GREAT BRITAIN
state in Western Europe, a constitutional monarchy. Located on the British Isles and separated from mainland Europe by the North Sea, the Pas de Calais and the English Channel. The isolated position influenced the historical development of the country. It consists of England, Scotland and Wales, located on the largest island of Great Britain, and Northern Ireland, which occupies the northern part of the second largest island of Ireland. The Isle of Man, located in the Irish Sea between the two mentioned islands, and the Channel Islands form independent administrative units. The total area of ​​the country is 244 thousand square meters. km, population 57.4 million people (1994). In short, the country is called the United Kingdom, as well as Great Britain or simply Britain. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Capital London. Population: 57.4 million (1994) Density: 235 people per 1 sq. km. Urban population: 93%. Rural population: 7%. Area: 244,019 sq. km. Highest point: Mount Ben Nevis (1343 m) State language: English. Predominant religion: Lutheranism. Administrative-territorial division: 53 counties and Greater London in England and Wales, 9 regions and 3 island territories in Scotland, 26 counties in Northern Ireland. Currency: 1 pound sterling = 100 new pennies. National anthem: "God Save the Queen"

The United Kingdom has evolved over many centuries. In the early Middle Ages, a number of small states were located on this territory. In the 11th century on the site of present-day England, a single feudal state already existed. In 1284 the English kingdom captured Wales, and in 1536 it became an integral part of the country. After 1603 England (together with Wales) and Scotland were ruled by Scottish kings, and in 1707 they united under the name of Great Britain. In 1801, the entire island of Ireland was annexed to the country, but most of its territory was lost in 1922. The island was divided into Northern Ireland, which remained part of Great Britain, and the independent state of Ireland. The history of the British Isles has been intertwined with the history of Europe since the 11th century, when the Normans conquered England. After the 16th century and over the next 400 years, British rule extended over vast colonial territories. Up until the 1940s, it could be argued that "the sun never sets on the British Empire." Along with the expansion of British rule, the English language and forms of British government spread across the globe. Britain established wide-ranging trade links; she was the first to create modern industry using machine production. In the 19th century the country became the world's largest manufacturer and exporter of manufactured goods. In the 20th century In connection with the strengthening of the role of the United States and Germany, and later Japan and the USSR, the importance of Great Britain as a world power has weakened. After the Second World War, a national liberation movement unfolded in the colonies of the British Empire, and the British Empire fell apart; many states that gained independence joined the Commonwealth of Nations (until 1947 - the British Commonwealth of Nations). GREAT BRITAIN. NATURE
GREAT BRITAIN. POPULATION
GREAT BRITAIN. SOCIETY
GREAT BRITAIN. SCIENCE AND CULTURE
GREAT BRITAIN. STORY

(Coronation in Delhi, December 12, 1911)

Collier Encyclopedia. - Open society. 2000 .

Synonyms:

See what "GREAT BRITAIN" is in other dictionaries:

1) an island within the British Isles; Great Britain. Other Rome is mentioned. authors in the 1st century. BC e. as Britain (Britannia), the name from the Celt, the ethnonym of the Britons, Britons. In the 5th century part of the Britons moves to the mainland, where Malaya is formed ... ... Geographic Encyclopedia

Great Britain- Great Britain. Parliament in Belfast, Northern Ireland. GREAT BRITAIN (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), a state in Northwestern Europe, in the British Isles (the island of Great Britain and the northeastern part ... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

I is the largest island in the British Isles. The area is about 230 thousand km2. See UK (state). II Britain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Britain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), a state in the North West. Europe, on the British Isles (United Kingdom and the northeastern part of Ireland, the Isle of Man and ... ...

