Time Zone: Western European Time Zone (WET). Western European Standard Time is
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
(metropolitan pop. about 9 million)
Other Cities:
Belfast,
Birmingham,
Bradford, Bristol,
Cardiff,
Edinburgh,
Glasgow, Leeds,
Liverpool,
Manchester,
Sheffield.
Government:
Constitutional monarchy.
Constitution: Unwritten, partly statutes, partly common law and practice.
Geography:
Location: Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island
of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France
Area: 243,000 km² (93,000 sq. mi.)
Terrain: 30% arable, 50% meadow and pasture, 12% waste or urban, 7% forested,
1% inland water.
Land use: 25% arable, 46% meadows and pastures, 10% forests and woodland, 19%
other.
Climate:
Very British: more than one-half of the days are overcast; generally mild and
temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current.
People:
Nationality: Noun--Briton(s). Adjective--British.
Population: 66.8 million (2020)
Major ethnic groups: British, Irish, West Indian, South Asian.
Major religions: Church of England (Anglican), Roman Catholic, Church of Scotland
(Presbyterian), Muslim.
Major languages:
English, Welsh, Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic.
Literacy: 99%.
Natural resources: Coal, oil, natural gas, tin, limestone, iron ore, salt,
clay, chalk, gypsum, lead, silica.
Agriculture products: Cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables, cattle, sheep, poultry, fish, milk, eggs.
Industries: Machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment,
railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics
and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper
products, food processing, textiles, clothing, and other consumer goods.
Exports - commodities: manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food, beverages, and tobacco.
Exports - partners: USA 13.2%,
Germany 10.5%,
France 7.4%,
Netherlands 6.2%,
Ireland 5.6%,
China 4.8%,
Switzerland 4.5% (2017)
Imports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, fuels; foodstuffs
Imports - partners: Germany 13.7%, USA 9.5%, China 9.3%, Netherlands 8%, France 5.4%,
Belgium 5% (2017)
Currency: British Pound £ (GBP)
