Changes

</ref> It has fallen from having by far the world's strongest economy to a distant fifth place.  

</ref> It has fallen from having by far the world's strongest economy to a distant fifth place.  

The United Kingdom is a member of the [[European Union]], [[NATO]] and the [[United Nations]].  

The United Kingdom is a member of the [[NATO]] and the [[United Nations]]. It is currently a member of the [[European Union]] although it is negotiating a departure.

British values, culture and institutions were spread throughout many parts of the world during the period of the [[British Empire]], 1600-1960, and British contributions to world culture include the English language, the [[parliament]]ary form of government, the [[Church of England|Anglican]] Church ("Church of England"), a tradition of personal liberty, and the [[common law]] legal system. Note, however, that the United Kingdom does not have the constitutional [[free speech]] protections or an energetic [[Christian]] culture that exist in the [[United States]] as it does not have a written constitution. However various acts mean there is free speech, similar to that in the [[United States]].

British values, culture and institutions were spread throughout many parts of the world during the period of the [[British Empire]], 1600-1960, and British contributions to world culture include the English language, the [[parliament]]ary form of government, the [[Church of England|Anglican]] Church ("Church of England"), a tradition of personal liberty, and the [[common law]] legal system. Note, however, that the United Kingdom does not have the constitutional [[free speech]] protections or an energetic [[Christian]] culture that exist in the [[United States]] as it does not have a written constitution. However various acts mean there is free speech, similar to that in the [[United States]].