Albion, Britain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, British Empire, United Kingdom, world workshop, British lion Dictionary of Russian synonyms. Great Britain n. England United Kingdom … … Synonym dictionary

The largest island in the British Isles. Area approx. 230 thousand km². See UK (state)... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

- (Great Britain), the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a state in Western Europe, on numerous islands, including in the northeastern part of the island of Ireland. In the UK, preserved ... ... Art Encyclopedia

GREAT BRITAIN- (Great Britain), United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), state in North. Zap. Europe, on the British Islands. Leader of the Commonwealth. V. consists of four historical. national… … Demographic Encyclopedic Dictionary

GREAT BRITAIN- (sanitary condition and health care setting). Great Britain (without its colonies, i.e. England and Wales) covers an area of ​​151.052 sq. km. km, with a population of 39.067.000 inhabitants in 1926 (this does not include the population of Scotland 4.897.000 and ... Big Medical Encyclopedia

Great Britain and England are frequently used country names in the media.

These are not two variants of the name of one country, but two different states, between which there is a certain difference.

Great Britain(Russian name from English. Great Britain) or United Kingdom(United Kingdom, abbreviated UK), the full official name is United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland(English T the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), is an island nation located in the northwest of continental Europe.

The political union of Scotland and England (including Wales) led to the formation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707.

The form of government is a parliamentary monarchy.

The state religion is the Anglican Church, Protestantism.

The form of government is a unitary state, although Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales (3 out of 4 historical provinces) have enjoyed limited autonomy since the end of the 20th century.

Capital - London(English) London[ˈlʌndən]) is the capital and largest city of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, one of the largest cities in Europe and one of the largest financial and economic centers of the world.

Official languages: English(in fact), in Wales - Welsh.

The state religion is the Anglican Church, Protestantism.

Geographical position

The state is located on the British Isles (the island of Great Britain, the northeastern part of the island of Ireland, as well as a large number of smaller islands and archipelagos, including the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland Islands, Anglesey, Arran, White) in the Atlantic Ocean. It is washed by the Northern, Irish, Celtic and Hebrides seas. The English Channel separates the southeast coast of Great Britain from the north coast of France.

The area of ​​Great Britain is 243,809 km²(78th in the world), of which land - 240,579 km², inland waters - 3230 km².

Government of Great Britain

Great Britain includes several vast regions, where England represents the historical core of the Kingdom. State sovereignty extends to 14 territories - Bermuda, Gibraltar, St. Helena, Maine, Orkney, Hybrid, Channel Islands and others. Provinces: Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Largest cities: Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Sheffield, Liverpool, Edinburgh. Formally, the head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. The UK is one of the largest European countries. The high status of the UK among one of the largest European states is confirmed by the country's permanent membership in the UN Security Council and the presence of a nuclear potential. The United Kingdom does not have a unified legal system. The judicial bodies of Great Britain in their activities are guided by three judicial systems, in which there are significant differences: English law, the law of Northern Ireland and the law of Scotland.

General information about England

England (English England [ˈɪŋɡlənd]) is a state (kingdom) within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Great Britain). The largest administrative and political part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The population of England is 84% ​​of the total population of the UK.

England became a union of once warring kingdoms in 927. The name of the country comes from the name of one of the Germanic tribes that settled there in the 5th and 6th centuries - the Angles. The capital of England is London, the largest city in Great Britain.

England is the birthplace of the English language and the Anglican Church, and English law forms the basis of the legal systems of many countries; in addition, London was the center of the British Empire, and the country was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. England was the first industrialized country in the world, and also a country with a parliamentary democracy, whose constitutional, governmental and legal innovations were adopted by other nations and countries.

The Kingdom of England, including the Principality of Wales, was a separate state until May 1, 1707, when it united with Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain.

England is currently made up of 9 regions and 48 ceremonial counties. An important role in the English economy is played by agriculture, industrial production, the high-tech industry and the sports industry. The form of government is a parliamentary monarchy (there is no constitution, it is controlled by the monarch, parliament and the government of Great Britain). The state religion is Anglicanism. The names of the inhabitants are Englishman, Englishwoman, Englishmen.
Currency - pound sterling.
Telephone code - +44
Time zones are Greenwich Mean Time.

