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So, it actually happened and everyone is a bit shocked.

After decades of tumultuous marriage, British voters used Thursday's referendum to announce they were divorcing the European Union.

As with the end of any relationship, some are happy, some are sad, and there are so many unanswered questions.

Why hasn't the UK left already?

Well, technically it has not filed for divorce or even left the house. It's just told the EU it's had enough.

To leave the EU, the UK needs to formally invoke Article 50 of what is known as the Lisbon Treaty.

Article 50 has never been used, because no country has ever left the EU before.

When it is invoked in a letter or a speech, two years of negotiations (possibly longer) begin.

It will be a job for the next British prime minister.

So, who will get what in this divorce?

The UK still wants to be friends with benefits.

Trade and immigration are just two areas where things could get a bit messy.

After Brexit roadmap

The British have spoken in their EU membership referendum and they want out. What happens to Europe now?

'Leave' campaigners want the UK to have close economic ties with the EU and, even though the EU is feeling a bit hurt right now, deep down it wants that too.

But if Britain demands unrestricted access to the single market, Europe is probably going to insist it also accepts a number of its rules, including the free movement of people.

Free movement allows any EU citizen to live or work in any other EU country, and during the referendum campaign, prominent "Brexiteers" like Nigel Farage said the policy had caused Britain to "lose control of its borders".

In many places that voted for 'Leave', immigration was a major concern.

Could the United Kingdom split too?

Maybe.

Unlike England and Wales, Scotland wanted to stick with the EU. So did Northern Ireland.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says a second independence referendum is now highly likely, and a recent poll suggested as many as 60 per cent of Scots would support leaving the United Kingdom.

But, while many Scots cannot wait to cut ties with the English, some key issues that helped sway the last referendum are yet to be fully resolved.

These include: How would Scotland fully pay for its services (the oil price has crashed)? And would its people give up the pound in exchange for the euro?

Is the UK's political system collapsing?

A breakup this big was always going to get ugly.

Prime Minister David Cameron pretty much staked his career on the country remaining in the EU.

David Cameron's downfall

David Cameron bet his political career on the EU referendum widely seen as an appeasement to his MPs.

He lost. He'll be gone in a couple of months.

Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn's 'Remain' campaign was lukewarm at best and nearly half his frontbench has resigned because they think he is unelectable.

It's worth remembering traditional working-class areas, particularly in the north of England, voted 'Leave' in big numbers.

Will he go quietly? Not if his recent comments are any guide.

Even if he loses the support of his MPs, which he appears to have done, the party's members choose the Labour leader, and his backers claim he will win the ballot.

Who will be the next prime minister?

There are several possibilities, but currently, the most likely options seem to be former London mayor Boris Johnson and current Home Secretary Theresa May.

MPs will choose two candidates before the party's rank and file picks a winner.

Some Conservatives think "Bojo" is too much of a maverick to be PM, and they want to stop him moving into 10 Downing Street.

Ms May is considered by political analysts to be a safer set of hands, but with less political appeal than the charismatic, colourful and calculating Eton old boy.

Has this exposed Britain's racist underbelly?

Reports of racial slurs against EU immigrants have featured prominently in the media in recent days.

Immigration was also undoubtedly a major issue in this campaign.

But there were a lot of other reasons people voted 'Leave'.

In many working-class areas, people felt the EU did not benefit them and, in some cases, made their lives harder by pushing wages down, house prices up, and putting pressure on health services.

Several people we have spoken to in recent days say they do not feel a Brexit could possibly leave them any worse off, and they are thoroughly enjoying sticking it to the "establishment".

What are the chances of the UK immediately holding another in/out referendum?

If someone invents a time machine, then perhaps it could happen. If not, the chances seem very low.

Will Australia hold another federal election if a few million people start a petition after deciding they don't like this weekend's result?

The referendum campaign was dramatic and fiercely fought.

It was the lead story in Britain for four months, an MP was killed a week out from the vote, turnout was high and, although the result was close, a 4 per cent majority is still considered a comfortable victory.

Mr Cameron and Mr Corbyn have both said the referendum must be respected, though they might not be in their jobs for much longer.

What does this mean for Europe?

Brexit 'an adventure into the unknown'

The ramifications of Brexit will play out in years not days, says chief foreign correspondent Philip Williams.

Will the EU survive without Britain? It's a question politicians and pundits are asking themselves right across the continent.

In Brussels, Britain was considered less likely than other countries to leave, and the Brexit result has empowered Eurosceptic groups everywhere.

Some European media outlets and a number of politicians are now calling for change to avoid a Frexit, (French exit) or a Daxit (Danish exit) or maybe even a Nexit — or should that be a Duxit (Dutch exit)?

The EU is also still grappling with financial woes and a migration crisis.