The United Kingdom (UK)

The United Kingdom (UK)

The United Kingdom (UK) is a major industrial, political and military power.uk It is a member of the G8, NATO and the Commonwealth of Nations.uk The UK has large coal, natural gas and oil reserves.uk uk The currency is the pound sterling. The Bank of England is the central bank, with some autonomy over interest rates. British industry focuses on heavy and light manufacturing, high technology, aerospace, and chemicals.

Despite the economic cost of two world wars, the UK retains significant global influence as a major trading nation and financial center.uk The UK also has one of the most advanced welfare states and universal health care systems in the world.uk

London is a vibrant global city and home to many of the world's largest corporations, including Shell, BP and Vodafone.uk uk The UK capital's mix of old and new, classical architecture and contemporary culture makes for a fascinating city.uk

Oxford and Cambridge are among the world's top universities.uk They are famous for their ancient colleges, spectacular buildings and beautiful grounds.uk Other cities of note are Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, Cardiff in Wales and Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland.uk

British people are known for their cheerful natures, great sense of humour and their love of music and culture.uk Some of the biggest bands in the world originated from the UK, and britons often enjoy attending music concerts.uk

Britain's climate is generally temperate.uk uk However, it can be cold and damp, especially in the north.uk Summers are warm and sunny. Winters are cold and snowy, but temperatures rarely drop below freezing.

The British have a long history of religious revivalism which led to the formation of non-conformist Christian denominations such as Methodists and Congregationalists.uk This evangelical zeal drove many social reforms and charitable works, including overseas missionary work and the anti-slavery movement led by William Wilberforce.uk It also contributed to industrial reforms such as the cotton spinning industry and to social and moral reforms by the Salvation Army and other Protestant non-conformist groups.uk

In recent decades there have been waves of uncontrolled immigration from the Caribbean, India and Africa, and to a lesser extent from Eastern Europe.uk The UK's ethnic makeup has greatly changed, and the number of children born to single parents has risen.uk British children typically live with their parents until they are able to find employment and support themselves.uk

Traditional foods are a big part of UK cuisine.uk Scotch eggs are a pub favorite: hard-boiled egg encased in sausage meat and then fried.uk Periwinkles, or edible sea snails, are another popular dish.uk A salty spread called marmite, made from brewer's yeast extract, is widely used on toast or as a dip for crudités. The British are also famous for their love of tea.