The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands – Great Britain and Ireland – and about five thousand small islands. Their total area is over 244 thousand square kilometres. Great Britain consists of England, Scotland and Wales, Ireland consists of Northern Ireland and the Irish republic, which is an independent state.

The British Isles are separated from the continent by the North Sea and the English Channel. The western coast is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea.

The surface of the British Isles varies very much. It is mainly low-lying valleys and forests, but there are mountains in Scotland and Wales, deep lakes in Scotland. There are many rivers in Great Britain but they are not very long. The Severn is the longest river, while the Thames is the busiest.

The climate of Great Britain is mild. Summers are cool and rainy. Snow is rare and it does not lie on the ground for long.

The UK is a monarchy but the powers of the king (now Queen Elizabeth II) are limited. The country is ruled by the government with Prime Minister at its head. The British Parliament consists of two houses: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The members of the House of Lords are not elected by the population. The members of the House of Commons are elected for a period of five years.