England (Latin: Anglia) is a political division of the island of Great Britain, the principal division of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

England occupies all of the island east of Wales and south of Scotland, the other divisions of the island of Great Britain.

Established as an independent monarchy many centuries ago, England in time achieved political control over the rest of the island, all the British Isles, and vast sections of the world, becoming the nucleus of one of the greatest empires in history.

The great majority of the people of England, like those of the British Isles in general, are descended from early Celtic and Iberian peoples and later invaders of the islands, including the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Danes, and Normans.

After 1945, substantial numbers of blacks and Asians immigrated into the country.

England, once a nation of small rural villages, has become highly urban since the early 19th century. The population of England in 2004 was 50,093,800. The overall population density of 384 persons per sq km (995 persons per sq mi) was one of the highest in the world.

The capital, largest city, and chief port of England is London, with a population in 2001 of 7,172,000. It is also the capital of the United Kingdom and the site of the headquarters of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Birmingham is the second largest city and is the center of an extensive industrial area that contains major concentrations of the automotive and other industries.

Liverpool is the second largest port and a major cargo export outlet for Britain; it is also a great commercial and industrial center.

Manchester is the chief commercial hub of the cotton and synthetic-fiber textile industries, as well as an important financial and commercial center and a major port.

Among other important cities are Sheffield, the heavy engineering center famous for its high-quality steels, cutlery, and tools, and Bristol, a leading port and commercial center.