How England differs from Great Britain, the payment of lords from the House of Commons, and Prince Harry from Princess Beatrice, you will learn from this article.
Most of us use the words "England" and "Great Britain" as identical concepts, without delving into the legal meaning of these concepts. Meanwhile, as they say in Odessa, these are "two big differences", two completely different territories.
England (England)- a territory on the island of Great Britain, its largest administrative unit. The name "England" goes back to the name of one of the Germanic tribes (Angles), who once inhabited this historical area.
Scottish man in traditional costume
In the era of medieval fragmentation of Europe, England was an independent kingdom, whose possessions either increased or decreased depending on the military successes of local rulers.
Great Britain- this is the name of the largest island in the British archipelago, on which, in addition to England, there are two more independent territories that were previously independent states: Wales and Scotland.
Henry VIII is one of the most famous rulers of medieval England Country England or Great Britain?
The country that we call either England or Great Britain is officially called The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Therefore, strictly speaking, both names are wrong.
Domains of the United Kingdom: the island of Great Britain, the north of the island of Ireland, as well as many small islands and archipelagos around the world, such as Gibraltar, Bermuda, Falkland and Cayman Islands.
Tower Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in Great Britain In Russia, this cumbersome name is often shortened to "Great Britain". In Europe, the abbreviation UK is almost always used for abbreviation (from “united kingdom”).
Dress uniform of the Royal Guards of Great Britain United Kingdom of Great Britain: general information
Where is the UK located on the mainland?
Great Britain, apart from the small islands, is located in the British Archipelago, in the North-Western part of Europe. This region is often called Foggy Albion due to the abundance of rain, dampness and endless fog that cyclones bring from the Atlantic.
The warm waters of the Gulf Stream soften the climate a little: there are no too cold winters here (with the exception of the highlands of Scotland and Wales), and in summer the average temperature is around 20 C warm.
Rain and fog are common in England Capital of England and Great Britain
London is the capital of Great Britain, it is also the capital of the administrative region of England. It is the largest city in the kingdom, its cultural and economic center. London is also one of the world's global financial centers.
Here economic institutions of a global scale are concentrated, the main financial flows of the largest transnational corporations and currency centers of smaller states pass through London.
London is the capital of England and Great Britain London was founded by the Romans as the capital of the Roman province of Britain, located in the British Isles. The first mentions of London are found in 117 by the Roman historian Tacitus - at that time the city had existed for more than 50 years.
London has occupied its leading position among other capitals since the Middle Ages. In terms of the degree of influence on world politics, few of the cities of the Old World can compete with the center of the British Empire.
In the 20th century, London also gained fame as one of the world's main centers of fashion and youth subculture. It is to London that we owe the appearance of the dandy and casual styles, rock musicians and the Beatles.
The Beatles are Britain's most famous rock band Great Britain on the world map
Today, the United Kingdom occupies a modest 78th place in terms of territory in the world. It accounts for only 2% of the earth's surface. We can say that Great Britain is only a small spot on the world map. But it was not always so.
During its greatest heyday, the British Empire literally owned a quarter of the world. At the beginning of the 20th century, Great Britain was the largest state that ever existed on the planet (its record has not yet been broken).
Former British colonies on the world map In addition to the crown territories in the British Isles, Great Britain belonged to: Canada, Australia, half of the African continent, India, Oman, Iraq, Honduras, Bermuda and Bahamas, Malaysia, Burma, New Zealand, New Guinea, Cyprus and other smaller territories. The United States was also territory of the British Crown until its War of Independence in 1776.
Contemporaries said that the sun never sets over the British Empire. In fairness, it should be noted that the colonial policy of Great Britain did not bode well for the conquered territories. In the history of the British Empire there were many bloody wars and the most brutal punitive operations in the controlled territories.
Modern territory of Great Britain on the map of Europe Great Britain map in Russian
Detailed maps of Great Britain, including a map of attractions, roads and railways, administrative divisions and many others you can look at. All maps are available for download.
Political structure of Great Britain
Who is the head of state in the UK?
The UK has a rather complex and confusing management system. In addition to the monarch, there are such governing bodies of the country as the House of Lords, the House of Commons, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Prime Minister.
