What is the UK?

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is made up of:

•**England** — capital: London

•**Scotland** — capital: Edinburgh

•**Wales** — capital: Cardiff

•**Northern Ireland** — capital: Belfast

**Great Britain** = England + Scotland + Wales (does NOT include Northern Ireland).

The UK has around 1,000 small islands, including the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland (Scotland) and Anglesey (Wales).

Each nation has its own patron saint and national day:

•**England** — St George, 23 April (red rose, red & white flag)

•**Scotland** — St Andrew, 30 November (thistle, blue & white saltire)

•**Wales** — St David, 1 March (daffodil, red dragon on green & white)

•**Northern Ireland** — St Patrick, 17 March (shamrock, red & white)

The **Union Jack** combines the crosses of St George, St Andrew and St Patrick.

The **Channel Islands** (Jersey, Guernsey) and the **Isle of Man** are Crown dependencies — they have their own governments and are closely linked to the UK but are NOT part of the UK.

**British Overseas Territories** include Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, and others. They are under British sovereignty but are not part of the UK itself.

English is the main language of the UK. Other recognised languages include:

•**Welsh** — spoken by around 20% of Wales; official language in Wales

•**Scottish Gaelic** — spoken in parts of Scotland

•**Irish (Gaelic)** — spoken in parts of Northern Ireland

There is no law requiring you to speak English, but it is expected for settlement and citizenship applications.