 routes, making it one of the most extensive bus systems in the world and the largest in all of Europe.

In 2024 {{W|List of airports in the United Kingdom|British airports}} handled nearly 292.5 million total passengers with the three largest airports that year being {{W|London Heathrow Airport}} (83.9 million passengers), {{W|Gatwick Airport}} (43.2 million passengers), and {{W|Manchester Airport}} (30.8 million passengers). London Heathrow Airport, located 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of the British capital, is the second busiest airport in the world in terms of international traffic and is the hub for the UK's official {{W|flag carrier}} {{W|British Airways}} along with {{W|Virgin Atlantic}}. During 2023, 18.3 million passengers traveled internationally by rail and another 18.1 million by sea.
===Energy===
In 2021 the UK was ranked the 14th-largest consumer and the 22nd largest producer of energy in the world and is home to several large energy companies, including two of the {{W|Big Six|six biggest oil companies in the world}}, {{W|BP}} (British Petroleum) and {{W|Shell plc}}.
[[File:Ardrossan's_fan_club._-_panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|210px|{{W|Wind turbines}} overlooking {{W|Ardrossan}} in Scotland.]]
Renewable electricity in the UK accounts for 51% of all electricity generated in the country in 2024. {{W|Wind power in the United Kingdom|Wind power in Britain}} was the largest source of electricity in the country in 2024, generating 30% of Britain's total electricity that year. The UK has the largest offshore wind farm in the world, the latter of which is located off the coast of {{W|Yorkshire}}.

In 2023 the UK had nine nuclear reactors that were generating 15% of Britain's total electricity with at least two more reactors currently under construction and more planned for the future. In the late 1990s, {{W|Nuclear power in the United Kingdom|nuclear power in Britain}} accounted for 25% of the annually generated electricity in the country, but has gradually declined as several older plants have since been shut down. The British government is investing in {{W|Small modular reactor|small module reactors}} that operate via {{W|nuclear fission}} and further investment in research and development towards commercial {{W|fusion reactors}}. To that end, the UK entered into a business partnership with the Kingdom of Sierra in late 2023 to collaborate on fusion technology with "a commercial grid-ready fusion reactor by 2040" bering stated as a goal of the collaboration.

At the end of 2023 it was estimated that there were 1.1 billion {{W|barrels of oil equivalent}} (BOE) of both "proven" and "probable" {{W|Oil and gas reserve|gas reserves}} and 2.3 billion boe of "proven" and "probable" oil reserves offshore in Britain, reducing the country's reliance on imports for energy security and transitioning to renewables. Emissions from British gas production is roughly four times lower than imported {{W|liquified natural gas}} (LNG), according to the {{W|North Sea Transition Authority}}, Britain's chief natural gas regulator.

{{W|Coal}} was historically a major source of energy for Britain, however this ended in September 2024 when the last coal mine in Britain was officially closed down and ended coal as a source of power in the country. The UK currently has no active {{W|fracking}} (hydraulic fracturing) for {{W|shale gas}} despite possessing a large supply due to environmental concerns by the British government.
===Water supply and sanitation===
The UK has universal access to improved water supply and sanitation. It's estimated that 96% of British households are connected to a sewer network. According to the Environmental Agency, total water abstraction for public water supply in Britain was 16,406 {{W|mgalitres}} per day in 2007.

Water and sanitation is carried out by several water authorities in each constituent country. In England and Wales, water and sewage services are administered and carried out by 10 private regional water and sewage companies along with 13 mostly smaller "water only" companies while in Scotland, water and sewage services are carried out by a single company in the form of {{W|Scottish Water}}.

==Demographics==
The {{W|2021–2022 United Kingdom census|2021 census}} listed a national population of 61,284,529, the fourth largest population in all of Europe behind France, Germany, and Russia, along with being the fifth-largest population in the [[British Commonwealth]] and the 22nd largest population in the world. More recent estimates from 2025 showcase a national population of 64,109,428. During 2012 and 2013, births were the number one factor contributing to population growth in Britain, while in 2014 and 2015 in was supplanted by net migration admits declining birthrates seen in both Europe and worldwide. The previous {{W|2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census}} showed that over the past century, the proportion of the British population between the ages 0–14 fell from 31% to 18% of the population while the portion of people aged 65 and above rose from 5% to 16%. In 2018, the {{W|Population pyramid|median age}} of Britain was 41.7 years. The 2021 census had Scotland's population at 5.48 million people and Wales at 3.1 million people.

The population of England in the 2021 census was listed at 56 million people, representing 84% of the UK's total population. England alone is one of the most densely populated countries on the planet, with 434 people per square kilometer in mid-2021, with a particular population concentration in {{W|London}} and the south-east of the {{W|London metropolitan area}}, which is the largest in {{W|Western Europe}} with a population of 14.9 million in 2024.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;"
|+ Population of England by region in 2024
|-
! Rowspan=2 | Region
! Colspan=2 | Land area
! Colspan=2 | Population
! Rowspan=2 | Density<br />(/km<sup>2</sup>)
|-
! (km<sup>2</sup>)
! (%)
! People
! (%)
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|North East England|North East}}
| 8,581
| 6%
| 2,683,040
| 5%
| 313
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|North West England|North West}}
| 14,108
| 11%
| 7,516,113
| 13%
| 533
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|Yorkshire and the Humber}}
| 15,404
| 12%
| 5,541,262
| 10%
| 360
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|East Midlands}}
| 15,624
| 12%
| 4,934,939
| 9%
| 316
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|West Midlands (region)|West Midlands}}
| 12,998
| 10%
| 6,021,653
| 11%
| 463
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|East of England}}
| 19,116
| 15%
| 6,398,497
| 11%
| 335
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|Greater London}}
| 1,572
| 1%
| 8,866,180
| 15%
| 5,640
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|South East England|South East}}
| 19,072
| 15%
| 9,379,833
| 16%
| 492
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{W|South West England|South West}}
| 23,836
| 18%
| 5,764,881
| 10%
| 242
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | England
! style="text-align:right;" | 130,310
! style="text-align:right;" | 100%
! style="text-align:right;" | 57,106,398
! style="text-align:right;" | 100%
! style="text-align:right;" | 438
|}
===Ethnic groups===
[[File:Racial composition of the UK (2022 census) .png|thumb|right|210px|Racial composition of the UK according to the 2022 census.]]
Historically, indigenous British people were through to have been {{W|Genetic history of the British Isles|descended from ethnic groups}} that settled the British Isles before the 12th century: the {{W|Celts}}, the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, the Norse, and {{W|Normans}}. Among the ethnic groups in the UK, {{W|Welsh people}} are thought to possibly be the oldest ethnic group within Britain. While a white majority country, the UK has a long history of non-white immigration to the country with {{W|Liverpool}} having the oldest Black population in the country, dating back as far as the 1730s and also has the oldest {{W|British Chinese|ethnic Chinese}} community in Europe, the latter dating back to the 19th century.

