Located in Western Europe, northwest of France, between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, Great Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside the European Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK.
The Scottish Parliament, and the National Assembly for Wales, were established in 1999. It is country made up of islands, including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France. The United Kingdom is about the same physical size as the State of Oregon, and has over a 60,000,000 population. It shares a 360 km border with only one country, Ireland.
The UK flag is blue with the red cross of Saint George, patron saint of England, edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew, patron saint of Scotland. The flag is known as the Union Flag or Union Jack. |
