See Also

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state that lies off the northwest coast of mainland Europe Europe

Europe is one of the seven traditional continent [i]s of the Earth [i]. ... 

. Its territory and population are primarily situated on the island of Great Britain Great Britain

Great Britain is an island lying off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe [i] and to the east of Ireland [i] ... 

 and in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom [i] and covers 5,459 square miles [i] in the north ... 

 on the island of Ireland Ireland

Ireland is the third largest [i] island [i] in Europe [i]. ... 

, with additional settlements on numerous smaller islands in the surrounding seas. The United Kingdom is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean [i], covering approximately one-fifth of the Earth [i]'s ... 

 and its ancillary bodies of water, including the North Sea North Sea

he North Sea is a sea [i] of the Atlantic Ocean [i], located between Norway [i] and Denmark [i] in the ... 

, the English Channel English Channel

The English Channel is the part of the Atlantic Ocean [i] that separates the island [i] of Great Britain [i] ... 

, the Celtic Sea Celtic Sea

The Celtic Sea is the area of the Atlantic Ocean [i] off the south coast of Ireland [i].... 

, and the Irish Sea Irish Sea

The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland [i] and Great Britain [i]. ... 

.

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Timeline

686   The Isle of Wight Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is an English [i] island [i] and county [i], off the southern English coast, t ... 

 becomes the last place in the United Kingdom to convert to Christianity Christianity

Christianity is a monotheistic [i] religion [i] centered on Jesus of Nazareth [i] ... 

806   Vikings Viking

The term Viking commonly denotes the ship-borne explorers, traders, and warriors of the Norsemen [i] who ... 

 slaughter all inhabitants on the religious island of Iona Iona

Iona is a small island, 1 mile wide and 3.5 miles long, in the Inner Hebrides [i], Scotland [i]. ... 

, Scotland Scotland

Scotland is a nation [i] in northwest Europe [i] and one of the constituent [i] countries [i] ... 

, UK United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

.

1527   Bishop Vesey's Grammar School in Sutton Coldfield Sutton Coldfield

Sutton Coldfield is a town situated approximately 13 km north east of Birmingham [i], England [i], formi ... 

, West Midlands West Midlands (county)

The County of West Midlands is a metropolitan county [i] in western central England [i] with a populati ... 

, UK United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 is founded by Bishop John Vesey.

1607   The British United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 national anthem, ''God Save the King'', is first sung.

1704   British United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 forces under Sir George Rooke George Rooke

Sir George Rooke, English naval commander, was born near Canterbury [i] in 1650 [i]. ... 

 capture Gibraltar Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory [i]. ... 

.

1704   French France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 and British United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 fleets clash off Malaga Málaga

Mlaga is a port [i] city in Andalusia [i], southern Spain [i], on the Costa del Sol [i] coast of the Mediterranean [i] ... 

, causing heavy casualties in both sides but without sinking any ships.

1708   Queen Anne Anne of Great Britain

Anne became Queen of England [i], Scotland [i] and Ireland [i] on 8 March [i] 1702 [i] ... 

 withholds Royal Assent Royal Assent

The granting of Royal Assent is the formal method by which a constitutional monarch [i] ... 

 from a militia Bill, the last time a British United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 monarch vetoes legislation.

1712   Thomas Newcomen builds the first piston-operated steam engine Steam engine

A steam engine is an external combustion [i] heat engine [i] that makes use o ... 

 at Tipton, Staffordshire Staffordshire

Staffordshire is a landlocked county [i] in the West Midlands region [i] of England [i] ... 

, UK United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

.

1742   Robert Walpole Robert Walpole

Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, KG [i], KB [i], PC [i] ... 

 was elevated to the peerage and thus moved from the House of Commons House of Commons

The House of Commons is the elected lower house [i] of the bicameral [i] parliament [i] in the United Kingdom [i] ... 

 to the House of Lords House of Lords

The House of Lords is the upper house [i] of the Parliament of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

, effectively ending his reign as Prime Minister Prime minister

A prime minister is the most senior minister of a cabinet [i] in the executive [i] b ... 

 of the United Kingdom (see February 16, above).

