United Kingdom of Great Britain and Nothern Ireland

outline: – basic information

– geography

– history

– places of interest

– political system

– economy

– conclusion

The UK is consisted of four states – England (the capital – London), Scotland (Edinburgh), Wales (Cardiff) and Northern Ireland (Belfast). The population almost reaches the number of 60 million.

Geography:

The United Kingdom occupies the area of British Isles. From the east it is surrounded by the North Sea, from the west by the Atlantic Ocean, from the north by the Norwegian sea and from the south by the Channel La Manche.

Besides the largest islands (Great Britain, Ireland), many small islands (the Isle of Man, Channel Islands) belong to the UK The UK has many lowlands and highlands, which are situated more in the north of the Great Britain.  Some highlands – Cambrian Mountains, Pennines, Grampian Mountains, Snowdon. The highest point is Ben Nevis in Scotland.

The longest rivers are the Severn and the Thames. The UK has also many lakes. Lake disctrict with Lake Windermere is a national park and I shouldn’t forget Lake Loch Ness in Scotland.

And as for the climate, the UK has mild climate influenced by the Golf stream. It is well known that the UK is a rainy country.

History:

There is no written history of this country until 55 B.C.  But we have references that it was occupied by the Britons (the Celts). The Roman occupation began in 43 A.D. The Celts weren’t destroyed but they were influented by Latin.  The Romans left in the first half of the 5^th century and there were attacks from Germany in the second half, led by Angles, Saxons and Jutes. The Anglo-Saxon conquest divided the country into 7 kingdoms.

In the 9^th century the Danes attacked England and they ruled it until 11^th century.

In 1066 William the Conqueror (a king from Normandy) defeated the English king Harold. Then in 1154 the Plantagenets took the power. England obtained a big scar by the Black Death, a plague epidemic. In the 15^th century there were the Wars of the Roses, it was a war between Yorks and Lancasters for the throne. It was ended by the marriage of Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York and the Tudor dynasty ruled the country till 1603 when Elizabeth I. (during her reign England became the leading power on sea and made many colonies) died and Stuarts got the throne. In 1689, after many struggles, the power was finally given into hands of Parliament.

It is know that in the UK started the industrial revolution in the 18^th century. In 1800 Parliament of GB and Ireland was united.  The UK was also involved in both World Wars and in the second London was bombed by the German air forces.

The UK helped the USA in the Iraq war last year. And as for now queen is Elizabeth II.

Interesting places:

Everybody knows Oxford and Cambridge universities, which belong among the oldest universities of the world.

Other interesting place is Canterbury. It is seat of the Archbishop. There is also a cathedral from the 11^th century and it is a pilgrimage place.

The best known is Stonehenge. It is a megalithic monument from the beginning of 2.800 B.C. The ruins consist of two stone circles and two horseshoes. It has some astronomical function.

The other places: Lake District, Loch Ness, Hastings.

Political system:

Britain is a monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as the head of the state. In practice she is more formal figure. Important issues are decided by Parliament. Parliament consists of 2 houses – the House of Commons, where so called MPs are elected– members of Parliament. The position in the House of Lords is hereditary.

There are 7 major political parties, most important are Labours (Prime minister Tony Blair) and Conservatives. The party, which wins enough seats in the House of Commons, forms a Government. The Prime minister chooses the ministers.

Economy:

The UK is a member of European Union.

The Britain is rich in raw materials – coal, iron, limestone, oil and natural gas. It is one of the leading industrial countries of the world. They are also producer of steel, aircrafts and ships. The main agricultural products are wheat, barley, potatoes, sugar beat. Animals kept in farms are cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry.

Conclusion:

The UK has influenced other states – industrial revolution, colonization. Many important personalities were born there (Shakespeare, Watt,…). Democracy was born there.