Geographical position

England occupies two thirds of the island of Great Britain. Territory - 133,396 km². The landscape of England consists mainly of sloping hills, the terrain becomes more mountainous towards the north. The mountainous and flat terrain are conventionally divided along a line running between the mouth of the Teess (Teesside) in the northeast and the mouth of the Aix (Devon) in the southwest. To the east is low-lying marshland, which has mostly been drained for agricultural use.

It borders Scotland to the north and Wales to the west. The six largest cities in England (in descending order of population): London, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and Manchester.

Thus, "Great Britain", or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, is the name of the state, while England is the dominant region of Great Britain.

What countries are part of the UK? rich in history and culture, it intertwines the traditions of four historical and geographical regions, which are distinguished by their religious characteristics. This island nation has many interesting facts.

The history of the formation of Great Britain dates back to the 1st century BC, when almost all the lands were under the rule of the Romans. The latter initiated the construction of cities and proclaimed Christianity. Later, in the 5th century AD, the Germanic tribes captured the islands and drove out the Romans, giving the country the name England.

In the IX-XI centuries. Great Britain was regularly attacked by the Vikings, and in 1066 the island was conquered by the Duke of Normandy William, who later became King William I of England. Around this time, the English language was formed, combining Scandinavian, German and French words.

England developed rapidly. And at the end of the 16th century, international trade became the most developed type of activity.

The main competitor of the state in this industry was Spain, which at that time was at war with Holland. In this struggle, England actively supported Holland. Later, Britain repeatedly showed its strength in the military issue, capturing and colonizing new lands in Australia, Asia, America, Africa and Oceania.

Map of the colonies of the British Empire

In 1707, Great Britain consisted of England, Wales and Scotland, and 100 years later Ireland joined the union. But at the beginning of the 20th century, part of Ireland defended its independence and withdrew from the union, and Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the country began to develop rapidly economically. Trade still occupied a significant place. Gradually, Great Britain received the status of a great naval state, turning into an industrialized power.

In the 20th century, the world was shocked by two wars in which Great Britain took the position of future winners. But over time, the influence of the state became less, and in the second half of the 20th century it lost some of its colonies.

Interesting facts about the UK are described in this video:

In 1973, the United Kingdom joined the European Union, and English became the international language. But later, the country was in for a severe economic downturn, which brought unemployment to the migration of Africans. Recently, the government has taken up the development of industry and science.

UK government

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is located in the British Isles located in Western Europe. Two straits separate the islands from the mainland: the English Channel and the Pas de Calais. The state occupies the entire part of the island of Great Britain, the northern part of the island of Ireland and a large number of the British Isles.

UK and Ireland, political map

The country covers an area of ​​244 thousand square meters. km. About 65 million people live in the UK. The capital of the state is London, and its current ruler is Queen Elizabeth II.

As you know, Britain is a constitutional monarchy, the government of which consists of the reigning monarch and parliament, which forms the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Such a government has practically unlimited influence in matters relating to population and territory. The throne is inherited by seniority. The eldest son or eldest daughter is appointed monarch if there are no sons in the family.

UK composition

The countries that make up the UK are as follows:

• England;
• Scotland;
• Wales;
• Northern Ireland.

England

Everyone knows England as Foggy Albion. It rains here almost every day. But the government of England cares about the ecology of the capital and the whole country. Despite the gloomy weather, the capital of the state, London, is a city with a friendly population. It is visited by many tourists, because there is something to see here. The most famous sights are Tower Bridge, Big Ben, British Museum, Westminster Abbey. Buckingham Palace, home of the royal family, has become accessible to tourists.

Scotland

In 2012, a referendum took place in Scotland. According to its results, Scotland as part of the UK decided to stay. The country is known for whiskey, kilt and bagpipes. The expanses of the state lie on 787 islands. The capital of the country is Edinburgh. The state has not only thousands of years of tradition and a rich history full of wars, but also a charming nature. Majestic castles, mountain spirit and rocky coasts make Scotland a popular tourist destination. The Scots are distinguished by their wayward temperament, they are independent and extraordinary, sociable and friendly, but will not open up to a stranger.