British Parliament building in London UK House of Commons
The main task of the House of Commons is to represent the interests of all classes of the population when passing laws in the state. Members of the House of Commons are elected by voting in the administrative districts of Great Britain for a term of 5 years. This is the lowest rung of the UK legislature.
House of Lords of Great Britain
The House of Lords represents the interests of the upper aristocracy and the clergy in Great Britain. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the House of Lords had the right to reject any bill proposed by the House of Commons if it considered that this law infringed the interests of the nobility.
UK House of Commons Currently, the Lords can only delay the adoption of such laws for a period of one month to a year. The duties of the members of the House of Lords also include the consideration of court appeals.
The seat in the House of Lords is hereditary (with the exception of representatives of the church, where members of the Palana Lords are appointed by the Council of Bishops), and it is one of the most archaic governing bodies in Europe. Members of the House of Lords, unlike the House of Commons, do not receive a regular salary for attending meetings and are not required to attend every meeting.
House of Lords of Great Britain Parliament of Great Britain
The Commons and the House of Lords are collectively referred to as the Parliament of Great Britain. If necessary, the monarch can dissolve parliament and announce early elections, or vice versa, extend his powers.
Cabinet of Ministers
The Cabinet of Ministers is the supreme governing body of the country. Members of the Cabinet of Ministers are headed by various government structures (departments or ministries). Ministers are appointed from among the representatives of Parliament, their responsibilities include the leadership of the ministries, as well as consult with the monarch on important decisions. The UK Cabinet is subordinate to Parliament.
UK Cabinet 2012 Prime Minister of Great Britain
The Prime Minister of Great Britain is the main official in the country after the monarch. He heads the government, in certain issues he can act on behalf of the monarch. The candidacy for the post of prime minister is approved by the king or queen from among the most influential members of parliament.
Kings and queens of Great Britain
Great Britain is one of the oldest monarchies in the world. The highest head in the country is the monarch (king or queen), the throne is passed on by majority inheritance (that is, the eldest in the family).
Throne Room of Buckingham Palace in Great Britain Despite the fact that outwardly members of the royal house of Great Britain perform purely representative and ceremonial functions, the monarch in Great Britain has very real power.
The king or queen of Great Britain can dissolve the government, confer the title of lord on citizens of non-noble origin to enter the House of Lords, approve bills, appoint ministers and pardon criminals.
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain on the throne Conservative Party of Great Britain
The British Conservative Party (Tory Party) is the oldest political party in Europe, dating back to the 17th century. The party traditionally represents the interests of the nobility, clergy and bourgeoisie.
Historically, it is the most influential political force in the kingdom, which invariably occupies the majority of seats in Parliament. The brightest prime ministers in recent British history belonged precisely to the Conservatives: Neville Chamberlain, Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and David Cameron.
The current Prime Minister of Great Britain, Theresa May, is also a member of the Conservative Party.
Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain during the Second World War
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain is one of the oldest reigning monarchs in the world. She took the throne from her father George VI in 1952, the second year, and has been in power for over 60 years (in 2016, Elizabeth II turned 90). According to most British people, Elizabeth is an example of an impeccable ruler who has not tarnished his royal title in any way.
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain Despite belonging to the weaker sex, Elizabeth II is famous for her iron character, and will give odds to many men. Some interesting facts from her biography:
At the age of 18, Elizabeth persuaded her father to let her go to the active army and in 1944 she took courses for driver-mechanics, after which she entered military service in the women's self-defense squad and served for about six months until the end of World War II. She is the only lady in the royal family who took part in the hostilities.
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain as a child Elizabeth fell in love with her future husband, Prince Philip, as a child. Philip is the heir to an impoverished Greek monarchy, whose members were forced to flee their own country after being exiled. Philip's candidacy did not suit Elizabeth's parents and the ruling elite of Great Britain at all, but the princess managed to obtain consent to the marriage. Moreover, she herself offered him a hand and a heart, without waiting for reciprocal signs of attention.