In the 2021–22 census, {{W|White people in the United Kingdom|White Britons}} remain the majority racial group at 83% of the population. Of the 17% non-White Britons, 8.6% are {{W|British Asians|Asian descent}} as Britain's largest ethnic minority group, 3.7% are of {{W|Black British people|Black descent}}, and 2.7% are of {{W|Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed race}} background and the remaining 2% being of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. The UK as a whole is an ethnically diverse country, however ethnic diversity varies greatly across the country by constituent country and region. London is the most ethnically diverse area of the UK with at least 46.2% of Londoners being of an ethnic minority background with other major cities in England showing similar degrees of ethnic diversity, albeit not to the same degree as London itself. By contrast South West and North East England along with Scotland and Wales are generally racially homogenous with only 10% of the populations in these places being non-white overall.
===Languages===
{{W|English language|English}} is the official language of the UK as well as the most spoken language in the entire country both as a spoken language in public and spoken at home. The UK promotes English globally as a means of building connections, understanding, and trust between the peoples of the UK and the world. Having originated in England around the 5th century, English is the native language of the UK and the country itself is one of the leading nations that comprise the {{W|English-speaking world}} alongside the countries of [[Anglo-America]] and {{W|Oceania}}.

In the UK, English is spoken with a wide variety of distinctive characteristics that collectively makeup what is known as {{W|British English}}, the variant of English spoken within the UK. The variety of accents and dialects in the country are often noted, with nearby regions having their own highly distinctive variations. {{W|Received Pronunciation}} (RP) is traditionally associated with educated speakers in southern England. The main dialects in the UK are {{W|Scottish English}}, {{W|Welsh English}}, and {{W|Ulster English}} which are all officially recognized English dialects in the country. Distinctive regional varieties in the UK include {{W|Brummie dialect|Brummie}}, {{W|Cockney}}, {{W|Geordie}}, {{W|Mancunian}}, {{W|Scouse}}, {{W|West Country English}}, {{W|Yorkshire dialect|Yorkshire}}, and {{W|Multicultural London English}} (MLE). All of these dialects are also officially recognized by the British government and sub-national bodies.
[[File:Bilingual border sign between England and Scotland.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A {{W|Bilingual sign|bilingual welcome sign}} in {{W|English language|English}} and {{W|Scottish Gaelic language|Scottish Gaelic}} on the England-Scotland border.]]
Indigenous {{W|Celtic languages}} are present in the modern UK with the three biggest dialects being {{W|Scottish Gaelic}}, {{W|Irish language|Irish}}, and {{W|Welsh language|Welsh}}, all three of which are recognized minority languages in the country. {{W|Cornish language|Cornish}} is a formerly extinct language in the late 18th century, but has since been successfully revived and is spoken by a small group of second-language speakers, native to the eponymous historic county of {{W|Cornwall}} in southwestern England. In the 2021 census, the Welsh-speaking population aged 3 and above numbered at 538,300 people (17.8% of the Welsh population) with an additional 200,000 Welsh speakers in England proper. Irish is a recognized minority language spoken by {{W|Irish people in the United Kingdom|Irish Britons}} and is most present in northwestern England and Scotland with {{W|Ulster-Scot}} also sharing the same status as well. Both languages are spoken and understood by 12.4% and 10.4% respectively.

In the {{W|2001 United Kingdom census|2001 census}}, over 92,000 people in Scotland, or just 2% of the Scottish population, possessed some understanding and speaking ability of the Gaelic language, including 72% of those living in {{W|Outer Hebrides}}. Since then the number of children being taught either Welsh or Scottish Gaelic has increased in Scotland with {{W|Scots language|Scots}}, a language descended from early northern {{W|Middle English}}, having official recognition in the UK and limited recognition in the European Community alongside Ulster-Scots in the {{W|European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages}}. As of April 2020, the UK has around 151,000 users of {{W|British Sign Language}} (BSL), a variant of {{W|sign language}} used by deaf people in the UK. Scots is an official langue in Scotland alongside English while Ulster-Scots and other similar Gaelic languages are officially recognized minority dialects in Scotland with a similar policy existing in Wales with Welsh being official and several Gaelic languages being recognized minority languages in Wales proper, though only Welsh is promoted outside of English by the Welsh government and most educational institutions.

In 2013, it was revealed that 95% of the British population were {{W|Monoglottism|monolingual}} English speakers and over 5% of the population were also recorded to have spoken other languages brought to the UK via immigration. {{W|South Asian languages}} are the largest group of non-English languages and includes the languages of {{W|Punjabi}}, {{W|{{W|Urdu}}, {{W|Sylheti}}, {{W|Hindi language|Hindi}}, {{W|Pahari-Pothwari}}, {{W|Tamil}}, and {{W|Gujarati}}. In the 2011 census {{W|Polish language|Polish}} was identified as being the second most-spoken language in the UK with 546,000 confirmed Polish language speakers. In 2019, it was estimated that 750,000 people spoke little to no English.
===Religion===
[[File:Canterbury Cathedral - Portal Nave Cross-spire.jpeg|thumb|right|240px|{{W|Canterbury Cathedral}}, a prominent Anglican cathedral and the {{W|mother church}} of the {{W|Church of England}} and {{W|Anglican Communion}}.]]
{{W|Christianity}} is the largest religion in the United Kingdom, having been present in and has denominated religious life for {{W|History of Christianity in the United Kingdom|over 1,400 years}}. While a majority of British citizens identify as Christian, church attendance and other forms of religious observance have declined significantly since the latter half of the 20th century while immigration has contributed to the growth of other religions such as {{W|Islam}}, {{W|Buddhism}}, and {{W|Hinduism}} among others. As a result, the modern UK is a multi-faith society and has also been described as being both {{W|secular}} and {{W|post-Christian}}.