Wales

The Principality of Wales occupies a small area in the western part of the island of Great Britain with a population of 3 million people. The capital of Wales is Cardiff. The country is a land of amazing landscapes and majestic medieval castles, of which there are countless. Speaking about the beauty of the area, it is impossible to convey in words all the uniqueness of architecture. This historic region of Great Britain is known for its cheeses, tender beef and lamb, and seafood is also popular here.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is known as a major European student center and has a rich culture. The capital of Ireland is Belfast, the city famous for building the Titanic. Among the sights of Northern Ireland are the Giants' Road, Oxford, Glenarif and Cabble National Parks, Coole Castle.

Great Britain - a country of combination of nations

The ethnic composition of Great Britain has a rather motley character for a European state. Due to the fact that numerous attacks were made on the British Isles from continental Europe, the Romans, Normans, Saxons and Danes occupied the lowlands, driving the indigenous population into the mountains and to the west and north of the island.

Since the British Isles were a colonial state, the composition of the population here has changed markedly. Here there was a migration of immigrants from Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. The Chinese, Pakistanis, Indians and Africans diluted the ethnic composition.

Back in the Middle Ages, three main ethnic communities were formed in Great Britain, which were represented by the British, Scots and Welsh. A special role in the political sphere of the country is always played by the relationship between these indigenous peoples.

The national composition of Great Britain is not as diverse as the ethnic one. After the Second World War, the British Isles experienced an influx of workers from European countries, amounting to 1 million people. In addition, every year the country is populated by 50 thousand Europeans and Asians who come here in search of work.

Of the 65 million people, the dominant part is occupied by the British with a population of about 53 million. They mainly live in England, a small part of the British occupies Wales and Scotland.

The second largest number is occupied by the Scots, who are represented by 6 million people. Most of the Celts live in the northwestern part of the island of Great Britain and the numerous northern islands.

The Irish make up 1.5 million of the population of the British Isles, while the Welsh make up 1.2 million. The other nations of Great Britain number about 3 million.

GREAT BRITAIN

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is an island nation located in the northwest of Europe. It occupies a large archipelago, consisting of many islands, which are washed in the north and west by the Atlantic Ocean, and in the east by the North Sea. The state got its current name after the unification of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The total area of ​​the state is more than 242 thousand square meters. km, of which more than half is occupied by England, a third by Scotland, a little less than a tenth by Wales and the smallest part belongs to Northern Ireland.
Previously, the British Isles were connected to the mainland and were part of Europe, after natural disasters, some of the lands of Britain were flooded, and the formed islands with a discontinuous, uneven coastal strip were cut off from the continent, so the English Channel was formed - the strait dividing the country with France. Now the former lowland lands of Britain are at the bottom of the strait and the North Sea. The west and north of the country is replete with highlands, mountains and hills, in connection with this, the bulk of fertile land, large cities and industry are concentrated in the east and south.
The state inhabits more than 63 million people, mostly white British - 92% (Scots, English, Irish, Welsh), the rest of the population consists of people from other countries and descendants of mixed marriages. The officially recognized language is English.

Government

The monarchy in the UK is the embodiment of the constancy and inviolability of state institutions of power. At the same time, the monarch, who formally has great powers, does not actually govern the country, so basically remaining a symbol of stability and traditions. The head of Great Britain, for more than sixty years now (since February 6, 1952) has been Queen Elizabeth II.
Legislation in the country is entirely owned by the current parliament, which includes two chambers - "communities" and "lords" (Peers), the current government represented by the prime minister and his cabinet is responsible for the implementation of the adopted laws. The House of Commons is chosen through a statewide general election every five years. Peers from the House of Lords pass on their high place and title exclusively by inheritance. In addition to legislation and the adoption of the budget of the state, the parliament exercises control over the actions and work of the government.
The position of Prime Minister of Great Britain is elective, the most worthy candidate is chosen from the coalition or party that has earned the majority of votes in parliamentary elections. Subsequently, the Prime Minister appoints the Cabinet and the First Lord of the Treasury, who directly directs and participates in the work of the Cabinet.

