The Brexit referendum took place on 23 June 2016, asking voters in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar whether the country should stay in the European Union or leave.
The final result was 51.89% for Leave and 48.11% for Remain—a close outcome that revealed deep divisions across the country.
Scotland voted strongly to remain, with 62% choosing to stay in the EU, and all 32 council areas backing that decision. Northern Ireland also leaned toward Remain, with 55.8% of voters supporting continued membership. London, the UK’s largest city, largely sided with Remain as well.
Meanwhile, England and Wales swung in the opposite direction. In England, 53.4% supported leaving, while Wales had 52.5% voting Leave. The split wasn’t just regional—it also reflected differences between cities and rural areas, younger and older generations, and varying economic backgrounds.
Visualizing Brexit: A Nation Divided into Islands
Instead of using a traditional electoral map, the one below takes a creative approach. Inspired by my TrumpLand vs. Biden Archipelago map (here is the latest version), this visualization reimagines the UK as an archipelago. Areas that voted Remain are shown as land, while those that voted Leave are represented as water.
This alternative perspective highlights just how concentrated the Remain vote was in certain regions, while Leave dominated elsewhere.
Remain Land
Percentage of voters who chose to stay in the EU:
England: 46%
Northern Ireland: 55.8%
Scotland: 62%
Wales: 47.5%
Leave Land
Percentage of voters who chose to leave the EU:
England: 53.4%
Northern Ireland: 44.2%
Scotland: 38%
Wales: 52.5%
Esri UK
A Physical Map of “Remain Land”
Taking this concept further, DeviantArt user stagyika created a satellite-style map that completely removes the areas that voted Leave. The result? A fragmented UK where only the Remain-voting regions remain.
It’s a dramatic visualization of how Brexit reshaped the political and cultural landscape of the UK—making the divide feel almost geographical.
Brexit was one of the most debated political events in modern British history. If you’re interested in understanding its causes and impact, check out these books and documentaries available on Amazon:
