Examine individual changes

'{{Coord|54|0|N|2|30|W|type:country|display=title}} {{Infobox country geography | name = the United Kingdom | map = Satellite image of the United Kingdom.jpg | continent = Europe | region = Western/Northern [[Europe]] | coordinates = {{Coord|54|0|N|2|30|W|display=inline}} | area ranking = 78th | km area = 242,495 {{#tag:ref|Does not include the three [[Crown dependencies]] ({{convert|768|km2|sqmi|disp=or|abbr=on}}) and the 14 [[British Overseas Territories|overseas territories]] ({{convert|1742857|km2|sqmi|disp=or|abbr=on}}), shown separately.|group="Note"}} | percent land = 99.31 | km coastline = 12,429 | exclusive economic zone = In Europe: {{convert|773,676|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} <br> All overseas territories: {{convert|6,805,586|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} | borders = 499 km land border with [[Ireland]] <!--unknown params: | northernmost point = | southernmost point = | easternmost point = | westernmost point = | geographic center = --> | highest point = 1,344 m [[Ben Nevis]] | lowest point = -4 m [[The Fens]] | longest river = [[River Severn]] (354 km) | largest lake = [[Lough Neagh]] (392 km2) | climate = [[Temperate climate|Temperate]], with some areas of [[Scotland]] being [[Tundra]], and [[Subarctic climate|Subarctic]] | terrain = Mountainous area to the north and west, lowland area to the south and east. | natural resources = Coal, oil (continental shelf of the North Sea), natural gas, tin, limestone, iron, salt, clay, lead | natural hazards = Storms, floods | environmental issues = Sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants, some rivers are contaminated by agricultural waste, wastewater into the sea }} The [[United Kingdom]] is a [[sovereign state]] located off the north-western coast of [[continental Europe]]. With a total area of approximately {{convert|248532|km2|sqmi|-1}}, the UK occupies the major part of the [[British Isles]] [[archipelago]] and includes the island of [[Great Britain]], the north-eastern one-sixth of the island of [[Ireland]] and many smaller surrounding islands.<ref>Oxford English Dictionary: "British Isles: a geographical term for the islands comprising Great Britain and Ireland with all their offshore islands including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands."</ref> It is the world's 7th largest [[List of island countries|island country]].<ref name="Don’t click" /> The mainland areas lie between latitudes 49°N and 59°N (the [[Shetland Islands]] reach to nearly 61°N), and longitudes 8°W to 2°E. The [[Royal Greenwich Observatory]], in [[South East (London sub region)|South East London]], is the defining point of the [[Prime Meridian]]. The UK lies between the [[North Atlantic]] and the [[North Sea]], and comes within {{convert|35|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} of the north-west coast of [[France]], from which it is separated by the [[English Channel]]. It shares a 499&nbsp;km international land boundary with the [[Republic of Ireland]].<ref name="ReferenceA">Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland, 1999</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">MFPP Working Paper No. 2, "The Creation and Consolidation of the Irish Border" by KJ Rankin and published in association with Institute for British-Irish Studies, University College Dublin and Institute for Governance, Queen's University, Belfast (also printed as IBIS working paper no. 48)</ref> The [[Channel Tunnel]] bored beneath the English Channel, now links the UK with France. The [[British Overseas Territories]] and [[Crown Dependencies]] are covered in their own respective articles, [[Geography of the United Kingdom#Geography of dependent territories|see below]]. == Area == The total area of the United Kingdom according to the pp [[Office for National Statistics]] is {{convert|248,532|km2|sqmi|-1}}, comprising the island of [[Great Britain]], the northeastern one-sixth of the island of Ireland (Northern Ireland) and many smaller islands. This makes it the 69th largest [[List of island countries|island country]] in the world.<ref name="Don’t click">{{cite web|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/which-are-the-island-countries-of-the-world.html |title=Island Countries Of The World |publisher=WorldAtlas.com |accessdate=2019-08-10 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207094959/http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/which-are-the-island-countries-of-the-world.html | archivedate=2017-12-07}}</ref> [[Geography of England|England]] is the largest [[Countries of the United Kingdom|country of the United Kingdom]], at {{convert|132,938|km2|sqmi|-1}} accounting for just over half the total area of the UK. [[Geography of Scotland|Scotland]] at {{convert|80,239|km2|sqmi|-1}}, is second largest, accounting for about a third of the area of the UK. [[Geography of Wales|Wales]] and [[Geography of Ireland|Northern Ireland]] are much smaller, covering {{convert|21,225|and|14,130|km2|sqmi|-1}} respectively.