The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the north-western coast of the European mainland. The United Kingdom includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands. Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom that shares a land border with another sovereign state, the Republic of Ireland. Apart from this land border, the United Kingdom is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the North Sea to its east, the English Channel to its south and the Celtic Sea to its south-west, giving it the 12th-longest coastline in the world. The Irish Sea lies between Great Britain and Ireland.
The United Kingdom is a unitary parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. It is a country of four nations, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom is a developed country and has the world's fifth-largest economy by nominal GDP and ninth-largest economy by purchasing power parity. It has a high-income economy and has a very high Human Development Index rating, ranking 14th in the world. It was the world's first industrialised country and the world's foremost power during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The UK remains a great power with considerable economic, cultural, military, scientific and political influence internationally.
The History of London
London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its founding by the Romans in 43 AD. It has been the capital of England since the Middle Ages and today it is the largest city in the UK, with a population of over 8 million people.
London has a rich and varied history, from its days as a Roman settlement to its current status as one of the world's leading cities. It has been a major centre of commerce, culture, education and politics for centuries.
The Romans founded London in 43 AD, making it the first major settlement in Britain. At the time, it was known as Londinium and it quickly became a major port and trading centre. The city was sacked by the Anglo-Saxons in the 5th century but was rebuilt by the Normans in 1066.
London grew rapidly in the Middle Ages, becoming the largest city in Europe by the 16th century. During this period, it was a major centre of trade and industry and it was also a centre of learning, with the establishment of the first universities in the city.
London was also the centre of the British Empire, with its population reaching over 6 million people by the beginning of the 20th century. The city was heavily damaged during the Second World War, but it recovered quickly and is now one of the most important cities in the world.
London is a vibrant and diverse city, with a rich cultural heritage and a unique mix of cultures and traditions. It is a major centre of fashion, art, music, theatre, literature and more. It is also home to some of the world's most iconic landmarks, such as the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge and the London Eye.
London is a truly global city, with a long and fascinating history. It is a city of great contrasts, with a rich and varied past and a vibrant and exciting present.