United Kingdom
General Facts
Area: 242,495 km2 (93,628 sq miles)
Capital City: London
Population: 65,648,100 (2016 estimate)
Official Languages: English
Boarding Countries: Ireland
Coastline: 12,429 km (7,723 miles)
Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP)
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Climate
Despite its northern latitude, the United Kingdom generally enjoys a temperate climate, warmed by the North Atlantic Drift, a continuation of the Gulf Stream, and by southwest winds. Mean monthly temperatures range (north to south) from 3°c to 5°c (37–41°f) in winter and from 12°c to 16°c (54–61°f) in summer. The mean annual temperature in the west near sea level ranges from 8°c (46°f) in the Hebrides to 11°c (52°f) in the far southwest of England. Rarely do temperatures rise in summer to over 32°c (90°f) or drop in winter below -10°c (14°f). Rainfall, averaging more than 100 cm (40 in) throughout the United Kingdom, is heaviest on the western and northern heights (over 380 cm/150 in), lowest along the eastern and southeastern coasts.
Five Largest Cities/Towns:
1. London (7,556,900)
2. Birmingham (984,333)
3. Liverpool (864,122)
4. Nottingham (729,977)
5. Sheffield (685,368)
