Introduction



**__Statistics and Information__**

//The United Kingdom has one of the strongest currencies in Europe. Since emerging from a recession in 1992, they have experienced a lenghty period of economic growth, recently halted by the 2008 recession. The government has become increasingly less social, reducing public ownership and stifling social programs. The Bank of England remains outside of the Economic and Monetary Union of Europe, but meets with them frequently to coordinate interest rates.//
 * Economy: (CS) **
 * The United Kingdom continues to use pounds as its currency.
 * The unemployment rate is currently 5.3%.
 * Top exports include: manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food, beverages, tobacco.
 * Top trading partners include: US 14.2%, Germany 11.1%, France 8.1%, Ireland 8%, Netherlands 6.8%, Belgium 5.3%, Spain 4.5%, Italy 4.1%.

//Demographically, the United Kingdom is relatively homogeneous. A majority of citizens are white and English-speaking; the major social cleavages arise from religious and social distinctions.//
 * Demographics: (LW) **
 * Ethnic Groups: White 92.1% (English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%, Northern Irish 2.9%), Black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, Mixed 1.2%, Other 1.6%.
 * Education: Literacy of the total population 99% [26th of 160]. Adults at high literacy level 19.1% [8th of 17]. Adults at low level of literacy 50.4% [6th of 17].
 * Population Growth Rate: 0.276% [176th of 235].


 * Key Political Leaders (CZ) **
 * Gordon Brown - Current Prime Minister, Labour Party
 * Queen Elizabeth II - Current Monarch
 * David Cameron - Current Leader of the Opposition, Conservative Party
 * Harriet Harman - Current Leader of the House of Commons, Labour Party
 * Vincent Cable - Current Leader of the Liberal Democrats (Third Largest Political Party in the UK)

**Other Facts/ Statistics about the United Kingdom: (CZ)**
 * //The United Kingdom's government works as a bicameral legislature that consists of the House of Lords (740 seats; consisting of 622 life peers, 92 hereditary peers, and 26 clergymen) and the House of Commons (646 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve a five-year term)//
 * **GDP - 2.165 trillion dollars, GDP per capita - 35, 400 dollars**
 * The UK has 75, 565 mobile cellular users, ranking 11th in the world
 * The UK ranks 5th in the world for Adults prosecuted per capita with 24.8958 per 1,000 people


 * Political Statistics: (EB) **
 * The UK is considered to be a constitutional monarchy
 * The Monarch is the official head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government
 * In Parlimentary elections voter turnout averages at 59.4% [119th out of 152]
 * On a scale from 1-7, British civil liberties are rated at a 5.5 [20th out of