United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is four countries pretending to be one - England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, each with its own identity, accent, and opinion about the others. From this small, rainy island, the British Empire once governed a quarter of the world's land and people, spread the English language to every continent, and left a legacy that's still being debated. The monarchy, parliamentary democracy, common law, and the Industrial Revolution all started here.

Modern Britain is a fascinating contradiction. It's a country that loves tradition - the monarchy, afternoon tea, red phone boxes - while also being one of the world's most diverse and culturally creative nations. London is arguably the world's most multicultural city, the Premier League is the most-watched football league globally, and British music from the Beatles to Adele has shaped popular culture for decades. Scotland has its whisky and wild Highlands, Wales has its castles and language, and Northern Ireland has its complex history and stunning coastline. The weather is terrible. The self-deprecating humor is excellent. The queuing is impeccable.