The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The full and official name of the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is situated on the group of islands lying just off the mainland of the north-western Europe. The total area оf the country is over 244,000 square kilometres.

The British Isles include Great Britain proper, Ireland and a number of smaller islands. Great Britain consists of England, Scotland and Wales. The population of the UK is 57 million people. The largest and the most populated part of the UK is England. Its population is over 47 million people and its capital is London.

The UK is a highly developed industrial country. It is the world largest producer of marine navigational equipment as the main industrial branch of the country is shipbuilding. The UK enterprises are also widely-known for textile, television and radio sets production.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a parliamentary republic. It means that the head of the state is the monarch but his powers are restricted by the elected government and the parliament. So that the monarch reigns but does not rule. For the last 50 years Queen Elizabeth II has been the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The parliament consists of two chambers: House of Lords and House of Commons. House of Lords includes those members who are given a privilege to be referred to as peers and consider being a nobility of the country. House of Commons is an elected legislative body consisting of members of the different political parties. The main function of the parliament is to issue the bills, laws and regulations. They are obligatory for every citizen of the UK.

The Prime-minister of the country is elected in a 4- year-cycle by the total elections. The political party taken the most part of votes becomes the ruling party and its leader becomes a Prime-minister of the country. The ruling party nowadays is the Labour party. The Prime-minister is David Cameron. 

London is the capital of the United Kingdom and the constituent country of England, and is the largest city in the European Union.

Traditionally London is divided into four parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End.

The City of London is the world's greatest financial centre alongside New York City and Tokyo and one of the most important cultural centers. London's influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion and the arts contributes to its preeminent position. The City of London is the headquarters of more than half of the UK's top 100 listed companies including the Bank of England and the Stock Exchange. There are a lot of tourists’ attractions within the City. Among them St. Paul’s Cathedral, the greatest of English churches and the Tower of London.

St Paul's Cathedral is the Anglican cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of London. The present building dates from the 17th century. Sir Christopher Wren was an architect of the masterpiece. The cathedral is one of London's most visited sights.

Another place of interest is the Tower of London. It was built in 1066 by William the Conqueror and since than has been playing an important role in historical and governmental events of the United Kingdom.

Westminster is the governmental part of London. It has many historical places and the brightest of them is the Westminster Abbey. It is a large, mainly Gothic church in Westminster, London, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is also famous for its Poet’s Corner, place where a lot of outstanding poets, writers, politicians are buried.

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Royal family. It is famous for the ceremony of the Royal Guard change. It attracts thousands of tourists.

London currently has a wide range of peoples, cultures, and religions, and more than 300 languages are spoken within the city. The official population of the city is more than 8 mln. within the boundaries of Greater London making it the most populous municipality in the European Union.

Вопросы к теме:

Why is Great Britain considered to be an island state?

Why is the climate in Great Britain mild the whole year round?

What party is the ruling party nowadays?

What are the chief industries in Great Britain?

Who  is Great Britain ruled by? Who is the real Head of the country?