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Physical map of The United Kingdom showing major cities, terrain, national parks, rivers, and surrounding countries with international borders and outline maps. Key facts about The United Kingdom.

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What Is The Difference Between United Kingdom, Great Britain, And England?

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What Is The Difference Between United Kingdom, Great Britain, And England?

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England, Scotland, and Wales are located on the island of Great Britain. When combined with Northern Ireland they make up the country of the United Kingdom.

The three terms of the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and England have often confused many people. Most people use the terms interchangeably although they are not truly interchangeable. The majority of people around the world became confused during the " Brexit " referendum with so many people not knowing who was leaving the European Union leading to several misconceptions about how to refer to the political players in the referendum. Understanding the geopolitical complexity of the three may not be easy, but it is appropriate that that one knows how to differentiate the three.

Understanding The Geography

The British Isles consists of the island of Great Britain, the island of Ireland, and several other smaller isles. The British Isles covers an area of 121,684 square miles with the Isles having a total population of 67 million people. The island of Great Britain is located between the North Sea and the English Channel.

Is Great Britain A Country?

Great Britain is the largest island of the British Isles. Great Britain is also a political entity consisting of three autonomous countries including England, Wales, and Scotland. It is mostly used interchangeably with the United Kingdom. However, this should not be the case as Northern Ireland, on the island of Ireland, is not part of Great Britain. Some islands that are part of the countries forming Great Britain like Isle of Wight and Isle of Skye are not part of Great Britain geographically but are included as part of Great Britain politically. Therefore, Great Britain can be summarized as Wales, England, and Scotland.

So, Is "Great Britain" Same As "Britain?"

The terms "Great Britain" and "Britain" are sometimes thought to be the same, but that is not the case. Britain is a political entity that does not exist anymore. British is a term used to refer to the Roman territory of Britannia Major, an area that was conquered by the Romans. The Romans never conquered Scotland. So Britain refers to Wales and England while Great Britain refers to Wales, England, and Scotland.

What Is England?

England is the largest country of the three Great Britain countries covering an area of 50,301 square miles. It is also the largest country in the UK and the British Isles with London as its capital city. The country is bordered by Wales to the east and Scotland to the north. However, it is not actually a sovereign country and is in fact just an administrative level 1 in international comparison that happens to be called countries. This means that it is just one of the largest subnational administrative units of a country which in this case is the United Kingdom. Very similar to how US states are admin1's of the United States or provinces and territories in Canada. They just are called countries in the United Kingdom.

So, What is "The United Kingdom?"

The United Kingdom, commonly shortened as the UK, is a country of countries. It is a sovereign state that is consisting of four individual countries including Wales, England, and Scotland, situated on the island of Great Britain, and Northern Ireland on the island of Ireland. The official name for the UK is "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland." It has one government headquartered in London and one currency (Sterling pound).

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3. What Is The Difference Between United Kingdom, Great Britain, And England?

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What Is The Difference Between United Kingdom, Great Britain, And England?

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The three terms of the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and England have often confused many people. Most people use the terms interchangeably although they are not truly interchangeable. The majority of people around the world became confused during the " Brexit " referendum with so many people not knowing who was leaving the European Union leading to several misconceptions about how to refer to the political players in the referendum.

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Provides an overview of the United Kingdom, including key events and facts about this European country

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The London Eye and Big Ben are popular tourist attractions in London.

The capital city of the UK is London, which is also the capital of England. It is situated in the southeast of the United Kingdom on the river Thames. It has a larger population in the United Kingdom of about 8,000,000 people. The city has been a significant human settlement for the last two millennia. London is one of the world's leading cities in commerce, arts, entertainment, finance, education, fashion, transportation, media, tourism, healthcare, research and development, and professional services. London is the largest financial center in the world, and its metropolitan area is ranked the 6th in the world with the largest GDP. The city of London experiences the most international arrivals making it the most visited city in the world, besides its huge passenger traffic, which has propelled the city to rank as having the largest city airport system in the world. It is the leading investment destination in the world and has an ultra high net worth individuals and more international retailers than any other city in the world. Universities in London form the largest concentration of learning institutions than any other place in Europe. London was the host of 2012 Summer Olympic Games, becoming the first city to host the sporting events three times.

