What countries borders the UK. Great Britain report

UNITED KINGDOM

Geographical position and nature:

A state in the north-west of Europe, located on the British Isles (the island of Great Britain, the northern part of the island of Ireland, etc.). In the north it borders on Ireland (the length of the border is 360 km), in the west it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, in the east - by the North Sea, in the southeast - by the English Channel separating the island of Great Britain from the European continent (the length of the coastline is 12,429 km). The total area of ​​the country is 244,111 km 2 (land area - 241,590 km 2), including the Scottish Isles. Among the territorial disagreements with other states: with Ireland on the issue of Northern Ireland, with Spain (the issue of Gibraltar), with Argentina, the dispute over the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands. The coast is very indented. Fertile lowlands stretch along the coasts. Mountainous terrain prevails in the west and north of the country - the Northwestern Highlands and the Grampian Mountains with the highest point in the country - Mount Ben Nevis (1,344 m), the Pennines and Cambrian Mountains (Mount Snowdon, 1,085 m). In Northern Ireland - the Antrim Plateau and the Mon Mountains. In the southeast and in the Center are hilly plains. The main rivers of the country: Thames, Severn, Trent, Mersey, Clyde. There are many lakes, especially in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the largest of them is Lough Neagh (400 km 2). Main minerals: coal, oil, natural gas, iron ore, rock and potassium salts, tin, lead, quartz. Arable land occupies 29% of the territory, meadows and pastures - 48%.

Population:

The population is 58,295,119 people (1995), the average population density is about 238 people per km 2. Most of the inhabitants are English (81.5%), Scots - 9.6%, Irish - 2.4%, Welsh - 1.9%, Indians, Pakistanis, Arabs, Chinese, Africans also live in the country. The official language is English, part of the Welsh population speaks Welsh, and Scottish is common in Scotland. Most of the population is of the Protestant faith (Anglican Church, Presbyterians, Methodists), there are also Catholics, Jews, Hindus, Muslims. Birth rate - 13.18 newborns per 1,000 people (1995). Mortality - 10.66 deaths per 1,000 people (infant mortality rate - 7 deaths per 1,000 newborns). Average life expectancy: men - 74 years, women - 80 years (1995).

The oceanic nature of the UK's temperate climate contributes to unsettled weather with gusty winds and thick fogs throughout the year. Winter is very wet and mild. The average temperature of the coldest month - January - does not fall below 3.5 ° C, even in the extreme north-east of Great Britain, and in the south-west it reaches 5.5 ° C. Masses of warm sea air coming from the southwest increase winter temperatures, but at the same time bring cloudy and rainy weather with strong winds and storms. With the invasion of cold air from the east and northeast, frosty weather sets in for a long time and the temperature can drop to -18 ° C. Snow in winter falls throughout the country, but very unevenly. In the mountainous regions of Scotland, the snow cover lasts for at least 1-1.5 months. In the south of England, and especially in its southwest, snow falls very rarely and lasts no more than a week. In the west of the UK, winters typically receive twice as much rain as summers. In the eastern regions, winters are colder and less humid. In spring, cold northern winds blow, sometimes dry eastern ones. In the UK, the summer is relatively cool: the average temperature of the warmest month - July - is 1-2 ° C lower than at the same latitudes of the mainland. During the summer months, the temperature in the southeast of the country is 16°C, and in the extreme northwest 12°C. The maximum temperature in the south-east of England sometimes rises above 27°C, and sometimes up to 32°C. With warm and humid winds blowing from the Atlantic, there is an abundance of rain in the western regions of Great Britain. On average, more than 2,000 mm of precipitation falls there annually, while in eastern England - only about 600 mm.

Vegetable world:

Deforestation for arable land began in the 6th century, and by the middle of the 15th century. The country was already experiencing a shortage of timber. From the second half of the 17th century. exotic species of trees (Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, thin-scaled larch) were imported into the country. In Lancashire, Scotland, and then in Northern Ireland, work was carried out to drain the swamps. Currently, forests in the UK cover only 8% of the area. Basically, they are preserved along the river valleys and in the lower parts of the mountain slopes. Small oak forests are found in the southeast of Wales and in Yorkshire. Oak, elm, hornbeam, beech and ash grow in the lower belt of the mountains of England and Wales. In the Lake District and the South Highlands, pine also appears in this belt. In the north of Scotland, in the Grampian Mountains and the Northwest Highlands, the lower mountain belt is occupied by mixed oak-spruce-pine forests, and pine and birch forests are common above. Excessive moisture has led to the widespread occurrence of peat bogs, meadows and moorlands. These formations are especially characteristic of Scotland, where they occupy 70% of the total area. The natural perennial meadows of England and Wales grow wild pale yellow daffodils (the emblem of the Welsh), lilies, purple orchid and primrose. Above the forest line in the mountains of England and Wales, cereal-forb meadows and moorlands with juniper, blueberry and crowberry predominate. On the Scottish highlands above the forest line, sphagnum-cottongrass peatlands and alpine meadows are developed, where meadow rue and alpine knotweed predominate.

Animal world:

Many large mammals, such as the bear, wild boar and Irish red deer, have long been extirpated in the British Isles as a result of intense hunting, and the wolf has been extirpated as a pest. Currently, only 56 species of mammals remain, 13 of which are introduced. The largest representative of mammals in Great Britain - the red deer - lives in the highlands of Cornwall, in the mountains of the Lake District and in the Scottish Highlands. There are quite a few roe deer that are found north of Yorkshire and in the south of England. Wild goats live in mountainous areas. The gray seal is found off the islands and coastal cliffs of Cornwall and Wales, while the common seal prefers the coasts of Scotland, the eastern coasts of Northern Ireland and the islands adjacent to them. There are practically no predatory animals in Great Britain. Foxes and badgers are found in forests and groves, otters, ermines and weasels are widespread, ferrets are found in Wales, and wild European cats and American martens are found in the mountains of Scotland. The British Isles are home to 130 species of birds, but due to the draining of swamps in the country, the populations of ducks, geese and other waterfowl have significantly decreased. Various types of fish are found in the waters off the British Isles: herring, sprat, sardines, mackerel, flounder, cod, haddock, marpan, etc.

