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
- Minister rejects Trump's call for military to tackle illegal migration in UKby BBC News on September 19, 2025
US President Donald Trump suggested the military could help tackle illegal migration to the UK.
- Murder manhunt after two found shot in carby BBC News on September 19, 2025
One man died at the scene and the other suffers life-threatening injuries, police say.
- British couple freed after months in Taliban prisonby BBC News on September 19, 2025
The family of Barbie, 76, and Peter Reynolds, 80, had feared they would die in detention as their health deteriorated.
- Migrant returned to France after government wins court challengeby BBC News on September 19, 2025
Eritrean man arrives in Paris under the "one in, one out" deal as at least three boats carrying migrants leave beaches in France.
- Best budget-friendly hotels in the Lake District for an affordable tripby Helen Pickles (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
You don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy the outstanding beauty of the region and national park – here’s where to stay
- Why autumn leaves will be even more spectacular this yearby Shaheena Uddin (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
You may spot picturesque autumn leaves from mid-September to November in some parts of the UK this year
- Elderly British couple held in Afghanistan freed from Taliban detentionby Athena Stavrou (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
Barbie, 76, and Peter Reynolds, 80, have been released from detention in Afghanistan
- Starmer’s relief after success of Trump’s state visit won’t last longby Millie Cooke (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
The prime minister can breathe easy today after Thursday’s state visit – but he must now turn his attention to problems at home, writes Millie Cooke
- Boy, 17, ‘sexually assaulted multiple women’ during two-hour rampage in Londonby Holly Evans (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
The British Transport Police have made an arrest but are appealing for witnesses and potential victims to come forward
- Navy could be used to tackle small boats crisis, minister admits after Trump calls for actionby Archie Mitchell (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
Donald Trump said Keir Starmer should bring in the military to tackle small boat crossings
- MI6 launches dark web portal to attract spies in Russiaby BBC News on September 19, 2025
Outgoing MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore said potential agents in Russia and around the world will be targeted by the UK spy agency.
- Trump said he ate ‘whatever the hell they served us’ at Windsor banquet during UK state visit: Latestby Millie Cooke,Athena Stavrou and Tom Watling (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
Donald Trump’s visit to the UK finished without controversy despite a number of issues - including the recent sacking of US ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson - threatening to sour proceedings
- 'Bad boys of magic' Penn & Teller inducted into Magic Circle after 50 years of being barredby UK News - The latest headlines from the UK | Sky News on September 19, 2025
Penn & Teller have finally been inducted into the Magic Circle - after 50 years of being denied membership.
- ‘Nobody is coming for me’: Heiress who died after ‘insect bite’ sent harrowing messages from hospitalby Alex Ross (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
Marissa Laimou, 28, messaged friends from University College London Hospital saying ‘nobody is checking up on me, nobody is coming’ before she was discharged, a family friend has claimed
- Donald Trump set to invite King Charles to White House after state visit successby David Maddox (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
Exclusive: The visit is expected to play an important role in the UK’s diplomacy with the Trump White House
- Second migrant deported to France under ‘one in, one out’ dealby Holly Bancroft (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
The asylum seeker, who says he’s a victim of trafficking, lost a High Court bid to temporarily block his removal
- Met Office issues weather warning for heavy rain this weekend across UKby Harriette Boucher (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
A yellow weather warning has been issued, with some areas expected to see as much as 100mm of rain
- Voices: ‘After this latest debacle, I’m out’: Independent readers weigh in on Your Party rowby Independent and Lauren MacDougall (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
Our community is split between those who see Zarah Sultana’s bold email as the spark to ‘get this party started’ and others who fear it shows she is ‘a liability’ whose actions may leave Your Party ‘strangled at birth’
- New Troubles legacy deal 'a day and night improvement'by BBC News on September 19, 2025
Ireland's deputy prime minister says the new package will provide "maximum truth, justice and accountability" to victims.
- New Troubles legacy deal 'a day and night improvement'by BBC News on September 19, 2025
Ireland's deputy prime minister says the new package will provide "maximum truth, justice and accountability" to victims.
- Skeletal remains of missing man found by walkerby BBC News on September 19, 2025
Mr Moray was reported missing from his flat with his games console still running in July 2019.
- Detention for driver who caused 'devastating' crashby BBC News on September 19, 2025
Adam Golebiewski lost his legs after being a passenger in Arran Paterson's car in Aberdeenshire when the crash happened last year.
- Water boss warns hosepipe ban could continue into 2026by Athena Stavrou (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
Persistent rainfall needed for rest of year for ban to be lifted
- MI6 issues callout to would-be Russian spies on dark webby Holly Patrick (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
MI6 has issued a callout for new spies for the UK, including in Russia, through the launch of a new dark web portal.
- Study finds drinking alcohol can help you speak a foreign languageby Rebecca Whittaker (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
Researchers suggest that drinking alcohol lowers anxiety, helping learners speak more freely
- 94% of Ulez fines owed are from persistent offendersby Athena Stavrou (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
Transport for London is promising to crack down on those who are evading fines
- Andy Burnham refuses to rule out Labour leadership bid in threat to Starmerby Millie Cooke (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
‘I have never ruled out going back to Westminster. And obviously, I do watch what is going on down there,’ the Greater Manchester mayor said
- Urgent calls to overhaul ‘broken’ parental leave for dadsby Alan Jones (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
The government acknowledged to the committee that improvements are needed
- Body found in search for ‘smart and witty’ missing teenagerby Holly Evans (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
Lily Higgins was reported missing by her family on Wednesday evening
- Public chooses Ctrl Alt Deleaf as name for leaf-clearing trainby Neil Lancefield (The Independent UK) on September 19, 2025
Other shortlisted names were Leaf-Fall Weapon, Pulp Friction and The Autumn Avenger