The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly referred to as the United Kingdom, the UK, or Britain, is a nation nestled in northwestern Europe, encompassing England, Wales, Scotland, and the province of Northern Ireland, which occupies the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland. The only land border the UK shares is with the Republic of Ireland on the island of Ireland.

Geographically, the UK is set apart from continental Europe by the English Channel. It resides on the British Isles, an archipelago comprising the two primary islands, Great Britain and Ireland, along with surrounding island groups such as the Hebrides, Shetlands, Orkney, Isle of Man, and Isle of Wight. Positioned southeast of Iceland and west of Norway and Denmark, it lies between the North Sea to the east and the North Atlantic Ocean to the west. The UK also shares maritime boundaries with Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and the Faroe Islands (a part of Denmark).

Covering an area of 242,900 square kilometers, the United Kingdom is slightly smaller than Spain or approximately half the size of the U.S. state of Oregon. It boasts a population of 66.4 million people as of 2019, with London serving as both its capital and largest city. While British English reigns as the primary spoken language, Welsh, Irish Gaelic, and Scottish Gaelic also hold significance.

Politically, the UK remains one of the 28 member states of the European Union (EU). However, following a polarizing referendum in June 2016, the country embarked on a tumultuous journey toward Brexit—the decision to leave the EU. The path toward departure has been fraught with uncertainty, raising questions about the UK’s future relationship with the EU and the broader implications for its citizens and economy.