Fast Facts
Currency
One British pound sterling is composed of 100 pence. Coins are minted in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 pence, as well as £1 and £2. Notes are circulated in £5, £10, £20, and £50. Rates for exchanging your currency into pounds vary by wide margins. Hotels aren't the best places to convert as their fees can be expensive.
Most major credit cards like Visa, MasterCard or American Express are accepted countrywide.
Population
| United Kingdom | 60,270,708 |
| London | 7.2 million |
Time Zone
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
GMT+1 British Summertime (BST), from last Sunday of March to Saturday before last Sunday in October.
Climate
Great Britain's weather is unpredictable, which explains why it is the Brits' favorite topic of conversation. London's temperature is generally mild, but may drop below freezing point for brief periods during the winter. November through February is characterized by cold weather and short days -- not ideal for visitors. In March and October, days are longer but it can still be cold. The best months to visit are the drier months from April to September. London's peak tourist season is during the warm months of July and August, when temperatures average under 20 degrees Celsius.
Health Risks
No special vaccinations are needed to visit Britain. If you come from countries not part of the European Union, it is wise to obtain medical insurance, as there is no free medical care for tourists. EU citizens however, are entitled to free medical care from the National Health Service.
Exports
Manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals, food, beverages, tobacco.
Imports
Manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, foodstuffs.
Trading Partners
The UK's major trading partners include the EU countries such as Germany, France, Netherlands, Ireland, the U.S. and Canada, The Commonwealth, China and Japan.
Industries
Production of machinery, machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment, ships, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment. Metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, and other consumer goods
Geography
The United Kingdom is composed of islands located west of continental Europe and northwest of France, and encompasses the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland, which juts between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. The UK's land area is 241,590 square kilometers, consisting of rolling hills, lowlands and plains in the east to the southeast regions, and low mountains. London, the capital of the United Kingdom, is located at the southern part of the island of Great Britain.
Ethnic Groups
English 81.5%, Scottish 9.6%, Irish 2.4%, Welsh 1.9%, Ulster 1.8%, West Indian, Indian, Pakistani, and other 2.8%
| UK Maps | Visa & Passport | Traveling Tips | Transportation |
| Climate | Fast Facts | Food & Restaurants | Shopping |
| Events | Hotline Numbers | Nightlife | Unique Things |
| StayRes Hotel Network | Public Holidays | Uk History |