What is the UK?

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland—commonly known as the UK—is a union of four nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each nation has its own distinct identity, culture, and in some cases, its own parliament or assembly.

Great Britain refers to the island containing England, Scotland, and Wales. The term "British Isles" is a geographical term for the islands including Great Britain, Ireland, and many smaller islands.

England is the largest nation by population and area. Its capital, London, serves as the capital of the entire UK. England does not have its own devolved parliament—laws for England are made by the UK Parliament at Westminster.

Scotland has a rich history as an independent nation before uniting with England in 1707. Today, Scotland has its own Parliament in Edinburgh with powers over education, health, and law.

Wales was formally incorporated into England in 1536 but has maintained its distinct cultural identity, including the Welsh language. The Welsh Parliament (Senedd) in Cardiff has powers over devolved matters.

Northern Ireland is part of the island of Ireland and has a complex history. The Northern Ireland Assembly in Belfast handles devolved powers and operates under unique power-sharing arrangements established by the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.

The UK is also associated with the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man) and British Overseas Territories, though these are not part of the UK itself.