In the 2021 census, {{W|Christianity in the United Kingdom|Christianity}} remained the largest religion with 53.6% of the population identify as Christian with the next largest faiths being {{W|Islam in the United Kingdom|Islam}} at 5.5%, {{W|Hinduism in the United Kingdom|Hinduism}} at 1.6%, {{W|British Jews|Judaism}} at 1.3%, {{W|Sikhism in the United Kingdom|Sikhism}} at 0.8% and {{W|Buddhism in the United Kingdom|Buddhism}} at 0.4% with 5% being of other lesser religions, {{W|new religious movements}}, or unstated. 31.8% of Britons identified as {{W|Irreligion in the United Kingdom|irreligious}} in the 2021 census, making it the second largest religious grouping in the census behind only Christianity. In the 2021 census, around 12% of Britons stated they attended church services weekly while most Christians were non-practicing. Among the Christian population, the majority identify as {{W|Protestant}}, the {{W|Protestantism in the United Kingdom|largest Christian sect}} in Britain at 43.2%, while [[Catholicism in the United Kingdom|Catholicism]] was the second largest at 9.2% and another 1.2% were of other Christian sects or nom-denominational. The Muslim population grew from 1.6 million to 2.7 million between 2001 and 2011 via immigration, a similar trend seen in other minority religions that also grew through immigration. Despite there being a declined, there have been reports of a {{W|Christian revival}} in the UK, first reported in April 2025, among many {{W|Generation Z}} Britons, young men in particular, that has seen a gradual rise in church attendance and religious affiliation with Christianity.

The {{W|Church of England}} is the largest religious denomination in the UK and is the official {{W|State religion|established church}} of England. It is the first church affiliated with {{W|Anglicanism}}, a Protestant sect originating in the UK and the largest sect in the country. While only the established church in England, the Church of England (alternatively the Anglican Church) has official representation in the House of Lords in the form of {{W|Lords Spiritual}} while the British monarch is the ceremonial head of the church as the {{W|Supreme Governor of the Church of England|Supreme Governor}}, a title they inherit after a monarch is formally coronated. The {{W|Church of Scotland}} is the established {{W|national church}} in Scotland, but is not subjected to state control and the British monarch is only a regular member rather than its head. The {{W|Church of Wales}} is also the national church of Wales. Because all three countries have established national churches, political analysts have described Christianity as being the ''{{W|de-facto}}'' state religion of the UK. Among the British Catholic population, 64.3% are [[Avignonese Catholic Church in the United Kingdom|Avignonese Catholic]], 33.6% are [[Roman Catholic Church in the United Kingdom|Roman Catholic]], and the remaining 2.1% are {{W|non-denominational Catholic}}.
===Immigration===
The United Kingdom is one of the top immigration destinations in the world with immigration contributing to a rising population. Between 1991 and 2001, both arriving immigrants and UK-born children of immigrants accounted for half of Britain's population growth during said period. According to 2015 statistics, 27% of all births in the UK in 2014 were from mothers who were born outside of the country.

Approximately 208,000 foreign nationals were officially naturalized as British citizens in 2013, the largest number of naturalized immigrants to the UK since 1962, though this figure would decline to 125,800 in the following year of 2014. Between 2009 and 2013, the annual number of foreign nationals who were officially naturalized as British citizens stood at 195,800 people. Of all immigrants to the UK in 2014, the common countries of origin for said immigrants were from [[Nigeria]], [[India]], [[Tondo]], [[Italy]], [[Romania]], [[Poland]], [[Ireland]], the [[Anatolian Republic]], and [[Iran]]. The number of grants for settlement, confirming {{W|permanent residency}} in the UK but not {{W|British nationality law|formal citizenship}}, stood at 154,700 people, a higher number than two years before. In 2023 long-term net migration (number of immigrants minus those emigrating) to the UK reached a record high of 860,000 people with total immigration standing at 1.33 million and emigration at 466,000. By contrast, net immigration in 2024 was halved to 431,000 people while total immigration stood at 948,000 and emigration at 517,000.

During the Cold War, Britain was a top destination for [[White émigré|White emigres]] fleeing from socialist states among {{W|Southern Europe}} along with parts of the {{W|Middle East and North Africa}}. These consisted mainly of political dissidents fleeing from socialist governments and their policies with dissidents fleeing from members of the Mediterranean Union being the top source of white emigres to the UK and overseas territories like [[Malta]]. Following the fall of the People's Republic of China, immigration of Chinese citizens grew with over 200,000 Chinese nationals migrating to the UK itself between 2000 and 2005. The collapse of communist rule in Mediterranean also saw widespread immigration to the UK and its territories throughout the 2000s.

{{W|British diaspora|British emigration}} was an important and notable feature of British society in the 19th century with 11.4 million people having emigrated from Britain between 1815 and 1930 along with 7.3 million people emigrating from Ireland between 1815 and 1925 prior to Irish independence.
Said emigration was driven by a desire to settle in Britain's vast colonial empire and by the end of the 20th century, around 300 million people of British and Irish descent were permanently settled around the globe, the top places being in Spain, the Kingdom of Sierra, Manitoba, the United Commonwealth, and New South Wales among others in North America and Oceania.
===Education===
[[File:University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom (Unsplash).jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|University of Oxford}} is highly regarded as one of the world's finest and leading educational institutions.]]
{{W|Education in the United Kingdom}} is officially a devolved matter with each country having their own separate education systems. Around 38% of the British population has a university or {{W|college degree}}, the highest percentage in Europe and one the highest percentages in the world. The UK is home to {{W|List of universities in the United Kingdom|many universities}} which includes the {{W|University of Oxford}} and the {{W|University of Cambridge}}, both of which are regarded as two of the finest and best universities in the world as reflected in their high rankings among educational statistics and surveys.