Countries included in the United Kingdom:

ENGLAND

It occupies the southern region of Great Britain, the northern part of the region borders on Scotland, the western part is washed by the Celtic and Irish Seas and adjoins Wales.
The population of England is about 49 million people, living mostly in the south-east of the country in large cities (London, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield) or in the vicinity and suburbs, which certainly contributes to the development of the country's infrastructure and industry. The capital of England and the whole of Great Britain is the largest city not only in Great Britain, but also in the European Union.
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, England has a fairly mild climate. On average, the temperature during the year fluctuates by no more than 20 - 25 degrees, in summer the typical air temperature is 19 - 24 degrees, and in winter it does not fall below 4 - 9 degrees. The norm of precipitation for the year is 750 - 755 mm, the amount of rain increases from September to November.
The landscape of the country is characterized by hilly, and to the north and mountainous terrain, the entire territory can be conditionally delimited by a line passing, if not even, but still from the mouth of the Tees River (northeast) to the Aix River (southwest), dividing the country into mountainous and flat areas. About 5% of the total available area of ​​modern England are areas covered with forests in abundance inhabited by a variety of animals and birds.
Despite the idle opinion that all the sights and cultural values ​​of the country are collected only in the capital, we should mention the beautiful botanical gardens of Glasgow and Birmingham, the majestic castles of Edinburgh and Cardiff, Cliffords Fortress in York and many other ancient monuments, historical and modern cultural centers.

WALES

The province of Great Britain is located in the western part of the country on the Wales peninsula and the adjacent island of Anglaci. The rocky, heavily indented coast of the islands is washed by water on three sides: in the north - by the Irish Sea, in the south - by Bristol Bay, in the west is St. George's Strait, in the east Wales borders on England (Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Cheshire). The Cambrian Mountains occupy the bulk of the land of the Principality. Mountainous terrain largely determines the location of cities and industrial zones. The lowlands, where two-thirds of the principality's population lives, are limited by river valleys and narrow coastal areas. The climate in the Principality is maritime, rather mild with changeable weather and frequent rains, the average annual rainfall reaches 2500 mm.
The population of Wales is almost three million people, there are two official official languages: Welsh and English.
The capital of the Principality since 1955 is the city of Cardiff. The head of Wales is Elizabeth II, by tradition this title belongs to the heir to the throne of Great Britain. At the end of the last century, the National Assembly was created in Wales, which has the right to make the necessary amendments and changes to the laws adopted by the British Parliament. In Wales, there are rich deposits of graphite, coal, slate, lead - in connection with this, the mining industry is widespread, in addition to this, the population is engaged in cattle breeding and agriculture.
Three areas of Wales are officially recognized as areas of rare natural beauty. These areas include rocky coves on the coast of Anglesey, well-deservedly popular with people who want to go in for water sports and climbers; The Gower Peninsula is famous for its inimitable beaches that attract many tourists and surfers, and of course the coast of Llyn is a paradise for windsurfers and surfers. There are several national parks and gardens in Wales: Pembrokeshire Coast, Brecon Beacons, Bodnant, where you can admire the beautiful plants presented in huge numbers. Fans of medieval history will certainly appreciate the gloomy and monumental castles of Wales: Harleck, Conwy, Caernarvon, Beaumaris.

