England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom, located on the north-west coast of mainland Europe. It is the largest of the four national divisions of the UK, both in terms of area (130,279 square kilometers) and population (over 56 million inhabitants).
It is bordered by Scotland to the north and Wales to the west, while the English Channel to the south separates it from continental Europe. The east is bordered by the North Sea. The capital and largest city is London.
The landscape is diverse, ranging from the mountainous regions of the north, including the Lake District and the Pennines, to flat or gently rolling terrain in the east and south east. The main rivers are the Thames, Mersey, Tyne, and Severn.
England's climate is relatively temperate and damp; its weather is variable.
The country has a rich history that dates back to prehistoric times. It was conquered by Romans, Saxons, Vikings, and Normans, all of whom left their mark on the culture. England became a unified state in the 10th century and has since played a major role in the development of the world's political, scientific, cultural, and industrial history.
Today, England is a leading global economic power, with finance, manufacturing, services, and tourism among its main industries. It is also a center of education, with some of the world's most renowned universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge.
England is big on sports, with football, cricket, rugby, and tennis being nationally popular. The country has also given the world many significant cultural contributions, including the English language, the Anglican Church, and literary figures like William Shakespeare and JK Rowling. England is also known for its iconic landmarks, such as Stonehenge, the Tower of London, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament.
