Geography Quiz Arcade

Capital of United Kingdom: London — Facts & 5-Question Quiz

The capital of United Kingdom is London. United Kingdom sits in Europe, has a population of 66,971,395, and uses the GBP. Official languages include English.

Quick facts

  • Capital: London
  • Continent: Europe
  • Population: ~66,971,395
  • Area: 243,610 km²
  • Population density: 275 people per km²
  • Official language: English
  • Currency: GBP
  • ISO code: GB

How big is United Kingdom?

By population, United Kingdom ranks 21st in the world, holding roughly 0.84% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 78th.

Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. United Kingdom has 275 people per square kilometre, which is about 4.6 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.

Within Europe, United Kingdom is the 3rd most populous country of 46.

Countries of a similar size

The two countries closest to United Kingdom in population are Tanzania (65,497,748) and France (64,626,628).

By land area, its closest counterparts are Guinea (245,857 km²) and Uganda (241,038 km²).

Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.

Language and currency

English is spoken officially in 58 countries in this dataset, including Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados and Belize, and 52 others.

United Kingdom uses the GBP, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.

How to remember United Kingdom

London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, and Greenwich, in London, is where the prime meridian, 0° longitude, is defined. For the flag, think of three saints' crosses stacked on top of each other: one upright cross and two diagonal ones.

The flag of United Kingdom: red, white and blue

🇬🇧 The flag is the Union Jack: a blue field with the red cross of Saint George, edged in white, over the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick and the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew. The crosses are those of the patron saints of England (Saint George), Ireland (Saint Patrick) and Scotland (Saint Andrew). Wales is not shown, because the earlier flag of Great Britain was designed while Wales was part of the Kingdom of England.

Region and neighbours

United Kingdom is a country in northwestern Europe, off the coast of the continental mainland, made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It shares land borders with one country: Ireland. The only land border is between Northern Ireland and Ireland, on the island of Ireland.

Three facts about United Kingdom

  1. Ben Nevis in Scotland, 1,345 m high, is the highest point in the British Isles.
  2. The London Underground is the world's oldest rapid transit system.
  3. The current Union Jack design, with Saint Patrick's cross added, dates from 1801.

Sources: Wikipedia: United Kingdom, Wikipedia: Union Jack, Wikipedia: London, CIA World Factbook.

Quiz yourself on United Kingdom

United Kingdom capital quiz

  1. What is the capital of United Kingdom 🇬🇧?

    • London
    • Nicosia
    • Moscow
    • Reykjavík
    Show answer

    London

  2. What is the capital of France 🇫🇷?

    • Prague
    • Monaco
    • Warsaw
    • Paris
    Show answer

    Paris

  3. What is the capital of Italy 🇮🇹?

    • Rome
    • Lisbon
    • ChiÈ™inău
    • San Marino
    Show answer

    Rome

  4. What is the capital of Germany 🇩🇪?

    • Stockholm
    • Berlin
    • Riga
    • San Marino
    Show answer

    Berlin

  5. What is the capital of Spain 🇪🇸?

    • Skopje
    • Ljubljana
    • Vilnius
    • Madrid
    Show answer

    Madrid

United Kingdom in Europe

The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Russia, Germany, France and Italy.

If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Europe is the block United Kingdom belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.

Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for United Kingdom.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of United Kingdom?

The capital of United Kingdom is London.

What is the population of United Kingdom?

About 66,971,395, making it the 21st most populous country in the world.

How big is United Kingdom?

243,610 square kilometres, ranking 78th by land area, at a density of 275 people per square kilometre.

What currency does United Kingdom use?

The GBP, which no other country uses.

What are the colours of the United Kingdom flag?

The flag of United Kingdom is the Union Jack: a blue field with the red cross of Saint George, edged in white, over the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick and the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew. The crosses are those of the patron saints of England (Saint George), Ireland (Saint Patrick) and Scotland (Saint Andrew). Wales is not shown, because the earlier flag of Great Britain was designed while Wales was part of the Kingdom of England.

Which countries border United Kingdom?

United Kingdom shares land borders with Ireland. The only land border is between Northern Ireland and Ireland, on the island of Ireland.

How can I remember the capital of United Kingdom?

London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, and Greenwich, in London, is where the prime meridian, 0° longitude, is defined. For the flag, think of three saints' crosses stacked on top of each other: one upright cross and two diagonal ones.

More capitals to learn

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