Great Britain, or United Kingdom (abbreviated: UK), full official name - The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - in northwestern Europe, Britain islands (the largest is the United Kingdom), the northeastern part of the island of Ireland and the small islands. It is separated from the mainland by the English Channel and the Pas-de-Calais (Dover). The area is 244, 11 thousand km. The population is 62.6 million. (2004), the capital is London (7 million). About 80% of the population are English, 15% are Scottish, Welsh (Welsh) and Irish, and about 5% are immigrants from the British Commonwealth.
