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 About the United Kingdom |
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The United Kingdom or UK are shortened terms for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is the island northwest of France made up of the regions of England, Scotland, and Wales. Northern Ireland is the northern sixth of the island of Ireland. While these four regions had distinct and separate cultures, languages and political histories, together they comprise the constitutional monarchy of the UK.
England, unlike Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, has no separate elected national body or government department responsible for its central administration. English affairs are the responsibility of the UK government in London.
Scotland, since 1999, has had its own Parliament and Executive, located in Edinburgh. Wales, also since 1999, has had its own Assembly and Cabinet, located in Cardiff.
Northern Ireland consists of six of the nine counties of the old Irish province of Ulster. About 54% of the people in Northern Ireland are Protestants and about 42% are Roman Catholics. Most of the Protestants, descendants of Scottish or English settlers who moved to North-Eastern Ireland, identify with British culture and have been committed to remaining part of the UK. The Roman Catholic population is mainly Irish by culture and history, and many favor union with the Irish Republic.
The union of the above four regions of the UK was a very gradual process taking place from the late 13th to the 20th centuries. The British Empire, at it’s pinnacle in the 19th century, stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. But by the first half of the 20th century, the UK's might and power were seriously eroded by two World Wars. In the second half of the century the Empire was dismantled, and the UK recreated itself into a modern and thriving nation. As a member of the EU, it has chosen to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union for the present. |
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Location |
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Comprised of islands off the north-western coast of continental Europe, the United Kingdom is surrounded by the North Sea, the English Channel, the Celtic Sea, the Irish Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean. The islands include the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland. |
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Population |
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The population of the United Kingdom is just over 60,000,000. The English comprise about 82% of the population, Scottish about 9%, Irish about 2.5%, Welsh about 2%, Ulster about 2%, and West Indian, Indian, Pakistani, and other groups about 3%. The Anglican and Catholic Churches have some 40 million adherents, and Islam has 1.5 million believers. In addition there are about 800,000 members each of the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, about 500,000 each Sikhs and Hindus, and some 350,000 members of the Jewish faith. |
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Language |
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The language is predominantly English, but Welsh and a Scottish form of Gaelic are spoken by small segments of the population. |
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Education |
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In England and Wales, students attend primary school from age five to eleven, and secondary school until age sixteen. Before graduating, students take the comprehensive General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams. Following a pass of these exams, students may choose to study two to four subjects for the GCE Advanced Level exams, or "A levels." Then at eighteen years of age, they enter higher education focusing on a specific subject, called a "course," which is actually a degree program.
At the university level, most students study one major for the duration of three years. Lately there are more class choices in interdisciplinary programs being offered. But this approach has not replaced the traditional British degree course, and there remains a sharp divide between the arts and sciences.
There is more emphasis on independent, self-directed study in British universities than in the United States. Students in Britain write more essays, but take fewer objective tests, than at U.S. institutions. Scottish universities begin with broad-based programs for first year students and specialization after the second or third year, in an approach that resembles European or American institutions. |
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Weather |
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The climate in the United Kingdom is temperate, thanks to prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current. Because the UK is an island, the weather can change quickly. Snow, hail, heavy rain, and high temperatures all occur, but cloudy, overcast days are the most typical. |
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Money and Cost of Living |
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The cost of living varies within the UK. London is repeatedly rated as one of the most expensive cities in Europe. Generally it is more expensive to live in the south-east of England than in the north. Areas outside of London are often a third cheaper than London itself.
Banking hours are Mon-Fri 0930-1630, although there may be variations in closing times. Some bank branches are open Saturday morning, all-day Saturday, Sunday for limited hours, or even for 24-hours. |
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Currency |
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The currency is the Pound (£), also known as sterling or quid, which equals 100 pence. Notes are in denominations of £50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of £2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence. The United Kingdom, although a member of the EU, has not adopted the Euro.
Although the English pound is the most common currency used in the UK, banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland also issue currency which mainly circulate within their own countries. English, Scottish and Northern Irish pound notes are equal in value. While English pound notes are accepted throughout the United Kingdom, Scottish and Northern Irish notes may be difficult to use in England. |
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Health |
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Healthcare in the UK is provided to the public by the government-sponsored National Health Service (NHS). The State of Healthcare report 2005 is the second report published by the Healthcare Commission on the state of healthcare in England and Wales. The report focuses on the experience of patients, and reports answers to the following questions - do people receive effective heatlhcare services, do they have enough control over the care they receive, and do some get a better deal from healthcare services than others?
In addition to the public health program, there are private health and private health insurance options. |
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Weights and Measures |
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The UK uses the metric system, with units in grams and milligrams, milliliters and liters. |
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Electricity |
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The UK uses 230V 50Hz electricity with G, or rectangular blade plugs. 240V is within tolerances and is commonly found. |
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