History of the City of London

London was founded at about 50 CE, and it derived its name from word Londinios which is a Celtic word meaning "the bold." The housing during this time was made of a ditch and an earth ramp with a wooden palisade on top. The growth of London was due to the presence of the vital port with wooden wharves and jetties. The main exported goods were grain and metal while wine, olive oil, silk, and ivory was imported

Economy of London

London is the capital city of the United Kingdom is dominated mainly by service industries compared to other cities and towns in the United Kingdom which are driven by the manufacturing industries. Over 3.5 million people or 85% of the London population are employed in the service industry. The factors that favored London to be a significant service industry include the following, excellent transport infrastructure in the aviation industry, business-friendly environment, use of the English language, which is the dominant international language for business, and use of English contract law, which is the primary international business law. In 2014, London generated about 20% of the total GDP of the UK, which was equivalent to $600 billion and the economy of the metropolitan area of London was the largest in Europe.

London Tourism

London is has become the most visited city because and has become the best prime destinations for tourists, which is evident through the number of international tourists arrivals. Some of major tourist attraction sites in London include The Tower of London, British Museum, Buckingham Palace, and the Globe Theater among others. London was ranked the most visited city in the world in 2015, and it received more than 65 million tourists in that year. In the same year, it was the top city with cross-border spending reaching $20.23 million. Tourism in the city is among the prime industries. In 2003 it employed more than 350,000 full-time workers, and the city accounted for 54% of inbound visitor spending in the UK. In 2016, TripAdvisor ranked London as the world's top city destination.

Transport in London

Transport being the primary economic driver of any other city, London has one of the best transportation systems in the world. The bus, river, and road system are all integrated and use the Oyster card system. The London buses are convenient and cheap to travel around the city. Other methods of transport are London trams and London Underground rail system.

Culture and Religion in UK's Capital City

London is a melting pot of cultures and there are more than 300 languages spoken in London. The city is widely believed to be the cultural capital of the world. Historically, London was dominated by Christianity, but as the city grew, other religions came up. Currently, 58% of the population are Christians, 16% are Pagans, and 8.5% are Muslims, while the remaining 8.5% consists of Hindus, Jews, Sikhs, and Buddhists.

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What Is The Capital Of The United Kingdom?

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The capital city of the UK is London, which is also the capital of England. It is situated in the southeast of the United Kingdom on the river Thames. It has a larger population in the United Kingdom of about 8,000,000 people. The city has been a significant human settlement for the last two millennia.

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The Biggest Cities In The United Kingdom 

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The Biggest Cities In The United Kingdom 

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World Atlas provides a useful overview with information from the United Nations

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The Biggest Cities In The United Kingdom

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The London Metropolitan Area alone has more residents than Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland combined.

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Agricultural land in the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom has a market-oriented and highly developed economy. The country also has one of the largest GDP based on PPP in the world. The country's economy accounts for 3.5% of the world GDP, and it is ranked as the 22nd with the highest GDP per capita. The country's capital city in London and is among the world's leading financial hubs. The UK was the first country to industrialize in the 18th century, and by the 19th century, its economy was dominating the world and accounted for about 9.1% of the global GDP by 1870. According to the estimates of 2019, the UK had a nominal GDP of $2.83 trillion and GDP based on purchasing power parity of $3.13 trillion. In 2018, the country had a nominal GDP per capita of $44,177 and GDP per capita on purchasing power parity of $45,643.

Agriculture

In the UK, agriculture occupies about 25% of the country's total land area and accounts for 1.5% of the country's labor force that is equivalent to 476,000 people while contributing about 0.62% of the country's GDP. The country produces less than 60% of the food it consumes, and most of the agricultural activities are carried out rural locations particularly in East Anglia where crops are predominant, while South Wales is popular for livestock keeping. The UK has some of the highly skilled farmers, highly fertile soils and employs high technology, while the government gives subsidies to farmers, but the earnings are still relatively low as a result of low prices of farm outputs. As a result, the young generation in the UK is discouraged from engaging in agricultural activities, and the average age of a British farmer is about 59 years. The total area under agriculture in the UK is about 9.34 million hectares, and about one third is arable, and the rest are grasslands. About half of the arable land in the country is devoted to cereal crops, and the widely cultivated cereal crop is wheat. Farming in the UK is intensive and highly mechanized, and in 2010 the country exported agricultural products valued at £14 billion and imported about £32.5 billion worth of agricultural products.

