Area Total | 243,610 sq km |
Climate | temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast |
Natural Resources | coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land |
Imports | $602.5 billion (2017 est.) partners: Germany 13.7%, US 9.5%, China 9.3%, Netherlands 8%, France 5.4%, Belgium 5% (2017) |
Exports | $436.5 billion (2017 est.) partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5%, (2017) |
Government | parliamentary constitutional monarchy; a Constitutional realm |
Capital | London |
Population | 65.6 million (July 2017 est.) |
Ethnicity | white 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.) |
Language | English; recognized languages are: Scots (about 30% of the population of Scotland), Scottish Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland), Welsh (about 20% of the population of Wales), Irish (about 10% of the population of Northern Ireland), Cornish (some 2,000 to 3,000 people in Cornwall) (2012 est.) |
News about United Kingdom
- Hannah Ingram-Moore: Who is Captain Sir Tom Moore’s ‘leading business woman’ daughter?by Aine Fox (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
Hannah Ingram-Moore’s webstie described her as ‘one of Britain’s leading business women’
- John Prescott: The Labour firebrand who became Tony Blair’s vital sidekickby Dennis Kavanagh,Joe Middleton and David Maddox (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
The charismatic deputy prime minister, who has died at the age of 86, was known best for punching a member of the electorate and acting as a vital bridge for Tony Blair to reach the unions
- John Prescott death: Former deputy prime minister dies aged 86by Namita Singh,Millie Cooke and David Maddox (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
The Labour firebrand died at the age of 86 surrounded by family
- Water firms stopped from using customer money for bonusesby BBC News on November 21, 2024
The regulator's new powers prevent bonuses being funded from customer bills.
- December 2024 dates for benefit and pensions as PIP and DLA payments increase revealedby Albert Toth (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
All the essential cost of living information you need
- John Prescott death latest: Starmer and Blair pay tribute to Labour ‘giant’ and ‘most unusual’ politicianby Alex Croft,David Maddox and Millie Cooke (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
Labour giant described by Sir Tony Blair as one of the ‘most talented’ people he had encountered in politics
- Tony Blair chokes up in emotional tribute to John Prescott: ‘I’m devastated’by Lucy Leeson (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair choked up as he paid an emotional tribute to Lord John Prescott.
- 'There were no rules that he really abided by' - Tony Blairby BBC News on November 21, 2024
The former prime minister remembers the moment in the 2001 general election campaign when John Prescott punched a member of the public.
- Captain Tom's family repeatedly made money from charity, inquiry findsby BBC News on November 21, 2024
The fundraiser's family damaged public trust by not donating any money from his books, a report finds.
- Moment John Prescott punched protester who threw egg at himby Lucy Leeson (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
Known for his fiery temperament, John Prescott made headlines in 2001 when he punched a protester who had thrown an egg at him during an election campaign in North Wales.
- Captain Tom’s family made more than £1m through link to charity, damning report findsby Holly Evans (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
Hannah Ingram-Moore and husband Colin used charity’s name ‘inappropriately for private benefit’, watchdog says
- Where does gritters’ salt come from? The secret behind what’s spread on our frozen roadsby Albert Toth (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
The UK’s grit has a surprising origin
- Cold weather payments triggered in UK snow – check if you’re eligible and when to expect moneyby Albert Toth (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
Snow has begun to fall across the UK
- John Prescott: Political bruiser who played vital role in Labour comebackby BBC News on November 21, 2024
As deputy prime minister for 10 years, he was part of the team that won three successive elections.
- Now Ukraine fires British missiles at Russia for first time as UK ‘doubles down’ on support for Kyivby David Maddox and Alex Croft (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
Russians share photographs of exploded fragments showing markings of UK-made Storm Shadow weapons
- John Prescott: The political heavyweight who stewarded New Labourby BBC News on November 21, 2024
The former deputy leader of the Labour Party, who later sat in the Lords, leaves a wife and two sons.
- Former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott dies aged 86by UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on November 21, 2024
Former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott has died aged 86, following a battle with Alzheimer's, his family has announced.
- Say Nothing: Son of IRA murder victim criticises ‘cruel’ depiction of mother’s death in Disney showby Rebecca Black (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
Michael McConville said the murder of his mother Jean is ‘not entertainment’
- The Papers: 'Farewell Liam' and 'UK defies Putin'by BBC News on November 21, 2024
Thursday's papers are led by Liam Payne's funeral and Ukraine firing UK-supplied missiles into Russia.
- Four dead and more in hospital with methanol poisoning after drinking 'free shots' in Laosby UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on November 21, 2024
Four people have died and a number of others are in hospital after allegedly being served drinks laced with methanol.
- UK ministers scrap warships, helicopters, and drones in £500m defence cutsby David Maddox (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
Defence secretary John Healey cancels six ‘outdated’ defence projects
- UK-trained elite commandos approached to fight for Russia against Ukraineby Holly Bancroft,Fahim Abed,May Bulman and Jessica Purkiss (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
Investigation: The UK trained and paid special forces to fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan. As hundreds of these fighters live in danger while Britain delays decisions on whether to give them sanctuary, the UK’s adversaries are circling. Holly Bancroft, Fahim Abed, May Bulman and Jessica Purkiss report
- What is the Storm Shadow cruise missile? Ukraine hits Russia with British weapon for first timeby Arpan Rai and Rachel Hagan (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
The missile carries a range of around 155 miles and is designed to evade detection despite flying low after being launched
- Republican senator falsely accuses Biden and Harris of masterminding Chagos deal to ‘appease’ UN and Chinaby Andrew Feinberg and David Maddox (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
The Independent has reported that president-elect Donald Trump has expressed a desire to object to the handover of the Chagos Islands because it could jeopardize a key US military base
- Railways set to come back into public ownership after Lords pass nationalisation billby David Maddox (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
Labour’s first big reform in reversing the 40-year legacy of Margaret Thatcher is set to come into place with the legislation to renationalise the railways passing through parliament
- Primary school pupil suspensions in England double in a decadeby BBC News on November 21, 2024
Mum Jo says Jacob is very caring but sensory issues led to him being excluded for disruptive behaviour.
- World’s tallest and shortest women meet for afternoon tea – and find plenty in commonby Lynn Rusk (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
The world’s tallest woman measure 215.16cm (7ft 1in), while Ms Amge is the shortest woman at 62.8cm (2ft 1in)
- Nadine Dorries uses new book to continue feud with Kemi Badenoch over Boris Johnson’s downfallby Millie Cooke (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
Ms Dorries, a close ally of Boris Johnson, has repeatedly locked horns with Kemi Badenoch, accusing her of plotting to take down the former PM
- Key findings from the damning Captain Tom report: From gin to spasby Sam Russell (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
Captain Sir Tom Moore’s daughter and her husband are accused of “repeated” misconduct in a report by the Charity Commission about the running of the Captain Tom Foundation.
- Captain Tom Moore timeline: From NHS hero’s legacy in pandemic to controversy four years laterby Joe Sommerlad,Alex Ross and Jabed Ahmed (The Independent UK) on November 21, 2024
Decorated Second World War veteran turned pandemic hero raised £33m for NHS before passing away in 2021 but the foundation set up in his name has been heavily criticised in a watchdog report that also names Captain Tom’s daughter and son-in-law for mismanagement, Joe Sommerlad and Alex Ross report