Great Britain.

130,281 sq km (50,356 sq miles).

50.4 million (official estimate 2005).

386.9 per sq km.

London. Population: 7.5 million (official estimate 2005).

Much of the countryside is relatively flat, consisting of fertile plains and gentle hills. Mountains, moors and steeper hills are found mainly in the north and the west; the Lake District (Cumbria) and the northwest are divided from the Yorkshire Dales, and the northeast, by the (relatively) high-rising Pennines, ‘the backbone of England’. The eastern part of the country, particularly East Anglia, is the lowest lying. The coastline is varied, and ranges from long stretches of sandy beaches to steep cliffs and isolated rocky coves.

English. There are many local dialects throughout the country, influenced by class, and town and country accents. In the larger cities, particularly London, there are many communities who do not speak English as a first language, or who have a patois.

For information on government, religion, electricity, social conventions, passport and visa, money, duty-free, health and business, see the main United Kingdom section.