Geography, institutions, economy
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: how a state made of four nations works.
Introduction
The UK in brief: the four nations, how the union came about, devolution, the monarchy and government in 2026, Brexit, the economy and what to visit.
Facts and figures
A 2026 fact sheet with the essential data on the UK: area, population, median age, migration, economy, inflation and wages, plus practical…
England
England in brief: landscape and national parks, history from the Anglo-Saxons to Magna Carta, institutions without a parliament of its own, the…
Scotland
Scotland in brief: the Highlands, lochs and islands, history from the Picts to Culloden, the Parliament and the SNP after the 2026 election…
Wales
Wales in brief: Eryri and the coast, the castles, history from the Britons to Owain Glyndŵr, the Senedd and Plaid Cymru's 2026 victory, the Welsh…
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland in brief: Lough Neagh and the Giant's Causeway, the Plantation and the Troubles, the Good Friday Agreement, Stormont and First…
Climate
What the British climate is like: average temperatures month by month, the truth about rain (London gets less than Rome), the seasons, records and…
The monarchy
How the British monarchy works: the sovereign's duties, Charles III and the line of succession, the royal residences, the list of dynasties from the…
Parliament and government
How the British political system works: the House of Commons and first past the post, the House of Lords after the 2026 reform, the Prime Minister…
Prime ministers
The complete list of British prime ministers from 1721 to today, with years and party, the origins of the office, the longest-serving and…
English legal system
How justice works in England and Wales: the common law and precedent, Acts of Parliament, the courts from the Magistrates' Court to the Supreme…
Scottish legal system
Scots law, a mixed system unique in Europe: Roman-law roots, the institutional writers, the Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary…
Administrative divisions of England
How England is organised: the nine regions and their population, historic and ceremonial counties, districts, unitary authorities, metropolitan and…
Administrative divisions of Scotland
Scotland's 32 council areas, how local councils work, the historic counties and former regions, and the constituencies of the Scottish Parliament.
Administrative divisions of Wales
The 22 local authorities of Wales with their Welsh names, the historic counties and the eight preserved counties, and the 16 Senedd constituencies…
Economy
The British economy in 2026: the City and services, manufacturing excellence, offshore wind, from deindustrialisation to the cost-of-living crisis…
Population
How many Britons there are and where they live: ONS mid-2025 data, falling births, median age, net migration from the 2023 record to 2025, ethnic and…
Languages
Which languages are spoken in the UK: English and its accents, the Celtic languages (Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Irish, Cornish), Scots, sign language…
The flag
The Union Jack explained: the crosses of St George, St Andrew and St Patrick, its history from 1606 to 1801, why it is not symmetrical, why Wales is…
The pound
All about the pound: the history of the world's oldest currency in use, the system before 1971, Charles III banknotes, coins, Scottish and Northern…