What are the top 10 things to know about United Kingdom?

Here are the top 10 things to know about the United Kingdom

1. The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with smaller overseas territories and protectorates.
   
2. The British Pound is the local currency, not the Euro.
3. You can visit the UK for up to 6 months without a visa if you do not hold a passport from one of the countries requiring a visa.
   
4. The climate in England and Wales is considered temperate, having warm summers and cold winters with potential for rain year-round.  Scottish winters can be bitterly cold due to high windchill factors.  Northern Ireland tends to be wetter than the rest of the U.K.
   
5. Public toilets or "loos" often require payment; bring change.
6. The British drive on the left side of the road.  So, be careful to look right-left-right when crossing a street.
   
7. The British use electricity at 240 volts AC with beveled 3-pronged sockets distinct from those in Europe and America.
   
8. Sales tax or value-added tax (VAT) is included in the price of one's purchases and is consistent throughout the entire country.
9. Your credit card and debit card may not work without manual intervention due to British ATMs and card readers expecting cards to have smart chips which most cards issued in the U.S. lack.
   
10. Tap water in Britain is usually safe to drink.

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