State structure, political parties:

The full name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (abbreviated as Great Britain). The political system is a constitutional monarchy. The United Kingdom consists of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland - a total of 47 districts, 7 metropolitan districts, 26 districts, 9 regions and 3 islands. England consists of 39 districts, 7 metropolitan districts, Scotland - from 9 regions and 3 islands, Wales - from 8 districts, Northern Ireland - from 26 districts. In addition, the country includes dependent territories: Anguilla Island, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, Cayman Islands, Isle of Man, Montserrat Island, Pitcairn Islands, St. Helena, Terke and Caicos Islands , the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Capital London. January 1, 1801 is considered the founding day of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The UK does not have a constitution, the basic law is replaced by parliamentary legislative acts adopted by a bicameral parliament, which consists of the House of Lords (upper house) and the House of Commons (lower house). The national holiday (The Queen's Birthday) is celebrated on the second Saturday in June. The head of state is the Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (since February 6, 1962, Queen Elizabeth I has ruled the UK, the heir to the throne is Prince Charles (the queen's son, born November 14, 1948). Real executive power belongs to the prime minister, who forms the Cabinet of Ministers. The most influential political parties: the Conservative Party, the Labor Party, the Liberal Democratic Party.

Economy, transport communications:

London is one of the world's largest trading and financial centers. GNP amounted to $ 10,452 billion in 1994 (GNP per capita - $ 17,980). With significant energy resources (coal, natural gas, oil), the UK has one of the highest rates for industrialized countries in terms of energy production (12% of GDP). Among the most developed industries (22% of GNP): aircraft manufacturing, automotive, shipbuilding, metallurgical industry, coal, oil, chemical, pulp and paper, food, textile. Agriculture, which employs only about 1% of the working population, is highly mechanized and produces about 60% of the food needed for the country's needs. The monetary unit is the pound sterling (1 pound sterling is equal to 100 pence). Main trading partners: Germany, France, the Netherlands, the USA. The total length of railways is 16,629 km (4,205 km are electrified), inland waterways are 2,291 km. Great Britain has a wide road network - 362,982 km (of which 339,483 km are paved), in addition, in Northern Ireland the total length of roads is 23,499 km (22,907 km - paved). The main ports of the country are Dover, Liverpool, London, Southampton, Felixstowe, Hartlepool.

Inhabited by Celtic tribes, the territory of modern Great Britain became a Roman colony of Britain in 43 under Emperor Claudius. Started at the end of the 3rd c. raids on Britain by the Scandinavian tribes, and then the German ones - the Angles and Saxons - put an end to Roman domination in 411. Having forced the Celts to the west of the country, the Angles and Saxons formed during the 5th-9th centuries. seven kingdoms that adopted Christianity from the 6th to the 8th century. In the 9th century Britain began to be subjected to Viking raids, which gradually subjugated all the Saxon kingdoms, except for Wessex, which became the first English kingdom. The Saxon king Edward restored the influence of the Saxon dynasty, but the Saxon troops led by his son Harold were defeated at Hastings in 1066 by the Norman commander William the Conqueror. The Normans had a huge impact on the life of English society, which underwent a serious reorganization - administrative, legal, financial, in addition, the French language spoken by the Norman conquerors left a serious imprint on Saxon culture.

William's descendant Henry I, who became King of England in 1154, founded the Plantagenet dynasty. The dispute between the English kings and the French over land on the continent led to the Hundred Years War between England and France (1330-1435). The defeat in the war and the weakness of King Henry VI led in 1455 to a civil war known as the War of the White and Scarlet Roses, which ended in 1485 with the victory of Henry Tudor (Henry VII). During the reign of the last representative of the Tudor dynasty - Elizabeth I - England reached an unprecedented prosperity, turning into a powerful maritime power. In 1603, James VI of the Scottish Stuart dynasty became King of England. In 1649, a civil war broke out in England, dividing the country into supporters of the king and parliament and ending in 1649 with the proclamation of a republic led by Oliver Cromwell. The monarchy was restored in 1660, when the son of Charles I, Charles II, ascended the English throne. In 1707, an act was signed to unite England and Scotland, which led to the formation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain with a common parliament, which played an increasingly important role in the life of the country. At the end of the 17th century in England, the Tory and Whig political parties were formed (which in the 19th century were transformed, respectively, into the Conservative and Labor parties). After the death of Anna Stuart, the Elector of Hanover George (George I) was invited from Germany to the English throne. In 1783, Great Britain lost part of its colonies in North America (US War of Independence). In 1801, Ireland became part of the United Kingdom. After the defeat of the Napoleonic army at the Battle of Waterloo, Great Britain became one of the leading European powers. The Victorian era, named after Queen Victoria (1837-1901), was characterized by the expansion of the colonial possessions of Great Britain (India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) and the implementation of deep reforms (administration, law, education, army) within the country.

