Overview
Background
England and Scotland, distinct states under one monarchy, joined under the 1707 Acts of Union, creating the United Kingdom. The island of Ireland was incorporated under the 1800 Acts of Union, while Wales belonged to England since the 16th century. The 18th and 19th centuries saw rapid expansion of the British Empire despite the loss of the Thirteen Colonies.
Two World Wars in the first half of the 20th century seriously depleted the UK's strength, and the Irish Republic withdrew from the union. The second half saw the dismantling of the Empire and the UK's rebuilding into a modern and prosperous European nation. As a permanent UN Security Council member and founding member of NATO and the Commonwealth of Nations, the UK pursues global foreign policy. The devolved Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales, and Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1998. The UK joined the EU in 1973 but stayed outside the Economic and Monetary Union. In 2016, UK citizens voted to leave the EU. On 31 January 2020, the UK departed the EU after prolonged negotiations on economic and security relationships, a move known as Brexit.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
People and society
The United Kingdom's people include White, Black/African/Caribbean/black British, Asian/Asian British: Indian, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani, mixed, and other ethnic groups. Christianity includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and Methodist traditions; Muslim and Hindu faiths, other religions, unspecified affiliations, and no religion are also present.
The population core lies in and around London, with significant clusters in central Britain around Manchester and Liverpool. Further clusters occupy the Scottish lowlands between Edinburgh and Glasgow, southern Wales around Cardiff, and far-eastern Northern Ireland centered on Belfast.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
Flag and symbols
A blue field bears Saint George’s red cross, edged in white, atop Saint Patrick’s diagonal red cross, atop Saint Andrew’s diagonal white cross. It is officially the Union Flag, commonly called the Union Jack. National symbols include the lion for all of Britain; the lion, Tudor rose, and oak for England; the lion, unicorn, and thistle for Scotland. Wales has the dragon, daffodil, and leek; Northern Ireland has shamrock and flax.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
United Kingdom