<ref name=area>{{cite web |url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/geography/beginner-s-guide/administrative/the-countries-of-the-uk/index.html |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20160108051201/http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/geography/beginner-s-guide/administrative/the-countries-of-the-uk/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 January 2016 |title=The Countries of the UK |publisher=Office for National Statistics |accessdate=15 October 2017}}</ref> The area of the countries of the United Kingdom is set out in the table below. Information about the area of [[England]], the largest [[country]], is also broken down by [[Regions of England|region]]. {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:right" |- ! Rank ! Name ! Area |- | style=vertical-align:top; | 1 | style=text-align:left; | [[England]]<br> ∟ [[South West England|South West]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gosw.gov.uk/497666/docs/220636/309014/swkeyfacts |title=The South West&nbsp;– Key Facts |publisher=Government Office for the South West |work=www.gosw.gov.uk |accessdate=18 April 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070322044739/http://www.gosw.gov.uk/497666/docs/220636/309014/swkeyfacts |archivedate=22 March 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><br> ∟ [[East of England]]<br> ∟ [[South East England|South East]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gos.gov.uk/gose/ourRegion/aboutTheSE/factsAndFigs/?a=42496|title=Facts and Figures about the South East|publisher=Government Office for the South East|work=www.gose.gov.uk|accessdate=18 April 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928100451/http://www.gos.gov.uk/gose/ourRegion/aboutTheSE/factsAndFigs/?a=42496|archivedate=28 September 2007|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><br> ∟ [[East Midlands]]<br> ∟ [[Yorkshire and the Humber]]<br> ∟ [[North West England|North West]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gos.gov.uk/gonw/OurRegion/?a=42496|title=Regional Profile|publisher=Government Office for the North West|work=www.gonw.gov.uk|accessdate=18 April 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070503231022/http://www.gos.gov.uk/gonw/OurRegion/?a=42496|archivedate=3 May 2007|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><br/> ∟ [[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gowm.gov.uk/gowm/OurReg/?a=42496|title=Regional Profile|publisher=Government Office for the West Midlands|work=www.gowm.gov.uk|accessdate=18 April 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921233144/http://www.gowm.gov.uk/gowm/OurReg/?a=42496|archivedate=21 September 2007|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><br> ∟ [[North East England|North East]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gos.gov.uk/gone/ourregion/regional_profile/?a=42496|title=Regional Profile|publisher=Government Office for the North East|work=www.gos.gov.uk/gone/|accessdate=18 April 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928100434/http://www.gos.gov.uk/gone/ourregion/regional_profile/?a=42496|archivedate=28 September 2007|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><br> ∟ [[Greater London|London]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gol.gov.uk/gol/OurRegion/?a=42496|title=Our Region|publisher=Government Office for London|work=www.gol.gov.uk|accessdate=18 April 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070920202627/http://www.gol.gov.uk/gol/OurRegion/?a=42496|url-status=dead|archivedate=20 September 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref><br> |132,938&nbsp;km²<br> 23,837&nbsp;km²<br> 19,120&nbsp;km²<br> 19,096&nbsp;km²<br> 15,627&nbsp;km²<br> 15,420&nbsp;km²<br> 14,165&nbsp;km²<br> 12,998&nbsp;km²<br> 8,592&nbsp;km²<br> 1,572&nbsp;km²<br> |- | 2 | style=text-align:left; | [[Scotland]] | 80,239&nbsp;km² |- | 3 | style=text-align:left; | [[Wales]] | 21,225&nbsp;km² |- | 4 | style=text-align:left; | [[Northern Ireland]] | 14,130&nbsp;km² |- ! ! style=text-align:left; | [[United Kingdom]] ! style=text-align:right; | 248,532&nbsp;km² |- ! ! style=text-align:left; | [[British overseas territories|Overseas territories]] ! style=text-align:right; | 1,727,570&nbsp;km² |} The [[British Antarctic Territory]], which covers an area of 1,709,400&nbsp;km² is geographically the largest of the British Overseas Territories followed by the [[Falkland Islands]] which covers an area of 12,173&nbsp;km². The remaining twelve overseas territories cover an area 5,997&nbsp;km². Other countries with very similar land areas to the United Kingdom include [[Guinea]] (slightly larger), [[Uganda]], [[Ghana]] and [[Romania]] (all slightly smaller). The UK is the world's 80th largest country by land area and the 10th largest in Europe (if European Russia is included). ==Physical geography== [[File:uk topo en.jpg|thumb|UK's topography]] <!