The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and about five thousands small islands. The capital of the United Kingdom is London. It’s a world center for business and money trading. Its also the country’s largest port and a cultural center with numerous museums and theatres.  

   The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy. This means that Great Britain is governed by the Parliament and the Queen is a Head of State. The House of Parliament exercises the legislative power in the country. The British Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The House of Lords is composed of hereditary and life peers and peeresses. The members of the House of Commons are elected by the people. They are elected from the constituencies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The House of Commons is the real governing body of the United Kingdom.  

   The executive power is exercised by Prime Minister and his Cabinet. The government is usually formed by the political party, which is supported by the majority in the House of Commons. Prime Minister is the majority party leader and is appointed by the Queen. Prime Minister chooses a team of ministers; twenty of the ministers are in the Cabinet.  

   The second largest party becomes the official opposition with its own leader and the Shadow Cabinet. The two leading parties in Great Britain are the Conservative Party (The Tories) and the Labour Party.  

   The judiciary branch of the government determines common law and is independent of both the legislative and the executive branches.  

   There is no written constitution in Great Britain, only precedents and traditions.