After the end of the First World War, the Irish question again escalated in the country. After the declaration of independence by Ireland in 1921, only the northern part of the island remained in the Kingdom. Great Britain entered the war against Nazi Germany in September 1939, becoming one of the main participants in the anti-Hitler coalition. W. Churchill, who proved to be an outstanding political figure during the Second World War, lost in the elections of 1945 to the representative of the Labor Party, K. Attlee. In the 50s and 60s. almost all the colonies of Great Britain became independent states, some of them remained in the British Commonwealth formed in 1931. One of the most prominent politicians in the UK in the post-war years was M. Thatcher (Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1979-1990), who defeated the trade unions that declared a general strike in 1979 and sent troops to the Falkland Islands in 1982 that Argentina intended to occupy. A serious political problem remains before the British government conflict in Northern Ireland between Catholics and Protestants. After many years of armed clashes between the warring parties in the 90s. a negotiation process has begun, but the British and Irish governments are hindered from reaching an agreement by the periodic resumption of terrorist activities by the Irish Republican Army. In November 1990, M. Thatcher was replaced as Prime Minister by John Major, in May 1997, when the leader of the Labor Party, Anthony Blair, became Prime Minister, the 18-year rule of the Conservatives ended. Great Britain is the main strategic partner of the USA in Europe.

Attractions:

Among the many attractions of the country, one can note the “Giant's Road” in Northern Ireland - rock formations from several thousand multifaceted basalt columns up to 6 meters high. Lake Loch Ness in Scotland, with an area of ​​56 km 2 and a depth of up to 230 m, is famous for the fact that, according to assumptions, a large animal “Nesen” lives in it - the “monster of Loch Ness”. There are more than 30 museums in London, among them the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Gallery, the Tate Gallery. The Metropolitan of the capital is the oldest in Europe, operating since 1863. Among the architectural monuments stand out: a Gothic church (13-18 centuries) with a chapel of Henry VIII (16 century) in Westminster Abbey, where the coronation ceremonies of British monarchs take place; Tower Castle (from the 11th century) - currently a museum complex; Hampton Court Palace (since 1515); cathedral of st. Paul (1675-1710), Buckingham Palace - royal residence; the Palace of Westminster with Big Ben, which has become a symbol of London; Hyde Park.

Participation in international organizations

AfDB, ADB, BIS, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EU, ECA (partner), ECE. ECLAC, EIB, ESCAP, ESA, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, MAP, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, NATO, OECD, UN, UNCTAD, UNHCR, UNIDO, UN Security Council, UN Trusteeship Council, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO.

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What countries borders the UK? and got the best answer

Answer from Larisa[guru]
In addition to those listed, we still need to add a land border with Spain (Gibraltar) And there are countless water borders - A bunch of islands around the world

Answer from Marina Karpukhina (Masko)[guru]
Land border - only with Ireland, of course.

Answer from User deleted[guru]
And by sea - also with France.

Answer from Alexander Voennov[guru]
The border with Ireland is by land. All other borders are maritime. Actually a strange question...

Answer from T T[guru]
When it comes to land borders, Great Britain has no land borders The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has a border with the Republic of Ireland

Answer from Lora ilina[guru]
Great Britain (eng. United Kingdom, full name - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, eng. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) - an island state in Western Europe, the form of government is a constitutional monarchy. The capital is the city of London. The name of the country comes from the English Great Britain. A state in North-Western Europe, on the British Isles (the island of Great Britain and the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, the Isle of Man, and a large number of small islands and archipelagos, the Channel Islands), washed by the Atlantic Ocean and its seas . Area: total - 244.820 thousand km², land - 240.590 thousand km², water - 3.230 thousand km². England (39 counties, 6 metropolitan counties and Greater London) - adm. center London Wales (22 unitary entities: 9 counties, 3 cities and 10 city-counties) - adm. center Cardiff Scotland (12 regions: 9 districts and 3 main territories) - adm. center Edinburgh Northern Ireland (26 districts) - adm. center Belfast Under British control there are 3 territories in the British Isles and 12 overseas territories. Dependent territories with capitals: British Isles Isle of Man (Douglas) Channel Islands Guernsey (St. Peter Port) Jersey (St. Helier) Europe Gibraltar (Gibraltar) America Anguilla (Valley) Bermuda (Hamilton) British Virgin Islands (Road Town) Cayman Islands (Georgetown) Montserrat Island (Plymouth) Turks and Caicos Islands (Cookburntown) Falkland Islands (Port Stanley) South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Atlantic Ocean Saint Island Helena (Jamestown) and its dependent territories - the Ascension Islands and Tristan da Cunha Oceania Pitcairn Island (Adamstown) Indian Ocean British Territory in the Indian Ocean (this territory - the Chagos Archipelago - was created contrary to the decisions of the UN General Assembly)

Answer from 3 answers[guru]

Great Britain - small but incredible attractive kingdom, where tourists from all over the world come to get to know the architectural, cultural and natural attractions of this country, which has left its bright mark on world history.

Once upon a time, Shakespeare was born here, the Beatles arose, the legendary Baker Street appeared and the best universities in the world, Cambridge and Oxford, opened.

Great Britain on the map of the world and Europe

Great Britain occupies a very vast territory of the British archipelago, and the full name of this country sounds like United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. The Commonwealth includes several regions located close to each other.

Where is?

If you look at the map of Europe large, then on it the UK can be found northwest of the continent. The country is spread over two large islands with a total length of 244,100 sq. km. The largest island is called Great Britain, and on it are:

1. England;
2. Wales;
3. Scotland.

Relief

Traveling around the kingdom, many note that Great Britain has diverse landscape, which replaces each other along the way. In just an hour, the plain can be replaced by high hills, and they will be followed by picturesque ones. At the same time, the relief of all countries that make up the UK is very diverse and dissimilar.

The southern half of England is located on the plains, but in places there are hills and uplands. In this part of the country are the famous Dartmoor Hills, towering at an altitude of about 610 meters above sea level. In the eastern part of the island there is a swampy lowland, which was drained for agriculture.

In the north of England revenge is mountainous. Here are the Pennines, which stretch for 350 kilometers.

The "Backbone of England", as the people of the country affectionately call it, separates the northwestern part of the kingdom from Yorkshire.

The highest point of the ridge is Mount Scafell Pike, whose height reaches 2,178 meters.

