Exact population: 60,609,153 (July 2006 est.)

Literacy: Total population: 99% (2000 est.); male: NA%; female: NA%

Ethnicities: White (English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%, Northern Irish 2.9%) 92.1%, black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, mixed 1.2%, other 1.6% (2001 census)

Area: Total: 244,820 sq km; land: 241,590 sq km; water: 3,230 sq km; note: includes Rockall and Shetland Islands

Land boundaries: Total: 360 km; border countries: Ireland 360 km

Terrain: Mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast

Extremes: Lowest point: The Fens -4 m; highest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m

Imports: Germany 13%, US 9.3%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.6%, Belgium 4.9%, China 4.3%, Italy 4.3% (2004)

Exports: US 15.3%, Germany 10.8%, France 9.2%, Ireland 6.8%, Netherlands 6%, Belgium 5.1%, Spain 4.5%, Italy 4.2% (2004)

Industries: Machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, and other consumer goods

Source: CIA World Factbook