The UK: countries, cities and landscapes

Before looking at the rest of the world, it helps to know your own country well: its four nations, its big cities and the shape of its land.

Practise this lesson free (6 questions)

Four countries, one state

The United Kingdom (UK) is made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Great Britain is the largest island, holding England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland shares the island of Ireland with the Republic of Ireland, a separate country.
The British Isles is the name for the whole group of islands, including Ireland.
CountryCapital
EnglandLondon
ScotlandEdinburgh
WalesCardiff
Northern IrelandBelfast

People and cities

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated the UK population at about 69.5 million in mid-2025.
London is by far the largest city. Other major cities include Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
Most people live in England, especially in the south-east and in big city regions.

Upland and lowland Britain

Roughly, the north and west of Britain is upland: high, rugged land made of older, harder rocks such as granite and slate. The south and east is mostly lowland: lower, gentler land on younger, softer rocks such as chalk and clay.
Highest peaks: Ben Nevis (1,345 m, Scotland, the UK's highest), Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon (1,085 m, Wales) and Scafell Pike (978 m, England).
The Pennines are a chain of hills often called the backbone of England. The River Severn is the UK's longest river; the Thames flows through London. Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland is the UK's largest lake by area.
Worked example

A friend says 'Great Britain and the United Kingdom mean the same thing.' Are they right?

  1. Great Britain is an island holding England, Scotland and Wales.
  2. The United Kingdom also includes Northern Ireland, which is on the island of Ireland.
  3. So the UK is Great Britain plus Northern Ireland.

Answer: No: the UK is Great Britain plus Northern Ireland.

Key idea

The UK has four countries: England (London), Scotland (Edinburgh), Wales (Cardiff) and Northern Ireland (Belfast). About 69.5 million people (ONS, mid-2025). Upland north and west on hard old rock; lowland south and east on softer young rock. Ben Nevis is highest; the Severn is longest.

Common mistakes
Quick check

Try two quick questions

See if it has sunk in. Answers are marked straight away.

Extra practice

2 more questions

Try each one, then tap to check.

  1. Which three countries make up Great Britain?

    1. England, Wales and Northern Ireland
    2. England, Scotland and Ireland
    3. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
    4. England, Scotland and Wales
    Show the answer

    Answer: England, Scotland and Wales

    Great Britain is the island with England, Scotland and Wales.

  2. What is the capital of Northern Ireland?

    1. Cardiff
    2. Edinburgh
    3. Dublin
    4. Belfast
    Show the answer

    Answer: Belfast

    Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland.

Check you have got it

Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.

Practise this lesson free (6 questions)All KS3 Geography lessons

Video for this lesson coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube

Sources and references

Checked by the GCSE-ready editorial team, 16 October 2026. Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.