1745   British United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 Government forces are defeated at the Battle of Prestonpans Battle of Prestonpans

The Battle of Prestonpans was the first significant conflict in the second Jacobite Rising [i]. ... 

.

   More Events >>



Encyclopedia

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state that lies off the northwest coast of mainland Europe Europe

Europe is one of the seven traditional continent [i]s of the Earth [i]. ... 

. Its territory and population are primarily situated on the island of Great Britain Great Britain

Great Britain is an island lying off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe [i] and to the east of Ireland [i] ... 

 and in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom [i] and covers 5,459 square miles [i] in the north... 

 on the island of Ireland Ireland

Ireland is the third largest [i] island [i] in Europe [i]. ... 

, with additional settlements on numerous smaller islands in the surrounding seas. The United Kingdom is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean [i], covering approximately one-fifth of the Earth [i]'s ... 

 and its ancillary bodies of water, including the North Sea North Sea

he North Sea is a sea [i] of the Atlantic Ocean [i], located between Norway [i] and Denmark [i] in the ... 

, the English Channel English Channel

The English Channel is the part of the Atlantic Ocean [i] that separates the island [i] of Great Britain [i] ... 

, the Celtic Sea Celtic Sea

The Celtic Sea is the area of the Atlantic Ocean [i] off the south coast of Ireland [i].... 

, and the Irish Sea Irish Sea

The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland [i] and Great Britain [i]. ... 

. On the island of Ireland, Northern Ireland has a land border with the Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland is the official description of the sovereign state which covers approximately f... 

 to the south and west.

The United Kingdom is a political union made up of four constituent countries: England England

England is the largest and most populous constituent country [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

, Scotland Scotland

Scotland is a nation [i] in northwest Europe [i] and one of the constituent [i] countries [i] ... 

, Wales Wales

Wales is one of four constituent parts [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

, and Northern Ireland Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom [i] and covers 5,459 square miles [i] in the north... 

. The United Kingdom also has several overseas territories British overseas territories

A British overseas territory is one of 14 territories which are under the sovereignty [i] of the United Kingdom [i] ... 

, including Gibraltar Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory [i].... 

, Saint Helena Saint Helena

Saint Helena is an island of volcanic origin and an overseas territory [i] of ... 

 and the Falkland Islands Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands, also called the Malvinas, are an archipelago [i] in the South Atlantic Ocean [i] ... 

. The dependencies of the Isle of Man Isle of Man

The Isle of Man or Mann , is an island [i] located in the Irish Sea [i] at the geographical centr... 

 and the Channel Islands Channel Islands

The Channel Islands are a group of British-dependent [i] island [i]s off the coast of Normandy [i] ... 

, while possessions of the Crown and part of the British Isles British Isles

Great Britain [i], Ireland [i] and several thousand smaller surrounding islands [i] and islets [i] form an archipelago [i] ... 

, are not part of the United Kingdom. A constitutional monarchy Constitutional monarchy

A constitutional monarchy is a form of monarchical [i] government [i] established under a constitution [i] ... 

, the United Kingdom has close relationships with fifteen other Commonwealth Realm Commonwealth Realm

A Commonwealth Realm is any one of the 16 sovereign states of the Commonwealth of Nations [i] that separ ... 

s that share the same monarch — Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

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Elizabeth II is the Queen [i] of 16 independent sovereign [i] state [i] ... 

 — as head of state Head of State

Head of State or Chief of State is the generic term for the individual or collective office that s... 

.

A member of the G8 G8

The Group of Eight consists of Canada [i], France [i], Germany [i], Italy [i], Japan [i], Russia [i], t ... 

, the United Kingdom is a highly developed country Developed country

A developed country is one that has a high income per capita.... 

 with the fifth largest gross domestic product in the world. It is the third most populous state in the European Union European Union

The European Union is an intergovernmental [i] and supranational [i] ... 

 with a population of 60 million and is a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the United Nations United Nations

name = United Nations
Nations Unies
... 

 , where it holds a permanent seat on the Security Council United Nations Security Council

The United Nations Security Council is the organ of the United Nations [i] charged with maintaining peace [i]... 