Scotland considered the most mountainous region, since more than half of its terrain is indented by the Grampian Mountains, located in the Highlands region. Only a tenth of the country is occupied by flat terrain, where the largest part of the population lives.

Landscape Wales similar to the relief of Scotland - it is also mountainous. The Cambrian Mountains are located in the center of the country, and the Snowdon Massif is in the northwest.

Northern Ireland has a flat relief, and in the very center of the country there is a deep lake Lough Nee. The highest point in this region is Slieve Donard (862 meters).

Nature

The coast of Great Britain is washed by two seas - Irish in the West, Northern in the east, and Atlantic Ocean in the South-West. There are many rivers and lakes on the territory of the country, among which the most famous Thames in London. It is the longest river in the country, and its length is 338 km.

In addition to it, in the country the most important navigable water channels are:

• severn;
• Yew;
• Secrets;
• Tweed.

Many lakes are located in Scotland, for example, the famous Loch Ness and Loch Lomond.

In prehistoric times, Great Britain could boast of luxurious nature. Here were incredibly dense forests, which were dominated by oaks, lindens, birches and beech. But by the end of the 20th century, due to human activities, most of the forests were destroyed, and the swamps were drained. Larch, fir and spruce were brought here and this greatly influenced the change in the flora and fauna of the country.

Today, the forest in Great Britain occupies only a tenth of the kingdom, and most of the trees have survived on the mountain slopes, in river valleys or in the south of the country. But, despite this, one gets the impression that when you get to the UK, you find yourself in green region. This is happening as places that have been hit hard by industrialization are being reforested, green fencing is found everywhere, and sanctuaries are being formed.

Animal world Great Britain is rich and varied. It is difficult to name birds and animals that are not here. In the forests there are hares, foxes, wolves and wild boars, as well as otters, raccoons and ermines.

Climate

The UK has a strong name "Foggy Albion", which perfectly characterizes the country's climate - humid and temperate. The weather here is changeable: the morning may turn out to be clear and warm, and in the evening the sky will be covered with clouds and prolonged rain will fall. This climate contributes to the occurrence of fog, which is not uncommon here.

In general, the UK climate is characterized by warm and wet summer and mild winter.

These features are associated with the warm Pacific Gulf Stream, as well as proximity to the sea and high-altitude air jets.

Scotland

This country is second major region Great Britain located on the British Isle. It occupies the northern part of the island, and its territory accounts for about a third of all land.

The country also includes the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland Islands.

Scotland has land borders with England in the south of Great Britain, and water borders with a number of European countries:

1. In the West with Ireland;
2. In the north with and Ireland;
3. in the east with Norway.

The coast of Scotland is washed North Sea in the east and Atlantic Ocean in the west of the country.

Scotland harsh climate, so not many people live here - about 5.2 million people who speak Scottish and English.

There are 9 regions and 32 regions in Scotland. The capital of country - Edinburgh, and other major cities are Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Dundee.

The country is known throughout the world for its traditions, luxurious nature, especially mountains and lakes, as well as the stunning architecture of local ancient castles, which are more than one thousand years old.

Wales

Wales - the smallest region Great Britain, located on the British Isle and occupying its eastern part. Only about 2.9 million people live in this country in an area of ​​​​20,776 square meters. km divided into 22 regions. It also includes the island of Anglesey, located in the southwest of England.

Wales has land borders with England in the east, and water - through the Bristol Bay on South. Also, the water borders across the Strait of St. George separate Wales and Ireland. The north of the country is washed by the Irish Sea.

The capital of Wales, Cardiff, is a city inhabited by the ancestors of the Celts, so you can often hear the Welsh language here.

Other major cities in the region include Swansea and newport.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is located apart from England, Scotland and Wales, since this country is located on a separate island in the northwest of the UK. The country is divided into 6 counties and 26 districts. Belfast is considered the largest city and, accordingly, the capital.

Scotland is closest to Ireland - it is located in the east, or rather on the other side of the North Channel.

The country also borders on the south and west with Ireland. The water borders of the country are in the southeast with by the Irish Sea, and in the southwest with Atlantic Ocean.

This country is home to about 1.9 million people, among which the indigenous inhabitants of the island are only 500 thousand people, and the rest are Anglo-Irish and Scotch-Irish - people belonging to different religions. On the basis of this, conflicts constantly flared up in Northern Ireland, but in the last ten years they have almost subsided.

Detailed UK map with cities

Great Britain is interesting not only for its sights, but also for the many large and small cities scattered across its territory. The largest cities are marked with the status "City", which grants no privileges other than prestige.

London

London is not only the capital of England, but also of the whole of Great Britain, and it has been fulfilling this role for two thousand years. From a small settlement, it has become largest metropolis(by the standards of Europe), first being the main city of Roman Britain, then England and finally Great Britain.

It plays an important role in the politics, economy and culture of Great Britain and is the most important financial and political center of Europe.

Here are the headquarters of such leading companies as HSBS, Barclay and Reuters, as well as the London Stock Exchange.

During a walk around the city, sights come across at every corner:

• Tower;
• Big Ben;
• Trafalgar Square;
• Buckingham Palace;
• Westminster Abbey.

Of great interest to the guests of the British capital are ancient streets located in the Westminster area, and squares that keep the history of the country.

There are two main airports in the United Kingdom near London - Heathrow and Gatwick where planes arrive from all over the world.

Belfast

Belfast is famous capital of Northern Ireland located in County Antrim. The city is located on the coast of the Irish Sea at the mouth of the Lagan River. Such a convenient location is very good for the country, since here is the largest seaport and numerous shipbuilding enterprises, one of which was built by the infamous Titanic. The city has a well-developed oil refining and electrical industry, as well as instrument making.