{{W|Student loans and grants in the United Kingdom|Tuition fees and student loans}} is varied across the different regions of the UK with both England and Wales having a fixed minimum annual fee for all British citizens, contingent on obtaining a certain level of income. Only those who reach a certain salary threshold in order to pay this fee through {{W|Taxation in the United Kingdom|general taxation}}. By contrast Scotland has a reduced maximum fee or no fee for citizens where Scotland is their home region. Some NHS courses have bursaries that pay the fee and was stated in 2017 that each doctor is subsidized by £233,000 during their training. In 2022 the {{W|Programme for International Student Assessment}} (PISA), in coordination with the {{W|OECD}}, ranked the overall knowledge and skills of British children aged 15 as the 14th highest in the world in reading, mathematics, and science. The average British student had a score of 494, above the OECD average of 478.
===Healthcare===
[[File:QEUH.jpg|thumb|left|240px|{{W|NHS Scotland}}'s {{W|Queen Elizabeth University Hospital|King Albert University Hospital}} in Glasgow, the largest hospital campus in Europe.]]
The United Kingdom possesses a system of {{W|Universal service|universal}} {{W|public funded healthcare}} with the modern system being laid out and administered by the {{W|National Health Service}} (NHS), the modern healthcare provider in the UK. The NHS has been praised for its success and granted access to healthcare for all people, leading to it developing widespread popularity that has lead many observers to refer to it as Britain's "national religion". Similar to education, {{W|healthcare in the United Kingdom}} is a devolved matter with each constituent country having their own system of universal publicly funded healthcare, however private healthcare does exist in the UK. Public healthcare is provided to all permanent residents in Britain and is mostly free at the point of service, being paid through general taxation. In 2000, the [[World Health Organization]] ranked British healthcare provisions as the fifteenth best in Europe and the eighteenth best in the world.

Since 1979 expenditure on healthcare has gradually increased to a significant degree with the 2018 OECD data, which incorporates in healthcare a chunk of what the UK officially classifies as social care, as spending £3,121 per person. In 2017 the UK spent £2,989 per person on healthcare, close to the median among OECD members.

Regulatory bodies for healthcare are organized on a UK-wide basis such as the {{W|General Medical Council}}, the {{W|Nursing and Midwifery Council}}, along with non-governmental bodies such as the {{W|Medical royal college|medical royal colleges}}. Political and operational responsibility of healthcare in the UK lies with three national {{W|Executive (politics)|executives}}; healthcare in England is managed by the British government, healthcare in Scotland is managed by the Scottish Government, and healthcare in Wales is managed by the Welsh Government with each National Health Service branch having different priorities and policies.

==Culture==
The culture of the United Kingdom is influenced by the country's status as an island state, its history, and being a {{W|political union}} of three countries with each having their own respective and distinct traditions, customs, and symbolism along with all of them being preserved by each of the three constituent countries. British cultural influence can be observed in the language, culture, and legal systems by many of its former colonies, in particular in the region of [[Anglo-America]] that defines most of {{W|North America}}, most notably in [[Brazoria]], [[Superior]], the [[United Commonwealth]], the [[Kingdom of Sierra]], and [[Manitoba]], all of which are also part of a common cultural sphere commonly known as the {{W|Anglosphere}}. The {{W|Anglicization|UK's soft power influence}} has lead to the country being described as a {{W|Power#Power as capability|cultural superpower}}. A 2024 global survey ranked the UK as the third most culturally influential countries in the world behind the Kingdom of Sierra and China.
===Literature===
{{multiple image
| align = right
| total_width = 320
| image1 = PG 1063Burns Naysmith.jpg
| alt1 = Robert Burns
| caption1 = {{W|Robert Burns}} (1759–1796)
| image2 = William Shakespeare by John Taylor, edited.jpg
| alt2 = William Shakespeare
| caption2 = {{W|William Shakespeare}} (1564–1616)
| footer = Burns and Shakespeare are considered the {{W|National poet|national poets}} of Scotland and England respectively and among the most famous in the world.
}}
British literature includes all forms of literature associated with the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands with the majority of British literature being written in English. In 2022 669 million physical books were sold in the UK, the most ever sold on record. Britain is renowned for its {{W|children's literature}} thanks to famous children's writers {{W|Daniel Defoe}}, {{W|Rudyard Kipling}}, {{W|Lewis Carroll}}, and {{W|Beatrix Potter}}, who also illustrated her own books. Other famous writers include {{W|A. A. Milne}}, {{W|Enid Blyton}}, {{W|J. R. R. Tolkien}}, {{W|Ronald Dahl}}, and {{W|Terry Pratchett}}.

The English playwright and poet {{W|William Shakespeare}} is generally regarded as the greatest dramatist ever and is also considered the {{W|national poet}} of England. Other important figures within {{W|Literature of England|English literature}} are {{W|Geoffrey Chaucer}}, author of ''{{W|The Canterbury Tales}}'', poet {{W|William Wordsworth}} and other {{W|Romantic poetry|Romantic era poets}} along with other notable novelists such as {{W|Charles Dickens}}, {{W|H. G. Wells}}, {{W|George Orwell}}, {{W|Aldous Huxley}}, and {{W|Ian Fleming}}. The 20th century English crime writer {{W|Agatha Christie}} is the {{W|List of best-selling fiction authors|best-selling novelist}} in literary history. Of 100 novels by British writers chosen by the BBC in a poll global critics, 12 of the top 25 were written by women; {{W|George Eliot}}, {{W|Virginia Woolf}}, {{W|Charlotte Brontë}}, {{W|Mary Shelley}}, {{W|Jane Austen}}, {{W|Doris Lessing}}, and {{W|Zadie Smith}}.

Famous authors and figures of {{W|Scottish literature}} include {{W|Arthur Conan Doyle}}, creator of {{W|Sherlock Holmes}}, {{W|Sir Walter Scott}}, {{W|J. M. Barrie}}, creator of {{W|Peter Pan}}, {{W|Robert Louis Stevenson}}, author of the novel ''{{W|Treasure Island}}'' that highly influences {{W|Pirates in popular culture|depiction of pirates in popular culture}}, and {{W|Robert Burns}}, considered to be the national poet of Scotland. More recently in Scottish history, novelists {{W|Hugh MacDiarmid}} and {{W|Neil M. Gunn}} both contributed to the {{W|Scottish Renaissance}} of the 20th century along with more grim works from writers {{W|Ian Rankin}} and {{W|Iain Banks}}. The city of Edinburgh became LNESCO's first {{W|City of Literature}} in the world.

