The Kingdom of Great Britain was formed in 1707 when the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland united. This political union created a single kingdom that shared a parliament and a monarch, enhancing political stability and economic cooperation. The capital city is London, which serves as a major cultural and financial center. In 1801, the Kingdom of Great Britain merged with the Kingdom of Ireland to become the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The kingdom played a significant role in global history, particularly during the Industrial Revolution and the expansion of the British Empire.