. The UK is also one of the world's major nuclear powers List of countries with nuclear weapons

This is a list of countries with nuclear weapons [i]. ... 

 with its own nuclear weapons Nuclear weapon

A nuclear weapon derives its destructive force from nuclear reaction [i]s of fission [i] ... 

 and has a US$ United States dollar

For details of current paper money [i] and coins, see Federal Reserve Note [i] and United States coinage [i] ... 

1.833 trillion economy.

After the dismantlement of the British Empire British Empire

The British Empire was the most extensive empire [i] in world history and for a ... 

, the United Kingdom retains influence throughout the world because of the extensive use of the English language English language

English is a widely distributed language that originated in England [i] but is now the primary language ... 

 today as well as through the world-spanning Commonwealth of Nations Commonwealth of Nations

The Commonwealth of Nations, usually known as the Commonwealth, is a voluntary association [i] of ... 

, headed by the Queen although legally this is a personal role and not one associated with the United Kingdom.

History


The present United Kingdom of Great Britain Kingdom of Great Britain

Kingdom of Great Britain
... 

 and Northern Ireland Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom [i] and covers 5,459 square miles [i] in the north... 

 is the latest of several unions formed over the last 840 years. The Kingdom of England Kingdom of England

The Kingdom of England was a state [i] located in western Europe [i], in the southern part of the islan ... 

 and the Kingdom of Scotland Kingdom of Scotland

The Kingdom of Scotland was a state [i] located in Western Europe [i], in the northern third of the isla ... 

 had existed as separate states with their own monarchs and political structures since the 9th century. The once independent Principality of Wales Wales

Wales is one of four constituent parts [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

 fell under the control of English monarchs from the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284, becoming itself part of the Kingdom of England Kingdom of England

The Kingdom of England was a state [i] located in western Europe [i], in the southern part of the islan ... 

 by the Laws in Wales Act 1535 Laws in Wales Acts 1535-1542

The Laws in Wales Acts 15351542 were a series of parliamentary measures by which the legal system of Wales [i] ... 

. With the Act of Union 1707 Acts of Union 1707

The Acts of Union were a pair of Acts of Parliament passed in 1706 [i] and 1707 [i] by, respectively, t ... 

, the independent states of England England

England is the largest and most populous constituent country [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

 and Scotland, having been in personal union since 1603, agreed to a political union as the Kingdom of Great Britain Kingdom of Great Britain

Kingdom of Great Britain
... 

.

The Act of Union 1800 Act of Union 1800

The Act of Union 1800 merged the Kingdom of Ireland [i] and the Kingdom of Great Britain [i] to create t... 

 united the Kingdom of Great Britain Kingdom of Great Britain

Kingdom of Great Britain
... 

 with the Kingdom of Ireland Kingdom of Ireland

n>Kingdom of Ireland

The Kingdom of Ireland was the name given to the English-ruled Irish state i... 

, which had been gradually brought under English control between 1541 and 1691 Treaty of Limerick

The Treaty of Limerick ended the Williamite war in Ireland [i] between the Jacobites [i] and ... 

, to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

| align="center" colspan="2"| United Kingdom ofGreat Britain and Ireland
... 

. Independence for the now Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland is the official description of the sovereign state which covers approximately f... 

 in 1922 followed the partition Government of Ireland Act 1920

An Act to Provide for the Better Government of Ireland, more usually the Government of Ireland Act 19... 

 of the island of Ireland two years previously, with six of the nine counties Counties of Ireland

The island [i] of Ireland [i] is divided into 32 counties [i] , the Republic of Ireland [i] ... 

 of the province Provinces of Ireland

colspan="2" style="background:#ccccff" align=center | Provinces of Ireland
... 

 of Ulster remaining within the UK, which then changed to the current name in 1927.

The dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, the United Kingdom is often credited with being the nation that "created the modern world",
by playing a leading role in developing Western Western world

The term Western World or "the West" can have multiple meanings depending on its context.... 

 ideas of property, capitalism Capitalism


Capitalism is an economic system [i] in which the means of production [i] are owned mostly privately, ... 

