Description: Detailed large political map of United Kindom showing names of capital cities, towns, states, provinces and boundaries with neighbouring countries.
<
The UK political map above shows the administrative boundaries of the UK and the cities, counties, and other divisions that make up the UK. From the map it shows England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as separate territorial units. It shows their borders, major cities, administrative counties, and settlement patterns in the British Isles. Through this information, we can see that 66 million people are spread throughout the UK’s administrative geography; in the city, and on the country’s side, they have divided the places.
The United Kingdom political map displays the territorial organization of four constituent countries that form the British state.The map shows England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with distinct colours. England is green, Scotland is orange, Wales is purple and Northern Ireland is blue-grey. Internal boundaries separate these four historic countries. The colors for each area also indicate the areas of the UK that make up each constituent country and the area they cover.
England occupies the largest portion of the UK political map, covering approximately 130,000 square kilometers and containing the majority of British population centers. The map shows England bordered by Scotland to the north along the Anglo-Scottish border, Wales to the west along the Anglo-Welsh border, and surrounded by sea on the eastern and southern coastlines. England's administrative geography includes 48 ceremonial counties, metropolitan counties, and unitary authorities that organize local governance across diverse regions.
Major English cities visible on the political map include London (the national capital and largest city), Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle upon Tyne, Bristol, Nottingham, Leicester, Coventry, Bradford, Plymouth, Southampton, and Portsmouth. These urban centers serve as administrative hubs for their surrounding counties and regions, coordinating services and governance across England's diverse territorial divisions.
The political map reveals England's complex county system, with traditional counties that maintain historic boundaries alongside administrative counties that serve modern governance needs. Yorkshire appears as one of the largest historic counties, divided into administrative areas including North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, and East Yorkshire. Lancashire encompasses Greater Manchester and Merseyside metropolitan areas, while maintaining historic county identity.
Southeast England shows Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, and Essex surrounding London, with county towns including Maidstone, Guildford, Chichester, Winchester, Reading, and Chelmsford. East Anglia encompasses Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Lincolnshire, with Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge, and Lincoln serving as administrative centers.
Southwest England displays Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, and Gloucestershire, with Truro, Exeter, Taunton, Dorchester, and Gloucester as county seats. Central England includes Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire, with Warwick, Stafford, Derby, and Nottingham as administrative centers.
The map shows England's metropolitan counties including Greater Manchester, Merseyside, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, and Tyne and Wear. These urban areas contain multiple cities and towns that share administrative boundaries and economic functions. Greater London appears as a separate administrative area with 32 boroughs surrounding the City of London.
Greater Manchester encompasses Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Wigan, Bolton, Tameside, and Trafford. West Yorkshire includes Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, and Halifax, while South Yorkshire contains Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, and Doncaster. Merseyside centers on Liverpool with Birkenhead, St. Helens, Southport, and Bootle.
Scotland occupies the northern third of Great Britain on the political map, covering approximately 78,000 square kilometers including mainland Scotland and 790 islands. The map shows Scotland bordered by England along the Anglo-Scottish border from the Solway Firth in the west to the River Tweed in the east. Scotland's administrative geography includes 32 council areas that replaced traditional counties and regions in local government reorganization.
Major Scottish cities visible on the map include Edinburgh (the Scottish capital), Glasgow (the largest city), Aberdeen, Dundee, Stirling, Perth, Inverness, Paisley, East Kilbride, Hamilton, Livingston, Cumbernauld, Kirkcaldy, and Ayr. These urban centers serve as administrative headquarters for council areas and regional coordination across Scotland's diverse territorial divisions.
The political map reveals Scotland's Highland-Lowland divide, with the Highland Boundary Fault creating distinct geographic and administrative regions. Highland council area covers the largest territory in Scotland, encompassing the Scottish Highlands, Inner Hebrides, and western coastal areas. Argyll and Bute includes western islands and peninsulas, while Perth and Kinross serves central Scotland.
Lowland Scotland includes Glasgow City, Edinburgh City, Fife, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, Falkirk, West Lothian, East Lothian, Midlothian, and Scottish Borders. These council areas contain Scotland's population centers and economic activity, with efficient administrative boundaries supporting urban governance and rural coordination.
The map shows Scotland's island territories including Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles (Na h-Eileanan Siar), and numerous smaller islands. Orkney Islands appear as a separate council area north of mainland Scotland, with Kirkwall as the administrative center. Shetland Islands occupy the northernmost position in the UK, with Lerwick serving as capital and administrative hub.
