Tourist Information about United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country in Northwestern Europe which is commonly called the United Kingdom (UK) or Great Britain. Its four principal divisions are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Isles of Man and the Channel Islands are dependencies of the British Crown.

United Kingdom's formation is a result of a long historical evolution which started in the Middle Ages. When the principality of Wales became an English crown dependency and was integrated politically with England, the King of Scotland inherited the English Crown and assumed the title as King of England as well. He and his successors acted as ruler of two separate countries until the time when by an Act of Union, Scotland was joined with England and Wales. The union of the three countries gave birth to Great Britain. On a separate Act of Union, Ireland was politically united with Great Britain and eventually became the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Irish Free State came to be after all of Ireland except for six northern counties become self-governing. The final official name which is used until today is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The United Kingdom is one of the most densely populated and highly industrialized countries in the world these in despite of its small area. It is also considered as one of the world's greatest trading nations and remains one of the major European powers.

Each of the countries forming the United Kingdom has maintained a distinct identity from each other. Some has found it difficult to define the concept of the United Kingdom. Its connection with its past, however, is evident in its numerous museums and commemorative monuments. Tourists would not run out of things to do nor see in UK as the national heritage includes a proud tradition of accomplishment in science and in the arts.