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain with her future husband Prince Philip Elizabeth bought the fabric for her wedding dress with discount coupon cards. In 1947, the British economy had not yet had time to recover from the war, and Elizabeth considered it indecent to spend the kingdom's treasury on magnificent celebrations.
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain after coronation Even in her 90 years, Elizabeth still personally conducts all the most important meetings in the state and, as the supreme commander-in-chief, inspects all military facilities of the kingdom. She does not trust her direct heir Prince Charles with any of these questions.
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain with her son The queen's steel character does not prevent her from having small human weaknesses.
Elizabeth II is considered a trendsetter and a big lover of hats. She wears bright colors regardless of age, but never goes beyond the boundaries of strict classics.
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and one of her hats According to the protocol, the queen cannot appear at official events in the same outfit twice. Each of her toilets is entered into a huge catalog, has its own serial number and is accompanied by a note: where, when and under what circumstances she put it on - this avoids repetition and embarrassment.
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and her outfits The queen is obliged to be the standard of politeness, but the number of meetings and audiences is so great that it takes too much energy. Elizabeth II has several secret signs by which the courtiers must understand that it is time to end the event. For example, if Elizabeth twists the ring on her finger, the conversation must be ended within the next 5 minutes.
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and her handbag In her busy schedule, Elizabeth II always makes time to watch her favorite TV series and TV shows. She is known to be a fan of the English version of X-Factor, as well as several TV series, including Game of Thrones.
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. Something went wrong. Once a year, Elizabeth takes a long vacation and retires in a castle in Scotland, where she spends most of her time reading books and walking. There, Elizabeth takes a warm bath for several hours every day, in which, according to the assurances of the courtiers, she cannot do without a small rubber duck, given to her as a child.
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain on vacation Other representatives of the Royal House of Great Britain
Elizabeth II belongs to the royal branch of the Windsor, whose descendants are quite numerous in modern Great Britain. The British are very sensitive to the institution of the monarchy; among the members of the royal family they have their favorites and scandalous persons, whose name is on everyone's lips.
Members of the Royal Family of Great Britain Princess Diana
Diana Spencer (or Lady Dee) consistently ranks in the TOP 10 Greatest Britons in national polls. The first wife of Prince Charles (son of Elizabeth II) won the true sincere love of her subjects and millions of people around the world.
She is often called the "Queen of Hearts" for her great contribution to charity, as well as boundless personal charm, modesty and simplicity.
Princess Diana with her sons According to rumors, Elizabeth II very much disliked her daughter-in-law for her popularity among the people (at times she overshadowed the queen herself).
In 1997, Lady Di suddenly died in a car accident, which still arouses a lot of rumors and suspicions: there is a version that members of the ruling family set up the crash. But even after her death, Princess Diana remains the queen of human hearts.
Princess Diana (Lady Dee) Prince William and Kate Middleton
Prince William is the grandson of Elizabeth II, the son of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. William inherited many traits from his mother (he is also charming, does a lot of charity work), and in the degree of adoration of his loyal subjects, he has recently been rapidly overtaking his grandmother. He serves as a helicopter pilot for the England Medical Service and takes part in rescue missions.
Prince William and Kate Middleton wedding Kate Middleton comes from a simple family. She met her future husband, Prince William, while studying at the university. The modest Kate in her demeanor is very reminiscent of the British Diana. They are delighted with her attitude towards children, impeccable manners, but most of all the audience is touched by the romantic story of Kate and William, which is very reminiscent of the tale of Cinderella.
William and Kate with children Prince harry
The youngest son of Diana and Prince Charles causes mixed feelings among the British. On the one hand, he is not distinguished by impeccable behavior, but on the other, he is such a cutie that the citizens of Great Britain forgive him everything. In addition, his antics are caused rather by curiosity and youthful carelessness than by a spoiled disposition.
Prince harry The loudest "exploits" of Prince Harry: boundless amorousness (photos of Harry with lovely young ladies regularly appear in the press), hussar antics and merry partying. But there are also serious achievements: Prince Harry took part in the hostilities in Afghanistan as an ordinary pilot, and put his life in danger on an equal basis with others without any indulgences.
