The Great Recession (2007–2010) severely affected the British economy, and was followed by a period of weak growth and stagnation. Around the end of the 20th century, there were major changes to the governance of the UK with the establishment of devolved administrations for Scotland, Wales and https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/no-wageringcasino.com Northern Ireland. The inhabitants of the islands strongly favour British sovereignty, expressed in a 2013 referendum. In 1982, Argentina invaded the British territories of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, leading to the 10-week Falklands War in which Argentine forces were defeated.
The devolved form of government in Northern Ireland is based on the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which brought to an end a 30-year period of unionist-nationalist communal conflict known as the Troubles. In 2014 the Scottish independence referendum was held, with 55.3 per cent voting against independence from the United Kingdom and 44.7 per cent voting in favour, resulting in Scotland staying within the United Kingdom. Their power over economic issues is significantly constrained by an act of the UK Parliament passed in 2020. In practice it would be politically difficult for the UK Parliament to abolish devolution to the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd because these institutions were created by referendums. In 2008 the executive agreed on proposals to create 11 new councils to replace the existing system. Local government in Northern Ireland since 1973 has been organised into 26 district councils, each elected by single transferable vote.
Etymology and terminology
In 2013, over 5 per cent of the population were estimated to speak languages brought to the UK as a result of immigration. In 2013, it was estimated that 95 per cent of the UK’s population were monolingual English speakers. As of April 2020 there are around 151,000 users of British Sign Language (BSL), a sign language used by deaf people, in the UK.
Easter bank holiday weekend set to be busiest on roads in four years
A poll from July 2024 revealed that 3 per cent of the UK population follow a vegan diet, 6 per cent are vegetarian, and 13 per cent identify as flexitarian (following a mainly vegetarian diet). The food of England has historically been characterised by simplicity of approach and a reliance on the high quality of natural produce. 2019 was a particularly good year for British films which grossed around £10.3 billion globally, accounting for 28.7 per cent of global box office revenue. Some of the most commercially successful films have been produced in the United Kingdom, including two of the highest-grossing film franchises (Harry Potter and James Bond). The British directors Alfred Hitchcock, whose film Vertigo is considered by some critics as the best film of all time, and David Lean, who directed Lawrence of Arabia, are amongst the most critically acclaimed directors ever. In the late 80’s, dance music exploded with Rave culture mainly Acid House tracks which were made mainstream with novelty records (such as Smart E’s Sesame’s Treet and the Prodigy’s Charly) and the Balearic sound brought back from the Ibiza club scene.
Fall in love with our countryside, stealing scenes (and hearts) in your favourite costume dramas. The archipelago formed by Great Britain and the numerous smaller islands is as irregular in shape as it is diverse in geology and landscape. Scotland, occupying northern Great Britain, includes the Orkney and Shetland islands off the northern coast and the Hebrides off the northwestern coast. Together England, Wales, and Scotland constitute Great Britain, the larger of the two principal islands, while Northern Ireland and the republic of Ireland constitute the second largest island, Ireland.
London is also one of the world’s leading financial centres, ranking second in the 2025 Global Financial Centres Index. London is the world capital for foreign exchange trading, with a market share of 37.8 per cent in 2022 of the global turnover. As of 2023 it is the world’s second-largest exporter of services and in 2024 was the world’s largest net exporter of financial services. The Department for Business and Trade is responsible for business, international trade, and enterprise. Despite having one of the highest levels of income inequality in the OECD, the UK has a very high HDI ranking, including when adjusted for inequality.
- Unchallenged at sea, British dominance was later described as the Pax Britannica (“British Peace”), a period of relative peace amongst the great powers (1815–1914) during which the British Empire became the global hegemon and adopted the role of global policeman.
- A poll from July 2024 revealed that 3 per cent of the UK population follow a vegan diet, 6 per cent are vegetarian, and 13 per cent identify as flexitarian (following a mainly vegetarian diet).
- In the late 80’s, dance music exploded with Rave culture mainly Acid House tracks which were made mainstream with novelty records (such as Smart E’s Sesame’s Treet and the Prodigy’s Charly) and the Balearic sound brought back from the Ibiza club scene.
- Together England, Wales, and Scotland constitute Great Britain, the larger of the two principal islands, while Northern Ireland and the republic of Ireland constitute the second largest island, Ireland.
- Welcome to the north-east of Scotland’s film and TV itinerary – the perfect set for epic blockbusters, period dramas and adventure travellers alike.
Other major cities include Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester in England, Belfast and Londonderry in Northern Ireland, Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland, and Swansea and Cardiff in Wales. The capital is London, which is among the world’s leading commercial, financial, and cultural centres. The name Britain is sometimes used to refer to the United Kingdom as a whole. United Kingdom, island country located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe.