4 Countries Still a Part of the U.K. in 2024

1. England

England makes up 53% of the land in the U.K. and 84.3% of the population. It was the center of the Industrial Revolution and quickly became the most industrialized country worldwide in the 19th century. 

You can find the sea within 75 miles, no matter where you are in England. It is also within one day’s travel to London if you take the road or rail. England is south of Scotland, east of Wales and the Irish Sea, north of the English Channel, and west of the North Sea. 

The highest point in England is Scafell Pike in Cumbria, within the Lake District National Park. These mountains reach 3,210 feet and have slate covering the northern portion and lava beds throughout the south.

2. U.K.’s Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has 6% of the U.K.’s land and 2.8% of the population. You can find this country on the northeastern part of the island, and the two were one country until they separated in the 1920’s.

This area’s capital is Belfast, where the Titanic was built. Many people worldwide associate Northern Ireland with arts, including the poetry of Seamus Heaney. People also frequently reference Van Morrison’s music. 

The land in Northern Ireland varies depending on where you go. You’ll find residential neighborhoods and parks if you visit Londonderry or Armagh. However, the countryside offers green, fertile land and many lakes and rivers.

Northern Ireland is west of the North Channel, northwest of the Irish Sea, and south of the Atlantic Ocean. The south and west of this area borders Ireland. 

3. Scotland

Scotland makes up 32% of the U.K. and includes the Rockall and Shetland Islands. This country is also home to 8.2% of the population in the U.K. The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh, and citizens speak English and Scots Gaelic.

Sir Walter Scott, poet and novelist, was from Scotland and wrote about how that impacted his life. It is historically one of the poorest countries in Europe, which Scott referenced by saying he had to fight to make his way. 

Other noteworthy people from Scotland include Alexander Graham Bell,James Watt, Andrew Carnegie, and John McAdam. These inventors, entrepreneurs, and engineers paved the way for many technological and scientific innovations. 

Scotland is north of England, east of the Atlantic Ocean, and west of the North Sea. On the west side of the country, there are many sea lochs and islands. Most places throughout Scotland are within 50 miles of the sea. 

4. Wales

Wales makes up 9% of the land in the U.K. and 4.6% of the population. The citizens of Wales speak English and Welsh, and their capital is Cardiff, which serves as a commercial and financial center. 

Wales is east of Ireland and the Irish Sea, north of the Bristol Channel, south of Liverpool Bay and Dee estuary, and shares its eastern border with England. The country boasts various landscapes, including mountains, valleys, woods, rivers, and marshes. 

Tourists enjoy beautiful parks and spectacular castles in Wales, making tourism a big part of the local economy. The climate in this area varies due to unpredictable shifts in air masses, and it rains frequently.