United Kingdom

The UK is a kingdom situated in North-Western Europe, namely consisting of Great Britain, which in itself is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The first country to undergo the Industrial Revolution, by the 18th century the United Kingdom had established itself as the world’s leading colonial power. It officially became the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1921, as the Republic of Ireland became an autonomous state. Primarily, the United Kingdom is a trading nation, with the majority of its exports being manufactured goods. The official languages of the United Kingdom include English, Gaelic, and Welsh. Its currency is the pound sterling and it possesses a current population of 63 million. In 1973, it became a member state of the European Union, remaining as such until 2020, when it became the latest of only 3 member states to leave the union. The majority of exported goods from the United Kingdom still go to mainland Europe, separated only by the English channel.