-- Missing image removed: [[File:Geological map of Great Britain.jpg|thumb|right|As this [[geology|geological]] map of [[Great Britain]] demonstrates, the [[geology]] of the [[United Kingdom|UK]] is varied and complex.]] --> The [[physical geography]] of the UK varies greatly. [[Geography of England|England]] consists of mostly lowland terrain, with upland or mountainous terrain only found north-west of the [[Tees-Exe line]]. The upland areas include the [[Lake District]], the [[Pennines]], [[North York Moors]], [[Exmoor]] and [[Dartmoor]]. The lowland areas are typically traversed by ranges of low hills, frequently composed of [[chalk]], and flat plains. [[Geography of Scotland|Scotland]] is the most mountainous country in the UK and its physical geography is distinguished by the [[Highland Boundary Fault]] which traverses the Scottish mainland from [[Helensburgh]] to [[Stonehaven]]. The faultline separates the two distinctively different regions of the [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]] to the north and west, and the [[Scottish Lowlands|Lowlands]] to the south and east. The Highlands are predominantly mountainous, containing the majority of Scotland's mountainous landscape, while the Lowlands contain flatter land, especially across the [[Central Lowlands]], with upland and mountainous terrain located at the [[Southern Uplands]]. [[Geography of Wales|Wales]] is mostly mountainous, though [[south Wales]] is less mountainous than [[North Wales|north]] and [[mid Wales]]. [[Geography of Ireland|Northern Ireland]] consists of mostly hilly landscape and its geography includes the [[Mourne Mountains]] as well as [[Lough Neagh]], at {{convert|388|km2|sqmi|0}}, the largest body of water in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/ni/geog.htm|title=Geography of Northern Ireland|publisher=University of Ulster|accessdate=25 September 2017}}</ref> The overall [[geomorphology]] of the UK was shaped by a combination of forces including [[tectonics]] and [[Climate change (general concept)|climate change]], in particular [[glaciation]] in northern and western areas. The tallest mountain in the UK (and British Isles) is [[Ben Nevis]], in the [[Grampian Mountains]], Scotland. The longest river is the [[River Severn]] which flows from [[Wales]] into England. The largest lake by surface area is [[Lough Neagh]] in Northern Ireland, though Scotland's [[Loch Ness]] has the largest volume. === Physical Geography === {{See also|Geology of Great Britain|Geology of Ireland}} The geology of the UK is complex and diverse, a result of it being subject to a variety of [[plate tectonic]] processes over a very extended period of time. Changing latitude and sea levels have been important factors in the nature of sedimentary sequences, whilst successive continental collisions have affected its [[Geological structure of Great Britain|geological structure]] with major faulting and folding being a legacy of each [[orogeny]] (mountain-building period), often associated with [[volcanism|volcanic]] activity and the metamorphism of existing rock sequences. As a result of this eventful geological history, the UK shows a rich variety of [[landscape]]s.<ref name=Toghill>{{cite book |title=The Geology of Britain: An Introduction |last=Toghill |first=Peter |authorlink= |author2= |year=2000 |publisher=Swan Hill Press |location= Shrewsbury|isbn=1-85310-890-1 }}</ref> ====Precambrian==== The oldest rocks in the British Isles are the [[Lewisian gneiss]]es, metamorphic rocks found in the far north west of Scotland and in the [[Hebrides]] (with a few small outcrops elsewhere), which date from at least 2,700 Ma (Ma = million years ago). South and east of the gneisses are a complex mixture of rocks forming the North West [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]] and [[Grampian]] Highlands in Scotland. These are essentially the remains of folded [[sedimentary rock]]s that were deposited between 1,000 Ma and 670 Ma over the gneiss on what was then the floor of the [[Iapetus Ocean]]. ====Palaeozoic==== At 520 Ma, what is now Great Britain was split between two [[continent]]s; the north of Scotland was located on the continent of [[Laurentia]] at about 20° south of the [[equator]], while the rest of the country was on the continent of [[Gondwana]] near the [[Antarctic Circle]]. In Gondwana, England and [[Wales]] were largely submerged under a shallow sea studded with [[volcano|volcanic]] islands. The remains of these islands underlie much of central England with small outcrops visible in many places. About 500 Ma southern Britain, the east coast of [[North America]] and south-east [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]] broke away from Gondwana to form the continent of [[Avalonia]], which by 440 Ma had drifted to about 30° south. During this period north Wales was subject to [[volcanism|volcanic]] activity. The remains of these volcanoes are still visible, one example of which is [[Rhobell Fawr]] dating from 510 Ma. Large quantities of volcanic [[lava]] and ash known as the [[Borrowdale Volcanics]] covered the [[Lake District]] and this can still be seen in the form of mountains such as [[Helvellyn]] and [[Scafell Pike]]. Between 425 and 400 Ma [[Avalonia]] had joined with the continent of [[Baltica]], and the combined landmass collided with [[Laurentia]] at about 20° south, joining the southern and northern halves of [[Great Britain]] together. The resulting [[Caledonian Orogeny]] produced an [[Alps|Alpine]]-style mountain range in much of north and west Britain. The collision between continents continued during the [[Devonian period]], producing uplift and subsequent erosion, resulting in the deposition of numerous sedimentary rock layers in lowlands and seas. The [[Old Red Sandstone]] and the contemporary volcanics and marine sediments found in [[Devon]] originated from these processes. Around 360 Ma Great Britain was lying at the equator, covered by the warm shallow waters of the [[Rheic Ocean]], during which time the Carboniferous Limestone was deposited, as found in the [[Mendip Hills]] and the [[Peak District]] of [[Derbyshire]]. Later, [[river