What countries make up the United Kingdom?

The United Kingdom is made up of four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Together they share a single central government based in London.

What is the capital of the United Kingdom?

London is the capital and largest city of the United Kingdom. It is also the capital of England and serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the country.

What is the population of the UK?

As of the latest estimates the United Kingdom has a population of approximately 67.6 million people, making it the 21st most populous country in the world.

What currency does the UK use?

The United Kingdom uses the Pound Sterling (GBP, symbol £). The UK chose not to adopt the Euro when it was introduced and retains its own currency.

Is the UK in the European Union?

No. The UK formally left the European Union on 31 January 2020 following the 2016 Brexit referendum in which 51.9% of voters chose to leave.

What is the official language of the UK?

English is the de facto official language. Welsh is co-official in Wales, Scottish Gaelic has official status in Scotland, and Irish is recognised in Northern Ireland.

UK Country Facts

Name: UK Country Facts
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Explore key facts, statistics, and geographic information about the United Kingdom at a glance.

Official Name United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Short Name United Kingdom (UK) / Great Britain

Capital City London

Largest City London (~9.7 million in Greater London)

Population ~67.6 million (2024 estimate)

Area 242,495 km² (93,628 sq mi)

Currency Pound Sterling (GBP, £)

Official Language English (de facto); Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Irish also recognised

Internet TLD .uk / .gb

Calling Code +44

Time Zone GMT (UTC+0) / BST (UTC+1) in summer

Drives On Left

Acts of Union (England & Scotland) 1707 — Kingdom of Great Britain formed

Acts of Union (UK formed) 1801 — Ireland joins to form the United Kingdom

Victorian Era 1837–1901 — Industrial Revolution, British Empire at its peak

British Empire Peak Early 20th century — covered ~24% of Earth's land area

World War I 1914–1918 — UK was a principal Allied power

World War II 1939–1945 — UK led by Winston Churchill; key Allied nation

Welfare State 1948 — NHS founded; major post-war social reforms

Decolonisation 1940s–1970s — British colonies gained independence worldwide

EEC/EU Membership 1973–2020 — Member of the European Economic Community / EU

Devolution 1999 — Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, NI Assembly established

Brexit 2016 referendum; formally left EU on 31 January 2020

Queen Elizabeth II Reigned 1952–2022; longest-reigning British monarch (70 years)

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Summary

Explore key facts, statistics, and geographic information about the United Kingdom at a glance.

How it works

Browse the fact categories using the tab navigation at the top.
Each category reveals a set of key data points about the UK.
Click "Copy All Facts" to copy a plain-text summary to your clipboard.
Use the search box to filter facts by keyword.

Use cases

Quick reference for geography and history students.
Journalists and researchers compiling background data on the UK.
Trivia enthusiasts and pub quiz preparation.
Teachers preparing classroom material about the United Kingdom.
Travelers planning a visit who want a fast country overview.
Business professionals researching the UK market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-15 · Reviewed by Nham Vu