Belfast, as a city, was formed only by the 19th century, and capital status received in 1921, although its territory was inhabited in the Bronze Age. Since the city received a new status, bloody skirmishes on the basis of religion began to take place in it. Here, Catholics and Protestants staged armed clashes between themselves, which were only completed in 1998.

Today Belfast is a large city with a population of about 600 thousand people and its number is growing every year.

Tourists come here for a vast number of attractions, such as, for example, Donegall Square or sculpture "Big fish", which contains a capsule with important information about the city.

Birmingham

Birmingham is another major city in central England, located in county of the West Midlands. During the war, the city was badly damaged, many residents died and houses were destroyed, but by 1990 it was returned to its former appearance, slightly improved. Today it is home to 1.2 million people, and in terms of population it is second only to London, the capital of Great Britain.

Birmingham was known throughout the world as a developed center for handicrafts and metal forging.

In wartime, several strategically important factories producing military products appeared here. Unfortunately, all of them were destroyed due to the most severe bombardment by German aircraft.

Today, Birmingham is so famous that it attracts tourists with unusual contrasts: next to the industrial zones are the main sights of the city, and former factories are turning into art galleries. Because of this, the city incredibly in demand at tourists.

When planning a trip to the British Isle, carefully calculate your budget. Will help you on how to fly to Europe and not be penniless.

Bristol

Bristol is one of the most important cities for the UK, as well as major port in central England, with an extensive maritime history.

In fact, Bristol is located on river avon, and not on the sea, and through it has access to Bristol Bay and the Atlantic.

Thanks to this, throughout their history, local residents actively cultivated their capital through trade with the United States and the West Indies.

Today Bristol is the capital of the county of the same name, as well as a major business, cultural and educational center in the southwestern part of England. Shipbuilding, sugar production, cotton fabrics and carpets flourish here.

Bristol is the fourth most popular city in the UK, where tourists go first thing to get to know the country better. This place has lots of attractions, some of which belong to the XI century - the century of the foundation of the city. Particularly attractive seems to be Georgian architecture, which is considered a rarity for the country.

Cardiff

This city is the capital of Wales, as well as one of the main cities in the UK, with the status of "city". This status was granted to him at the beginning of the last century for the rapid growth of industry in Wales.

In an instant, Cardiff was turned into the main port of the country, from where coal was transported to other British regions. This made it possible to quickly and noticeably increase the population.

Cardiff is located on the coast of Bristol Bay near Newport. On the west side it borders the Vale of Glamorgan, and on the north it is surrounded by two other valleys of Wales - Caerphilly and Rhontha Cynon Taw.

The city itself was built on the bottom of a drained swamp - on a foundation of rock formations.

Today there are about 350 thousand people.

Despite the small size of Wales and Cardiff (by UK standards), this city has many attractions:

1. Millennium Stadium;
2. National Assembly for Wales;
3. Llandaff Cathedral.

In the vicinity of Cardiff, there are also many attractions in Wales associated with culture and history countries.

Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland is the second most popular city that tourists prefer to visit when they are in the United Kingdom. This happens for several reasons. First of all, Edinburgh is home to many attractions, as well as a place where the biggest and most beautiful festivals countries.

Edinburgh is located on the east coast of Scotland and on the south shore of the Firth of Forth.

About 470 thousand people live here, which is much less than in another large city in this country - in Glasgow. The first mention of it appeared in 1170, and in the XII century Edinburgh became the capital of Scotland when King David I moved the royal court from Dunfermline to Edinburgh Castle.

Today the city is actively growing and developing. There is major university with a worldwide reputation (Edinburgh City University). There are also many government offices in the city.

Glasgow

The first largest city in Scotland and the third in the UK is located 32 km from the mouth of the river Clyde. Today there are about 1.8 million inhabitants, but their number is steadily growing, thanks to the fact that Glasgow is considered the largest industrial center of the country, where great achievements of the industry are constantly taking place.

In the Middle Ages, Glasgow was known as religious and educational center of Scotland, but after the Industrial Revolution, it turned into the most significant industrial region of the country, second only to London in this. The main direction of the city development program was shipbuilding.

When the growth of industry began in Glasgow, its population increased significantly. Local merchants who had made their fortune trading goods from America began equip the city. Beautiful buildings, impressive warehouses, as well as squares and lawns appeared here.

Glasgow's only problem was the most terrible slum in Europe - immoral settlements that existed here until the 20th century. The city managed to cope with this problem, in connection with which in 1990 it received the status "European Capital of Culture". Now here are the most beautiful sights, surrounded by picturesque nature.

Liverpool

The city made famous by the famous "Liverpool Four", was once just a small settlement in England in the county of Merseyside, formed in the west of the British Isle.

Due to its location, in one moment it turned from a small and dirty village into a major port, through which more than 40% of the world's trade flow was transported.

It was also convenient to trade with Ireland from here, since the island is located very close.

In 1715, the first in England opened in Liverpool. port dock, and already in 1880 it received the status of a city. Today, about 1.3 million people live here, and even more tourists come here to get acquainted with the many sights of the city, from the old palace of the XIII century to the famous bar where the famous Beatles performed.

Manchester

The city with the richest history of industrialization is the third largest popularity as a tourist destination UK and England. Manchester has always been distinguished by a fairly developed handicraft and active trade, but during the Industrial Revolution it seized a leading position, turning into the textile center of Britain.

A large role in such an active development of Manchester was played by spinning machines, steam engines, proximity to coal mines and the port of Liverpool.

All this allowed the city to quickly reach an unprecedented scale, and rich merchants to invest a lot of money in the cultural development of the city. Everywhere began to build galleries, public parks.

Manchester sprawled on the western slope Pennines on the banks of the River Erwell, and about 2.3 million people live on its territory. Today it is considered an important cultural, industrial and financial center of the country.