delta]]s formed and the sediments deposited were colonised by [[swamp]]s and [[rain forest]]. It was in this environment that the [[Coal Measures]] were formed, the source of the majority of Britain's extensive [[coal]] reserves. Around 280 Ma the [[Variscan orogeny]] mountain-building period occurred, again due to collision of continental plates, causing major deformation in south west England. The general region of Variscan folding was south of an east–west line roughly from south [[Pembrokeshire]] to [[Kent]]. Towards the end of this period [[granite]] was formed beneath the overlying rocks of [[Devon]] and [[Cornwall]], now exposed at [[Dartmoor]] and [[Bodmin Moor]]. By the end of the Carboniferous period the various continents of the Earth had fused to form the super-continent of [[Pangaea]]. [[Great Britain|Britain]] was located in the interior of Pangea where it was subject to a hot arid desert climate with frequent flash floods leaving deposits that formed beds of red [[sedimentary]] rock. ====Mesozoic==== As Pangaea drifted during the [[Triassic]], Great Britain moved away from the equator until it was between 20° and 30° north. The remnants of the Variscan uplands in [[France]] to the south were eroded down, resulting in layers of the New Red Sandstone being deposited across central England. [[Pangaea]] began to break up at the start of the [[Jurassic]] period. Sea levels rose and Britain drifted on the [[Eurasian Plate]] to between 31° and 40° north. Much Britain was under water again, and [[sedimentary rock]]s were deposited and can now be found underlying much of England from the [[Cleveland Hills]] of [[Yorkshire]] to the [[Jurassic Coast]] in [[Geology of Dorset|Dorset]]. These include [[sandstone]]s, [[greensand (geology)|greensand]]s, [[oolite|oolitic]] [[limestone]] of the [[Cotswold Hills]], [[corallian limestone]] of the [[Vale of White Horse]] and the [[Portland Limestone|Isle of Portland]]. The burial of [[algae]] and [[bacteria]] below the mud of the sea floor during this time resulted in the formation of [[North Sea oil]] and [[natural gas]] [[File:Geological map - William Smith, 1815 - BL.jpg|thumb|1815 Geological by [[William Smith (geologist)|William Smith]].]] The modern continents having formed, the [[Cretaceous]] saw the formation of the [[Atlantic Ocean]], gradually separating northern Scotland from [[North America]]. The land underwent a series of uplifts to form a fertile plain. After 20 million years or so, the seas started to flood the land again until much of Britain was again below the sea, though sea levels frequently changed. [[Chalk]] and [[flint]]s were deposited over much of Great Britain, now notably exposed at the [[White Cliffs of Dover]] and the [[Seven Sisters, Sussex|Seven Sisters]], and also forming [[Salisbury Plain]]. ====Cenozoic==== Between 63 and 52 Ma, the last volcanic rocks in Great Britain were formed. The major eruptions at this time produced the [[County Antrim|Antrim Plateau]], the [[basalt]]ic columns of the [[Giant's Causeway]] and [[Lundy Island]] in the [[Bristol Channel]]. The [[Alpine Orogeny]] that took place in Europe about 50 Ma, was responsible for the folding of strata in southern England, producing the [[London Basin]] [[syncline]], the [[Weald-Artois Anticline]] to the south, the [[North Downs]], [[South Downs]] and [[Chiltern Hills]]. During the period the [[North Sea]] formed, Britain was [[Tectonic uplift|uplift]]ed. Some of this uplift was along old lines of weakness left from the Caledonian and Variscan Orogenies long before. The uplifted areas were then eroded, and further sediments, such as the [[London Clay]], were deposited over southern England. The major changes during the last 2 million years were brought about by [[Quaternary glaciation|several recent ice ages]]. The most severe was the [[Anglian Stage|Anglian Glaciation]], with ice up to {{convert|1,000|m|ft|abbr=on}} thick that reached as far south as [[London]] and [[Bristol]]. This took place between about 478,000 to 424,000 years ago, and was responsible for the diversion of the [[River Thames]] onto its present course. During the most recent [[Devensian glaciation]], which ended a mere 10,000 years ago, the icesheet reached south to [[Wolverhampton]] and [[Cardiff]]. Among the features left behind by the ice are the [[fjord]]s of the west coast of Scotland, the [[glaciated valley|U-shaped valleys]] of the [[Lake District]] and [[Glacial erratic|erratic]]s (blocks of rock) that have been transported from the [[Oslo]] region of [[Norway]] and deposited on the coast of [[Yorkshire]]. Amongst the most significant geological features created during the last twelve thousand years are the [[peat]] deposits of Scotland, and of coastal and upland areas of England and Wales. At the present time Scotland is continuing to rise as a result of the weight of Devensian ice being lifted. Southern and eastern England is sinking, generally estimated at 1&nbsp;mm (1/25&nbsp;inch) per year, with the London area sinking at double the speed partly due to the continuing [[Compaction (geology)|compaction]] of the recent clay deposits. ===Mountains and hills=== [[File:BenNevis2005.jpg|thumb|At 1,345&nbsp;metres, [[Ben Nevis]] is the highest peak in the [[United Kingdom|UK]].]] {{Main|List of mountains and hills of the United Kingdom}} The ten tallest [[mountain]]s in the UK are all