Forestry

The climate in the UK, which is characterized by mild winters and heavy precipitation coupled with fertile soils and hilly sheltered topography is ideal for tree growing. The broad-leaved hardwood trees are found in the UK exceeds those found in any other place in Europe, while other trees like conifers which are softwood have growth rates which three times faster than those in Sweden and five times faster than those in Finland. Approximately 12.9% of the land area in the UK is covered with trees. During the first and second world wars, the country's supply of timber severely affected the wooded areas. By 1919 the area that was forested in the UK was below 5% compared to other countries in Europe which had an average of between 25% and 72%. It was during this time that the Forestry Commission was established in the UK to provide a strategic reserve of timber. Currently, about 12,120 square miles of the land area is forested in the UK, and about 30% of these are publicly owned, and the rest are privately owned. In 2010 the government of the UK suggested that it might sell about half of it is woodland areas owned by the Forestry Commission.

Construction Industry

As of 2011, the construction industry in the UK was estimated to have contributed about £86 million to the country's economy. The industry had approximately 2.2 million employees, and the end of 2009, the country had approximately 194,000 companies in the construction industry. The orders received by the construction industry in 2009 were valued at £18.7 billion from the private sector and about £15.1 million from the public sector. The construction industry in the UK has remained relatively the same compared to other Industries, and it has accounted for about 6% of the economy between 1948 and 2013. The industry was thrown into turmoil following the Brexit vote in 2016. The biggest construction project in the country is the Crossrail, which was opened in 2018. The project is new railway line connecting west to east of London and connects the nearby countryside and has branches to Heathrow Airport.

Manufacturing

In the past, the UK had a vibrant manufacturing industry, particularly in the 1970s, when it accounted for about 25% of the country's economy. The manufacturing industry in 1979 employed 7.1 million people, and by 1992 the industry was employing 24.5 million people, while in 2016 the industry employed only 2.7 million people and accounted for just 10% of the country's economy. As of 2008, the country ranked as the world's sixth largest manufacturer based on the output value. The industry generated about £140.54 billion in 2011 and employed about 2.6 million people. The total investment in R&D in 2008 was about £16 billion by different businesses in the country, and about £12 billion was by manufacturing companies. In the same year, approximately 180,000 were employed directly in the manufacture of automotive. In the same year, the automotive sector registers the turnover off £52.5 billion, while generating £6.6 billion in exports. The subsector produced about 1.45 million vehicles for passengers and about 203,000 commercial vehicles. The country is one of the leading manufacturers of engines, and in 2008 the country produced about 3.6 million engines.

Tourism

The UK ranks as the world's 6th largest tourist destination, and in 2018 the country received more than 40 million visitors. In 2017, tourists spent about $32 billion in the country, and most of the tourists were from the US. However, the number of tourists from other European countries exceeded the number of visitors from North America, and there were 21.5 million visitors from Europe as opposed to 3.5 million from American and Canada. The most popular tourist destination in the country is the city of London. The largest component of tourism in the UK is domestic tourism, with expenditures in 2008 of about £2.88 billion. It was estimated that in 2009, domestic tourism registered about 126 million trips. Some of the busiest periods for domestic tourism in the country include summer months and bank holidays, and particularly August being the busiest time. The coastal resorts such as Lancashire, Blackpool, Wales, and Swansea have had a long history of family visits and bookings in holiday camps. In the recent past, this tradition has significantly faded out because of the competition from packages of holiday operators from overseas and other factors such as operating costs and the changing demand that has forced the holiday camps to close down.

Other industries in the UK

Other significant industries in the UK include Oil and gas. In 2009, the country was producing about 1.5 million barrels of oil per day at the same time, and the country was consuming about 1.5 million barrels of oil per day. In the recent past, there has been a decline in the production of oil in the country, and as from 2005, the country has been an importer of oil. In 2010 the country had proven reserves of oil of about 3.1 billion barrels, which were the largest of any EU member country at the time. In 2009 the country was ranked as the world's 10th largest producer of natural gas. Production of natural gas is also on the decline, and the country is presently importing natural gas since 2004. Mining is another industry in the country, and one of the most significant minerals is coal. The production of coal was about 19.7 million tons as of 2009, and at the same time, the country consumed 60.2 million tons. The proven coal reserves in 2005 were estimated at 171 million tons. Other minerals in the UK include limestone, tin, iron ore, clay, salt, silica, lead, and gypsum.