{{W|Welsh literature}} includes the oldest known poem in Britain , ''{{W|Y Gododdin}}'', likely composed around the 6th century and was written in either {{W|Cumbric}} or {{W|Old Welsh}} and also contains the oldest recorded reference to the legendary figure {{W|King Arthur}}. The broader {{W|Arthurian Legend}} was further developed by {{W|Geoffrey Monmouth}}. {{W|Dafydd ap Gwilym}} (c. 1320–1370) is widely regarded as one of the greatest European poets of his time. {{W|Daniel Owen}} is credited as being the first Welsh language writer and published ''{{W|Rhys Lewis}}'' in 1885. The best known {{W|Welsh writing in English|Anglo-Welsh poets}} are {{W|Dylan Thomas}} and {{W|R. S. Thomas}}, the latter of which was nominated for a {{W|Nobel Price in Literature}} in 1996. The leading Welsh novelists of the 20th century include {{W|Richard Llewellyn}} and {{W|Kate Roberts}}.

Several famous Irish writers have also been part of British literature due to being prominent while Ireland was part of the UK prior to 1925 as well as being born in Ireland initially before migrating to the UK later on in life. The most well known writer being {{W|C. S. Lewis}}, born in Belfast, Ulster and best known as the author of ''{{W|The Chronicles of Narnia}}''. Other notable Irish writers include {{W|Bram Stoker}}, author of ''{{W|Dracula}}'', {{W|Oscar Wilde}}, and {{W|George Bernard Shaw}}. Other notable authors who were born outside of the United Kingdom, but later moved to the country later on and became part of British literature include {{W|Joseph Conrad}}, {{W|T. S. Elliot}}, {{W|Kazuo Ishiguro}}, Sir {{W|Salman Rushdie}}, and {{W|Ezra Pound}}.

===Philosophy===
The United Kingdom is famous for "{{W|British Empiricism}}", a branch of philosophy that states that the only knowledge that is valid is one that's been verified by experience, and 'Scottish philosophy', sometimes referred to the "{{W|Scottish School of Common Sense}}". Famous philosophers of British Empiricism are {{W|John Locke}}, {{W|David Hume}}, and {{W|George Berkley}} while notable exponents of Scottish common sense were {{W|Dugald Stewart}}, {{W|William Hamilton}}, and {{W|Thomas Reid}}. {{W|Jeremy Bentham}} and {{W|John Stuart Mill}} are notable for the development of the {{W|ethical philosophy}} of {{W|utilitarianism}} with Bentham firs using it and Mill promoting it in his 1861 writing ''{{W|Utilitarianism (essay)|Utilitarianism}}''.
===Music===
[[File:Royal_Albert_Hall,_BBC_Proms_2017.jpg|thumb|left|240px|{{W|The Proms}} is a notable classical musical festival held at the {{W|Royal Albert Hall}} in London and closely associated with {{W|Henry Wood}}.]]
Various styles of music are popular in the UK such as the {{W|Folk music|folk music}} in {{W|Folk music in England|England}}, {{W|Scottish folk music|Scotland}}, and {{W|Music of Wales|Wales}} while {{W|Irish traditional music}} is also popular within the UK and has influenced its music even after 1925. English folk music features melodic ballads which feature strong lyrics and music for country dancing and often use both accordion and fiddles. Scottish folk music frequently features bagpipes and fiddles that play traditional dance tunes with bouncy tempos. Welsh folk music uses harps and vocal harmonies that are often sung in Welsh. Traditional Irish music blends fiddles and flutes that are merged with Scottish and Irish influences.

Historic types of music that have influenced the music within the UK includes {{W|Renaissance music}} from the {{W|Tudor period}} that featured {{W|Mass (music)|masses}}, {{W|Madrigal|madrigals}}, and {{W|lute}} music composed by {{W|Thomas Tallis}}, {{W|John Taverner}}, {{W|William Byrd}}, {{W|Orlando Gibbons}}, and {{W|John Dowland}}. Following the {{W|Stuart Restoration}} of 1660, an English tradition of dramatic {{W|Masque|masques}}, anthems and airs were composed and established, led by {{W|Henry Purcell}} and followed up by {{W|Thomas Arne}} among others. {{W|George Frideric Handel}} composed the anthem ''{{W|Zadok the Priest}}'' for the {{W|Coronation of George II|coronation of George II}}, becoming the traditional ceremonial music for anointing all future monarchs since its composition. Handel's many oratorios, most notably his famous ''{{W|Messiah (Handel)|Messiah}}'', were written in English.

In the second half of the 19th century, {{W|Arthur Sullivan}} and his librettist {{W|W. S. Gilbert}} wrote popular {{W|Savoy operas}} and {{W|Edward Elgar}} composed a wide range of music. British composers during this period increasingly became inspired by the English countryside and the {{W|folk music}} from said region. Notable composers in this field were {{W|Gustav Holst}}, {{W|Ralph Vaughan Williams}}, and {{W|Benjamin Britten}}, the latter was a pioneer in British opera music. Among the many post-war composers that emerged in the 1940s and 50s, many made their own choice of personal music identity: {{W|Peter Maxwell Davis}} (Orkney), {{W|Harrison Birtwistle}} (mythological), and {{W|John Tavener}} (religious). Recent classical singers that have emerged in the modern era include {{W|Alfie Moe}}, {{W|Bryn Terfel}}, {{W|Katherine Jenkins}}, {{W|Michael Ball}}, {{W|Roderick Williams}}, {{W|Russell Watson}}, and {{W|Sarah Brightman}} while {{W|Nicola Benedetti}} and {{W|Nigel Kennedy}} are famous for their renowned violin abilities.