found in Scotland. The highest peaks in each part of the UK are: *Scotland: [[Ben Nevis]], 1,345&nbsp;metres *Wales: [[Snowdon]] ([[Snowdonia]]), 1,085&nbsp;metres *England: [[Scafell Pike]] ([[Cumbrian Mountains]]), 978&nbsp;metres *Northern Ireland: [[Slieve Donard]] ([[Mourne Mountains]]), 852&nbsp;metres The ranges of mountains and [[hill]]s in the UK include: *Scotland: [[Cairngorms]], [[Scottish Highlands]], [[Southern Uplands]], [[Grampian Mountains (Scotland)|Grampian Mountains]], [[Monadhliath Mountains]], [[Ochil Hills]], [[Campsie Fells]], [[Cuillin]] *Wales: [[Brecon Beacons]], [[Cambrian Mountains]], [[Snowdonia]], [[Black Mountains, Wales|Black Mountains]], [[Preseli Hills]] *England: [[Cheviot Hills]], [[Chilterns]], [[Cotswolds]], [[Dartmoor]], [[Lincolnshire Wolds]], [[Exmoor]], [[Lake District]], [[Malvern Hills AONB|Malvern Hills]], [[Mendip Hills]], [[North Downs]], [[Peak District]], [[Pennines]], [[South Downs]], [[Shropshire Hills AONB|Shropshire Hills]], [[Yorkshire Wolds]] *Northern Ireland: [[Mourne Mountains]], [[Antrim Plateau]], [[Sperrin Mountains]] The lowest point of the UK is in [[the Fens]] of [[East Anglia]], in England, parts of which lie up to 4&nbsp;metres below [[sea level]]. ===Rivers and lakes=== ;Main articles: *[[List of lakes and lochs in the United Kingdom]]; *[[List of rivers of the United Kingdom]]; *[[List of waterfalls of the United Kingdom]]. The longest river in the UK is the [[River Severn]] ({{convert|220|mi|km|abbr=on|disp=x|; }}) which flows through both Wales and England. The longest rivers in the UK contained wholly within each of its constituent nations are: *England: [[River Thames]] ({{convert|215|mi|km|abbr=on|disp=x|; }}) *Scotland: [[River Tay]] ({{convert|117|mi|km|abbr=on|disp=x|; }}) *N. Ireland: [[River Bann]] ({{convert|76|mi|km|abbr=on|disp=x|; }}) *Wales: [[River Tywi]] ({{convert|64|mi|km|abbr=on|disp=x|; }}) The largest lakes (by surface area) in the UK by country are: *N. Ireland: [[Lough Neagh]] ({{convert|147.39|mi2|km2|abbr=on|disp=x|; }}) *Scotland: [[Loch Lomond]] ({{convert|27.46|mi2|km2|abbr=on|disp=x|; }}) *England: [[Windermere]] ({{convert|5.69|mi2|km2|abbr=on|disp=x|; }}) *Wales: [[Llyn Tegid|Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake)]] ({{convert|1.87|mi2|km2|abbr=on|disp=x|; }}) The deepest lake in the UK is [[Loch Morar]] with a maximum depth of 309&nbsp;metres ([[Loch Ness]] is second at 228&nbsp;metres deep). The deepest lake in England is [[Wastwater]] which achieves a depth of {{convert|79|m|ft|abbr=off}}. [[Loch Ness]] is the UK's largest lake in terms of volume. ===Artificial waterways=== ''Main articles:'' [[Waterways in the United Kingdom]], [[Canals of Great Britain]], [[List of dams and reservoirs in United Kingdom|Dams and reservoirs in United Kingdom]] As a result of its industrial history, the United Kingdom has an extensive system of [[canal]]s, mostly built in the early years of the [[Industrial Revolution]], before the rise of competition from the [[railway]]s. The United Kingdom also has numerous [[dam]]s and [[reservoir (water)|reservoirs]] to store water for drinking and industry. The generation of [[hydroelectric power]] is rather limited, supplying less than 2% of British electricity, mainly from the Scottish Highlands. ===Coastline=== {{Main|Coastline of the United Kingdom}} [[File:United Kingdom maritime claims.png|300px|right|thumb|United Kingdom maritime claims]] The UK has a [[coastline]] which measures about 12,429&nbsp;km.<ref>{{cite web|author=The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs|title=Factsheet Marine Conservation Zones|url=http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/marine/documents/interim2/mcz-factsheet-why.pdf|year=2009|website=www.defra.gov.uk|publisher=DEFRA|accessdate=21 April 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423042806/http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/marine/documents/interim2/mcz-factsheet-why.pdf|archivedate=23 April 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The heavy indentation of the coastline helps to ensure that no location is more than 125&nbsp;km from tidal waters. The UK claims jurisdiction over the [[continental shelf]], as defined in continental shelf orders or in accordance with agreed upon boundaries, an exclusive fishing zone of {{convert|200|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on|lk=in}}, and territorial sea of {{convert|12|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on}}. The UK has an [[Exclusive economic zone of the United Kingdom|Exclusive Economic Zone]] of {{convert|773,676|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} in [[Europe]]. However, if all crown dependencies and overseas territories are included then the total EEZ is {{convert|6,805,586|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} which is the 6th largest in the world. ====Inlets==== *[[Cardigan Bay]] *[[Lyme Bay]] *[[Bristol Channel]] *[[Thames Estuary]] *[[Morecambe Bay]] *[[Solway Firth]] *[[The Wash]] *[[Humber Estuary]] *[[Firth of Forth]] *[[Firth of Tay]] *[[Moray Firth]] *[[Firth of Clyde]] *[[Firth of Lorn]] ====Headlands==== The geology of the United Kingdom is such that there are many [[headlands and bays|headlands]] along its coast. A [[list of headlands of the United Kingdom]] details many of them. ===Islands=== {{Main|List of islands of the