United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or just The United Kingdom, also known as The Great Britain, Britain, and the UK, is a Country that has arguably the biggest impact on the Modern World. It also supposedly has the Largest Empire in History, spanning 38 million sq. km (25% of the total landmass). From 1815, the Treaty of Paris, to 1914, World War I, the UK dominated the world's economy and Industry, and could be rivaled by France, and later Germany and the USA.

Age of Chivalry
The Kingdom of England was founded in 927, and re-founded in 1076. In 1066, England was invaded by the Viking kingdom of Normandy, and was under their rule after the would-be king Harold Godwinson died at the Battle of Hastings. The throne was passed to William I, better known as William the Conquerer. It became English about 10 years later after the Normans were assimilated into the English culture. England spent most of the time between it's re-founding and the Age of Exploration feuding with their arch-rival, France. The best example of this would be the 100 years war (1337-1453) in which France aimed to conquer English Aquitaine after the English refused to pay homage to the French King, Philip VI, and the subsequent war lasted for 116 years.

Colonial Ventures and Exploration
After the discovery of the New world reached the ears the the English, they set of Explorers and Colonists to seek territory in the Americas. The French had the same idea, and during the colonial period of American History, the English, and later British, and French competed for untouched land (Almost).

Trivia

 * The United Kingdom consists of 4 nations inside it. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Wales technically doesn't count, as they have no representation on the Union Flag and were annexed in the 1200's.