What is the capital of Scotland?

The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh. Glasgow is the largest city, but Edinburgh is the capital.

Why is Wales not on the Union Jack?

When the Union Jack was designed, Wales was already legally part of England, so it was not included separately.

Countries and Capitals of the UK: Life in the UK Test

Key facts

England: London, St George, Rose
Scotland: Edinburgh, St Andrew, Thistle
Wales: Cardiff, St David, Daffodil/Leek
N. Ireland: Belfast, St Patrick, Shamrock
UK population: ~67 million

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is made up of four countries. Each has its own distinct identity, culture, and traditions.

The Four Countries

England

Capital: London (also capital of the UK)
Population: ~56 million (84% of UK)
Flag: St George's Cross (red cross on white)
Patron Saint: St George (23 April)
Symbol: Rose

Scotland

Capital: Edinburgh
Population: ~5.5 million
Flag: St Andrew's Cross / Saltire (white X on blue)
Patron Saint: St Andrew (30 November)
Symbol: Thistle
Parliament: Scottish Parliament (Holyrood)

Wales

Capital: Cardiff
Population: ~3.1 million
Flag: Red dragon on green and white
Patron Saint: St David (1 March)
Symbol: Daffodil and Leek
Parliament: Welsh Senedd (Cardiff Bay)

Northern Ireland

Capital: Belfast
Population: ~1.9 million
Flag: Union Jack (officially)
Patron Saint: St Patrick (17 March)
Symbol: Shamrock
Assembly: Northern Ireland Assembly (Stormont)

The Union Jack

The UK flag combines:

St George's Cross (England)
St Andrew's Cross (Scotland)
St Patrick's Cross (Ireland)

Wales is not represented as it was already united with England when the flag was designed.

Crown Dependencies

Not part of the UK but linked to the Crown:

Isle of Man
Jersey
Guernsey

Why it comes up in the test

Know the four countries, their capitals, patron saints, and flags.

Common traps

Confusing capitals (Edinburgh is Scotland, not Glasgow)
Forgetting Wales is not on the Union Jack
Not knowing the patron saints

Countries of the United Kingdom: common questions

The UK consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Written from Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), the only official source for the test. BritPass is not affiliated with the Home Office; if anything here differs from the handbook, the handbook is right.