United Kingdom}} In total, it is estimated that the UK is made up of over one thousand small islands, the majority located off the north and west coasts of Scotland. About 130 of these are inhabited according to the 2001 Census. The largest islands by country are [[Lewis and Harris]] in Scotland (841 square mi), Wales' [[Anglesey]] (276 square mi), the [[Isle of Wight]] in England (147.09 square mi), and [[Rathlin Island]] in Northern Ireland (roughly 6 square mi); ===Climate=== {{Main|Climate of the United Kingdom}} The climate of the UK is generally [[temperate]], although significant local variation occurs, particularly as a result of altitude and distance from the coast. In general the south of the country is warmer than the north, and the west wetter than the east. Due to the warming influence of the [[Gulf Stream]], the UK is significantly warmer than some other locations at similar latitude, such as [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]]. The prevailing winds are southwesterly, from the [[North Atlantic Current]]. More than 50% of the days are overcast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/summaries/actualmonthly|title=25 September 2017}}</ref> There are few natural hazards, although there can be strong winds and floods, especially in winter. Average annual rainfall varies from over {{convert|3000|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} in the [[Scottish Highlands]] down to {{convert|553|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} in [[Cambridge]]. The county of [[Essex, England|Essex]] is one of the driest in the UK, with an average annual rainfall of around {{convert|600|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}, although it typically rains on over 100 days per year. In some years rainfall in Essex can be below {{convert|450|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}, less than the average annual rainfall in [[Jerusalem]] and [[Beirut]]. The highest temperature recorded in the UK was {{convert|38.7|°C|°F}} at the [[Cambridge University Botanic Garden]] in [[Cambridge]], on 25 July 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2019/new-official-highest-temperature-in-uk-confirmed|title=New official highest temperature in UK confirmed|author=Met Office|date=29 July 2019}}</ref> The lowest was {{convert|-27.2|°C|°F}} recorded at [[Braemar]] in the [[Grampian Mountains (Scotland)|Grampian Mountains]], Scotland, on 11 February 1895 and 10 January 1982 and [[Altnaharra]], also in Scotland, on 30 December 1995. ==Human geography== [[File:Uk-map.svg|200px|thumb|right|The [[United Kingdom]] is composed of four parts: [[England]], [[Northern Ireland]], [[Scotland]] and [[Wales]].]] [[File:UnitedKingdomCitiesandTownsOMC.png|thumb|200px|The United Kingdom's [[City status in the United Kingdom|cities]], other large centres, and selected smaller places]] === Demographics === {{main|Demographics of the United Kingdom}} ===Political geography=== {{Main|Politics of the United Kingdom}} ====National government==== The UK is governed as a whole by the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]. Of the four countries that make the UK, [[Scotland]], [[Wales]] and [[Northern Ireland]] have devolved administrations and parliaments/assembly: *Northern Ireland – [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] *Scotland – [[Scottish Parliament]] *Wales – [[National Assembly for Wales]] England has no devolved system of government{{Clarify|date=March 2012}}that is, the Parliament of the United Kingdom serves as (and historically was) the English Parliament. It is governed by UK government ministers and legislated for by the UK parliament. Within England, London has a devolved assembly but proposals for elected [[Regional Assemblies in England]] were rejected in the first referendum covering [[North East England]]. ''See [[Government of England]].'' The UK (specifically, Northern Ireland) has an international land boundary with the [[Republic of Ireland]] of 499&nbsp;km.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/> There is also a boundary between the jurisdiction of France and the UK on the Channel Tunnel. ====Local government==== {{Main|Local government in England|Local government in Scotland|Local government in Wales|Local government in Northern Ireland}} Each part of the UK is subdivided in further local governmental regions: *England: [[Unitary authorities of England|Unitary Authorities]], [[county council]]s, [[Districts of England|district councils]], [[Parish councils in England|parish councils]] *Wales: [[Subdivisions of Wales|Principal areas]], [[community council|communities]] *Scotland: [[Subdivisions of Scotland|Council areas]], [[community council|communities]] *Northern Ireland: [[Districts of Northern Ireland|Districts]] Historically the UK was divided into counties or [[shire]]s: administrative areas through which all civil responsibilities of the [[government]] were passed. Each county or shire had a [[county town]] as its administrative centre and was divided into individual [[parish]]es that were defined along [[ecclesiastic]] boundaries. Between 1889 (1890 in Scotland) and 1974, the political boundaries were based on the traditional counties, but due to changes in population centres, the traditional counties became impractical as local government areas in certain highly urbanised