Newcastle upon Tyne

The largest city in the North East of England Greater Manchester, has long been known as a large commercial, financial and industrial center of the country.

It first arose in the small county of Tyne and Wear. For a long time Newcastle was the capital of the notorious Northumberland, and after - a center for coal mining and an important city with a population of 300 thousand people.

The importance of the city in the UK is evidenced by the presence of its own subway.

Today Newcastle is known as student center. The city is home to two well-known prestigious universities - Northumbria and Newcastle, as well as State College No. 1. More than 40 thousand students of various specialties study within the walls of the college alone.

Newcastle has its own attractions:

• Royal Theater;
• Art galleries;
• Millennium Bridge;
• St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral;
• St. Nicholas Anglican Cathedral.

There are also many in the city modern shopping centers, which are more here than in any other English city.

Oxford

The city, which is home to the world famous university, ranked first in the top 100 best educational institutions in the world, is located in southern England on the banks of the Thames and is the capital of Oxfordshire. About 160 thousand people live here, among which 10% are students.

The first mention of the city dates back to the 10th century, when it was taken over by King Edward I, who founded a fortress here to protect against Viking raids.

In the second half of the 12th century, a university appeared in Oxford, which gave the world 50 Nobel laureates. Few people know, but in addition to Oxford University, there are excellent colleges:

1. Christ Church;
2. Magdalen College.

All these ancient abode of knowledge are located in buildings with luxurious old architecture, therefore, in themselves are the main attractions of the city.

Cambridge

The city, located in the south of England near London, is the capital County of Cambridgeshire, but he received the status of "city" quite recently. To many, Cambridge is known as another place where the famous university is located, which is included in the top 5 best educational institutions in the world.

About 120 thousand people live here, some of which are students Cambridge and King's College.

The first mention of Cambridge dates back to the VIII century, and already in the Middle Ages the city became one of the centers of the concentration of forces supporting the Parliament. In the 15th century, Henry VI himself founded the famous King's College, which is considered not only an important educational institution, but also the most beautiful architectural monument of Great Britain.

nottingham

Nottingham is located in the heart of England on the River Trent and is capital of Nottingshire with a population of about 300 thousand people. The city has a well-developed knitwear industry, mechanical engineering, food and flavor enterprises, as well as coal mining and pharmaceuticals, but popularity came to it thanks to the well-known good-natured robber Robin Hood.

Great Britain has played a significant role on the world map, showing itself as the strongest state, influencing the rest of the world, as well as creating excellent conditions for tourist trips.

United Kingdom (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) is a state located in Western Europe. The UK is one of the seven most developed countries in the world. The UK is a member of the European Union, but is not part of the Schengen area - in order to enter the country, a visa is required, all arriving in the UK go through passport control and customs clearance. The UK is on the list of countries that possess nuclear weapons. The population of the country is 63 million people. The capital of Great Britain is the city . It is the largest city in the European Union. The largest cities in the UK: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, Belfast, Aberdeen, Cardiff. London and Birmingham are the two largest cities in the country with over a million people.

Great Britain borders on land only with. The remaining borders of the state are maritime and relatively conditional. Only along the English Channel there is a clear sea border with. The UK is 97% surrounded by sea, with the exception of the land section with Ireland.

The state is located in the British Isles, so the abbreviated name of the country is sometimes used - Britain. Very often Great Britain is referred to as England, which is fundamentally wrong, since England is only the central part of Great Britain along with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The country is located simultaneously in the Eastern and Western hemispheres. The zero meridian of geographic longitude passes through the Greenwich Observatory in London. The standard time of Great Britain coincides with the universal time.

Britain is connected to mainland Europe by the Eurotunnel, a 50 km long underwater railway line between the British city and the Folkestone railway station and the French city of Calais. The highway was laid across the English Channel. Both passenger and road transport are carried out. With Northern Ireland and Ireland, the UK can communicate only by sea, ferries.

Great Britain stretches from north to south for almost 1200 kilometers. The state is located in one climatic zone - oceanic. Forests in the country occupy an area of ​​approximately 6% and are found both in northern Scotland and in the south of England and Wales. There are almost no forests in Northern Ireland.

Two types of relief prevail in the country: flat (in the south and east) and mountainous (in the west and north). Of the mountain ranges, the most famous is the Scottish Highlands, located in the north of Scotland.

The highest point in the UK is located in the north of Scotland - Mount Ben Nevis, an altitude of 1344 meters. It is located in the Scottish Highlands, the Grampian Mountains.

The largest rivers in Great Britain are the Thames and the Severn. Their length is about 400 km. From other rivers are also known: Clyde, Eden, Dee, Tyne. The largest lakes in the country: Loch Neagh (Northern Ireland), Loch Ness (Scotland), Lake Bala (Wales), Lake Windermere (England).

Great Britain has a very complex administrative-territorial division. First of all, the whole country is divided into four large historical regions: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Each of these historical regions has its own administrative-territorial division.

England is divided into nine regions: Greater London, South East England, South West England, West Midlands, North West England, North East England, Yorkshire and Harber, East Midlands, East England. Greater London is divided into districts, all other regions are divided into counties. The number of counties in England exceeds two hundred! The capital of England is London. England is located in the center of Great Britain and is approximately equal in area to half of the entire country.

Scotland is divided into thirty-two regions: Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Western Isles, Glasgow, East Dumbartonshire, West Dumbartonshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee, Inverclyde , Clackmannshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Lothian, West Lothian, Midlothian, Moray, Orkney, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, Stirling, Fife, Falkirk, Highland, Shetland, Scottish Bodders, Edinburgh. The informal capital of Scotland is the city of Edinburgh. Scotland is the northernmost part of Great Britain, in the north of Scotland and the islands you can observe "white nights".