Western Isles include Lewis and Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, and Barra, with Stornoway as the administrative center. Inner Hebrides include Skye, Mull, Islay, Jura, and Arran, administered through Highland and Argyll and Bute councils. These island communities maintain distinct administrative arrangements within Scotland's council system.
Wales occupies the western peninsula of Great Britain on the political map, covering approximately 21,000 square kilometers with 1,680 miles of coastline. The map shows Wales bordered by England along the Anglo-Welsh border from the Dee estuary in the north to the Severn estuary in the south. Wales is divided into 22 principal areas that combine counties and county boroughs in a unified administrative system.
Major Welsh cities visible on the map include Cardiff (the Welsh capital and largest city), Swansea, Newport, Wrexham, Merthyr Tydfil, Barry, Caerphilly, Neath, Port Talbot, Bridgend, Rhondda, Pontypridd, Llanelli, Carmarthen, Bangor, and Aberystwyth. These urban centers serve as administrative headquarters for principal areas and regional coordination across Wales' diverse territorial divisions.
The political map reveals Wales' administrative counties including Powys (the largest area covering Mid-Wales), Gwynedd (covering Northwest Wales and Snowdonia), Ceredigion (covering Mid-Wales coast), Pembrokeshire (covering Southwest Wales), Carmarthenshire (covering Southwest Wales), and Monmouthshire (covering Southeast Wales border with England).
South Wales shows Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan, and Neath Port Talbot. North Wales includes Gwynedd, Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, and Wrexham. Mid-Wales encompasses Powys and Ceredigion, with scattered settlements reflecting rural character.
The map shows Wales' geographic diversity from coastal plains to mountainous regions. Snowdonia dominates Northwest Wales, with Bangor, Caernarfon, and Pwllheli serving scattered communities around mountain areas. Anglesey appears as a separate island connected to mainland Wales by bridges across the Menai Strait.
South Wales Valleys show dense settlement patterns in former mining areas, with Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare, Pontypridd, Caerphilly, and Ebbw Vale serving valley communities. Brecon Beacons create administrative boundaries between South and Mid-Wales, while Pembrokeshire coast shows scattered settlements around agricultural and tourism areas.
Northern Ireland occupies the northeastern portion of Ireland on the political map, covering approximately 14,000 square kilometers with international borders with the Republic of Ireland. The map shows Northern Ireland divided into 11 local government districts following administrative reorganization that created larger councils for improved service delivery and economic development.
Major Northern Irish cities visible on the map include Belfast (the capital and largest city), Londonderry/Derry (the second largest city), Lisburn, Newtownabbey, Bangor, Craigavon, Ballymena, Newry, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Omagh, Enniskillen, Strabane, Larne, Armagh, and Downpatrick. These urban centers serve as administrative headquarters and economic hubs for district councils across Northern Ireland's diverse regions.
The political map reveals Northern Ireland's 11 districts including Belfast (the largest urban area), Lisburn and Castlereagh, Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ards and North Down, Mid and East Antrim, Causeway Coast and Glens, Derry City and Strabane, Mid Ulster, Fermanagh and Omagh, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, and Newry, Mourne and Down.
Eastern Northern Ireland includes Belfast, Lisburn, Newtownabbey, Bangor, Carrickfergus, and Downpatrick serving dense population areas around Belfast Lough. Western Northern Ireland encompasses Londonderry, Omagh, Enniskillen, and Strabane with cross-border connections to Republic of Ireland. Central Northern Ireland includes Ballymena, Coleraine, Cookstown, and Dungannon serving agricultural and rural areas.
The map shows Northern Ireland's international border with the Republic of Ireland, running approximately 310 miles from Lough Foyle in the northwest to Carlingford Lough in the southeast. Border towns including Newry, Strabane, Enniskillen, and Armagh maintain economic and social connections across the international boundary.
Coastal areas show Antrim Coast, Causeway Coast, and Down Coast with settlements including Larne, Ballycastle, Portrush, Portstewart, Newcastle, and Bangor. Lough Neagh appears as the largest lake in the British Isles, with surrounding settlements including Antrim, Ballymena, Cookstown, and Lurgan.
London dominates the UK political map as the national capital and largest city, with Greater London covering 1,572 square kilometers and containing 32 boroughs plus the City of London. The map shows London's position in Southeast England with excellent connections to all UK regions through transport networks and administrative coordination.
Greater London encompasses Inner London boroughs including Westminster, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, City of London, and Greenwich. Outer London boroughs include Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Havering, Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Sutton, Merton, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, Hounslow, Hillingdon, Harrow, Brent, and Ealing.
