Cheat sheet
What is the UK?
The four nations and capitals, the Union Flag, patron saints, currency and how the UK is governed.
The facts to remember, in one place. Drill them with mock exams and spaced repetition in Life in the UK Test.
Download on theApp StoreThe four countries of the UK and their capitals
- ◆ England — capital London.
- ◆ Scotland — capital Edinburgh.
- ◆ Wales — capital Cardiff.
- ◆ Northern Ireland — capital Belfast.
- ◆ “Great Britain” means England, Scotland and Wales; the “UK” also includes Northern Ireland.
Patron saints and the Union Flag
- ◆ St George — England — St George’s Day, 23 April.
- ◆ St Andrew — Scotland — St Andrew’s Day, 30 November.
- ◆ St David — Wales — St David’s Day, 1 March.
- ◆ St Patrick — Northern Ireland — St Patrick’s Day, 17 March.
- ◆ The Union Flag combines the crosses of St George, St Andrew and St Patrick.
Languages and religions of the UK
- ◆ English is the main language spoken across the UK.
- ◆ Welsh is widely spoken in Wales and Gaelic is spoken in parts of Scotland.
- ◆ Christianity is the largest religion, with the Church of England as the established church.
- ◆ Other major faiths include Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Buddhism.
- ◆ Tolerance of different faiths is a fundamental British value.
The UK population and the census
- ◆ A census of the population is taken in the UK every ten years.
- ◆ The first census was held in 1801; the most recent was in 2021.
- ◆ The census records the size and make-up of the population.
- ◆ The UK population has grown and become more diverse over time.
- ◆ England has the largest population of the four countries of the UK.
The geography of the UK
- ◆ The UK is surrounded by sea, including the North Sea and the English Channel.
- ◆ Ben Nevis in Scotland is the highest mountain in the UK.
- ◆ The Severn is the longest river in the UK.
- ◆ Major cities include London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff.
- ◆ The Channel Tunnel links the UK to France by rail.