home to most of the population including Glasgow, Scotland's largest

city, and Edinburgh, its capital and political centre.

A view of Ben Nevis in the distance, fronted by rolling plains
Ben Nevis, in Scotland, is the highest point in the British Isles
Wales accounts for less than a tenth of the total area of the UK,
covering 20,779 square kilometres (8,020 sq mi).[131] Wales is mostly
mountainous, though South Wales is less mountainous than North and mid
Wales. The main population and industrial areas are in South Wales,
consisting of the coastal cities of Cardiff, Swansea and Newport, and the
South Wales Valleys to their north. The highest mountains in Wales are in
Snowdonia and include Snowdon (Welsh: Yr Wyddfa) which, at 1,085 metres
(3,560 ft), is the highest peak in Wales.[122] The 14, or possibly 15,
Welsh mountains over 3,000 feet (914 m) high are known collectively as
the Welsh 3000s. Wales has over 2,704 kilometres (1,680 miles) of
coastline.[124] Several islands lie off the Welsh mainland, the largest
of which is Anglesey (Ynys Mn) in the northwest.
Northern Ireland, separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea and North
Channel, has an area of 14,160 square kilometres (5,470 sq mi) and is
mostly hilly. It includes Lough Neagh which, at 388 square kilometres
(150 sq mi), is the largest lake in the British Isles by area.[132] The
highest peak in Northern Ireland is Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains
at 852 metres (2,795 ft).[122]
Climate
Main article: Climate of the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has a temperate climate, with plentiful rainfall all
year round.[121] The temperature varies with the seasons seldom dropping
below 11 C (12 F) or rising above 35 C (95 F).[133] The prevailing
wind is from the south-west and bears frequent spells of mild and wet
weather from the Atlantic Ocean,[121] although the eastern parts are
mostly sheltered from this wind since the majority of the rain falls over
the western regions the eastern parts are therefore the driest. Atlantic
currents, warmed by the Gulf Stream, bring mild winters;[134] especially
in the west where winters are wet and even more so over high ground.
Summers are warmest in the south-east of England, being closest to the
European mainland, and coolest in the north. Heavy snowfall can occur in
winter and early spring on high ground, and occasionally settles to great
depth away from the hills.
Administrative divisions
Main article: Administrative geography of the United Kingdom
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern
Ireland
The four countries of the United Kingdom.
Each country of the United Kingdom has its own system of administrative
and geographic demarcation, whose origins often pre-date the formation of
the United Kingdom. Thus there is "no common stratum of administrative
unit encompassing the United Kingdom".[135] Until the 19th century there
was little change to those arrangements, but there has since been a
constant evolution of role and function.[136] Change did not occur in a
uniform manner and the devolution of power over local government to
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland means that future changes are also
unlikely to be uniform.