Birmingham serves as England's second-largest city and administrative center for the West Midlands, with metropolitan boundaries encompassing Solihull, Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton, and Coventry. The map shows Birmingham's central position providing regional coordination and administrative services across Central England.
Manchester anchors Greater Manchester as the administrative center for Northwest England, with metropolitan boundaries including Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Wigan, Bolton, and Trafford. Liverpool serves Merseyside with metropolitan boundaries encompassing Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley, and St. Helens.
Leeds coordinates West Yorkshire administrative functions with metropolitan boundaries including Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale, and Wakefield. Sheffield serves South Yorkshire with administrative connections to Rotherham, Barnsley, and Doncaster. Newcastle upon Tyne anchors Tyne and Wear encompassing Gateshead, Sunderland, North Tyneside, and South Tyneside.
Edinburgh serves as Scotland's capital and administrative center, with city boundaries encompassing historic districts and modern suburbs. The map shows Edinburgh's position in Southeast Scotland with administrative connections to surrounding areas including Midlothian, East Lothian, and West Lothian.
Glasgow functions as Scotland's largest city and commercial center, with city boundaries coordinating urban services and regional development. Aberdeen serves Northeast Scotland as an administrative hub for oil industries and rural areas, while Dundee coordinates East Scotland with administrative connections to Fife and Angus.
Stirling maintains historic significance as a central administrative point between Lowlands and Highlands, while Inverness serves Highland areas and island communities as a regional administrative center. Perth coordinates central Scotland administrative functions with connections to Highland and Lowland areas.
Cardiff serves as Wales' capital and largest city, with administrative boundaries coordinating South Wales functions and national institutions. The map shows Cardiff's position on the Bristol Channel with administrative connections throughout Wales and cross-border coordination with England.
Swansea functions as West Wales' administrative center with city boundaries encompassing urban and coastal areas. Newport serves Southeast Wales with administrative connections to Cardiff and English border areas. Wrexham coordinates North Wales administrative functions with connections to rural areas and English border regions.
Belfast dominates Northern Ireland as the capital and administrative center, with city boundaries coordinating provincial functions and cross-border relationships. Londonderry/Derry serves Northwest Northern Ireland with administrative connections to border areas and rural districts.
The UK political map shows diverse county systems across the four constituent countries. England maintains 48 ceremonial counties that preserve historic boundaries and traditional identities, while administrative counties serve modern governance needs. Traditional counties including Yorkshire, Lancashire, Kent, Devon, and Cornwall maintain cultural significance alongside administrative functions.
Scotland replaced traditional counties with 32 council areas in 1996 reorganization, creating administrative boundaries that reflect population distribution and service delivery needs. Highland council area covers the largest territory, while Glasgow and Edinburgh serve urban populations with compact boundaries.
Wales combines traditional counties with modern administrative areas in 22 principal areas that balance historic identity with efficient governance. Powys maintains the largest area covering Mid-Wales, while Cardiff and Swansea serve urban populations with focused boundaries.
The map reveals England's metropolitan counties that coordinate urban governance across city regions. Greater Manchester, Merseyside, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, and Tyne and Wear create administrative boundaries that encompass multiple cities and towns with shared functions and economic coordination.
Greater London operates as a unique administrative area with strategic governance coordinating 32 boroughs and the City of London. Combined authorities in northern England create administrative cooperation across traditional boundaries for transport, economic development, and strategic planning.
Scottish cities maintain individual council boundaries while coordinating regional functions through informal partnerships and shared services. Welsh cities operate within principal area boundaries that combine urban and rural areas for comprehensive governance.
The political map shows island territories with special administrative status including Isle of Man and Channel Islands as Crown Dependencies. These territories maintain internal self-government while external relations are handled by the UK government. Isle of Man appears between England and Ireland with Tynwald as the administrative center.
Channel Islands including Jersey and Guernsey appear off the French coast with separate administrative systems and historic connections to the UK. Scottish islands including Orkney, Shetland, and Western Isles maintain council area status with special provisions for island communities.
Welsh islands including Anglesey and Pembrokeshire islands integrate into mainland administrative areas while maintaining distinct identities. Northern Irish islands including Rathlin Island connect to mainland council areas for administrative purposes.
The UK political map reveals urban hierarchies through city size classifications and settlement patterns. London dominates as the national capital and largest urban area, with population exceeding 9 million in the Greater London area. Major cities including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, and Edinburgh serve as regional centers with populations exceeding 400,000.
Medium cities including Sheffield, Bristol, Newcastle, Cardiff, Belfast, Nottingham, Leicester, and Coventry function as administrative centers and economic hubs for surrounding regions. Small cities and large towns including York, Bath, Chester, Canterbury, Oxford, Cambridge, and Windsor maintain historic significance and administrative functions.