, and parliamentary democracy Parliamentary system

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A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government [i] ... 

 as well as making significant contributions to literature, the arts, and science and technology. At its zenith, the British Empire British Empire

The British Empire was the most extensive empire [i] in world history and for a ... 

 stretched over one-quarter of the Earth Earth

Earth is the third planet [i] in the solar system [i] in terms of distance from the Sun [i], and the fi ... 

's surface and encompassed a third of its population, making it the largest empire in history. The first half of the 20th century, however, saw the Empire's strength seriously depleted from the effects of World War I World War I

World War I, also known as the First World War, the Great War and "The War to End All War... 

 and World War II World War II

World War II, or the Second World War, was a worldwide [i] conflict [i] fought betwe ... 

. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the United Kingdom rebuilding itself into the modern, prosperous, and technologically advanced nation it is today.

The United Kingdom has been a member of the European Union European Union

The European Union is an intergovernmental [i] and supranational [i] ... 

 since 1973. The attitude of the present government towards further integration with this organisation is mixed , with the Conservative Party favouring a return of some powers and competencies to the state . The government has yet to choose whether to adopt the Euro Euro

The euro is the official currency [i] of the European Union [i] member states of Austria [i], Belgium [i]... 

 currency. Plans are to hold a referendum on the issue if and when five economic tests indicate that entry into the Eurozone Eurozone

The Eurozone is the subset of European Union [i] member states which have adopted the euro [i], creating ... 

 would be beneficial.

Government and politics


The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy Constitutional monarchy

A constitutional monarchy is a form of monarchical [i] government [i] established under a constitution [i] ... 

, with executive power exercised on behalf of the monarch British monarchy

The British monarch or Sovereign is the head of state [i] of the United Kingdom [i] and in the British overseas territories [i] ... 

 by the prime minister Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [i] is in... 

 and other cabinet Cabinet of the United Kingdom

In the politics of the United Kingdom [i], the Cabinet is a formal body composed of government officials ... 

 ministers who head departments. The cabinet, including the prime minister, and other ministers collectively make up Her Majesty's Government. These ministers are drawn from and are responsible to Parliament Parliament of the United Kingdom

The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body [i] ... 

, the legislative body, which is traditionally considered to be "supreme" . The United Kingdom is one of the few countries in the world today that does not have a codified constitution Constitution

A constitution is a system, often codified [i] as a written document, which establishes the rules and pr... 

, relying instead on traditional customs and separate pieces of constitutional law.

While the monarch is head of state Head of State

Head of State or Chief of State is the generic term for the individual or collective office that s... 

 and theoretically holds all executive power, it is the prime minister who is the head of government. The government is answerable chiefly to the House of Commons British House of Commons

|align=left|
  • Parliament [i]

... 

, from which constitutional convention requires that the prime minister be drawn. The majority of cabinet members are from the House of Commons, the rest from the House of Lords House of Lords

The House of Lords is the upper house [i] of the Parliament of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

. Ministers do not, however, legally have to come from Parliament, though that is the modern day custom. The British system of government has been emulated around the world — a legacy of the British Empire's colonial past Colonialism

See colony [i] and colonisation [i] for examples of colonialism which do not refer to Western colonialism. ... 

 — most notably in the other Commonwealth Realms Commonwealth Realm

A Commonwealth Realm is any one of the 16 sovereign states of the Commonwealth of Nations [i] that separ ... 

. The Member of Parliament  who commands a majority in the House of Commons is normally appointed prime minister - usually the leader of the largest party or, if there is no majority party, the largest coalition. The current prime minister is Tony Blair Tony Blair

Anthony Charles Lynton Blair, known as Tony Blair, is the outgoing Prime Minister of the United Kingdom [i] ... 

 of the Labour Party, who has been in office since 1997.

In the United Kingdom, the monarch has extensive theoretical powers, but his/her role is mainly, though not exclusively, ceremonial . The monarch is an integral part of Parliament and theoretically gives Parliament the power to meet and create legislation. An Act of Parliament does not become law until it has been signed by the monarch , although not one has refused assent to a bill that has been approved by Parliament since Queen Anne Anne of Great Britain

Anne became Queen of England [i], Scotland [i] and Ireland [i] on 8 March [i] 1702 [i] ... 

 in 1708 . Although the abolition of the monarchy has been suggested, the popularity of the monarchy remains strong in the United Kingdom. Support for a British republic usually fluctuates between 15% and 25% of the population, with roughly 10% undecided or indifferent. The current monarch is HM Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

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Elizabeth II is the Queen [i] of 16 independent sovereign [i] state [i] ... 

 who acceded to the throne in 1952 and was crowned in 1953.

