Country Flag of UK Map of United Kingdom, Courtesy of WorldAtlas.com

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Facts and Figures

arrow Official Name United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

arrow Capital City London.

arrow Languages English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland).

arrow Official Currency British pound (GBP)

arrow Ethnic Groups English 81.5%, Scottish 9.6%, Irish 2.4%, Welsh 1.9%, Ulster 1.8%, West Indian, Indian, Pakistani, and other 2.8%.

arrow Religions Anglican and Roman Catholic 40 million, Muslim 1.5 million, Presbyterian 800,000, Methodist 760,000, Sikh 500,000, Hindu 500,000, Jewish 350,000.

arrow Population 60,094,648 (July 2003 est.)

arrow Land Area 241,600 sq km (93,282 sq miles).

History

Great Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside the European Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999.

UNAIDS Epidemiological
Fact Sheets

[English]

Global Surveillance of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a joint effort of WHO and UNAIDS. The UNAIDS/WHO Working Group on Global HIV/AIDS and STI Surveillance, initiated in November 1996, guides respective activities. The primary objective of the working group is to strengthen national, regional and global structures and networks for improved monitoring and surveillance of HIV/AIDS and STIs. For this purpose, the working group collaborates closely with national AIDS programmes and a number of national and international experts and institutions. The goal of this collaboration is to compile the best information available and to improve the quality of data needed for informed decision-making and planning at national, regional and global levels. The Epidemiological Fact Sheets are one of the products of this close and fruitful collaboration across the globe.

Web sites

U.S. Government Agencies

World Fact Book
The Factbook was created as an annual summary and update to the encyclopedic NIS studies. The first classified Factbook was published in August 1962, and the first unclassified version was published in June 1971. The 1975 Factbook was the first to be made available to the public with sales through the US Government Printing Office (GPO).

US Department of State - Travel Information
Consular Information Sheets are available for every country of the world. They include such information as location of the U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties. If an unstable condition exists in a country that is not severe enough to warrant a Travel Warning, a description of the condition(s) may be included under an optional section entitled "Safety/Security."On limited occasions, we also restate in this section any U.S. embassy advice given to official employees. Consular Information Sheets generally do not include advice, but present information in a factual manner so the traveler can make his or her own decisions concerning travel to a particular country.

Non-Governmental Organizations

ActionAid
ActionAid is a unique partnership of people who are fighting for a better world - a world without poverty. As one of the UK largest development agencies, we work in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, listening to, learning from and working in partnership with over nine million of the world poorest people.

Are You HIV Prejudiced?
The Department of Health for England has funded NAT's efforts to co-ordinate a public awareness campaign aimed at highlighting and challenging the public's prejudicial attitudes towards people living with HIV.

Agenda
Agenda is the the HIV policy journal published in Britain by George House Trust. It is committed to ensuring that HIV is "one the Agenda".

AIDSmap.com
NAM is a community-based information provider based in the UK whose sole aim is to combat the AIDS epidemic through accurate, accessible and up-to-date information. Read our mission statement. We are UK Registered Charity Number 1011220.

AVERT
AVERT.org provides AIDS & HIV information, including information about HIV/AIDS infection, HIV testing, prevention, global and African information, AIDS treatment, statistics and personal stories.

The British HIV Association
BHIVA has now evolved from a fledgling organisation into a 600-member association with a commitment to provide excellence in the care of HIV-infected individuals. The aims and objectives of our association are outlined on the next page and have provided the foundation for our growth. The BHIVA Executive committee, led by Professor Brian Gazzard, has tirelessly worked to establish the association over the last few years.

Body Positive: Kent
BodyPositive KENT Ltd. is a Full Member of 'The Network of Self Help HIV/AIDS Groups', we also work closely with other National Organisations. We are also very happy to be working with West Kent Health Authority and East Kent Health Authority, as well as the many Health Trust's and workers in the County.

Body Positive North West
Body Positive North West is +ve led, self help organisation. Offering a helpline (0161 873 8103), drop-in, dining room, fitness services, health training, counselling, health and social care, complementary therapies, medicine management and a range of support, our services are for anyone infected or affected by HIV within the North West.

Body and Soul
BODY & SOUL is unique in the UK in providing support independently to young people and children. The two Centres - Adult Centre and Children's Youth Centre, allows for a holistic approach to those who access services, young and old.

Cardiff Body Positive
Cardiff Body Positive (CBP) is a self-help organisation for men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, their partners, carers and relatives and the bereaved. We aim to assist those living with HIV/AIDS to transform their diagnosis into positive views and actions about staying healthy and living well.

Crusaid
Crusaid exists to make a difference to people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. We relieve poverty and illness caused by the virus, educate, and support vaccine research through independent fundraising and grant making.

Elton John AIDS Foundation
The Elton John AIDS Foundation, with offices in Los Angeles and London, is an international non-profit organization funding prevention education programs and direct patient-care services worldwide. The charity was established in 1992 by Sir Elton John, who serves as its Chairman.

George House Trust
George House provides high quality services for people living with HIV and for people affected by HIV (including partners, children, carers, family) in the North West of England.

HIV i-Base
HIV i-Base is a treatment activist group, HIV-positive led and committed to providing timely HIV treatment information both to positive people and to health care professionals. i-Base was formed in April 2000 by the former publications, editorial and meetings team from the AIDS Treatment Project, and has continued to cover the most important medical advances in HIV and AIDS.

International HIV/AIDS Alliance
The International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the Alliance) is an international development non-governmental organisation which was set up in 1993 by a consortium of international donors. The Alliance was established to respond to the need for a specialist, professional intermediary organisation which would work in effective partnership with non-governmental and community-based organisations in developing countries, as well as with national governments, private and public donors and the UN system.

Medical Foundation for AIDS & Sexual Health
The Medical Foundation for AIDS & Sexual Health is a charity which works with policy-makers and health professionals, to promote excellence in the prevention and management of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. We are supported by the British Medical Association.

OneWorld AIDS Radio
Anyone can browse the site and listen to audio produced by the OneWorld Radio members. But as a member you can also download programmes for free, to broadcast on your radio station or use in a workshop, and you can upload your programmes for others to hear. By sharing your programmes, you will increase the impact of your work and reach new audiences internationally. And membership is free.

Positively Women
Positively Women was established in 1987 by a group of HIV positive women who were determined to set up services specific to women's needs. They formed a support group which provided a safe space for women to talk openly about the challenges they faced. Today, the organisation remains strongly committed to the ethos of peer support and empowerment.

SOS Children's Villages UK
SOS Children's Villages is one of the largest childcare organisations in the world and provides long-term care for children who have no-one else, as well as wide-ranging support for local communities in 131 countries.

TALC (Teaching AIDS at Low Cost)
TALC’s main objective is to promote the health of children and advance medical knowledge and teaching in the UK and throughout the world by providing and developing educational material.

Teesside Positive Action
Teesside Positive Action covers the North East region of the UK providing practical and emotional support for those affected by HIV. Provides rapid (within the hour) HIV testing, a 24 hour helpline and training and education about HIV and sexual health.

Terrence Higgins Trust
THT is the leading HIV & AIDS charity in the UK and the largest in Europe. It was one of the first charities to be set up in response to the HIV epidemic and has been at the forefront of the fight against HIV & AIDS ever since.

WHO Country Profile: United Kingdom
Country profile on specific diseases, and selected health-related documents. Available in English, Spanish and French.

031108
UK

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