Wales, like Scotland, is also divided into regions. There are twenty-two of them: Merthyr Tydville, Caerphilly, Blynan Gwent, Thorvine, Monmouthshire, Newport, Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend, Rhontha Cynon Toave, Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmatenshire, Ceredigion, Powys, Wrexham, Flintshire , Denbighshire, Conwy, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Pembrokeshire.

And, finally, Northern Ireland also has its own division, unlike Scotland and Wales, it is not divided into regions, but into counties, like England. There are six of them: Fermanagh, Tyron, Londonderry, Antrim, Down, Armagh.

Let's not forget that Britain was once the most powerful maritime power on the planet and it still has numerous overseas possessions that are accountable to the British crown! These are the British Overseas Territories and the British Crown Lands. British Overseas Territories include: Antilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory (conditionally), British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Pitcairn Island, Turks and Caicos Islands, Falkland Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Sovereign Military Bases in Cyprus.

The British crown lands are administered by the British crown. There are only three of them: Ballei Island (Channel Islands), Jersey in the English Channel and the Isle of Man (Irish Sea). It should also not be overlooked that the symbolic power of the British Queen remains over Canada and Australia, as these were once the two largest overseas possessions of the United Kingdom.

Therefore, Great Britain ranks first in the world in terms of the complexity of the administrative-territorial division, which, however, does not prevent it from effectively managing all its metropolises and overseas territories.

Map

Roads

The UK has a very well developed network of roads and railways. As in, by train you can get to almost any city in the country, and the English autobahns are no different from German ones in terms of quality and speed. It is possible to cross the whole country by car within one day (12 hours of travel).

The UK also has excellent air links. London Heathrow Airport is considered the second transit European airport after the German Frankfurt am Main. It is London that is most often chosen as a transit point when traveling to the USA and Canada.

Story

Great Britain has its own unique and inimitable history. Until 1707, all four of its main parts (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) had their own way of development. Therefore, British history before 1707 should also be considered separately in the context of the historical development of each of its parts, and after 1707 - already as a single whole country. Let's start with England.

Until 1707, England went through the following historical periods:

a) the settlement of the territory of modern England by the tribes of the Angles and Saxons - the ancestors of the future Englishmen - this process went on until the eleventh century BC;

b) the conquest of English lands by Ancient Rome and the colonization of Britain - until 410 AD;

c) the emergence of separate English kingdoms - until 900 of the last century;

d) raids on the British Isles by the Vikings, the annexation of the territory of England under the rule of the Kingdom of Denmark - until 1066;

e) England under the rule of the Normans - until 1100;

f) annexation of Wales - in the twelfth century;

g) continuous wars with Scotland - the next 5 centuries.

Wales before joining the United Kingdom had a different history:

a) the settlement of the territory of modern Wales by the Britons;

b) the conquest by Ancient Rome - before 410;

c) the emergence of separate kingdoms on the territory of modern Wales;

d) accession to England - in 1282.

Northern Ireland by 1707 was on its way:

a) the appearance on the island of Ireland of Norwegian and Danish Viking settlers;

b) the beginning of the colonization of Ireland by the British - in the twelfth century;

c) Ireland under English rule - until 1707.

A characteristic feature of the history of this part of Britain was that in 1949 a new European state, Ireland, was formed and declared its independence, and only its northern part, Northern Ireland, became part of the United Kingdom.

Scotland was the main competitor of England for dominance in the British Isles and has its own unique history:

a) the inclusion of the territory of modern Scotland into the structure of Ancient Rome; these were the northernmost lands of ancient Roman civilization;

b) the collapse of Ancient Rome, the emergence of Celtic tribes and Vikings;

c) the creation of several separate Scottish kingdoms;

d) war with England - more than five hundred years;

e) the accession of Scotland to England and the loss of independence in the thirteenth century.

In 1707, a union was signed between England and Scotland. From now on, one country appeared on the British Isles - Great Britain. And since 1707, all its historical parts have the same history:

a) wars since the beginning of the eighteenth century;

b) further colonization of Ireland and Wales;

c) the wars with Napoleon - the beginning of the nineteenth century;

d) the final accession of Ireland - 1800;

e) the reign of Queen Victoria - profound transformations in the country (1837-1901);

f) the end of the colonization of overseas lands - the beginning of the twentieth century;

g) participation in the First World War (1914 - 1917);

h) participation in World War II (1944-1945);

i) the era of conservatives and the fight against terrorism in Northern Ireland (80s of the last century)

j) modern history of Great Britain within the European Union.

Minerals

The UK is rich in minerals. All three strategically important raw materials - oil, gas and coal - are produced in large quantities and the UK is completely self-sufficient in these fuels.

In addition, fluorite, tin, rock and table salt, refractory clay, shale, iron ores, copper, lead, zinc, barite, tungsten, limestone, dolomite, sand, gypsum, and peat are mined in the British Isles.

Climate

The climate of the whole of Great Britain is oceanic. It is colder in the north of Scotland than in the south of England due to the large extent of the country in the latitudinal direction. Summer is cool, not hot, although there are quite warm days. Winters are mild, in the north of Scotland - snowy and frosty. In the rest of the country, snow falls for a short time.