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What Are The Biggest Industries In The United Kingdom?

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The United Kingdom has a market-oriented and highly developed economy. The country also has one of the largest GDP based on PPP in the world. The country's economy accounts for 3.5% of the world GDP, and it is ranked as the 22nd with the highest GDP per capita.

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A diverse group of British college students illustrate the United Kingdom's changing demographic landscape.

In the United Kingdom, a census is conducted after every ten years. According to the 2011 census, the United Kingdom had a total population of 63,181,775, making it the 3 rd most populous in the European Union and the 22 nd most populous in the world. Immigration has contributed to the high population growth that has been experienced in the country in the last decade. The immigrants together with the natives compose the various ethnic groups in Great Britain. The indigenous British are believed to be descendants of the various ethnic groups that settled in the Great Britain before the 11th Century including the Romans, Norse, Anglo-Saxon, and Celts. The largest ethnic groups in the United Kingdom are looked at below.

White Europeans

White Europeans, or the White British people, are a racial classification for the people belonging to various ethnic European ancestries. In 2011, the White British population accounted for 87.1% of the entire United Kingdom's population. The white European population included the population in the Northern Ireland. The majority of the white European (64%) in the United Kingdom is between the age of 16 and 64. White European (65%) are predominantly Christians, mostly Anglican while 25% have no religion. The unemployment rate among the White European is lower than the other ethnic group. The White European also dominates other ethnic groups in the political, social and economic sectors in the Great Britain.

Black British and Afro-Caribbean

Black British and the Afro-Caribbean are groups of people of the Caribbean and former British colonies who trace their origins to Africa. The Afro-Caribbean culture arose in the 16 th and 17 th Centuries during the triangular trade that was led by the Europeans who brought Africans to European-held colonies in the new World to work as slaves. The Africans who moved into Europe intermarried with the native Europeans leading to the formation of the Afro-Caribbean. Great Britain, France, and Netherlands have the highest number of Afro-Caribbean. In the United Kingdom, the Black British form 3% of the total population. The Black British speak a variety of English dialect. The dialect has been influenced by Jamaican Patois and the social class. Most of the Afro-Caribbean are found in big and across the United Kingdom, especially in London. The majority of Black British have faced a significant amount of racism with discrimination in employment, housing, and other social facilities. Racist Crime continues to plague the Afro-Caribbean with the media coverage of focusing more on the crimes involving the Black. The police have also been accused of racism when dealing with criminals and also when carrying out inspections.

Indians

The British Indian community totals over one million, thus representing 2.3% of the national population. The Indian people in the United Kingdom are of Indian origin or have their ancestry coming from India. Indian culture in the United Kingdom is similar to that practiced in India and other parts of the world. The culture is an amalgamation of different cultures which have been shaped over a long period. The culture is characterized by philosophy, literature, architecture, and music. Most of these Indian people in the United Kingdom are Buddhists and Hindus. The Indian dressing and clothing is unique and distinct and is influenced by culture. Women wear saris while men wear angarkhs. Just as with Indians anywhere else, their food often includes lentils, rice, wheat flour, and pearled barley.

Rank

Ethnic Group

Share of Population in the United Kingdom

5

Pakistani

1.9%

Other Groups

2.3%

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3. Largest Ethnic Groups In The United Kingdom (Great Britain)

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Largest Ethnic Groups In The United Kingdom (Great Britain)

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In the United Kingdom, a census is conducted after every ten years. According to the 2011 census, the United Kingdom had a total population of 63,181,775, making it the 3 rd most populous in the European Union and the 22 nd most populous in the world.

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North Entrance to Westminster Abbey in London.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is an area that has been officially recognized by the United Nations as having cultural, natural, or historic significance. Due to their importance, the sites are protected via international treaty. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is home to 30 different sites, including 1 of mixed significance, 4 natural, and 25 cultural. This article takes a look at a few of these sites.

