The 20th century hasn't been too kind to England. The last 100 years have witnessed the fall of empire, the loss of the trading base and the nation's stubborn refusal to adjust to a diminished role in the modern world - from Colonial Empire to bickering member of the EEC in a few short decades. But while the Family may have taken a right Royal battering, many of the other august institutions at the cornerstone of British life have muddled their way through with a stiff upper lip and a strong sense of protocol.

The notion of England as a gentle, fabled land freeze-framed some time in the 1930s when community life revolved around the post office, the country pub and the local vicarage has been erased by the juggernaut of the late-20th century and vast suburban sprawl. The heralded 'new' Britain, led by Labour PM Tony Blair, is being transformed from Thatcherite bleakscape into post-Diana cuddledom: the Queen and Prince Charles are coming on folksy, the Spice Girls are the new face of feminism and a couple of rude brothers with monobrows are the biggest posterboys around. Still, a country that gives a wig-wearing ex-junkie balladeer a knighthood must be doing something right.

Area: 129,720 sq km (50,085 sq mi)
Population: 48 million
Capital city: London
People: Anglo-Saxons, Scots, Welsh, Irish, West Indians, Pakistanis, Indians Language: English
Religion: Church of England, Methodist, Baptist, Catholic and Muslim Government: Parliamentary Democracy

GDP: US$1254 billion
GDP per head: US$21,200
Annual growth: 3%
Inflation: 3%
Major industries: Banking and finance, steel, transport equipment, oil and gas, tourism
Major trading partners: EU & USA
Member of EU: yes