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
- 'Better deal' ahead with EU and 'winter fuel U-turn'by BBC News on May 17, 2025
The papers are dominated by better deals expected with the EU and Sir Keir Starmer's pivot on winter fuel payments.
- 'Teachers are having scissors thrown at them - we've had enough'by BBC News on May 17, 2025
Staff say they are often unable to teach as large groups of students roam the school.
- Why youth mobility and fishing are key issues ahead of UK/EU summitby BBC News on May 17, 2025
Youth mobility and fishing rights are key negotiating points between the UK and the EU as the prime minister attempts a post-Brexit "reset".
- The 'peacock of Savile Row' on dressing stars for the Met Galaby BBC News on May 17, 2025
Ozwald Boateng's four decades of experience was on show at the fashion world's biggest event.
- Brits can be extradited over Tokyo jewellery heistby BBC News on May 16, 2025
The chief magistrate rules Japan has a case to extradite Kaine Wright and Joe Chappell.
- Firefighters and member of public killed in huge blaze at ex-RAF base namedby Jabed Ahmed and Andy Gregory (The Independent UK) on May 16, 2025
Ten fire crews rushed to the inferno engulfing the Bicester Motion business park in Oxfordshire on Thursday
- Monty Don explains why he’s included toxic plants in dog-friendly Chelsea Flower Show gardenby Emily Beament (The Independent UK) on May 16, 2025
The legendary BBC presenter has designed his first – and ‘I hope my last’ – Chelsea garden
- 'He's the chosen one': Meet the 14-year-old British boxer now fighting for Bahrainby UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on May 16, 2025
Only the most ardent followers of boxing will know of Jayden Price, the 14-year-old from Gloucester.
- Starmer in 11th hour Brexit reset talks with Macron and Ursula von der Leyen to secure crucial dealby David Maddox (The Independent UK) on May 16, 2025
The prime minister will meet the European Commission and French presidents on the fringes of the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Albania with the Brexit reset talks heating up
- Firefighters killed in business park blaze namedby BBC News on May 16, 2025
The firefighters who died in a fire at Bicester Motion have been named as Jennie Logan and Martyn Sadler.
- Firefighters killed in business park blaze namedby BBC News on May 16, 2025
The firefighters who died in a fire at Bicester Motion have been named as Jennie Logan and Martyn Sadler.
- Rugby star Jamie Roberts 'excited' to become junior doctorby BBC News on May 16, 2025
Jamie Roberts says he is ready to become a junior doctor and complete his medical training in the NHS.
- E-bike batteries pose 'fastest growing' fire riskby BBC News on May 16, 2025
The warning comes after seven people were taken to hospital after a fire started by an e-scooter.
- 'We had to be on board' last run of UK's longest train routeby BBC News on May 16, 2025
Passengers enjoy the 775-mile journey from Aberdeen to Penzance one last time.
- Police watchdog to investigate mother's claim she was unlawfully strip-searchedby UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on May 16, 2025
A mother's complaint she was unlawfully strip-searched by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) will be investigated by the police watchdog.
- ‘I had to borrow money from friends and family during my maternity leave – I felt ashamed and humiliated’by Athena Stavrou (The Independent UK) on May 16, 2025
Campaigners warn statutory maternity pay is pushing new mothers into poverty
- Two firefighters and member of public dead after large fire at ex-RAF baseby Alexander Butler and Barney Davis (The Independent UK) on May 16, 2025
Oxfordshire County Council said two firefighters had died following the blaze at Bicester Motion on Thursday
- Just Stop Oil activists spared jail after Heathrow glue plotby BBC News on May 16, 2025
Nine Just Stop Oil activists are sentenced for planning to disrupt Heathrow Airport last July.
- Talks over winter fuel payment U-turn ‘intensify’ as Labour bids to repair relationship with votersby Kate Devlin (The Independent UK) on May 16, 2025
Prime minister Keir Starmer under pressure as focus groups tell government they might not bear a grude if there is a reversal of the chancellor Rachel Reeves’s cuts
- Campaigner wins legal fight over London park festivalsby BBC News on May 16, 2025
Rebekah Shaman took on Lambeth Council over the use of parts of Brockwell Park for music events.
- Time for a wealth tax, say Patriotic Millionaires as Rich List shows £772bn in the hands of just 350 familiesby Athena Stavrou (The Independent UK) on May 16, 2025
Call comes after the the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List revealed the annual catalogue of Britain’s wealthiest people
- Fragments of human remains found in search for Disappeared Joe Lynskeyby BBC News on May 16, 2025
Mr Lynskey went missing in 1972, and republicans have claimed he was "executed and buried" by the IRA.
- Cows rescued from overturned lorry as motorway remains closedby BBC News on May 16, 2025
A small number of cows have been put down after a lorry overturned on the M1 on Friday morning.
- Two teens arrested after kittens found 'mutilated'by BBC News on May 16, 2025
Two kittens were found dead in a field in Ruislip, west London, on Saturday, 3 May.
- Rock band Sleep Token score first UK number one with new albumby BBC News on May 16, 2025
The mysterious rock group reach the top spot with their latest, even in Arcadia.
- Celtic urge fans not to attend unofficial title partyby BBC News on May 16, 2025
The club is encouraging supporters not to take part in an unofficial "title party" in Glasgow because of safety concerns.
- Prison governor jailed for relationship with inmateby BBC News on May 16, 2025
Kerri Pegg, 42, was seen as a "rising star" but her trial heard she "didn't play by the rules".
- ‘I lost my life’: Man wrongly jailed for five years demands fair compensation scheme by Holly Evans and Bryony Gooch (The Independent UK) on May 16, 2025
The Ministry of Justice acknowledged his innocence but said Brian Buckle must ‘prove it beyond reasonable doubt’
- Prince William set to play key role in Crystal Palace v Manchester City FA Cup finalby Pol Allingham (The Independent UK) on May 16, 2025
The Prince of Wales became the patron of the FA last summer after being its president for 18 years
- Tesco apologises after software issue hits website and appby BBC News on May 16, 2025
The company apologised to customers after its app and website went down on Friday afternoon.