VisitBritain - Welcome
We are an extremely diverse and progressive nation with a strong culture of social integration and tolerance. Britain was the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century and played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science.
The UK is a constitutional monarchy that is a representative democracy. The three elements that make up Parliament are the Queen, the House of Lords and the elected House of Commons.
The monarchy is the oldest institution of government. In Britain, our sovereign is not only Head of State, but also an important symbol of national unity.
The official religion in Britain is Christianity as practised by the Anglican Church. However, Britain is a multi-faith society which seeks to promote religious tolerance and acceptance.