The countries that make up the UK

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — commonly known as the UK — is made up of four countries. Each has its own distinct history, culture, and identity. Together, they share a single government at Westminster and a single monarch, while each also maintains aspects of its own national character and, in some cases, its own devolved government.

England is the largest of the four countries by both area and population, and its capital, London, is also the capital of the United Kingdom. England shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west.

Key facts about England:

• Capital city: London
• Patron saint: St George, celebrated on 23 April (St George's Day)
• National flower: The Tudor rose
• National symbol: The cross of St George — a red cross on a white background
• Language: English is the official and primary language

England does not have its own devolved parliament. It is governed directly by the UK Parliament at Westminster. Laws passed for England are made by the full House of Commons, in which MPs from all four nations sit.

England is home to some of the world's most famous landmarks and institutions, including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Stonehenge, and Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Scotland occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. It has a dramatic landscape of mountains, glens, lochs, and islands. Scotland's capital is Edinburgh, though its largest city is Glasgow.

Key facts about Scotland:

• Capital city: Edinburgh
• Patron saint: St Andrew, celebrated on 30 November (St Andrew's Day) — Scotland's national day
• National flower: The thistle
• National symbol: The cross of St Andrew — a white diagonal cross on a blue background (the Saltire)
• Languages: English and Scottish Gaelic

Scotland has its own devolved Parliament, the Scottish Parliament, which meets at the Holyrood building in Edinburgh. The Scottish Parliament has the power to make laws on matters such as health, education, justice, and some taxation. It was established in 1999.

Scotland is noted for its Highland Games, the tradition of Hogmanay (New Year celebrations), its whisky industry, and famous landmarks such as Loch Ness, the Cairngorms, and the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

Wales is located to the west of England on the island of Great Britain. It is known for its mountainous landscape, ancient castles, and its Celtic cultural heritage. Wales's capital is Cardiff.

Key facts about Wales:

• Capital city: Cardiff
• Patron saint: St David, celebrated on 1 March (St David's Day) — Wales's national day
• National flower: The daffodil (and also the leek as a national emblem)
• National symbol: The red dragon — displayed on the Welsh flag, one of the oldest national flags in the world
• Languages: English and Welsh (Cymraeg)

Wales has its own devolved legislature, the Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament), which sits in Cardiff Bay. The Senedd has the power to make laws on matters including health, education, and the Welsh language. It was established in 1999.

The Welsh language (Cymraeg) is spoken by around 900,000 people and holds official status equal to English in Wales. Road signs, official documents, and public services are provided in both languages.

Northern Ireland is located in the north-east corner of the island of Ireland. It is the only country of the UK that shares a land border with another sovereign state — the Republic of Ireland to the south and west. Northern Ireland's capital is Belfast.

Key facts about Northern Ireland:

• Capital city: Belfast
• Patron saint: St Patrick, celebrated on 17 March (St Patrick's Day)
• National flower: The shamrock
• National symbol: The red hand of Ulster
• Language: English; Irish (Gaeilge) and Ulster Scots are also recognised regional languages

Northern Ireland has its own devolved Assembly, the Northern Ireland Assembly, which sits at Stormont in Belfast. The Assembly has powers over matters such as education, health, and justice. It was established under the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which brought an end to a period of conflict known as the Troubles.

The Good Friday Agreement (also called the Belfast Agreement) was a landmark peace agreement signed on 10 April 1998 by the British and Irish governments and the main political parties in Northern Ireland.

Up next: Key definitions — understand the precise meaning of terms like Great Britain, the British Isles, and the United Kingdom, and why the differences matter for the test.