Prince Harry with a companion while serving in Afghanistan Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie
Sisters Beatrice and Eugenie are granddaughters of Queen Elizabeth II, daughters of her second son, Prince Andrew. Unlike William and Harry, girls cannot boast of an ideal reputation in the eyes of others, or even relative charm.
Princess Beatrice Elder Beatrice is often criticized by residents of Great Britain for being too extravagant attire, which does not always correspond to the protocol. She also gets it for too lush forms and an idle lifestyle (in Great Britain, belonging to the royal house does not mean the right to idleness). Otherwise, Beatrice manages to keep within the bounds of decency.
Princess Eugenie The youngest Eugenia is a real headache for her family. The girl regularly excites the British public with her antics and another portion of paparazzi photos: drunken dances, cigarettes and obscene antics are the main thing that Eugene is famous for.
Video. Interesting facts about the UK
One of the most beautiful and interesting states in the western part of Europe is undoubtedly Great Britain. A country with a rich culture, long traditions and wonderful flavor, it constantly attracts many tourists. Probably each of us knows where Great Britain is on the world map. Naturally, the state language is English, and since it is an international language, tourists, as a rule, have no problems communicating with the native Englishmen. In this article we will show you where Great Britain is located on the world map, as well as tell you the most interesting facts about this wonderful country.
Four parts of Great Britain
As we all know, Britain has four parts, one of which is, of course, Wales. Its main wealth is nature. Wales is famous for its densely vegetated national parks and beautiful beaches. The second part is Scotland with beautiful views, the third is Northern Ireland, famous for its green hills. And of course, the fourth part is England itself. English culture fascinates with its diversity, here you can see many historical sites that attract tourists from all over the world. Today, every schoolchild who studies English should know where Great Britain is on the world map, as well as have an idea of traditions and interesting facts about this amazing country.
The British are a tough people and can walk in light clothes almost until the very cold.
Most of the UK museums are free to enter, so every visitor can make a contribution in the form of a donation.
There are laundries in every city in all districts, since it is not customary to wash clothes at home.
Before entering the London Underground, fresh newspapers are distributed to everyone, but at the same time, before leaving the train, passengers leave them on the seat so that other people can read them.
Even at noon, you can see men in tuxedos here.
Grocery stores in Britain close at 9-10 pm.
Britain was the very first industrialized country in the entire world.
In England, hot and cold water runs from different taps.
The largest Ferris wheel is located in London. Each of its revolutions lasts about 30 minutes.
The famous and beloved by tourists Big Ben is actually the name of the bell, and the tower is called St. Stephen's Tower.
Even if a person does not speak English well, he will still be complimented on his speaking correctly.
Great Britain island on the world map
If you look closely at the map, you can see Britain in the westernmost part of Europe. It is washed by the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and is also separated by straits from other countries of the mainland zone. All this helps to see the political map of the world. Great Britain includes 4 parts, and the length of the island is more in length than in width, and it is washed by the ocean on one side and bays on the other.
Today we found out where Great Britain is on the world map, and it is possible that many will have a desire to visit this amazingly beautiful and rich country in traditions.
England is very often used in other meanings: Great Britain, Britain, the United Kingdom. England on the world map is the largest historical and administrative part of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. The capital of England - London... This city is the largest city in Great Britain and the European Union. England occupies the southeastern part of Great Britain.
The flight time to London, the capital of Great Britain, is short and families with small children do not need to change trains to rest the child from the flight.
From the north the country borders on Scotland, and from the west with Wales. England is separated from France by two straits: the English Channel and the Pas-de-Calais, under which a large Eurotunnel passes, which connects Europe and Great Britain by rail. The coast of England is washed by the waters of two seas: the North and the Irish, and the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A detailed map of England with cities in Russian is presented on our website.
The southern half of England lies on the plains, which are separated by hills and uplands. In the north, the country's territory becomes mountainous and the Pennine Mountains are located here, which stretch for 350 kilometers. Mountains separate the northwest of the country from Yorkshire and the northeast. The Pennines are also often referred to as the "Ridge of England". The highest point in England is Mount Skofel Pike, which is about 978 meters high. The eastern part of England is occupied by swampy lowlands, which have been drained for agricultural work.