The map shows rural settlement patterns with market towns serving agricultural areas and rural communities. England displays dense settlement networks with market towns including Shrewsbury, Hereford, Gloucester, Taunton, Dorchester, Chichester, Maidstone, and Colchester serving county functions.
Scotland shows scattered settlements with market towns including Oban, Fort William, Aviemore, Pitlochry, Kelso, Dumfries, and Stranraer serving rural areas and tourist regions. Welsh market towns including Brecon, Builth Wells, Machynlleth, Dolgellau, Llandovery, and Haverfordwest coordinate rural administration and agricultural services.
Northern Ireland displays rural settlement patterns with market towns including Ballymoney, Magherafelt, Dungannon, Portadown, Banbridge, and Downpatrick serving agricultural areas and rural communities.
The political map reveals coastal settlement patterns with ports, fishing villages, and resort towns along UK coastlines. Major ports including Liverpool, Southampton, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Hull, Grimsby, Aberdeen, Dundee, Cardiff, Swansea, and Belfast serve international trade and maritime industries.
English coastal towns including Brighton, Bournemouth, Torquay, Scarborough, Blackpool, Southend-on-Sea, Hastings, and Margate serve tourism and residential functions. Scottish coastal settlements including Oban, Mallaig, Ullapool, Thurso, Fraserburgh, and Peterhead serve fishing industries and island connections.
Welsh coastal towns including Llandudno, Rhyl, Aberystwyth, Tenby, Pembroke, and Fishguard serve tourism and ferry connections. Northern Irish coastal settlements including Portrush, Ballycastle, Larne, Bangor, and Newcastle serve tourism and maritime functions.
The political map shows the Anglo-Scottish border running approximately 96 miles from the Solway Firth in the west to Berwick-upon-Tweed in the east. Border towns including Gretna, Langholm, Hawick, Jedburgh, Kelso, and Coldstream maintain economic and social connections across the internal UK boundary.
Berwick-upon-Tweed appears as an English town north of the Scottish border, creating unique administrative arrangements with cross-border connections. Carlisle serves as the major English border city with connections to Scottish settlements including Dumfries and Annan.
Cross-border regions including Borders (Scottish) and Northumberland (English) coordinate economic development and transport links while maintaining separate administrative systems. Border landscapes show scattered settlements serving agricultural and tourism functions.
The Anglo-Welsh border runs approximately 160 miles from the Dee estuary in the north to the Severn estuary in the south. Border towns including Wrexham, Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, Monmouth, and Chepstow maintain cross-border connections and economic relationships.
Offa's Dyke appears as a historic boundary marker that influenced modern border alignment through central sections. Cross-border regions including Shropshire and Herefordshire (English) coordinate with Powys and Monmouthshire (Welsh) for economic development and transport planning.
Severn bridges connect South Wales to Southwest England with administrative coordination for transport and economic functions. Border landscapes show market towns and rural settlements serving agricultural and tourism industries.
The political map shows Northern Ireland's international border with the Republic of Ireland, running approximately 310 miles through diverse landscapes. Border towns including Derry/Londonderry, Strabane, Enniskillen, Armagh, Newry, and Warrenpoint maintain cross-border connections and economic relationships.
Cross-border regions coordinate economic development, transport links, and social services while respecting international boundary requirements. Border crossings facilitate daily movement for work, education, and commerce between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough create maritime boundaries with shared access and coordination between jurisdictions. Border landscapes show rural settlements and market towns serving agricultural and cross-border functions.
The UK political map preserves historic county boundaries that reflect centuries of administrative development. Yorkshire maintains traditional identity as England's largest historic county, divided into administrative areas while preserving cultural significance. Lancashire encompasses historic territory including modern metropolitan areas and traditional market towns.
Kent preserves historic boundaries as the "Garden of England" with administrative continuity from Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Cornwall maintains distinct identity as a historic duchy with unique administrative arrangements and cultural heritage. Devon preserves traditional boundaries encompassing diverse landscapes from Dartmoor to coastal areas.
East Anglia encompasses historic kingdoms of Norfolk and Suffolk with traditional boundaries and administrative continuity. Wessex influences modern boundaries in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, and Somerset through historic territorial arrangements.
Scotland preserves historic regional identities including Highlands, Lowlands, Borders, and Islands within modern administrative boundaries. Clan territories influence settlement patterns and place names throughout Highland and Island areas, with traditional boundaries reflected in modern council areas.
