United Kingdom of Great Britain, Hanover, and Ireland: Difference between revisions

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|{{wp|British Sign Language}}
|{{wp|British Sign Language}}
}}
}}
|ethnic_groups = 87.2% {{wp|White people|White}}<br/>5.1% {{wp|Asian people|Asian}}<br/>3.2% Not stated<br/>2.2% {{wp|Black people|Black}}<br/>1.3% {{wp|Other}}<br/>1.0% {{wp|Mixed people|Mixed}}
|ethnic_groups = 87.2% {{wp|White people|White}}<br/>5.1% {{wp|Asian people|Asian}}<br/>3.2% Not stated<br/>2.2% {{wp|Black people|Black}}<br/>1.3% {{wp|Other}}<br/>1.0% Mixed
|ethnic_groups_year = 2023
|ethnic_groups_year = 2023
| religion              = {{Tree list}}
| religion              = {{Tree list}}
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|capital = {{wp|London}}
|capital = {{wp|London}}
|largest_city = {{wp|London}}
|largest_city = {{wp|London}}
|government_type = {{wp|Unitary government|Unitary}}<ref>Although the {{wp|United Kingdom}} has traditionally been seen as a unitary state, an alternative description of the {{wp|UK}} as a "union state", put forward by, among others, Vernon Bogdanor, has become increasingly influential since the adoption of devolution in the 1990s. A union state is considered to differ from a unitary state in that while it maintains a central authority it also recognises the authority of historic rights and infrastructures of its component parts.</ref> {{wp|parliamentary}} {{wp|constitutional monarchy}}
|government_type = {{wp|Unitary government|Unitary}}<ref>Although the {{wp|United Kingdom}} has traditionally been seen as a unitary state, an alternative description of the {{wp|UK}} as a "union state", put forward by, among others, Vernon Bogdanor, has become increasingly influential since the adoption of devolution in the 1990s. A union state is considered to differ from a unitary state in that while it maintains a central authority it also recognises the authority of historical rights and infrastructures of its component parts.</ref> {{wp|parliamentary}} {{wp|constitutional monarchy}}
|leader_title1 = {{wp|Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Monarch}}
|leader_title1 = {{wp|Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Monarch}}<ref>From the reigns of {{wp|George III|King George III}} to [[Thomas, King of the British|King Thomas]], {{wp|British}} monarchs were styled as "emperors" and "empresses" before the imperial title was dropped following the transfer of {{wp|Hong Kong}} to {{wp|China}}, thereby marking the end of the {{wp|British Empire}}.</ref>
|leader_name1 = [[Alexandra, Queen of the British|Alexandra]]
|leader_name1 = [[Alexandra, Queen of the British|Alexandra]]
|leader_title2 = {{wp|Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister}}
|leader_title2 = {{wp|Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister}}
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|leader_title3 = {{wp|Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Deputy Prime Minister}}
|leader_title3 = {{wp|Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Deputy Prime Minister}}
|leader_name3 = [[Jacqueline Carter]]
|leader_name3 = [[Jacqueline Carter]]
|leader_title4 = {{wp|Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the House of Commons}}
|leader_title4 = {{wp|Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom|Speaker of the House of Commons}}
|leader_name4 = {{wp|Lindsay Hoyle}}
|leader_name4 = {{wp|Lindsay Hoyle}}
|leader_title5 = {{wp|President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom|President of the Supreme Court}}
|leader_title5 = {{wp|President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom|President of the Supreme Court}}
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| established_event4    =  {{wp|Acts of Union 1800}}
| established_event4    =  {{wp|Acts of Union 1800}}
| established_date4      = 1 January 1801
| established_date4      = 1 January 1801
| established_event5    =  {{wp|Government of Ireland Act 1912}}
| established_event5    =  {{wp|Government of Ireland Act 1914|Government of Ireland Act 1912}}
| established_date5      = 22 January 1912
| established_date5      = 22 January 1912
| established_event6    =  {{wp|Kingdom of Hanover Act 1924}}
| established_event6    =  {{wp|Kingdom of Hanover Act 1924}}
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|population_density_sq_mi =  <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_sq_mi =  <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank = 68th
|population_density_rank = 68th
|GDP_PPP = $5.563 trillion
|GDP_PPP = $5.745 trillion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 5th
|GDP_PPP_rank = 5th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2023
|GDP_PPP_year = 2023
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $68,642
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $70,702
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 19th
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 15th
|GDP_nominal = $4.742 trillion