SCOTLAND

A country located in the north of the island of Great Britain and the adjacent islands of Shetland, Orkney, Hebrides. It borders on the territory of England in the region of the River Tweed and the Cheviot Hills. From the west, Scotland is separated from Northern Ireland by the Strait of St. Patrick, and the east coast is washed by the North Sea. The south of the country goes to the Solway Firth and the Irish Sea. The eastern and western parts of the country are linked by the Caledonian Canal. Scotland is characterized by frequent storms and strong winds, most often from the southwest.
The climate of Scotland is largely influenced by the proximity of the sea, annual temperature fluctuations average 10 - 17 degrees. The average annual rainfall throughout the country is 1300 mm, however, it should be noted that some western regions are characterized by an increased amount of rain, where the norm reaches up to 3000 mm per year.
The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh. In 2010, the country's population was about five million people, mostly Scots and English. In Scotland, in addition to English, two more are widely used: Scottish and Gaelic.
The legislation in the country is handled by the Scottish Parliament, which consists of 129 members. You can become a member of parliament only after popular elections, which are held among the population. The government consists of the First Minister, his deputy and 10 ministers.
Scotland is ubiquitous of hilly and swampy terrain, and its western regions are occupied mainly by mountains. Due to the dominance of mountains and hills, only a fifth of the land is suitable for agriculture.
Despite certain difficulties, the Scots get quite good harvests in the east and south of the country in the Tweeda Valley, Lothian, County Ayr, as well as on the plain located near the Moray Firth River, in addition to agriculture, the population is actively engaged in cattle breeding. And yet Scotland is mostly an industrial country, here in large cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh are the main centers of industry: steel, electronics, brewing, printing, automotive.
Scotland has always been different from neighboring countries that are part of Great Britain - harsh, sometimes wild nature, indescribable flavor of local residents, monumental, strict architecture of ancient buildings. With its unusualness, the country attracts tourists from all over the world. Here they can see with their own eyes numerous sights created by Scottish craftsmen and nature. The main wealth of Scotland is its nature - fields, forests, numerous islands with unusual stone formations, mysterious lakes, including the famous and very popular Loch Ness among tourists. In addition to natural wonders, Scotland is known for its many palaces, castles and fortresses located throughout the country.

NORTHERN IRELAND

The country occupies the bulk of the land in the northeast of the island of Ireland. Includes: 26 districts and 6 counties. Heavily indented by inlets, the rocky coastline from the Morne Mountains to Loch Foyle is washed by the Atlantic Ocean for its entire length. A complex, varied relief prevails throughout the country: hills and mountains give way to fertile plains, which, in turn, again give way to hills. Almost the entire northern part of Northern Ireland consists of rocky cliffs. Heterogeneous, strongly dissected mountain ranges are located in the west and southeast of the country. The central part is a lowland, densely dotted with swamps in the past, now drained and successfully used for agricultural needs.
The absence of large temperature fluctuations provides a temperate maritime climate, which contributes to fairly mild winters and not hot summers. A significant amount of precipitation maintains high humidity.
The population of the country is only about 2 million people, of which only a third are indigenous people, the rest of the population consists mostly of English and Scots. The descendants of immigrants from Scotland mainly live in the east of the country, the descendants of the British live in the northern and central regions. Indigenous Irish inhabit the western regions and the borderlands with Ireland. All three groups are very different in culture and religion.
Legislation in the country is handled by the Assembly of S. Ireland, its functions include decision-making on healthcare, sports, the economy, education, and local government. It should be noted that any decisions taken by the Assembly for anticipation of life must be approved by the Queen.
Belfast is the capital of the country and the largest industrial center of Northern Ireland; most of the various industries and industries are concentrated here: mechanical engineering, electrical and paper industries, and printing. In smaller towns close to agricultural zones, the linen, rope and distillery industries are widely developed.
In S. Ireland, a large number of interesting places and attractions. The most noticeable, one might say unique natural formation that can amaze the imagination, is located in the Causeway Coast - the "road of giants", and a visit to the ancient city surrounded by a stone wall - Londonderry and its picturesque surroundings will not leave you indifferent. Northern Ireland has many gardens, monasteries, abbeys and national parks.

The UK is located in the northwest of Europe. It consists of the island of Great Britain, on which England, Scotland and Wales are located, and part of the island of Ireland, which is occupied by Northern Ireland. The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are dominions of the United Kingdom, but are not part of it. It is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the west and north, the North Sea in the east. In the south it is separated from the mainland by the English Channel.

The name of the country comes from the English Great Britain. Britain - by the ethnonym of the Briton tribe.

Population

59648 thousand people

Administrative division

It consists of four historical regions (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), which are administratively divided into numerous counties. England: 39 counties, 6 metropolitan counties and a special administrative unit - Greater London (administrative center - London). Wales: 8 counties (administrative center - Cardiff). Scotland: 12 regions and 186 islands (administrative center - Edinburgh). Northern Ireland: 26 districts (administrative center - Belfast). The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands have a special status.