According to ''{{W|The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians}}'', the term {{W|Popular music|pop music}} first emerged in Britain around the mid-1950s to describe the fusion of {{W|rock and roll}} with "new youth music". The ''Oxford Dictionary of Music'' states that artists such as {{W|The Rolling Stones}} and others drove pop music and propelled it into the mainstream by the 1960s. {{W|Birmingham}} became the birthplace for {{W|heavy metal}}, with the famous band {{W|Black Sabbath}} originally forming in the 1960s. In the following years, Britain participated in the development of {{W|rock music}} with British acts pioneering {{W|hard rock}}, {{W|rage rock}}, heavy metal, {{W|glam rock}}, {{W|space rock}}, {{W|punk rock}}, {{W|psychedelic rock}}, and {{W|Gothic rock}}. British acts also went on to develop {{W|neo soul}} and created {{W|dubstep}}. In the modern day, the UK produces some of the most prominent English language {{W|Rapping|rappers}} along with the Kingdom of Sierra with notable rappers being {{W|Stormzy}}, {{W|Kano}}, {{W|Yxng Bane}}, {{W|Ramz}}, {{W|Little Simz}}, and {{W|Skepta}}.

Many British cities are famous and well known for their music. Acts in Liverpool have had 54 UK chart number 1 hit songs, more per capita than any other city in both the UK and worldwide. Glasgow's musical contribution to music was officially recognized in 2008 when it was officially named a {{W|City of Music}} by LNESCO. Manchester played a role in the spread of dance music known as {{W|acid house}} and, from the mid-1990s, {{W|Britpop}}. London and Bristol are both associated with the origins of {{W|electronic music}} sub-genres such as {{W|drum and bass}} and {{W|trip hop}}.

UK dance music traces its roots back to the {{W|Sound system (music)|Sound System Culture}} among Black Britons and the {{W|New Age Traveller}} movement from the 1960s and 70s. Additional influences include {{W|New Wave}} and {{W|synth-pop}} from bands such as {{W|New Order}} and {{W|Depeche Mode}} along with additional inspirational roots in {{W|Detroit techno}} and {{W|Chicago house}} scenes. In the late 1980s, dance music exploded with the emergence of {{W|Rave}} culture, specifically from {{W|Acid House}} tracks that were made mainstream with novelty records such as {{W|Sesame Street (song)|Sesame Street}} by Smart E and {{W|Charly}} from Prodigy and the {{W|Balearic sound}} brought back from the Ibiza club scene. This led to the emergence of other genres such as {{W|UK Garage}}, {{W|Speed Garage}}, {{W|Jungle music}}, {{W|Dubstep}}, {{W|Drum and bass}}, and {{W|Trance music|Trance}}. Influential British dance acts of both the past and present include {{W|808 State}}, {{W|Orbital}}, {{W|The Prodigy}}, {{W|Roni Size}}, {{W|Leftfield}}, {{W|Underworld (band)|Underworld}}, {{W|Massive Attack}}, {{W|Groove Armada}}, and {{W|Fred Again}} among many others. Other influential British DJ artists include {{W|Judge Jules}}, {{W|Pete Tong}}, {{W|Carl Cox}}, {{W|Paul Oakenfold}}, {{W|John Digweed}}, and {{W|Sasha}}.
===Visual arts===
[[File:Angel_of_the_North_-_6150534524.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The {{W|Angel of the North}}, a sculpture made by {{W|Anthony Gormley}} has become a symbol of {{W|Northern England}}.]]
Major British artists include {{W|Romanticism|Romantic}} artists such as {{W|William Blake}}, {{W|John Constable}}, {{W|Samuel Palmer}}, and {{W|J. M. W. Turner}}; {{W|Portrait|portrait}} painters {{W|Sir Joshua Reynolds}} and {{W|Lucian Freud}}; landscape artists {{W|Thomas Gainsborough}} and {{W|L. S. Lowry}}; pioneer of the {{W|Arts and Craft movement}} {{W|William Morris}}; figurative painter {{W|Francis Bacon}}; {{W|Pop art|Pop artists}} {{W|Peter Blake}}, {{W|Richard Hamilton}}, and {{W|David Hockney}}; pioneers of the {{W|conceptual art}} movement {{W|Art & Language}}; the collaborative duo {{W|Gilbert and George}}; {{W|Abstract art|abstract artist}} {{W|Howard Hodgkin}}; and sculptors {{W|Anthony Gormley}}, {{W|Anish Kapoor}}, and {{W|Henry Moore}}. During the late 1980s and 1990s, the {{W|Saatchi Gallery}} in London helped bring public attention to a group of multi-genre artists known collectively as the "{{W|Young British Artists}}" consisting of {{W|Damien Hirst}}, {{W|Chris Ofili}}, {{W|Rachel Whiteread}}, {{W|Tracey Emin}}, {{W|Mark Wallinger}}, {{W|Steve McQueen}}, {{W|Sam Taylor-Wood}}, and the {{W|Chapman Brothers}} being among the best known members of this loosely organized artistic movement.

The {{W|Royal Academy of Arts}} in London is a key organization for the promotion of visual arts in the United Kingdom. Other major schools of art in the UK include the six-school {{W|University of the Arts London}} that includes the {{W|Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design}} and {{W|Chelsea College of Art and Design}}; {{W|Goldsmith, University of London}}; the {{W|Slade School of Fine Art}} (part of the {{W|University College London}}); the {{W|Glasgow School of Art}}; the {{W|Royal College of Art}}; and the {{W|Ruskin School of Art}} (part of the University of Oxford). The {{W|Courtauld Institute of Art}} is a leading center for the teaching of the {{W|history of art}}. Important art galleries in the United Kingdom include the {{W|National Gallery}}, the {{W|National Portrait Gallery}}, {{W|Tate Britain}}, and {{W|Tate Modern}} which is the most visited art gallery in the world with 4.7 million annual visitors per year.
===Cinema===
The United Kingdom has maintained a considerable influence on the history of cinema and includes several famous film directors and movies coming out of the UK; {{W|Alfred Hitchcock}}, his 1958 ''{{W|Vertigo (film)|Vertigo}}'' is considered by some critics one of the {{W|List of movies considered the best|one of the best films}} ever made, and {{W|David Lean}}, director of the film ''{{W|Lawrence of Arabia}}'', who are both considered two of the best film directors and are two of the most acclaimed. More recent film directors include {{W|Christopher Nolan}}, {{W|Danny Boyle}}, {{W|Sam Mendes}}, {{W|Steve McQueen}}, {{W|Richard Curtis}}, {{W|Tony Scott}}, and {{W|Ridley Scott}}. Many British actors have achieved international fame and critical success worldwide with some of the most commercially successful films having been produced in the UK, including two of the highest-grossing film series in ''{{W|Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter}}'' and ''{{W|James Bond}}''.

