Discovering the U.K.

Facts About the United Kingdom

 Official Country Names: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The countries that make up the United Kingdom include: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales

Capital City: London, England

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Official Language: English

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 Official Religion: Christianity, as practiced by the Anglican Church

Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP), £

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 Weights and Measurements: Metric System

 Electricity/Voltage: The standardised voltage is 240 Volts; the U.K. uses three point plugs

General Information

Business Hours It’s important to become familiar with the hours of each individual business. Hours may vary based on industry, location, or time of the year. Time is often expressed in the 24-hour clock and 12-hour clock.  Typical Office Work Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30/9.00 to 17.00/18.00

 Banks: Monday to Friday, 9.30 to 16.00; Saturday 9.00 to 12.00

 Shopping Centres: Monday to Saturday, 9.00/9.30 to 17.00, Sunday 11.00 to 16.00/17.00. Shopping malls offer extended hours during the holiday season

 Post Offices: Monday through Friday, 7.00 to 18.30, Saturday 8.00 to 12.00

Government Britain has one of the oldest governments in the world. In the U.K., the Prime Minister leads the government with the support of the Cabinet and ministers. All government ministers sit in Parliament, which functions as the primary legislator. Executive authority lies with the Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, and is only exercised when asked by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Economy The U.K. has the second-largest economy in the European Union (EU), and the fifth-largest internationally by nominal gross domestic product (GDP). The service sector contributes to roughly 78% of GDP in the U.K. It is also the ninth-largest economy by purchasing power parity (PPP) in the world, with London ranked as the world’s largest financial centre.

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Discovering the U.K.