The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe. It comprises four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The UK includes the island of Great Britain, the northeastern part of Ireland, and many smaller islands, covering an area of 94,354 square miles (244,376 km²).
Northern Ireland shares a border with the Republic of Ireland, while the rest of the UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, English Channel, Celtic Sea, and Irish Sea. By 2023, the population of the UK is estimated to be over 68.2 million. London is the capital and largest city, with a metropolitan area of 14.9 million. Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast are the capitals of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, respectively.