areas. The [[Local Government Act 1972]] created a new system of administrative counties, designed to take account of the widely differing populations across different parts of the country. In the 1990s further population growth led to more political changes on a local level. [[Unitary authority|Unitary authorities]] were formed across the entirety of Scotland and Wales, and in larger [[city|cities]] in England. Many unpopular administrative counties were also abolished at this time, leading to a mixture of two-tier and single-purpose authorities. Further reorganisations are planned if and when regional assemblies in England are revisited in the future. ===Economic geography=== {{Main|Economic geography of the United Kingdom}} The economic geography of the UK reflects not only its current position in the global economy, but its long history both as a trading nation and an [[British empire|imperial power]]. The UK led the [[industrial revolution]] and its highly urban character is a legacy of this, with all its major cities being current or former centres of various forms of manufacturing. However, this in turn was built on its [[exploitation of natural resources]], especially [[coal]] and [[iron ore]]. ====Primary industry==== The UK's primary industry was once dominated by the [[coal]] industry, heavily concentrated in the north, the [[English Midlands|Midlands]] and [[south Wales]]. This is all but gone and the major primary industry is [[North Sea oil]]. Its activity is concentrated on the [[UK Continental Shelf]] to the north-east of [[Scotland]]. ====Manufacturing==== The UK's heavy manufacturing drove the industrial revolution. A map of the major UK cities gives a good picture of where this activity occurred, in particular [[Belfast]], [[Birmingham]], [[Glasgow]], [[Liverpool]], [[London]], [[Manchester]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]] and [[Sheffield]]. Today there is no heavy manufacturing industry in which UK-based firms can be considered world leaders. However, areas of the UK still have a notable manufacturing base, including the [[English Midlands|Midlands]] which remains a strong manufacturing centre, and the [[North West England|North West]] which accounts for 60% of the United Kingdom's manufacturing output.<ref>{{cite news|title=1,800 new jobs to be created at Manchester Airport|url=http://www.itv.com/news/granada/2012-08-22/1-800-new-jobs-to-be-created-at-manchester-airport/|work=ITV News|date=22 August 2012|accessdate=25 September 2017}}</ref> More recently, high technology firms have concentrated largely along the [[M4 motorway]], partly because of access to [[Heathrow Airport]], but also because of agglomeration economies. ====Finance and services==== Once, every large city had a [[stock exchange]]. Now, the UK financial industry is concentrated overwhelmingly in the [[City of London]] and [[Canary Wharf]], with back office and administrative operations often dispersed around the south of England. London is one of the world's great financial centres and is usually referred to as a [[world city]]. There is also a significant legal and [[ebusiness]] industry in [[Leeds]]. ====Regional disparity==== The effect of changing economic fortune has contributed to the creation of the so-called [[North-South divide in the United Kingdom|North-South divide]], in which decaying industrial and ex-industrial areas of Northern England, Scotland and Wales contrast with the wealthy, finance and technology-led southern economy. This has led successive governments to develop [[regional policy]] to try to rectify the imbalance. However, this is not to say that the north–south divide is uniform; some of the worst pockets of deprivation can be found in [[London]], whilst parts of [[Cheshire]] and [[North Yorkshire]] are very wealthy. Nor is the [[North-South divide in the United Kingdom|North-South divide]] limited to the economic sphere; cultural and political divisions weigh heavily too. ==Natural resources== {{Main|Economy of the United Kingdom}} Historically, much of the United Kingdom was [[forest]]ed. Since [[prehistoric]] times, man has [[deforestation|deforested]] much of the United Kingdom. [[Agriculture]] is [[intensive agriculture|intensive]], highly [[mechanisation|mechanised]], and efficient by [[Europe]]an standards, producing about 60% of food needs with only 1% of the labour force. It contributes around 2% of [[Gross domestic product|GDP]]. Around two thirds of production is devoted to [[livestock]], one third to [[agronomy|arable]] crops. In 1993, it was estimated that [[land use]] was: *[[Arable land]]: 25% *[[Permanent crop]]s: 0% *[[Pasture|Permanent pastures]]: 46% *[[Forest]]s and [[Woodland]]: 10% *Other: 19% *[[Irrigation|Irrigated]]: 1,080&nbsp;km² The UK has a variety of natural resources including: *Geological: [[coal]], [[petroleum]], [[natural gas]], [[limestone]], [[chalk]], [[gypsum]], [[silica]], [[rock salt]], [[china clay]], [[iron ore]], [[tin]], [[silver]], [[gold]], [[lead]]. *Agricultural: [[arable land]], [[wheat]], [[barley]], [[domestic sheep|sheep]] The UK has large [[coal]], [[natural gas]], and [[Petroleum|oil]] reserves; primary energy production accounts for 10% of [[Gross domestic product|GDP]], one of the highest shares of any [[industrial nation]]. Due to the island location of the UK, the country has great potential for generating electricity from [[wave power]] and [[tidal power]], although these have not yet been exploited on a commercial basis. ==Environment== ===Current issues=== England is one of the most densely populated countries/regions in the world, and the most densely populated major nation in Europe.