United Kingdom is an island country in Northwest Europe. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south, it covers an area of 244 820 km 2 , corresponding to the island of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as a large number of small islands. From a political point of view, the island of Great Britain comprises England, Scotland and Wales. England has an area of 130 440 km 2 and occupies close to two thirds of the island; Scotland occupies the northern part and has an area of 78 782 km 2 ; Wales covers 20 769 km 2 and is located in the west of England. Northern Ireland is located in the northwestern part of the island of Ireland and occupies 14 109 km 2 . Among the smaller islands that make up the United Kingdom, Wight, Scilly, Anglesey, the Orkney Islands, the Hebrides and the Shetland are mentioned.
The names United Kingdom, Great Britain and England are often confused. England is a country within the United Kingdom. Great Britain comprises England, Wales and Scotland, while the United Kingdom also includes Northern Ireland. The main cities are London, the capital, with 9 304 000 residents (2020) in Greater London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Sheffield, Leeds, Bristol, Manchester and Bradford.
In Britain the relief is not uniform. Scotland is essentially mountainous. In the so-called Highlands, the inheritance left by the ice during the glaciation period is particularly visible: countless lakes, a very cut coast due to the invasion, by the sea, of old glacial valleys known as firths . The Grampian Mountains, further south, attest to the rigors of winter, as they are covered with undergrowth. In England, in the North, the Uplands and the Penina chain that stretches north-south are individualized. The whole of the South West of England has a very rugged relief (although it does not exceed 800 meters in altitude), while the eastern part is flat.
Climate
Overall, the climate is maritime temperate, raining or snowing much further north (in Scotland) and on the western façade of both Ireland and Great Britain.
Economy
It is one of the most developed nations in the world and one of the world’s major centers of commerce and finance. In agriculture, the production of cereals, potatoes and vegetables stands out. Livestock breeding, especially sheep and cattle, is also relevant. The mining and energy resources (iron and coal) that allowed the Industrial Revolution to start more than two centuries ago lost their importance, but were largely offset by the exploitation of oil and natural gas in the North Sea. In industrial terms, the electric, food, transportation equipment, chemical, machinery, textile and publishing sectors are the most significant. In the tertiary sector, trade, financial services and tourism show considerable dynamics. The UK’s main trading partners are Germany,
Population
The United Kingdom had an estimated population of 65 761 117 residents in 2020. The birth and death rates are respectively 11.9% and 4.1.
Average life expectancy is 81.1 years and the official language is English.
Countryaah: provides country profile of United Kingdom, including its state flag, official language, population rankings, land area, history overview, summary of economy and culture as well as map of United Kingdom.
Abbreviationfinder: Comprehensive list of all abbreviations associated with United Kingdom. Sorted by popularity. Also offers the 2-letter and 3-letter acronyms for what is the abbreviation for United Kingdom.
Abbey National Group
Profiles the bank’s products and services, its finances, and its new and noteworthy business ventures.
Website: http://www.abbeynational.plc.uk/
Bank of Ireland Great Britain
See a demonstration of online banking services offered by this financial institution, and learn about consumer and business banking.
Website: http://www.bank-of-ireland.co.uk/
Barclays Bank
International banking company provides personal and business services. Browse investor info, employment opportunities, and a list of services.
Website: http://www.barclays.co.uk/
Halifax Bank
British commercial and savings bank introduces its products and services, provides details on its finances, and lists job openings.
Website: http://www.halifax.co.uk/
HSBC Holdings
Profiles the group’s business ventures and its financial performance and outlook. Provides a directory of its offices worldwide.
Website: http://www.hsbc.com/
Lloyds Bank
UK-based bank presents its Internet banking services. Register for online banking, and explore products and services.
Website: http://www.lloydstsb.com/homepage/
National Westminster Bank
Provides interactive features, posts products and services, and provides a news center. Lists recruitment information and a travel section.
Website: http://www.natwest.co.uk/
Nationwide Building Society
Learn about the services and subsidiaries of the Nationwide Building Society, one of Britain’s largest financial institutions.
Website: http://www.nationwide.co.uk/
Singer & Friedlander
British merchant bank based in London, England, provides banking and financial services to UK-based businesses and to private individuals.
Website: http://www.sfbank.co.uk/
Unity Trust Bank Group
British company offers banking services to nonprofit groups and trade unions. Read about the investment and pension services.