Everyone is used to thinking that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is one country. But this is not entirely correct statement. The kingdom has four historical and geographical areas. The UK includes territories such as England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Thus, the kingdom occupies most of the area of the British Isles. It is also important that since 1922 Ireland has been an absolutely autonomous country within the United Kingdom.
It is impossible not to recall the Isle of Man and Pravda, these territories are administratively independent parts of the kingdom.
Description
Each territory that is part of the UK has its own culture, traditions, attractions that have accumulated over the centuries. The official language is English, but there are unique exceptions for each administrative-political part. So, today the population of Welsh villages communicates in the ancient
The legacies of the territories that make up the Kingdom of Great Britain are practically not alike. They differ not only in history, population and government structure, but also in religion and even climate.
There are several main points that characterize the UK as a whole:
- The monetary unit is the pound sterling.
- Religions - Anglican, Catholic and Presbyterian.
- Great Britain is famous for talented actors, musicians, singers, writers, athletes, scientists.
- The kingdom is considered one of the most popular shopping destinations. The country is very rich in brands like Burberry, which are famous all over the world, shops, boutiques and street markets where you can find vintage clothing and match accessories.
England
The largest administrative and political part that is part of Great Britain is England. In turn, it has nine distinct areas, each with its own unique traditions and culture, mesmerizing bustling metropolises such as London, and lovely tranquil villages such as Cornwall. The official language is English. There are thirty-nine counties, six metropolitan counties and an administrative division called Greater London.
Every year, millions of tourists come to England from all over the world, because it is suitable for both a noisy and fun holiday, and for romantic walks. There are more than 20 attractions that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Scotland
There are few places on our planet that can compete with Scotland. Major cities such as Glasgow, deep lakes and picturesque mountains are located here. This country is divided into nine regions, which own about eight hundred islands, three hundred of them are unsuitable for human life.
During the Burns Night, which falls on January 25, and St. Andrew's Day (November 30), live music is heard throughout the streets.
Scotland is part of the UK to this day. In 2014, a referendum was held on secession from the state. But 55.3% of the population opposed the declaration of independence.
The official languages are English, Anglo-Scottish and Scottish Gaelic.
Northern Ireland
The smallest autonomous territory that is part of the UK is Ireland. It consists of twenty-six districts. Despite its small size, it has a very rich nature. There are high mountains, flat valleys, forests and even an inland sea. In addition, the country is famous for its history, culture, mythology and vibrant musical life. At venues, clubs and concert halls, at any time of the year, you can enjoy the music of both Irish performers and visitors from all over the world.
Northern Ireland within Great Britain has three official Ulster-Scottish and, of course, English.
Wales
There is no place on Earth that would be even a little like the island state of Great Britain. The composition of the countries includes a rather unusual administrative and political part - Wales. The peculiarity lies in the fact that its inhabitants still communicate with each other in one of the oldest languages in the world - Welsh. The second official language is English. Wales is the third largest country in Great Britain in terms of territory.
Five regions with unique nature are registered here, as well as three. Locals call castles "because of the impressive number of ancient fortresses (about 600 castles).
UNITED KINGDOM
(United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
General information
Geographical position. Great Britain is a state in the northwest of Europe. Consists of the island of Great Britain, on which England, Scotland and Wales are located, and Northern Ireland, which occupies part of the island of Ireland. The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are dominions of the United Kingdom, but are not part of it.
Square. The territory of Great Britain occupies 244 110 square meters. km.
Main cities, administrative divisions. The capital of the Great Britain is London. The largest cities: London (7 335 thousand people), Manchester (2 277 thousand people), Birmingham (935 thousand people), Glasgow (654 thousand people), Sheffield (500 thousand people), Liverpool (450 thousand people), Edinburgh (421 thousand people), Belfast (280 thousand people).
Great Britain consists of 4 administrative and political parts (historical provinces): England (39 counties, 6 metropolitan counties and Greater London), Wales (8 counties), Scotland (9 districts and an island territory) and Northern Ireland (26 counties). The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands have a special status.