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/2967374/England-is-most-crowded-country-in-Europe.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|first=Urmee|last=Khan|title=England is most crowded country in Europe|date=16 September 2008|accessdate=25 September 2017}}</ref> The high population density (especially in the southeast of England) coupled with a changing climate, is likely to put extreme pressure on the United Kingdom's water resources in the future.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jan/22/england-rivers-environment-agency|work=The Observer|publisher=The Guardian|first=Robin|last=McKie|title=Urgent action needed to prevent England's rivers drying up|date=22 January 2012|accessdate=25 September 2017}}</ref> The United Kingdom is reducing [[greenhouse]] gas emissions. It has met [[Kyoto Protocol]] target of a 12.5% reduction from 1990 levels and intends to meet the legally binding target of a 20% cut in emissions by 2010. By 2015, to recycle or compost at least 33% of household waste. Between 1998-99 and 1999–2000, household [[recycling]] increased from 8.8% to 10.3% respectively. ===International agreements=== The United Kingdom is a party to many international agreements, including: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-[[Nitrogen Oxide]]s, Air Pollution-[[Sulfur|Sulphur]] 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, [[Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty|Antarctic-Environmental Protocol]], [[Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources|Antarctic-Marine Living Resources]], [[Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals|Antarctic Seals]], [[Antarctic Treaty]], [[Biodiversity]], [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|Climate Change]], Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, [[Desertification]], Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, [[Wetlands]] and [[Whaling]]. The UK has signed, but not ratified, the international agreement on Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants. ==Geography of dependent territories== [[File:British Overseas Territories (at the same geographic scale).svg|thumb|Map of the UK, overseas territories and crown dependencies at the same geographic scale]] ===Crown dependencies=== *[[Geography of the Isle of Man]] *[[Geography of the Channel Islands]] **[[Geography of Jersey]] **[[Geography of Guernsey]] **[[Alderney#Geography and natural history|Geography of Alderney]] ** [[Sark#Geography and geology|Geography of Sark]] **[[Herm#Geography and geology|Geography of Herm]] ===Overseas territories=== *[[Geography of Anguilla]] *[[Geography of Bermuda]] *[[British Antarctic Territory#Geography|Geography of the British Antarctic Territory]] *[[Geography of the British Indian Ocean Territory]] *[[Geography of the British Virgin Islands]] *[[Geography of the Cayman Islands]] *[[Geography of the Falkland Islands]] *[[Geography of Gibraltar]] *[[Geography of Montserrat]] *[[Geography of the Pitcairn Islands]] *[[Geography of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha]] *[[Geography of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands#Geography|Geography of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands]] *[[Akrotiri and Dhekelia#Geography|Geography of Akrotiri and Dhekelia]] *[[Turks and Caicos Islands#Geography|Geography of the Turks and Caicos Islands]] ==See also== {{colbegin}} *[[British Overseas Territories]] *[[City status in the United Kingdom]] *[[Conservation in the United Kingdom]] *[[Demographics of the United Kingdom]] *[[Extreme points of the United Kingdom]] *[[Centre points of the United Kingdom]] *[[Geography of England]] *[[Geography of Europe]] *[[Geography of Ireland]] *[[Geography of Scotland]] *[[Geography of Wales]] *[[List of caves in the United Kingdom]] *[[List of conurbations in the United Kingdom]] *[[List of places in the United Kingdom]] *[[North-South divide in the United Kingdom]] *[[Towns of the United Kingdom]] *[[Transport in the United Kingdom]] ** [[Rail transport in the United Kingdom]] {{colend}} ==References== {{More footnotes|date=August 2009}} {{Reflist}} *[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uk.html CIA Factbook] *[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20031221023714/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/glance/default.asp UK Government Statistics] ==Notes== {{reflist|group=Note}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Geography of the United Kingdom}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20041019111153/http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/averages/index.html UK climate averages provided by the Meteorological Office] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20041011015401/http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/freefun/geofacts/ Ordnance Survey geofacts page] {{Geography of Europe}} {{Europe topic|Climate of}} {{United Kingdom topics}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Geography Of The United Kingdom}} [[Category:Geography of the United Kingdom| ]]'