Parliament Parliament of the United Kingdom

The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body [i] ... 

 is the national legislature of the United Kingdom. It is the ultimate legislative authority in the United Kingdom, according to the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty . It is bicameral Bicameralism

In government [i], bicameralism is the practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chamber [i]s. ... 

, composed of the elected House of Commons British House of Commons

|align=left|
  • Parliament [i]

... 

 and the unelected House of Lords House of Lords

The House of Lords is the upper house [i] of the Parliament of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

, whose members are mostly appointed. The House of Commons is the more powerful of the two houses. The House of Commons houses 646 members who are directly elected from single-member constituencies based on population. The House of Lords has 724 members , constituted of hereditary peers Hereditary peer

The Peerage [i] in the United Kingdom [i] includes over seven hundred hereditary peers, who hold titles ... 

 , life peers, and bishops of the Church of England Church of England

The Church of England is the officially established [i] Christian [i] church [i] ... 

. The Church of England is the established church of the state in England .



Since the 1920s, the two largest political parties in British politics have been the Labour Party and Conservative Party. Though coalition and minority governments have been an occasional feature of Parliamentary Parliamentary system

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A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government [i] ... 

 politics, the first-past-the-post Plurality voting system

The plurality voting system is a system used to elect members of a parliament which is based on single m... 

 electoral system used for general elections Elections in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom [i] has five distinct types of election [i]s: general, local, regional, European and mayora... 

 tends to maintain the dominance of these two parties, though each has in the past century relied upon a third party to deliver a working majority in Parliament . The Liberal Democrats Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal [i] political party [i] ... 

 are the third largest party in the British parliament and actively seek a reform of the electoral system to address the dominance of the two-party system .

Though many in the United Kingdom consider themselves 'British' as well as 'English', 'Scottish' 'Welsh', or 'Irish' , there has long been a widespread sense of separate national identities in the nations of Scotland and Wales and amongst the Catholic community in Northern Ireland . Independence for the Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland is the official description of the sovereign state which covers approximately f... 

 in 1922 provided only a partial solution to what had been termed in the 19th Century the 'Irish Question', and competing demands for a united Ireland United Ireland

A United Ireland is the common demand of Irish nationalist [i]s, envisaging that the island of Ireland [i] ... 

 or continued union with Great Britain have brought civil strife and political instability up to the present day.

Though 'nationalist' tendencies have shifted over time in Scotland and Wales, with the Scottish National Party Scottish National Party

The Scottish National Party }} is a centre-left [i] political party [i] which campaigns for Scottish independence [i]... 

 founded in 1934 and Plaid Cymru Plaid Cymru

Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales, is the principal nationalist [i] political party [i] in Wales [i] ... 

  in 1925, a serious political crisis threatening the integrity of the United Kingdom as a state has not occurred since the 1970s. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each possess a legislature and government alongside that of the United Kingdom. However, this increased autonomy and devolution of executive and legislative powers has not contributed to a reduction in support for independence from the United Kingdom, with the rise of new pro-independence parties. For example, the Scottish Green Party Scottish Green Party

The Scottish Green Party is the Green party [i] of Scotland [i]. ... 

 and the Scottish Socialist Party Scottish Socialist Party

The Scottish Socialist Party is a left-wing [i] Scottish [i] political party [i] ... 

 have gained popularity in recent years.



There is currently little appetite for a devolved English parliament, although senior Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have voiced concerns in regard to the West Lothian Question . Proposals for English regional Regions of England

The region, also known as Government Office Region, is currently the highest tier of local government [i] ... 

 government have stalled, following a poorly received referendum on devolved government for the North East of England North East England

North East England is one of the nine official regions of England [i] and comprises the combined area of ... 

