United Kingdom

                                                     
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain is the sovereign state in Europe. Lying off the north-western coast of the European mainland, the country includes the island of Great Britain (a term also applied loosely to refer to whole country) the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that shares a land border with another state: the Republic of Ireland. Apart from this land border, the UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the North Sea in east and the English Channel in the south. The Irish Sea lies between the Great Britain and Ireland.

The United Kingdom is 22nd most populous country with an estimated 64.1 million inhabitants. It is a constitutional monarchy with parliamentary system of governance. Its capital city is the London, an important global city and the financial centre with the fourth-largest urban area in Europe.
The UK has fourteen Overseas Territories, including the disputed Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, and Indian Ocean Territory.

Geography:

 

The total area of the United Kingdom is approx 243,610 square kilometers (94,060 sq mi). The country occupies \ major part of the British Isles archipelago and includes the island of the Great Britain, the northeastern one-sixth of the island of Ireland and some smaller surrounding islands. It lies between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea with the south-east coast coming within the 22 miles (35 km) off the coast of northern France, from which it is separated by the English Channel.

Climate:

The United Kingdom has the temperate climate with plentiful rainfall all year round. The temperature varies with the seasons seldom dropping below the −11 °C (12 °F) or rising above 35 °C (95 °F).

Other cities:

1. London

London is the capital city of the England and the United Kingdom. It is the most populous city in United Kingdom with the metropolitan area of over 13 million inhabitants. Standing on the River Thames, London has been the major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its founding by the Romans, who named it Londinium.

2. Midland, Texas

Midland is the city in and the county seat of Midland County, Texas, United States. On the Southern Plains of the state's western area. The small portion of the city extends into Martin County. People in Midland are known as Mainlanders.

Places to stay:

1. Great Northern Hotels:Kings Cross St Pancras Station, Pancras Road, London N1C 4TB, United Kingdom +44 20 3388 0800  www.gnhlondon.com

Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of the 'old' King's Cross – once the city's red light district – the Great Northern Hotel, with its curving brick facade, would make its 1854 incarnation proud. The world's first railway hotel is back in business with a boutique, classic style reminiscent of luxury sleeper trains.

Exquisite craftsmanship is in evidence everywhere – with noble materials and custom designs – without losing sight of practical details: there are European as well as English sockets; there's a ‘pantry’ on every floor from which you can help yourself to hot or cold drinks, cakes, books and newspapers; and there's great in-room entertainment with films, music playlists and audio books. There is also a lively bar and an excellent restaurant.

2. La Suite West:41-51 Inverness Terrace, London W2 3JN, United Kingdom +44 20 7313 8484  www.lasuitewest.com

The black-and-white foyer of the Anouska Hempel–designed La Suite West – bare walls, a minimalist slit of a fireplace, an iPad for guests' use on an otherwise void white marble reception desk – presages the OCD neatness of rooms hidden away down dark corridors. The straight lines, spotless surfaces and sharp angles are accentuated by impeccable bathrooms and softened by comfortable beds and warm service.