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The United Kingdom is located on the continent of Europe and is made up of four countries; England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The islands making up the United Kingdom are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel and the Irish Sea.
Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state and the seat of government is located in London which is also the capitol of the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister, the UK's head of government, is appointed by the Queen.
The United Kingdom also has fourteen overseas territories and has the fifth largest economy of all the nations of the world. It was also one of the 12 founding members of the European Union when it began in 1992. The United Kingdom holds a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, and is a member of the NATO, G8, and the Commonwealth of Nations.
The United Kingdom was the world's foremost power during the 19th and 20th centuries. By 1920 it had become the largest empire in history. By the end of the 20th century, the cost of two major wars and its shrinking empire had a negative effect on its position as the leading global powerhouse. Today, the United Kingdom still plays an influential role in cultural, political, military and economic affairs.
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