, which was hitherto considered the region most in favour of the idea. England is therefore governed according to the balance of parties across the whole of the United Kingdom.

The resurgence in Celtic Modern Celts

This article concerns those peoples who consider themselves, or have been considered by others, to be Celts... 

  culture and language, as well as 'regional' politics and development, have contributed to forces pulling against the unity of the state . However, there is at present little sign of any imminent 'crisis' . Nevertheless many in Scotland Scotland

Scotland is a nation [i] in northwest Europe [i] and one of the constituent [i] countries [i] ... 

 would like independence Scottish independence

Scottish independence is advocated by the political movement [i] of Scottish people that desires that Scotland [i] ... 

  although most English do not. In Northern Ireland, there has been a significant decrease in violence over the last twenty years, though the situation remains tense, with the more hardline parties, such as Sinn Féin Sinn Féin

Sinn Fin is a name used by a series of Irish political movements of the 20th century, each of which cla... 

 and the Democratic Unionist Democratic Unionist Party

The Democratic Unionist Party is the larger, and the more hardline, of the two main [[Unionism|Unionist]... 

s, now holding the most parliamentary seats .

Law


The United Kingdom has three distinct systems of law. English law, which applies in England and Wales England and Wales

| align="center" |||}
England [i] and Wales [i] are home nations [i] of the United Kingdom [i] and, because t... 

, and Northern Ireland law, which applies in Northern Ireland, are based on common-law principles. Scots law Scots law

Scots law is a unique legal system [i] with an ancient basis in Roman law [i] ... 

, which applies in Scotland, is a hybrid system based on both common-law and civil-law principles. The Act of Union 1707 Acts of Union 1707

The Acts of Union were a pair of Acts of Parliament passed in 1706 [i] and 1707 [i] by, respectively, t ... 

 guarantees the continued existence of a separate law system for Scotland.

The Appelate Committee of the House of Lords House of Lords

The House of Lords is the upper house [i] of the Parliament of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

  is the highest court in the land for all criminal and civil cases in England England

England is the largest and most populous constituent country [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

, Wales Wales

Wales is one of four constituent parts [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

, and Northern Ireland Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom [i] and covers 5,459 square miles [i] in the north... 

, and for all civil cases in Scots law. Recent constitutional changes will see the powers of the House of Lords transfer to a new Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

In England and Wales England and Wales

| align="center" |||}
England [i] and Wales [i] are home nations [i] of the United Kingdom [i] and, because t... 

, the court system Courts of England and Wales

The Courts of England and Wales are the civil [i] and criminal [i] court [i]s res ... 

 is headed by the Supreme Court of Judicature of England and Wales, consisting of the Court of Appeal, the High Court of Justice  and the Crown Court Crown Court

For the TV programme see Crown Court [i].
... 

 . In Scotland Scotland

Scotland is a nation [i] in northwest Europe [i] and one of the constituent [i] countries [i] ... 

, the chief courts are the Court of Session Court of Session

The Court of Session is the supreme civil court in Scotland [i]. ... 

, for civil cases, and the High Court of Justiciary High Court of Justiciary

The High Court of Justiciary is Scotland [i]'s supreme criminal court.
... 

, for criminal cases, while the sheriff court is the Scottish equivalent of the county court.

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is the highest court of appeal for several independent Commonwealth countries, the UK overseas territories, and the British crown dependencies.

Geography



Most of England consists of rolling lowland terrain, divided east from west by more mountainous terrain in the Northwest and north and limestone Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock [i] composed largely of the mineral [i] calcite [i] . ... 

 hills of the Peak District Peak District

The Peak District is an upland area in central and northern England [i], lying mainly in northern Derbyshire [i] ... 

 by the Tees-Exe line Tees-Exe line

The Tees-Exe line is an imaginary line that can be drawn on a map of Great Britain [i] which roughly div ... 

. The lower limestone Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock [i] composed largely of the mineral [i] calcite [i] . ... 

 hills of the Isle of Purbeck Isle of Purbeck

The Isle of Purbeck, not a true island but a peninsula [i], is in the county of Dorset [i], England [i]. ... 

, Cotswolds Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is the name given to a range of hills in central England [i], sometimes called the "Heart ... 