Form of government

A constitutional monarchy.

head of state

The monarch is the supreme bearer of executive power, the head of the judiciary, the supreme commander in chief. Supreme legislative body. Bicameral Parliament consisting of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Elected for a term of 5 years. Supreme executive body. Council of Ministers.

Big cities

Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Belfast.

Official language

English, in Wales - English and Welsh.

Religion

47% - Anglicans, 16% - Catholics.

Ethnic composition

81.5% - English, 9.6% - Scots, 2.4% - Irish, 1.9% - Welsh.

Currency

Pound sterling = 100 pence.

Climate

Great Britain is called the country of fogs and rains. The climate of the country varies depending on the region. In England, the climate is mild and humid, due to the relative warmth of the seas surrounding it. The average annual temperature is about + 11 °C in the south and + 9 °C in the northeast. Scotland is the coldest region in the UK. In the mountains in the north there is snow from November to April-May. The climate of Wales and Northern Ireland is mild and humid. The average annual temperature in Northern Ireland is +10°C. The most abundant precipitation in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the mountains of England and Wales (1000-1500 mm per year). The least rainfall is in southeast England (600-750 mm per year).

Flora

The vegetation of England is rather poor, forests occupy less than 4% of the territory, most often there are oak, birch, pine. In Scotland, forests are more common, although moorland dominates the region. Mostly in the forests in the south and east grow oak and coniferous trees - spruce, pine and larch. In Wales, the forests are mostly deciduous - ash, oak. Coniferous trees are common in mountainous regions.

Deer, fox, rabbit, hare, badger live in England. Among the birds - partridge, dove, raven. Reptiles, of which there are only 4 species in all the British Isles, are rare in England. The rivers are mostly inhabited by salmon and trout. For Scotland, the most characteristic deer, roe deer, hare, rabbit, marten, otter and wild cat. Of the birds, partridges and wild ducks predominate. There are also many salmon and trout in the rivers and lakes of Scotland. Cod, herring, haddock are caught in coastal waters. In Wales, the fauna is practically the same as in England, with the exception of the black polecat and pine marten, which are absent in England.

Rivers and lakes

The main rivers of England are the Thames, the Severn, the Tyne. The main rivers of Scotland are the Clyde, the Tay, the Force, the Tweed, the Dee and the Spey. Among the numerous lakes, the legendary Loch Ness, Loch Tay, Loch Catherine stand out. The main rivers of Wales are the Dee, Usk, Teifi. The largest lake is Bala. The main rivers of Northern Ireland are the Foyle, the Upper Ban and the Lower Ban. Loch Neagh is the largest lake in the British Isles.

Attractions

Megalithic complex Stonehenge, church in Bargon, castle of the XII century. in Inverness, Glasgow Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle and Church, Cardiff Castle, Shakespeare's House Museum in Stratford, Oxford and Cambridge Universities, in London - the British Museum, Tower Castle (the jewels of the royal crown are stored here), Westminster Abbey (the place of the coronation of British kings ) with Poets' Corner, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben clock tower, Buckingham Palace, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Hyde Park with Speakers' Corner and much more. Nelson's Column rises in Trafalgar Square. An interesting "square mile of sin" - the Soho area.

