United Kingdom

United Kingdom (UK)

United Kingdom (pronunciation: /ˈjuːnaɪtɪd ˈkɪŋdəm/) is a sovereign state located off the north-western coast of the European mainland. The United Kingdom includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands.

Etymology

The term "United Kingdom" is derived from the union of the kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland under one monarch. The term was first used in 1801 when the Acts of Union 1800 came into effect, merging the kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland.

Related Terms

Great Britain: An island in the North Atlantic off the north-west coast of continental Europe.
Ireland: An island in the North Atlantic separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel.
Sovereign state: A political entity that is represented by one centralized government that has sovereignty over a geographic area.
Acts of Union 1800: Acts of the Parliament of Great Britain and the Parliament of Ireland which united the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.