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United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign country in northwestern Europe.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign country in northwestern Europe. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with London as its capital and largest city.

Geography and composition

The UK lies off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe and is made up of four constituent countries. It includes the whole of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, sharing a land border with the Republic of Ireland.

Government and politics

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The sovereign is the head of state, while the prime minister is the head of government.

Capital and major cities

London is the capital and largest city. Other major cities include Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast.

Population and language

The UK’s population is about 69.4 million as of 2025 estimates. English is the official language, with Welsh and Scottish Gaelic also recognised in some contexts.

Key facts

  • The United Kingdom is an island country in western Europe.
  • It includes the island of Great Britain and the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland.
  • The UK is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system.
  • English is the main official language, and Welsh and Scottish Gaelic are also used regionally.
  • London is the capital and a major global financial and cultural centre.
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Canadian context

The United Kingdom is historically significant for Canada because it was Canada’s colonial power and remains linked through the Commonwealth, shared legal and parliamentary traditions, and migration ties.

Frequently asked questions

What is the full name of the United Kingdom?
The full name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
What countries make up the United Kingdom?
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make up the United Kingdom.
What is the capital of the United Kingdom?
The capital is London.
Is Great Britain the same as the United Kingdom?
No. Great Britain refers to the island containing England, Scotland and Wales, while the United Kingdom also includes Northern Ireland.
What type of government does the UK have?
The UK is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy.
What currency is used in the UK?
The currency is the pound sterling (GBP).

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/United-Kingdom
    Supports: Geography, capital, constituent parts, major cities
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/United-Kingdom
    Supports: Area, population, language, religion, government
  3. National Geographic Kids — https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/geography/countries/article/united-kingdom
    Supports: Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy, constituent countries
  4. CountryReports — https://www.countryreports.org/country/UnitedKingdom.htm
    Supports: Capital, government type, currency, overview
  5. Britannica Kids — https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/United-Kingdom/277509
    Supports: Full name, constituent parts, capital, area, population
  6. CIA World Factbook — https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/countries/united-kingdom/
    Supports: Official/common names and country designation