England

The largest and most populated country of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is England. By world standards, however, it is not large nor is it particularly rich in natural resources; yet its political and economic power in the past was virtually unrivaled. Today England's influence on the international scene is not as great, but it still remains a cultural force in the English-speaking world.

England is fortunate in being part of an island that has never been occupied or invaded by foreign troops since the Norman Conquest in 1066. Its island location encouraged the use of the surrounding seas by its inhabitants as major routes of travel. These routes led the English to distant parts of the world and resulted in the founding of a vast empire in which its language, its law, and its social institutions were established.

English wealth and inventiveness, combined with those of the other peoples of the British Isles, helped to put England in the forefront of European nations as an industrial power in the 19th century. Weakened by World War II and by political, economic, and social problems, England lost much of its importance as an industrial power in Europe to other countries, while the loss of parts of the British Empire abroad removed some of its previous international political influence.

Area: 129,720 sq km (50,085 sq mi)
Population: 50 million
Capital city: London
People: Anglo-Saxons, Scots, Welsh, Irish, West Indians, Pakistanis, Indians
Language: English
Religion: Church of England, Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh
Government: Parliamentary Democracy
Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II
Prime Minister: Tony Blair

GDP: US$1254 billion
GDP per head: US$21,200
Annual growth: 3%
Inflation: 3%
Major industries: Banking and finance, steel, transport equipment, oil and gas, tourism
Major trading partners: EU & USA
Member of EU: yes