United Kingdom
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
People: British
The United Kingdom comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and London remains one of the world's leading financial and cultural capitals. United Kingdom is located in Northern Europe and has a population of around 69.3 million. Its capital city is London, and the most widely spoken official language is English.
By the numbers, United Kingdom is the 20th most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 0.87% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 78th out of 196, with a population density of roughly 284 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
United Kingdom — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Capital City | London |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Northern Europe |
| Population | 69,281,437 |
| Area | 244,376 km² |
| Currency | British pound (GBP) £ |
| Official Language | English |
| Dialling Code | +44 |
| Internet TLD | .uk |
| Timezones | UTC-08:00, UTC-05:00, UTC-04:00, UTC-03:00, UTC-02:00, UTC, UTC+01:00, UTC+02:00, UTC+06:00 |
| Drives on the | Left side |
| Emergency Number | 999 (or 112) |
| ISO Code | GB / GBR |
| Borders | Ireland |
Travelling to United Kingdom?
Heading there soon? A guide to what to pack for United Kingdom makes sure the essentials are covered. Pack a universal travel adapter for your devices. You can also check clothing and shoe sizes in United Kingdom before you shop, and look up popular foods from United Kingdom if you want to know what's on the menu.
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Getting to and around United Kingdom
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Planning a trip to United Kingdom?
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United Kingdom Travel Guide
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Frequently Asked Questions about United Kingdom
What is the capital and currency of United Kingdom?
The capital of United Kingdom is London and the currency is the British pound (GBP), symbol £.
What is the capital of United Kingdom?
The capital of United Kingdom is London.
What currency does United Kingdom use?
United Kingdom uses the British pound (GBP, symbol: £).
What language do they speak in United Kingdom?
The official language of United Kingdom is English.
What is the dialling code for United Kingdom?
The international dialling code for United Kingdom is +44.
What side of the road does United Kingdom drive on?
United Kingdom drives on the left-hand side of the road.
Countries bordering United Kingdom
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