United Kingdom Overview
History, Government, and Economic and Political Conditions
The United Kingdom’s (UK) population in 2004 surpassed 60 million — the third-largest in the European Union. Its overall population density is one of the highest in the world. Almost one-third of the population lives in England’s prosperous and fertile southeast and is predominantly urban and suburban — with about 7.5 million in the capital of London, which remains the largest city in Europe. The United Kingdom’s high literacy rate (99 percent) is attributable to universal public education introduced for the primary level in 1870 and secondary level in 1900. Education is mandatory from ages 5 through 16. The Church…