|GDP_nominal = $4.883 trillion
|GDP_nominal_rank = 3rd
|GDP_nominal_rank = 3rd
|GDP_nominal_year = 2023
|GDP_nominal_year = 2023
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $58,358
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $60,093
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 15th
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 12th
|HDI_year = 2023
|HDI_year = 2023
|HDI_change = increase
|HDI_change = increase
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|calling_code = {{wp|+44}}
|calling_code = {{wp|+44}}
|cctld = {{wp|.uk}}}}
|cctld = {{wp|.uk}}}}
The '''{{wp|United Kingdom}} of Great Britain, Hanover, and Ireland''', commonly known as the '''{{wp|United Kingdom}} (UK)''' or '''Britain''', is a country in {{wp|Northwestern Europe}}. Consisting of the entirety of the {{wp|British Isles}}, it is made up of five constituent countries, namely {{wp|England}}, {{wp|Scotland}}, {{wp|Wales}}, {{wp|Republic of Ireland|Ireland}}, and {{wp|Kingdom of Hanover|Hanover}}, the country's sole exclave on the {{wp|European}} mainland. With a total area of 360,382 km2, it is the sixty-third-largest country in the world while its population of roughly 81 million makes it the twentieth-most-populous country in the world and the most populous in the {{wp|European Union}}.
Having first been settled by the {{wp|Anglo-Saxons}} in the 5th century, the {{wp|United Kingdom}}'s modern history began with the union of the {{wp|Kingdom of England}}, which also included {{wp|Wales}}, and the {{wp|Kingdom of Scotland}} into the {{wp|Kingdom of Great Britain}} in 1707. Then, in 1801, the {{wp|Kingdom of Great Britain}} united with the {{wp|Kingdom of Ireland}} to form the {{wp|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland}}, a polity that lasted until 1923 when it absorbed the {{wp|Kingdom of Hanover}}, thereby giving its current name of the {{wp|United Kingdom}} of Great Britain, Hanover, and Ireland. Beginning in the 20th century, the country gradually embraced {{wp|devolution}} which granted its constituent countries some autonomy to legislate in their own right.
As the first country to achieve {{wp|industrialisation}}, the {{wp|United Kingdom}} was the world's foremost power throughout much of the 19th century and the early 20th century, a period known as "{{wp|Pax Britannica}}". However, the country's involvement in the {{wp|First World War|First}} and {{wp|Second World War|Second World Wars}}, coupled with the beginning of the wave of decolonisation in the second half of the 20th century, saw Britain's global stature experience a period of decline with its hegemony being effectively usurped by the {{wp|United States}}. Regardless, {{wp|British}} influence can still be seen worldwide, most famously the {{wp|Westminster system}} adopted by most of its former colonies, while the {{wp|English}} language is the most widely spoken language in the world. As of current, the {{wp|United Kingdom}}, particularly through its constituent country of {{wp|England}}, is a dominant footballing power with both of its {{wp|England national football team|men}}'s and {{wp|Lionesses|women}}'s national teams currently undefeated at both the men's and women's editions of the {{wp|FIFA World Cup}} and the {{wp|UEFA European Championship}}.
Since the onset of the {{wp|Glorious Revolution}} in 1689, the {{wp|United Kingdom}} has been a constitutional monarchy with an Queen as head of state and a parliamentary democracy made up of a bicameral legislature, namely the {{wp|House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons}} and the {{wp|House of Lords}}. Owing to its devolved nature, the country consists of four distinct jurisdictions, namely {{wp|England and Wales}}, {{wp|Scotland}}, {{wp|Kingdom of Hanover|Hanover}}, and {{wp|Republic of Ireland|Ireland}}, with all but one of the five constituent countries possessing their own devolved governments whereas {{wp|England}} is governed directly by the government. The country's capital is {{wp|London}} while other major cities include {{wp|Manchester}}, {{wp|Birmingham}}, {{wp|Edinburgh}}, {{wp|Glasgow}}, {{wp|Swansea}}, {{wp|Cardiff}}, {{wp|Hanover|King Frederick City}}, {{wp|Celle}}, {{wp|Wolfsburg}}, {{wp|Belfast}}, {{wp|Dublin}}, and {{wp|Limerick}}.
A highly-developed country, the {{wp|United Kingdom}} is the world's third-largest economy in nominal terms behind only {{wp|China}} and the {{wp|United States}} and is also the largest economy in the {{wp|European Union}} ahead of {{wp|Germany}} and {{wp|France}}. In addition, it is a permanent member of the {{wp|United Nations Security Council}} as well as a member of the {{wp|Commonwealth of Nations}}, the {{wp|European Union}}, the {{wp|Council of Europe}}, the {{wp|G7}}, the {{wp|OECD}}, {{wp|NATO}}, {{wp|Five Eyes}}, and {{wp|AUKUS}}. Together with {{wp|Mexico}}, {{wp|Brazil}}, {{wp|Iran}}, and {{wp|Japan}}, the {{wp|United Kingdom}} is one of the five countries in the world whose head of state is an emperor or Queen.