Useful information for tourists

Shops are usually open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 17.30, although many of the department stores are open until 18.00, and on Wednesdays or Thursdays - until 19.00-20.00. Large stores can also receive customers on Sundays, but only during any six hours from 10.00 to 18.00. In smaller towns and villages, shops often close for half a day after lunch once a week, as well as for an hour-long lunch break. Hotels in many cases have a special service charge, usually 10-12%. Where this fee is not included in the bill, the employees and maids serving you are usually given a tip of 10-15% of the bill. Service is included in the bills of some restaurants. Where it is not taken into account, a tip of 10-15% of the bill is accepted. Porters receive 50-75 pence per suitcase, taxi drivers - 10-15% of the fare. One of the peculiarities of the UK that you may encounter is that, until now, in most hotels, the water taps above the washbasin are not equipped with a faucet. The English do not wash themselves with running water, but draw a full washbasin of water, use it, then lower it. On the day of departure, you must vacate the room before 12.00. If there is a lot of time left before the departure of the plane, things can be left in the hotel's storage room. In England, good manners are very important, the ability to stay at the table, so you need to follow the basic rules of the ritual of eating. Never put your hands on the table, keep them on your knees. Cutlery is not removed from the plates, as knife stands are not used in England. Do not shift cutlery from one hand to another, the knife should always be in the right hand, the fork in the left. Since various vegetables are served at the same time as meat dishes, you should proceed as follows: you put vegetables on a small piece of meat with a knife; learn to hold them there with the back of a fork without piercing them. If you dare to prick at least one pea on a fork, then you will be considered ill-mannered. Don't kiss ladies' hands or say compliments in public like "What a dress you have on!" or “How delicious this cake is!” - they are regarded as a big indelicacy. It is not allowed to have separate conversations at the table. Everyone should listen to whoever is speaking and, in turn, speak loudly enough to be heard by those present. Remember that the British have their own lifestyle, and they, like no other nation, sacredly honor traditions and customs. Going to Great Britain - the country of fogs - we advise you not to forget that the British weather is unpredictable! Winters are usually quite mild, with temperatures rarely reaching below zero. From March to May, the days can be both sunny and windy, with rain. In June-August the temperature can reach +30°C or more, but during the day, as a rule, it stays somewhere between +20-25°C. It rains 180 days a year in London, and the wettest cities are Liverpool and Manchester.

2.GeneraleconomiccharacteristicGreat Britain

The UK economy is the 8th largest economy in the world in terms of GDP in purchasing power parity as of 2010 (in the CIA rating, the UK is 9th, minus the European Union, which is not a country). The economic territory of the United Kingdom includes: Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the geographical area over which the authority of the Government of the United Kingdom extends, over which people, goods, services and capital are able to move freely); all kinds of free zones, including bonded warehouses and establishments under the customs authority of the United Kingdom; the national airspace, territorial waters and continental shelf of the United Kingdom. It does not include offshore islands, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man that are not part of the United Kingdom or members of the EU.

The definition of economic territory also includes: territories of enclaves throughout the world (embassies, military bases, research stations, information or immigration services, emergency departments accredited by the British government in accordance with relevant legislation); but excludes any other enclave areas (eg parts of the geographic territory of the United Kingdom such as US embassies and military bases).

The UK is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the EU, the G7, the G8, the G20, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. Nominal GDP, recalculated at purchasing power parity as of April 11, 2011, is 2.126 trillion US dollars.

In the XVIII century. Great Britain was the first country in the world to begin industrialization, and for most of the 19th century. Played an important role in the global economy. However, at the end of the XIX century. the chances of the USA (after the Second Industrial Revolution) and the German Empire as candidates for the role of the leader of the world economy are increasing more and more. Despite the victory, the costs of fighting in both the First and Second World Wars led to a further weakening of the economic position of Great Britain, and by 1945 Great Britain was supplanted by the United States as the main player in the world economy. However, the UK today occupies an important place in the global economy.

Currently, the UK is one of the most globalized countries in the world. London is the largest financial center in the world, comparable to New York City, and has the highest GDP of any city in Europe. In December 2010, the UK ranked third in terms of both exports and imports of investments. The UK aerospace industry is the second or third largest industry, depending on how it is calculated. The pharmaceutical industry plays an important role in the country's economy and ranks the UK third in the world in terms of the share of pharmaceutical R&D spending (after the US and Japan) . The country's economy is heavily dependent on and driven by North Sea oil and gas reserves, estimated in 2007 at £250 billion. The UK ranks fourth in the world and first in Europe in the 17th Ease of Doing Business Index (a classification of countries according to various parameters that affect the rules for doing business, as well as the protection of property, compiled by the World Bank).