The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly
known as the United Kingdom (UK or U.K.) or Britain,[note 10] is a
sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European
mainland. The United Kingdom includes the island of Great Britain, the
northÂeastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller
islands. Northern Ireland shares a land border with the Republic of
Ireland. Otherwise, the United Kingdom is surrounded by the Atlantic
Ocean, with the North Sea to the east, the English Channel to the
south and the Celtic Sea to the southwest, giving it the 12th-longest
coastline in the world. The Irish Sea separates Great Britain and
Ireland. The total area of the United Kingdom is 94,000 square miles
(240,000 km2).The United Kingdom is a unitary parliamentary democracy
and constitutional monarchy.[note 11] The monarch is Queen Elizabeth
II, who has reigned since 1952, making her the world's longest-serving
current head of state. The United Kingdom's capital is London, a
global city and financial centre with an urban area population of 10.3
million. The United Kingdom consists of four countries: England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London,
Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, respectively. Apart from England, the
countries have their own devolved governments, each with varying
powers. Other major cities include Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds,
Liverpool, and Manchester.
known as the United Kingdom (UK or U.K.) or Britain,[note 10] is a
sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European
mainland. The United Kingdom includes the island of Great Britain, the
northÂeastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller
islands. Northern Ireland shares a land border with the Republic of
Ireland. Otherwise, the United Kingdom is surrounded by the Atlantic
Ocean, with the North Sea to the east, the English Channel to the
south and the Celtic Sea to the southwest, giving it the 12th-longest
coastline in the world. The Irish Sea separates Great Britain and
Ireland. The total area of the United Kingdom is 94,000 square miles
(240,000 km2).The United Kingdom is a unitary parliamentary democracy
and constitutional monarchy.[note 11] The monarch is Queen Elizabeth
II, who has reigned since 1952, making her the world's longest-serving
current head of state. The United Kingdom's capital is London, a
global city and financial centre with an urban area population of 10.3
million. The United Kingdom consists of four countries: England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London,
Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, respectively. Apart from England, the
countries have their own devolved governments, each with varying
powers. Other major cities include Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds,
Liverpool, and Manchester.
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