Historic kingdoms including Strathclyde, Lothian, Fife, and Galloway influence modern administrative boundaries and regional identities. Sheriffdoms and stewartries created administrative traditions that continue in modern council areas and judicial boundaries.
Island groups including Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland maintain distinct identities and administrative arrangements reflecting historic governance and cultural heritage. Highland clans and Lowland families influence place names and settlement patterns visible on the political map.
Wales preserves historic kingdom boundaries including Gwynedd, Powys, Deheubarth, and Morgannwg in modern administrative areas. Medieval principalities influence county boundaries and regional identities throughout Welsh administrative areas.
Marcher lordships along the Anglo-Welsh border created administrative traditions that continue in modern cross-border coordination and economic relationships. Historic counties including Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire, Brecknockshire, and Monmouthshire influence modern principal areas.
Welsh kingdoms and cantrefi (hundreds) created administrative traditions that influence modern boundaries and local government arrangements. Historic settlements and royal centers continue as administrative hubs in modern Welsh government.
Northern Ireland preserves historic county boundaries from traditional Irish counties including Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone. Plantation settlements created administrative patterns that influence modern district boundaries and settlement arrangements.
Historic baronies and townlands create administrative traditions that continue in modern local government and property boundaries. Plantation towns including Derry/Londonderry, Enniskillen, Coleraine, and Carrickfergus serve administrative functions established in historic settlement patterns.
Gaelic territories and Anglo-Norman lordships influence place names and settlement patterns throughout Northern Ireland. Historic boundaries between Irish and Scots settlement areas continue to influence cultural geography and administrative arrangements.
The UK political map may evolve through administrative reforms that adapt boundaries to changing demographics and economic patterns. Local government reorganization continues across England with unitary authority creation and combined authority development for city regions and economic areas.
Scottish boundaries may adapt through council mergers or boundary adjustments that reflect population changes and service delivery needs. Welsh administrative areas may evolve through collaboration and shared services that cross traditional boundaries for efficiency and effectiveness.
Northern Ireland may experience boundary changes through further district reorganization or cross-border cooperation that enhances service delivery and economic development. Island territories may develop enhanced autonomy or administrative arrangements that reflect unique circumstances.
Major cities across the UK continue expanding through suburban growth and metropolitan development that crosses traditional administrative boundaries. London extends into Southeast England with commuter areas and economic relationships that challenge existing boundaries.
Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Glasgow develop city-region identities that encompass multiple administrative areas and require coordination across traditional boundaries. Urban sprawl and economic integration create functional areas that differ from administrative boundaries.
Coastal areas experience development pressure from housing growth and climate change that may require boundary adjustments and administrative coordination. Rural areas face demographic changes and economic challenges that influence settlement patterns and administrative needs.
Climate change impacts including sea level rise, flooding, and extreme weather may require administrative adaptation and boundary modifications. Coastal areas throughout the UK face erosion and flooding risks that cross traditional boundaries and require coordination.
River catchments and flood plains create natural boundaries that may influence future administrative arrangements for environmental management and emergency response. National parks and protected areas require cross-boundary coordination for conservation and management.
Renewable energy development including wind farms and solar installations creates new infrastructure that crosses administrative boundaries and requires coordination. Transport decarbonization may influence boundary arrangements for integrated transport planning.
This comprehensive UK political map reveals the complex administrative structure that organizes four historic nations within a unified state system. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland maintain distinct territorial identities while sharing administrative coordination and economic integration across internal boundaries.
Administrative boundaries reflect centuries of evolution from medieval kingdoms to modern local government, creating diverse systems that balance historic identity with administrative efficiency. Urban hierarchies and settlement patterns show population distribution and economic relationships that influence administrative arrangements and boundary development.
Cross-border relationships and international boundaries create complex coordination challenges that require administrative cooperation and shared governance arrangements. Historic territories and traditional boundaries maintain cultural significance while adapting to modern administrative needs and changing demographics.
Future boundary evolution will respond to urban growth, environmental challenges, and administrative reform that balances efficiency with democratic representation and cultural identity. The United Kingdom continues adapting its administrative geography to serve diverse communities while maintaining territorial integrity and effective governance.
Physical Map of the United Kingdom
Physical map and geographical map image of the United Kingdom.
Road Map of United Kingdom
Road map and map image of United Kingdom.
Regional Directory of UK
Information and guide about United Kingdom (UK) and websites with UK topics.
Regional Directory of Europe
Information and guide about Europe and websites with European topics.
Regional Directory of Australia
Information and guide about Australia and websites with Australian topics.
