Revision Notes: The UK Today

Diversity of the UK

• Ethnic Diversity: The UK is characterized by its ethnic and religious diversity, with nearly 10% of the population having foreign-born parents or grandparents 🔗.
• Multinational Society: The UK is composed of multinational and multiracial populations that contribute to a rich and varied culture 🔗.

Capital cities

• London: The capital city of the UK is London. It is also the financial, cultural, and political heart of the nation 🔗.
• Edinburgh: The capital city of Scotland is Edinburgh 🔗.
• Cardiff: The capital city of Wales is Cardiff 🔗.
• Belfast: The capital city of Northern Ireland is Belfast 🔗.

UK currency

• Pound Sterling (£): The UK's currency is the pound sterling, subdivided into 100 pence. The denominations include various coins and banknotes (Coins: 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, £2. Notes: £5, £10, £20, £50. Bank of Scotland also issues a £100 note.) 🔗.

Languages and dialects

• Welsh: Spoken in Wales and taught in schools and universities 🔗.
• Scottish Gaelic: Spoken in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland 🔗.
• Irish Gaelic: Spoken by some in Northern Ireland 🔗.

Population

• Population Growth: The UK population has grown from just over 4 million in 1600 to an estimated 67.6 million in 2022 🔗.
• Population Distribution: England constitutes about 84% of the total UK population, followed by Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland 🔗.

An equal society

• Gender Equality: UK law mandates equal rights for men and women regarding work, property, marriage, and divorce 🔗.
• Employment Opportunities: Women's participation in the workforce is nearly equal to that of men with more females attaining higher education and employment in high-level positions than before 🔗.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the capital city of the UK?
   a) Edinburgh
   b) Cardiff
   c) London
   d) Belfast

2. Which language is spoken in parts of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland?
   a) Welsh
   b) Irish Gaelic
   c) Scottish Gaelic
   d) French

3. What has caused recent population growth in the UK?
   a) Decrease in birth rates
   b) Increase in migration
   c) Fewer people moving abroad
   d) Natural disasters

4. Which of the following currencies is used in the UK?
   a) Euro
   b) US Dollar
   c) Pound Sterling
   d) Canadian Dollar

5. What does the UK's legal system mandate concerning gender equality?
   a) Women must stay at home
   b) Equal rights for men and women
   c) Women should earn less than men
   d) Men exclusively own property

Answers:

1. c - London
2. c - Scottish Gaelic
3. b - Increase in migration
4. c - Pound Sterling
5. b - Equal rights for men and women