England Today

England is the biggest region in the United Kingdom (or the U.K.), the nation that also includes Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands (Guernsey and Jersey). England, Scotland, and Wales form what is referred to as Great Britain (or just Britain). Despite being given the opportunity in a 2014 referendum to become an independent nation, Scottish voters chose to remain part of the United Kingdom. It's worth noting that, while England, Scotland, and Wales are all part of Britain and the U.K., Wales and Scotland aren’t part of England, and vice versa. Get that one wrong at your peril—you haven’t seen angry until you've seen a Scot referred to as English.

Although it's about the size of Louisiana, England has a population 12 times as large: 56 million people find space to live on its green rolling hills and in its shallow valleys and crowded cities.

Politics

Since the general election of 2015, the United Kingdom's government has been in the hands of the Conservative Party. But the unexpected result of a June 2016 referendum, in which the country voted to leave the European Union (a decision known commonly as Brexit), led to the resignation of prime minister David Cameron, who was replaced by Theresa May. Following three turbulent years—which were dominated by Brexit negotiations and marked by the loss of a parliamentary majority, cabinet resignations, tragic terrorist attacks in London and Manchester, the horrific Grenfell Tower fire disaster, and a crisis in the National Health Service (NHS)—May was replaced by Boris Johnson in July 2019. Despite being seen as a deeply divisive figure, Johnson secured an overall parliamentary majority for the Conservatives at the December 2019 general election, and, in January 2020, proceeded to finally take the U.K. out of the European Union under the terms of his Brexit withdrawal agreement. But in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down, and Britain's official exit from the E.U. has been overshadowed by the safety measures instilled on British citizens as the world waits for a vaccine.

Brexit

The United Kingdom officially began to leave the European Union in January 2020, but despite this and Boris Johnson's election slogan of "Get Brexit Done," most experts agree that this issue is set to dominate British politics (and newspaper column inches) for years to come. The transition period, during which the U.K. remains in the single market, applies until December 31, 2020, and negotiations are ongoing to finalize a long-term agreement on the future relationship between Britain and the E.U. If no agreement is reached by December 2020, and there is no extension, there will be a "no-deal" Brexit. While visitors to England shouldn't feel the effects of Brexit on their travel plans until the end of the transition period, it is still a topic discussed nearly everywhere. Many major openings and tourism projects have been put on hold until after the official exit, and there have been regular exchange rate fluctuations. Following the end of the transition period, new immigration policies will be introduced, which may mean changes to entry requirements and visa validity.

The Royal Family

Essentially a figurehead monarchy with a symbolic political role, the Royal Family and each member of its four generations continue to exercise the public’s fascination, both at home and abroad. Although taxpayer cost for supporting the family is estimated at £67 million (around $85 million) a year, many consider the tourists they bring worth the cost (tourism numbers have been helped along in recent years with the success of television shows like Downton Abbey and The Crown). The Queen, now the world's longest reigning monarch, celebrated her Sapphire Jubilee (65 years on the throne) in February 2017 and still maintains a full working schedule, although her husband, Prince Philip, has now retired from public life. Both are in their 90s.

Prince Charles remains in the wing, while his son, Prince William, is second in the line of succession. William's personal life has generated plenty of buzz in recent years, from his 2011 wedding to Kate Middleton (now known publicly as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge) to the births of their three children: future king Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. However, in the last few years, most of the headlines have gone to his younger brother Harry, first for his wedding to American actress Meghan Markle in May 2018, then for the birth of their son Archie in May 2019, and most recently for the announcement that the couple intend to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and split their time between the United Kingdom and the United States.

Fashion

Known for their quirky, creative, and bold style, British fashion designers have been influential on the global stage for decades. Whether it's from top-of-the-line companies like Burberry, Barbour, and Mulberry or from individual designers such as Paul Smith, Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham, Ozwald Boetang, and the late Alexander McQueen, clothes made by British designers are often sought after by the world's fashion elite.

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, has held sway as chief ambassador for British fashion since she joined the Royal Family. The "Kate Effect," first fired up by her wedding dress, has not diminished, nor has the constant analysis of her attire (and her children's) by celebrity magazines and websites. She mixes high fashion with moderately priced high-street clothing, causing such chains as Reiss, LK Bennett, Hobbs, Zara, and Whistles to sell out the moment she dons their garments, and keeps designers like Jenny Packham, Alice Temperley, and Jimmy Choo in the spotlight. Showing a similar sense of style is Catherine's sister-in-law Meghan Markle.

Housing and Development

As one of the most crowded countries in Europe with an ever-expanding population, England has a growing housing crisis on its hands. Consequently, the government has relaxed planning policies, given financial help to first-time home buyers, and pledged to build at least a million new homes over the next five years. The goal is to combat rising house prices and to alleviate a reliance on family inheritance as the only way to set a foot on the housing ladder.

The problem of housing inequality was highlighted by the devastating Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017, which resulted in a staggering 72 deaths. Ironically, this 24-story tower block of affordable housing was situated in Kensington and Chelsea, the wealthiest borough in London. Its charred wreckage serves as a potent reminder of societal unconcern for those less affluent and a government failure to implement adequate fire regulations despite residents’ repeated warnings (the focus was instead on cost-cutting measures during recent renovations). A government inquiry was initiated in September 2017 and is currently in its second phase.

Sports

Many of the world's most popular sports, including soccer (aka football), cricket, and tennis, were codified in England during the 19th century, and sport continues to play a prominent role in everyday life here. While the United Kingdom sends a combined team to the Olympics (colloqially known as "Team GB"), England has individual national representation for most team sports. The England soccer team is a particular obsession, with its performances at major tournaments affecting the mood of the nation. England is also home to the Premier League, the world's most watched sports league, with globally popular soccer teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea. When the locals aren't watching soccer, you'll find them at rugby games, cricket matches, tennis tournaments, athletics meets, or Formula One races instead. England is also currently home to all four of heavyweight boxing's major belts (shared between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury). Don't worry if you prefer less adrenaline-filled sports; England is the spiritual home of darts and snooker (a variation on pool), too.