The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (commonly called UK or United Kingdom) is a sovereign state located off the North western coast of continental Europe. It is also an Island country like New Zealand. The United Kingdom has the sixth-largest economy in the world, and is the third-largest economy in the European Union. It is a major international trading power. A highly developed, diversified, market-based economy with extensive social welfare services provides most residents with a high standard of living. Unemployment and inflation levels are amongst the lowest within the European Union. The surrounding sea gives it a varied climate. One day it can be a sunny day and the next day can be a rainy day. It is very difficult to predict the weather of UK. England’s weather remains the most frequent topic of conversation. The climate of England is very mild which means that the temperature is not lower than 0 degrees in winters and is not higher than 30 degrees in summers. But still the weather here is very unpredictable.

Britain has long been a popular destination for Indian students to study in UK. With more than 150 institutes of higher education to choose from. U.K. is one of the few countries that allows international students to work even outside the campus. Students can work upto 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during vacations.

Quick view at the facts

Capital:	London
Biggest County:	England
Largest City:	London
National Language:	English
Climate:	Varied climate
Government Type:	Constitutional monarchy
Currency:	Pounds sterling
Driving:	Drives on left
Business Hours:	Offices are open Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 5:30pm. Banking hours officially 09:30 AM - 3:30 PM, but most banks open usually till about 5:00 pm. General opening hours for shops are 09:00 AM - 05.30 PM Monday-Saturday. However, in the larger towns you will probably find shops open late some evenings (usually Thursday or Friday). On Sunday shops open from about 11:00-17:00 in the major shopping areas.
Country Code:	44
Newspapers:	New Zealand Herald
Emergencies:	Dial tel. 999 anywhere in UK for police, ambulance, or the fire department. This is a free call from public and private telephones and needs no coins.
Money:	The best way to carry money to UK is in the form of cards OR Travellers cheques. Most of your money can be carried in the form of plastic cards. Travellers cheques is another convenient and safe way to carry your money as they can be easily replaced if they are lost or stolen.
Note denominations:	Notes come in denominations of 5 pound note, the 10 pound note, the 20 pound note and the 50 pound note. Coins come in denominations of 1 penny, 2 pence, 5 pence, 10 pence, 20 pence, 50 pence, 1 pound, and 2 pounds