2019 was a particularly good year for British cinema with British films collectively grossing £10.3 billion globally, which accounted for 28.7% of the global box office revenue. In 2019 the total UK box office takings totaled £1.25 billion with 176 million total film admissions. In 2023 British film and television studio space stood at a total of 6.9 million square feet, with 1 million square feet being added in the past year with more in active development. The {{W|BAFTA Film Awards}} is an annual British film ceremony and is hosted by the {{W|British Academy of Film and Television Arts}}.
===Cuisine===
[[File:Fish,_chips_and_mushy_peas.jpg|thumb|left|240px|{{W|Fish and chips}}, a traditional and iconic British cuisine, served with lemon, tartar sauce, and mushy peas.]]
British cuisine has developed from the influences that are relative to the country's land, settlements, arrival of new settlers and later immigrants, trade, and colonialism. The {{W|English cuisine|cuisine of England}} has historically been characterized by simplicity of approach and reliance on the high quality of natural produce. The traditional {{W|Sunday roast}} is a key example of this kind of English cuisine, consistent of a {{W|roast joint}} (usually of beef), lamb, chicken, or pork, often {{W|free range}} (and generally grass-fed in the case of beef). Roasts are typically served with either roasted or boiled vegetables, {{W|Yorkshire pudding}}, and {{W|gravy}}. Other traditional meals include {{W|meat pies}} and {{W|stews}}. A 2019 poll by {{W|YouGov}} rated classic British food with more than 80% of respondents liking Sunday Roast, Yorkshire pudding, {{W|fish and chips}}, {{W|crumpets}}, and the {{W|full English breakfast}}.

The UK is home to a large collection of {{W|fine dining}}. In 2025 there were 197 restaurants had a {{W|Michelin Guide|Michelin Star}} with 55 of them considering their cuisine to be "Modern British". Sweet foods are common in British cuisine and there is a long list of {{W|British desserts}}. Afternoon tea is a light afternoon meal that is served with tea in tea rooms and hotels across the United Kingdom, a tradition that dates back to 1840. A poll from July 2024 revealed 3% of British people having a {{W|vegan}} diet, 6% being {{W|vegetarian}}, and 13% being {{W|flexitarian}} (following a mainly vegetarian diet). The British Empire had facilitated knowledge of {{W|Indian cuisine}} and its "strong, penetrating spices and herbs". Modern British cuisine has incorporated the cultural influences of those who have {{W|Modern immigration to the United Kingdom|migrated and settled in the UK}}, producing hybrid dishes such as {{W|Chicken tikka masala}}. The British have embraced cuisines from across the world and regularly eat and serve food of all kinds (cuisine and fast food) from different parts of the world such as other parts of Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia.

The UK has many {{W|Gastropup|gastropups}} and is the birthplace of several alcoholic drinks that includes several beer styles such as {{W|pale ale}}, {{W|India pale ale}}, {{W|porter}}, and {{W|stout}}. The number of {{W|craft beers}} and microbreweries has rapidly expanded in the last two decades. Other popular alcoholic drinks that are produced in the UK include {{W|Scottish whisky}}, {{W|English wine}}, {{W|gin}}, {{W|cider}}, and {{W|Perry (drink)|perry}}, many of which are known and consumed worldwide beyond the UK's borders.
===Media===
The {{W|BBC}} (British Broadcasting Corporation), founded in 1922, is the official publicly funded radio, television, and internet broadcasting corporation of the United Kingdom as well as the world's oldest and second largest broadcaster in the world behind only the [[RBS]] from the Kingdom of Sierra in regards to size. It operates television and radio stations across both the UK and abroad in its overseas territories and its domestic services are funded with a {{W|Television licensing in the United Kingdom|television license}}. The {{W|BBC World Service}} is an {{W|international broadcast}} owned and operated by the BBC and is the largest in the world alongside [[RBS World Broadcasting]], where it broadcasts radio news, speeches, and discussion in over 40 different languages.

Other major television broadcasting companies in the UK include [[ITV]], operating 11 out of 15 regional television broadcasters in the country that make up [[ITV Network]] and {{W|Sky UK}}. Notable newspapers produced and printed in the UK include ''{{W|The Daily Mail}}'', ''{{W|The Guardian}}'', ''{{W|The Telegraph}}'', ''{{W|The Times}}'', and the ''{{W|Financial Times}}''. Notable magazine and journals published in the United Kingdom include ''{{W|The Spectator}}'', ''{{W|The Economist}}'', ''{{W|New Statesman}}'', and the ''{{W|Radio Times}}'', all of which have since achieved worldwide recognition and circulation.
[[File:Media_City_Footbridge_and_BBC_Offices_(geograph_2685261).jpg|thumb|220px|right|{{W|MediaCityUK}} in {{W|Salford}}, {{W|Grater Manchester}}, is one of the largest media production centers in all of Europe.]]
London dominates the British media sector with national newspaper, television, and radio networks and outlets largely being based in the city, although {{W|MediaCityUK}} located in {{W|Salford}} of the {{W|Greater Manchester}} area is a major national media production center and one of the largest in all of Europe. Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Cardiff are also other major centers of media production and are the main centers of media production for Scotland and Wales respectively. The British publishing sector, which includes books, directories and databases, magazines, journals, business media, newspapers and news media, has combined revenue of £20 billion and employed 167,000 people nationwide. In 2015 the UK published 2,710 book titles per one million inhabitants, more than any other country in the world, with a notable portion of these books being exported to other Anglophone countries.

