| Location |
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Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France |
| |
| Area |
total: 244,820 sq km
land: 241,590 sq km
water: 3,230 sq km
note: includes Rockall and Shetland Islands |
| |
| Land boundaries |
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Ireland 360 km
|
| |
| Climate |
temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast
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| Natural resources |
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coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
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| Geography - note |
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lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France and now linked by tunnel under the English Channel; because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from tidal waters
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| Government type |
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constitutional monarchy
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| Currency - Currency code |
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British pound (GBP)
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| Internet country code: |
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.uk
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| Internet users: |
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25 million (2002)
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Consolidators -- 
Lodging -- 
Publications -- 
Transportation-- 
Travel info -- 
Travelogue
