The United Kingdom is an island country in northern Europe, with an area of 243,610 square kilometers (94,058 square miles) (80th in the world) and a population of 63.7 million (23rd largest in the world). Almost four-fifths (79.6 percent as of 2011) of the population lives in urban areas, with an annual rate of urbanization of 0.8 percent. Major cities include the capital of London (9.0 million), Birmingham (2.3 million), and Manchester (2.2 million). The population is primarily White (87.2 percent), with substantial minorities of persons with heritage from Africa (3 percent) or the Indian subcontinent (4.2 percent).

The United Kingdom is a prosperous industrialized country with a high standard of living and a modern health care system and a strong system of primary, secondary, and ...