Full name: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or simply, the United Kingdom. Separated from the European continent by the North Sea and English Channel, the United Kingdom (informally referred to as Britain) includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. England and Wales were united in 1536. The addition of Scotland in 1707 created Great Britain, renamed the United Kingdom in 1801 when Ireland was added. The Republic of Ireland fought itself free of British rule in 1922, leaving volatile Northern Ireland as a province of the United Kingdom. About 55 percent of Northern Ireland's 1.6 million people trace their ancestry to Scotland or England, are Protestants, and favor continued union with Britain; however, many of the Roman Catholic population (44 percent) want to join the Republic of Ireland.
Population : 60,068,000
Land Area : 242,910 square kilometers (93,788 square miles)
Language: English, Welsh, Scottish form of Gaelic
Religion : Anglican, Roman Catholic, other Protestant, Muslim
Currency : British pound
GDP per Capita : U.S. $25,500
 Capital : London with a population of 6.77 million. It is the center of UK’s political, economic and cultural center. It is one of the world’s most famous cities.
National Regions There are four administrative regions of the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In 1974 the local administrative system reform, England is divided into 39 counties and seven general metropolitan area; Wales is divided into eight general county; Scotland is divided into 12 counties and Northern Ireland being divided into 26 autonomous counties.
England is the most populous part of the U.K., with 49 million inhabitants. Almost one third of England's people live in the prosperous southeastern part of the country centered on London—one of the largest cities in Europe. Scotland, with one third of Britain's area, is a mountainous land with 5 million people, most of them (75 percent) concentrated in the lowland area where Glasgow and Edinburgh ( Scotland's capital) are located. The Scottish nation can be traced to the Scoti, a Gaelic-speaking Celtic tribe. Wales, with 2.9 million people, is also mountainous with a Celtic culture—the country is called Cymru (pronounced CUM-ree) in the Welsh language—and its capital, Cardiff, features castles and museums highlighting Welsh culture. Since 1997 the government has been pursuing a policy of devolution, leading in 1999 to an elected Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly. In 2000 Londoners elected their first mayor and assembly.
National Day
The national day is celebrated every Thursday of the second week of June. Britain's national flower is the rose.
Economy
Industry: machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment, shipbuilding.
Agriculture: cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables; cattle; fish.
Exports: manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food, beverages, tobacco.
Traffic
The British aviation, railway, tunnel, ships, long-distance bus network and the local bus network can bring anyone to any destination in the United Kingdom.
Time Difference
The time difference between Beijing, China and the United Kingdom is about eight hours GMT.
Education
Britain is a multi-ethnic, international country. Tens of thousands of families from all over the world have decided to settle in Britain, forming a rich, open and pluralistic culture. The quality of education in the United Kingdom forefronts in the world. British universities, colleges and schools provide students with a dynamic and challenging environment to encourage them to develop their potential. All universities, colleges and schools are required to ensure the stringent standards in all courses. Many other countries are also using the British approach. Foreign students in the UK number to 250,000. As British education system is recognized worldwide, completing a degree in British institutions of learning opens the door to your future career development. Britain has a long history and strong cultural atmosphere. Its numerous international celebrity and noble aristocrats not only stimulate every foreign student in his particular field of study but even the country’s history and charming culture. The British people are sincere, traditional, and strict. The choice of Britain to pursue you overseas education is your gateway to the highest standards of education and unlimited colorful life!
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