Within the Union Jack are combined the crosses of St. George (a symbol of England), St. Andrew (Scotland), and St. Patrick (Ireland). Its earliest form, called the "Union Flag," or "Great Union," was designed in 1606. The current flag design has been in use since Jan. 1, 1801, when Great Britain and Ireland were joined.

United Kingdom Official name: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Form of government: constitutional monarchy with two legislative houses (House of Lords [1,223]; House of Commons [659]). Chief of state: Sovereign. Head of government: Prime Minister. Population (1998): 59,126,000. Population projection: (2000) 59,454,000; (2010) 60,800,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1996): 1.6 (world avg. 15.7). Land use (1994): forest 10.4%; pasture 45.9%; agriculture 24.8%; other 18.9%. Gross national product (1996): U.S.$1,152,136,000,000 (U.S.$19,600 per capita).

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