United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Land Population

Views of Britain
The official view
Britain is a stable and democratic society. Its citizens have freedom of speech and political and religious belief. It is a leading member of both the European Union and the Commonwealth and has a major world role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

The home of the industrial revolution it continues to be an important industrial nation. Although small in area and accounting for only about 1 per cent of the world’s population, Britain is the fourth largest trading nation in the world. After years of sustained growth it is one of the largest exporters of goods and a major centre for financial and insurance services. It has the largest energy resources of any country in the European Union and is an important world producer of oil, natural gas and coal. Its labour force has high levels of technical and commercial skill. British agriculture is noted for its efficiency and productivity and at the same time comprehensive planning and control have steadily reduced air and water pollution.

Britain’s Natural Health Service is famous worldwide and its universities and institutes of higher education attract over 50,000 foreign students a year. Britain has for centuries encouraged research and innovation and its record of achievements has been maintained throughout the twentieth century. Nobel prizes for sciences have been won by sixty-eight British citizens, a number exceeded only by the United States. In the fields of arts, broadcasting and sport Britain continues to lead the world.