, Lincolnshire Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England [i]. ... 

 and chalk Chalk

Chalk is a soft, white, porous form of limestone [i] composed of the mineral [i] calcite [i].... 

 downs of the Southern England Chalk Formation Southern England Chalk Formation

The Chalk Formation [i] of Southern England [i] is a system of chalk [i] downland [i] in the south of England [i] ... 

. The main rivers and estuaries are the Thames River Thames

The Thames is a river [i] flowing through southern England [i], in its lower reaches flowing through London [i] ... 

, Severn River Severn

The River Severn is the longest British [i] river [i], at 354 kilometres long; it rises ... 

 and the Humber Estuary Humber

The Humber is a large tidal estuary [i] forming part of the boundary between northern and southern England [i]... 

. The largest urban area is Greater London Greater London

Greater London is the top level administrative subdivision covering London [i], England [i].
... 

. Near Dover Dover

Dover is a major channel [i] port in the English [i] county of Kent [i]. ... 

, the Channel Tunnel Channel Tunnel

[i] beneath the [[English Channel]... 

 links the United Kingdom with France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

. There is no peak in England England

England is the largest and most populous constituent country [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

 that is 1,000 metres Metre

The metre, or meter , is a measure of length [i]. ... 

  or greater, the highest mountain being Scafell Pike Scafell Pike

At 978 metres, Scafell Pike is the highest mountain [i] in England [i]. ... 

 in England's Lake District Lake District

The Lake District National Park is one of fourteen [[National parks of the United Kingdom|National park]... 

, at some 978m .

Scotland's geography Geography of Scotland

Although Scotland [i] is a relatively small country, with a land area of 78 772 km², its geography [i] ... 

 is varied, with lowlands in the south and east and highlands Scottish Highlands

The Scottish Highlands are the mountain [i]ous regions of Scotland [i] north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault [i] ... 

 in the north and west, including Ben Nevis Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain [i] in the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

, the highest mountain in the British Isles at 1,343 metres . There are many long and deep-sea arms, firths, and loch Loch

A loch is a body of water [i] which is either:
... 

s. Scotland has nearly 800 islands, mainly west and north of the mainland, notably the Hebrides Hebrides

The Hebrides comprise a widespread and diverse archipelago [i] off the west coast of Scotland [i], and i ... 

, Orkney Islands Orkney Islands

The Orkney Islands are officially called, and widely known as, simply Orkney.
... 

 and Shetland Islands Shetland Islands

The Shetland Islands, also called Shetland formerly called [i] Hjaltla ... 

. The capital city is Edinburgh Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital [i] of Scotland [i] and its second-largest city [i] ... 

, the centre of which is a World Heritage Site World Heritage Site

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on ... 

. The largest city is Glasgow Glasgow

The city was formerly a royal burgh [i], and was known as the "Second City [i] of the British Empire [i] ... 

 . In total it is estimated that the UK includes around 1,000 islands, with 700 in Scotland alone .

Wales is mostly mountainous, the highest peak being Snowdon Snowdon

Snowdon is the highest mountain [i] in Wales [i], and the highest British [i] mountain sou ... 

  at 1,085 metres above sea level. North of the mainland is the island of Anglesey Anglesey

Anglesey , is an island and county at the northwestern extremity of north Wales [i]. ... 

 . The largest and capital city is Cardiff Cardiff

Cardiff is the capital [i] of Wales [i] and its largest city [i]. ... 

 ; it has been the Welsh Capital city since 1955, located in South Wales South Wales

South Wales is an area of Wales [i] bordered by England [i] and the Bristol Channel [i] to the east and ... 

. The greatest concentration of people live in the south, in the cities of Swansea Swansea

Swansea is a city [i] in Wales [i] and Welsh subdivision [i] ... 

 and Newport Newport

Newport is the third-largest city [i] in Wales [i]. ... 

, as well as Cardiff, and the South Wales Valleys South Wales Valleys

The south Wales valleys are a number of industrialised valleys in South Wales [i]. ... 

. The largest town in North Wales North Wales

North Wales is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales [i], bordered to the south by Mid Wales [i].
... 

 is Wrexham Wrexham