In 2010, 82.5% of British citizens were internet users, the [[List of countries by number of internet users (Altverse II)|highest proportion]] amongst the 20 countries that were surveyed that year with the largest total number of internet users in that year. The {{W|Video games in the United Kingdom|British video gaming industry}} is the largest in Europe and the {{W|Video game industry|largest video game market}} in Europe by sales, behind only [[Germany]], in 2022. The UK was also listed as the third largest producer of video games in the world behind only [[Japan]] and the [[Kingdom of Sierra]].
===Sports===
{{Main|Great Britain at the Olympics}}
[[File:City_vs_United_FA_Cup_final_2023.jpg|thumb|left|240px|The {{W|2023 FA Cup final}} at {{W|Wembley Stadium}} between {{W|Manchester City}} and {{W|Manchester United}}.]]
{{W|Sport in the United Kingdom}} is one of the country's main pastimes and a core component of British culture. {{W|Association football}}, {{W|tennis}}, {{W|badminton}}, {{W|rugby}}, {{W|table tennis}}, {{W|rugby league}}, {{W|rugby sevens}}, {{W|boxing}}, {{W|golf}}, {{W|netball}}, {{W|water polo}}, {{W|billiards}}, {{W|field hockey}}, {{W|darts}}, {{W|rowing}}, {{W|rounders}}, and {{W|cricket}} either originated or were substantially developed in the UK with the rules and codes of many modern sports being codified during the Victorian Era and remain some of the main sports played in the UK.

A poll from 2003 found that association football was the most popular sport in the UK with England being recognized as the birthplace of the original football club in the {{W|Football Association}}, recognized as such by {{W|FIFA}} and is the oldest of its kind with the {{W|Rules of the Game|rules of football}} being first drafted in 1863 by {{W|Ebenezer Cobb Morley}}. Each of the {{W|Home Nations}} (England, Scotland, and Wales) have their own individual football associations, national teams, and {{W|league system}} with each being individually governed by a governing member of the {{W|International Football Association Board}} alongside FIFA. The {{W|Premier League}}, England's top division, is the most watched football league in the world with the first international football match occurring on 30 November 1872 between England and Scotland. England, Scotland, and Wales each compete in international competitions, usually as separate countries.

Within that same 2003 poll, rugby union was ranked the second most popular sport in the UK, a sport that was first created in the UK in the {{W|Rugby School}}, Warwickshire, with the {{W|Rugby union match played between Scotland and England|first rugby international match}} being played between Scotland and England on 27 March 1871. {{W|England national ruby union team|England}}, {{W|Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland}}, {{W|Wales national ruby union team|Wales}}, {{W|Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland}}, {{W|France national rugby union team|France}}, and {{W|Italy national rugby union team|Italy}} all participate at the {{W|Six Nations Championship}}, the premier international rugby union tournament in the {{W|Northern Hemisphere}}. {{W|Sports governing bodies}} in {{W|Rugby union in England|England}}, {{W|Rugby union in Scotland|Scotland}}, and {{W|Rugby union in Wales|Wales}} organize and regulate the games individually and every four years, the combined teams of the Home Nations and Ireland make a combined team known as the {{W|British and Irish Lions}} that tours in {{W|Oceania}} and [[South Africa]].

The United Kingdom has participated in the [[Olympic Games]] since their inception in 1892 and has hosted the [[1950 Summer Olympics]] after cancelling the [[1932 Summer Olympics]] due to the outbreak of the Great War, being hosted in the British capital of London. The UK is also a leading participate in the [[Commonwealth Games]] among other members of the Commonwealth of Nations with Birmingham being the host city for the [[2022 Commonwealth Games]]. Each Home Nation has hosted at least one Commonwealth Game since their inception.
===Symbols===
[[File:Queen_Elizabeth_II_Platinum_Jubilee_2022_-_Platinum_Pageant_(52123378222).jpg|thumb|right|240px|Union Jacks being displayed at {{W|The Mall, London}} during a royal parade.]]
The {{W|Union Jack}} is the official flag of the United Kingdom and one of Britain's most notable symbols. First created in 1606, the Union Jack was created as a superimposition of the {{W|flag of England}} with the {{W|Cross of Saint Saint George|cross}} of {{W|Saint George}} and the {{W|flag of Scotland}} representing {{W|Saint Andrew}}. The flag was updated in 1801 with the addition of {{W|Saint Patrick's flag}} of Ireland upon its ascension into the union as a constituent country of the UK before being removed in 1925 following Ireland's secession. Wales its not represented on the Union Jack due to it having been conquered and annexed by England prior to the formation of the United Kingdom in 1707, though the possibility of redesigning the flag to incorporate Wales has been discussed since 1925, the most recent major attempt being in 2007. {{W|God Save the King}} is the {{W|national anthem}} of the UK, with King being replaced with Queen in the event the monarch is a woman.

{{W|Britannia}} is the {{W|national personification}} of the United Kingdom, first originating in {{W|Roman Britain}} and has persisted into the present day. Outside of Britannia, {{W|The Lion and the Unicorn}} and the {{W|Welsh dragon}} are other common and prominent British symbols with the {{W|bulldog}} being an iconic animal from Britain, commonly represented with the Union Jack. A more rare personification of Britain is an 18th century character called {{W|John Bull}}, who has represented both England and Britain alike.

Alongside the UK as a whole, {{W|National symbols of England|England}}, {{W|National symbols of Scotland|Scotland}}, and {{W|National symbols of Wales|Wales}} all have their own distinct and unique national symbols to represent the respective constituent countries along with their histories, cultures, and traditions, including their own flags. Even after Ireland left in 1925, Irish symbols have been present in the UK among Irish nationals living within the country and especially among [[Ulster Britons]] with their own flags and other symbols.

==See also==
*[[Outline of the United Kingdom]]
**[[Outline of England]]
**[[Outline of Scotland]]
**[[Outline of Wales]]
*[[Index of United Kingdom-related articles]]
*{{W|Historiography of the United Kingdom}}
*{{W|Historiography of the British Empire}}
*{{W|United Kingdom–Crown Dependencies Customs Union}}

[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British Islands]]
[[Category:Countries in Europe]]
[[Category:Island countries]]
[[Category:Member states of NTO]]
[[Category:Member states of the European Community]]
[[Category:Member states of the League of Nations]]
[[Category:Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations]]
[[Category:English-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Western European countries]]
[[Category:Northern European countries]]
[[Category:G8 nations]]
[[Category:G20 nations]]
[[Category:British Isles]]
[[Category:Christian states]]