Latest revision as of 04:50, 16 June 2024

United Kingdom of Great Britain, Hanover, and Ireland

Flag of UK / U.K.
Flag
Coat of arms of UK / U.K.
Coat of arms

Location of UK / U.K.
Capital
and largest city
London
National languageEnglish (de facto)
Regional and minority languages
Ethnic groups
(2023)
87.2% White
5.1% Asian
3.2% Not stated
2.2% Black
1.3% Other
1.0% Mixed
Religion
(2023)
Demonym(s)
Constituent countries
GovernmentUnitary[1] parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Alexandra
Keir Starmer
Jacqueline Carter
Lindsay Hoyle
The Lord Reed of Allermuir
LegislatureParliament
House of Lords
House of Commons
Formation
1535 and 1542
24 March 1603
1 May 1707
1 January 1801
22 January 1912
20 November 1924
Area
• Total
360,382 km2 (139,144 sq mi) (63rd)
• Water (%)
3.60
Population
• Estimate
81,256,324 (20th)
• Density
225/km2 (582.7/sq mi) (68th)
GDP (PPP)2023 estimate
• Total
$5.745 trillion (5th)
• Per capita
$70,702 (15th)
GDP (nominal)2023 estimate
• Total
$4.883 trillion (3rd)
• Per capita
$60,093 (12th)
Gini (2023)Positive decrease 30.1
medium
HDI (2023)Increase 0.940
very high · 15th
CurrencyPound sterling (GBP)
Time zoneUTC+1
Driving sideleft
Calling code+44
Internet TLD.uk

The United Kingdom of Great Britain, Hanover, and Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Consisting of the entirety of the British Isles, it is made up of five constituent countries, namely England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Hanover, the country's sole exclave on the European mainland. With a total area of 360,382 km2, it is the sixty-third-largest country in the world while its population of roughly 81 million makes it the twentieth-most-populous country in the world and the most populous in the European Union.

Having first been settled by the Anglo-Saxons in the 5th century, the United Kingdom's modern history began with the union of the Kingdom of England, which also included Wales, and the Kingdom of Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. Then, in 1801, the Kingdom of Great Britain united with the Kingdom of Ireland to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, a polity that lasted until 1923 when it absorbed the Kingdom of Hanover, thereby giving its current name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Hanover, and Ireland. Beginning in the 20th century, the country gradually embraced devolution which granted its constituent countries some autonomy to legislate in their own right.

As the first country to achieve industrialisation, the United Kingdom was the world's foremost power throughout much of the 19th century and the early 20th century, a period known as "Pax Britannica". However, the country's involvement in the First and Second World Wars, coupled with the beginning of the wave of decolonisation in the second half of the 20th century, saw Britain's global stature experience a period of decline with its hegemony being effectively usurped by the United States. Regardless, British influence can still be seen worldwide, most famously the Westminster system adopted by most of its former colonies, while the English language is the most widely spoken language in the world. As of current, the United Kingdom, particularly through its constituent country of England, is a dominant footballing power with both of its men's and women's national teams currently undefeated at both the men's and women's editions of the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship.

Since the onset of the Glorious Revolution in 1689, the United Kingdom has been a constitutional monarchy with an Queen as head of state and a parliamentary democracy made up of a bicameral legislature, namely the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Owing to its devolved nature, the country consists of four distinct jurisdictions, namely England and Wales, Scotland, Hanover, and Ireland, with all but one of the five constituent countries possessing their own devolved governments whereas England is governed directly by the government. The country's capital is London while other major cities include Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Swansea, Cardiff, King Frederick City, Celle, Wolfsburg, Belfast, Dublin, and Limerick.

A highly-developed country, the United Kingdom is the world's third-largest economy in nominal terms behind only China and the United States and is also the largest economy in the European Union ahead of Germany and France. In addition, it is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council as well as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the European Union, the Council of Europe, the G7, the OECD, NATO, Five Eyes, and AUKUS. Together with Mexico, Brazil, Iran, and Japan, the United Kingdom is one of the five countries in the world whose head of state is an emperor or Queen.

  1. Although the United Kingdom has traditionally been seen as a unitary state, an alternative description of the UK as a "union state", put forward by, among others, Vernon Bogdanor, has become increasingly influential since the adoption of devolution in the 1990s. A union state is considered to differ from a unitary state in that while it maintains a central authority it also recognises the authority of historical rights and infrastructures of its component parts.
  2. From the reigns of King George III to King Thomas, British monarchs were styled as "emperors" and "empresses" before the imperial title was dropped following the transfer of Hong Kong to China, thereby marking the end of the British Empire.