Scotland is the mountainous northern part of Great Britain, occupying ancient mountains cut by rapids and deep gorges with lakes. Despite the fact that Scotland is just a part of the kingdom, it has its own parliament. The capital Edinburgh is a city of fortresses and castles. The traditional dress of the Scots is the checkered kilt. Cells on the fabric (tartan) speak of belonging to the historical […]

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is located in the British Isles. Sometimes we traditionally call the country England, although this is only the name of the largest historical part of the state. In addition, the Kingdom includes Scotland and Wales. Great Britain is a great maritime power that is proud of its navigators (among whom once were pirates), conquerors, explorers, scientists and writers. English […]

The monuments of the Industrial Revolution in England, where the world's first industrial society was formed, include several old factories, factory villages, industrial landscapes and individual buildings of the early industrial era. In the valley of the river Derwent, for the first time, industrial buildings were inscribed in the rural landscape of England. This happened back in the second half of the 18th century, when the Jenny cotton spinning machine was invented, all 16 spindles of which were […]

Over time, the defensive nature of buildings is lost in England - castles become palaces. The defining type of architecture in England are the estates. The high front hall - the hall - began to serve as the center of the residential estate. The decoration of the halls combines elements of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Wide staircases lead to the "long gallery" - a place of ceremonial meetings, balls and banquets. Portraits of ancestors hung in the gallery. […]

The Skelling Islands, located southwest of the island of Ireland, are world famous for their early Christian period monastic complex dating back to the 7th century BC. On the steep slopes of the rocky island of Skelling Michael rises the monastery of Galarus Oratori. The shape of the island resembles a boat turned upside down. The steps leading to the top, and several huts-cells, similar in shape to bee hives, have been preserved. The oldest functioning church in Great Britain, built at the turn of the 6th-7th centuries, […]

In the southwest of England is the most famous monument of the Bronze Age - Stonehenge ("stone fence"). This is a giant stone ring, consisting of huge sandstone pillars, overlapped in pairs with the same slabs. Stone blocks weighing up to 1.5 tons were brought here tens of kilometers from Wales. The appearance of Stonehenge changed several times from 3800 to 1800 BC. Regarding the purpose of Stonehenge, there is […]

The structure of the British tourist micro-region of the Western European tourist meso-region includes two states: Great Britain and Ireland. The British micro-region is characterized, first of all, by a large number of historical and cultural monuments. There are also territories with natural attractiveness (Wales, Scotland, Northern England, etc.). The cultural specificity of the UK is determined by the Protestant religion (in England and Wales - the Anglican Church, in Scotland - the Presbyterian Church), and Ireland […]

If you get out of the train car at Waverley Station Central Station, climb the stairs of the same name, go to the main street of Edinburgh, Princes Street, you will immediately find yourself in the city center. The Old Town is well preserved, where ancient castles do not let you forget about its history. In the 5th century, the Picts, the original population of Scotland, built a fortification on Castle Rock, for which they fought for two centuries with their neighbors […]

For the inhabitants of foggy Albion, the house is everything. Start dreaming about your own home from childhood. The life of an Englishman is basically a house, a fireplace, a garden in the backyard. It is necessary to note the extraordinary constancy in the character of a typical Englishman. Breakfast is almost always the same: a plate of oatmeal with water and no salt, an egg with a piece of bacon, and a cup of coffee. Traditions here are not only […]

Demographically, the UK is a typical Western European country with low birth and death rates and almost zero natural growth. This modern situation contrasts sharply with the 19th century, when, despite massive emigration to all corners of the world, the population of the country almost tripled. Life expectancy is high - about 78 years. The United Kingdom today is a multinational and multiracial state. […]

The per capita gross domestic product (PPP) at the beginning of the century exceeded $25,000 per year. Total GDP is approaching $1.5 trillion. The range of industries in the UK economy is huge and comparable in foreign Europe only with Germany. There are several dozens of industries of specialization in the world market, r Agriculture provides about 2% of the country's GDP, […]

Great Britain is an island nation separated from continental Europe by the narrow Pas de Calais (Strait of Dover). The closest overseas neighbors from the south and southeast are France to Belgium. To the west is Ireland, which occupies most of the island of the same name. The main natural factor that determines quite acceptable conditions for life is the North Atlantic Gulf Stream, which warms the archipelago like a battery. New Year's Eve in London, which […]

The official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Parliamentary monarchy. The monarch (since 1952, Queen Elizabeth II) is simultaneously the head of parliament, the Anglican Church and the Commonwealth, which unites 54 states - former colonies and dominions, with a total population of more than 1 billion people. The highest body of executive power is the government, and its head, the prime minister, is the real leader of the […]

Queen Elizabeth II Land area 30,414 sq. miles (78,772 sq. km.) Population (1996) 5,128,000 Population density per sq. km. m 168.6 Capital (2003) Edinburgh, 663,700 Largest cities Glasgow, 1,361,000 Currency Pound Sterling

Geography: Scotland occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. It borders on England in the south, and on the other three sides it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the west and north and the North Sea in the east. Scotland is divided into three physical regions - the Highlands; the central lowlands containing two-thirds of the country's population; and the Southern Uplands. The west coast of the Highlands is completely intersected by long, narrow […]

The largest national park in England is located in the northwest in Lancashire on the border with Scotland. From the west it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The park is notable for its many green valleys, low steep hills, and picturesque lakes. Medieval settlements located on the territory of the park harmoniously merge with the mountain landscape. The name of the area was given by 16 lakes. The largest, about 20 km long, […]

Great is the contribution of Great Britain to the treasury of world science, primarily to the development of the natural and technical sciences. Among the outstanding scientists - physicists, chemists, biologists - I. Newton, R. Boyle, R. Hooke, J. Joule, M. Faraday, J. Maxwell, C. Darwin, Cavendish, E. Rutherford. The works of British philosophers, sociologists, historians, economists - R. Bacon, T. More, Fr. […]

The UK is one of the largest economically developed countries in the world. In 2000, the GDP was £859.1 billion. (in prices and PPP 1995), 5th in the world after the USA, Japan, Germany and France. UK share of world GDP 3.0% (2002). In the same year, its GDP per capita was £14,000. The share of the country […]

Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy. Unlike most countries in the world, in the UK there is no Constitution, which would be a single document, it consists of various parliamentary acts - statutes, court decisions and constitutional customs. The constitution may be amended by an act of parliament or by general agreement to change constitutional custom. Head of State - Queen Elizabeth II (born April 21, 1926), ascended […]