• The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK, or Britain, is a sovereign island country off the north-west coast of mainland Europe. The Kingdom is comprised of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and many small islands. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, and the Irish Sea.

• 1. Capital: London
  2. Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II
  3. Prime Minister: Gordon Brown
  4. Government: Constitutional Monarchy
  5. Population: 60,776,238 (2006)National Statistics: National Statistics
  6. Currency: British Pound (GBP)
  7. Official language: English, Welsh, Scottish
  8. One of five permanent members of the UN Security Council
  9. Founding member of NATO
  10. Member of European Union

• History

  The world's foremost power during the 19th and early 20th century, the United Kingdom was central in the development of parliamentary democracy and the advancement of literature and science. At its height, the British Empire comprised one-fourth of the earth's surface. Two World Wars and the Irish withdrawal from the union depleted its power in the first half of the 20th century. It has evolved into a modern and prosperous European nation over the latter part of the 20th century.

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