The United Kingdom is an island country officially called “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.” As such it comprises the countries of England, Scotland and Wales (which make up Great Britain) and Northern Ireland.
Great Britain is the largest island in Europe. It is located northeast of France in the Atlantic Ocean. Ireland is to its west.
The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy whose current reigning monarch and head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. As a parliamentary democracy, legislation is governed by the House of Lords and the House of Commons. A prime minister is elected by parliament to serve as the political leader of the UK.
The United Kingdom has no written constitution. The bases for laws are statutes, court judgements, treaties and traditional rights.
The United Kingdom is about 93,200 square miles in area with a current population of 60.9 million people.
