The United Kingdom(UK) constitutes the greater part of the British Isles.Great Britain is the largest of the islands forming the United Kingdom. It comprises England, Scotland and Wales. The next largest is Ireland, comprising Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, and the Irish Republic. Western Scotland is fringed by the large island chains known the inner and Outer Hebrides, and to the north of the Scottish mainland are the Orkney and Shetland islands. All these, along with the Isle of Wight, Anglesey and the Isles of Scilly, have administrative ties with the Mianland, but the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea and the Channel Islands between Great britain and France are largelly self-governing and are not part of the UK. The UK is one of the 15 member states of European Union(UN).

The United Kingdom's system of government is known as constitutional monarchy, though its constitution is not contained in any one document; instead it has evolved over many years. Ministers of the Crown govern in the name of the Sovereign, who is both head of state and head of the government.Actual power is vested in parliament which is the supreme legislative body in Great Britian. The parliament consits of two houses- the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

Britian is one of the world's leading industrial and exporting countries. Chief industries are iron and steel,engineering,chemicals,electronics,motor vehicles, metals, machimery, ship building, aircraft, textiles,cloth, other consumer goods and banking. Metals and metal using industries contribute more than 50% of the exports. Britian's coal mines yield about 128 million tons annually. Although Britain's agriculture and trawler - fishing are highly mechanised, half of the country's food supplies and most of its raw materials are imported. Chief crops: Grains, sugar, fruits,vegetables.

Severn and Thames are the largest rivers. The most famous church is Westminster Abbey. The most celebrated universities are Oxford and Cambridge. There are about 40 other universities.

England : Population: 49m . A large overseas empire was established. United with Wales(1536), with Scotland(1707) and with Ireland(1801), partition in (1921) to form United Kingdom.

Wales: The principality of Wales in Western Britain has a population of 2,899,000. Cardiff is the capital. English and Welsh are spoken.

Scotland: Scotland occupies the northern 37% of the main British island, and the Herbrides, Orkney, Shetland, and smaller islands. Population :5,111,000. Edinburgh is the Capital

Northern Irelandis situated in the northeast of Ireland and forms part of the United Kingdom. It comprises six Ulster countries of Antrim,Down,Armagh,Fermanagh,Londonderry and Tyrone. The rest of the island forms the Republic of Ireland. Capital : Belfast.

Agriculture is the main occupation in Northern Ireland. Cattle, sheep,hogs,eggs,poultry,potatoes and milk are the important products. Linen,ropes,twines,rayon,clothing,tobacco,aircraft and shipping form the main branches of industry.

Mission In India : High Commission for Britain, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110 021. Tel:0091-11-24192100,26872161 , E-mail:postmasternewdelhi@fco.gov.uk, Web: www.ukinindia.com

Indian Mission in United Kingdom: High Commission of India, India House, Aldwych,London WC2B 4N4, United Kigdom Tel: 00-44-0207-8368484.