Stonehenge

Inducted in 1986 as a cultural site, Stonehenge is one of the most recognizable UNESCO monuments in the United Kingdom. A visit to these prehistoric ruins, located in Wiltshire, England, may seem as if one is taking a walk backwards in time. Built sometime between 3000 and 2000 BC, this site is a ring of standing stones set into the ground and surrounded by a circular mound of earth. Avebury and associated sites located within a 30-mile radius have also been included in the protected status. They include similarly circular henge sites constructed of earth and stone. Nearby, model homes allow visitors to get a glimpse of Neolithic life. Theories of the purpose of Stonehenge include that it was intended as either a burial site, for use in ritualistic ceremonies, and/or a pilgrimage site for those seeking healing. What is even more mysterious is how the stones arrived to their current site. The stones were transported from over 200 miles away in present-day Wales. The most commonly accepted theory is that the culture moved these stones via water to a few miles from the site. This theory has not, however, been tested. The mystery that shrouds this World Heritage Sites is one of its great appeals.

Westminster Abbey

Located in London, the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and Saint Margaret's Church were all reserved as World Heritage Sites in 1987. Built over medieval remains, Westminster Palace was constructed beginning in 1840 and today, is one of the largest examples of neo-Gothic architecture in the country. Parliament continues to hold its seat here. Westminster Abbey has served as the traditional place for royal coronations and marriages since the 11th century and Saint Margaret's Church, the parish church for the Palace, has held religious services since medieval times. The grounds also hold burial sites for English citizens as well as monarchy. These buildings stand overlooking the river Thames and remind passersby of the rich history of religion, royalty, and government that have helped shape the nation.

Saint Kilda

The Saint Kilda volcanic archipelago and settlements is a mixed cultural and natural site brought under UNESCO World Heritage protection in 1986. Located off the northwest coast of Scotland, its landscape is craggy and awe-inspiring and the coasts have some of the tallest sea cliffs in Europe. The area provides shelter to many endangered bird species such as puffins, and during breeding season around 1 million birds can be spotted. Humans inhabited this area from before the Bronze Age until 1930 AD. Combined with the harsh environment and unique natural setting are remains of ancient settlements that can still be found here. These ruins include storage structures, stone houses, and field systems. One of the villages was rebuilt during the 1800's, but increasing tourism and the devastating effects of World War I forced inhabitants off the island in 1930. A visit here today is akin to seeing one of the last great frontiers due to its inherent remoteness and natural beauty.

Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast

One of the natural sites on the list, the Giant's Causeway was included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Unique for its polygonal-shaped basalt column beaches, this North Ireland coastline is an important geological site. Its columns interlock and form a nearly flat surface. Formed by volcanic eruption, the surface appears to be stepping stones that guide visitors from the coast into the sea. Research of this area has been ongoing for over 300 years and has added extensive knowledge to the field of science regarding the history of geological formations on earth. The name comes from local legend that these rocks provided a passage for giants crossing the sea to Scotland.

Additional UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country can be found listed below.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Year of Inscription; Type

Blaenavon Industrial Landscape

2000; Cultural

Blenheim Palace

1987; Cultural

Canterbury Cathedral, Saint Augustine's Abbey, and Saint Martin's Church

1988; Cultural

Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd

1986; Cultural

City of Bath

1987; Cultural

Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape

2006; Cultural

Derwent Valley Mills

2001; Cultural

Durham Castle and Cathedral

1986; Cultural

Frontiers of the Roman Empire

1987; Cultural

Gorham's Cave Complex

2016; Cultural

Heart of Neolithic Orkney

1999; Cultural

Historic Town of Saint George and Related Fortifications, Bermuda

2000; Cultural

Ironbridge Gorge

1986; Cultural

Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City ( Site in Danger)

2004; Cultural

Maritime Greenwich

1997; Cultural

New Lanark

2001; Cultural

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh

1995; Cultural

Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and Saint Margaret's Church

1987; Cultural

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal

2009; Cultural

Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew

2003; Cultural

Saltaire

2001; Cultural

Stonehenge, Avebury, and Associated Sites

1986; Cultural

Studley Royal Park and Ruins of Fountains Park

1986; Cultural

River Forth Bridge, Edinburgh-Fife, Scotland

2015; Cultural

Tower of London

1988; Cultural

Saint Kilda Volcanic Archipelago and Settlements

1986; Mixed

Dorset and East Devon Coast

2001; Natural

Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast

1986; Natural

Gough and Inaccessible Islands

1995; Natural

Henderson Island

1988; Natural

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites In The United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland

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A UNESCO World Heritage Site is an area that has been officially recognized by the United Nations as having cultural, natural, or historic significance. Due to their importance, the sites are protected via international treaty. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is home to 30 different sites, including 1 of mixed significance, 4 natural, and 25 cultural.