Political system
Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II (in power since 1952). The head of the government is the prime minister. Legislative power is vested in Parliament, which consists of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
Relief. In England, the Pennine Mountains are located (in the north of the region) with the highest point - Mount Skaifel Pike (2,178 m). South of the Pennines and east of Wales is a vast plain that covers most of Central and South England. In the extreme south are the Dartmoor Hills (about 610 m above sea level).
Scotland, mainly occupied by mountains, can, in turn, be divided into three regions: Highlands in the north, Central Lowlands in the center and Sazen Uplands in the south. The first region covers more than half of Scotland. This is the most mountainous region of the British Isles, in many places indented by narrow lakes. The Grampian Mountains of this region are home to the highest point of Scotland and the entire United Kingdom - Mount Ben Nevis (1,343 m). The central region is more or less flat with small hills. And although it occupies only a tenth of the territory of Scotland, the majority of the country's population is concentrated here. The southernmost region is the Heather Highlands, significantly lower than the Highlands. >
Wales, like Scotland, is a mountainous region, but the mountains are not so high. The main mountain range is the Cambrian Mountains in the center of Wales, the Snowdon massif (up to 1,085 m) is located in the northwest. Most of the territory of Northern Ireland is occupied by a plain, in the center of which is Lake Lough Nee. The Sperine Mountains are in the northwest, the Antrim Highlands and the Murne Mountains in the southeast of the region are on the northeast coast, and the highest point in Northern Ireland is Slive Donard (852 m).
Geological structure and minerals. On the territory of Great Britain there are deposits of coal, oil, natural gas, iron ore, rock and potassium salts, tin, lead, quartz.
Climate. The climate of the country changes depending on the region. England has a mild climate due to the relative warmth of the surrounding seas. The average annual temperature is about + 11 ° С in the south and about + 9 ° С in the northeast. The average July temperature in London is about + 18 ° С, the average January temperature is about + 4.5 ° С. The average annual rainfall (the heaviest rains are in October) is about 760 mm. Scotland is the coldest region in the UK. The average January temperature is about + 3 ° С, snow often falls in the mountains in the north. Average July temperature is about + 15 ° С. The highest rainfall occurs in the west of the Highlands region (about 3,810 mm per year), the least - in some eastern regions (about 635 mm per year). Wales' climate is mild and humid. The average January temperature is about + 5 ° С. Average July is about + 15 ° С. Average annual rainfall is approximately 762 mm in the central coastal region and more than 2,540 mm in the Snowdon Massif. Northern Ireland's climate is mild and humid. The average annual temperature is about + 10 ° C (about + 14.5 ° C in July and about + 4.5 ° C in January). The amount of precipitation in the north often exceeds 1,016 mm per year, while in the south it is about 760 mm per year.
Inland waters. The main rivers of England are the Thames, Severn, Tyne, the picturesque Lake District is located in the Mersinnins. The main rivers of Scotland are the Clyde, Tay, Force, Tweed, Dee and Spey. Among the many lakes, Loch Ness, Loch Tay and Loch Catherine stand out. The main rivers of Wales: Dee, Usk, Teifi. The largest lake is Bala. The main rivers of Northern Ireland are Foyle, Upper Ban and Lower Ban. Lake Lough Ney (about 390 sq km) is the largest lake in the British Isles.
Soils and vegetation. The vegetation of England is rather poor, forests occupy less than 4% of the region's territory, most often oak, birch, pine. In Scotland, forests are more common, although the region is dominated by moorlands. Most of the forests in the south and east of the Highlands are oak and conifers (spruce, pine and larch). In Wales, the forests are mostly deciduous: ash, oak. Conifers are common in mountainous areas.
Animal world. Deer, fox, rabbit, hare, badger are widespread in England; among the birds - a partridge, a dove, a raven. Reptiles, of which there are only four species in all the British Isles, are rare in England. The rivers of the region are dominated by salmon and trout. For Scotland, the most typical deer, roe deer, hare, rabbit, marten, otter, wild cat. Of the birds, partridges and wild ducks are mainly found. The rivers and lakes of Scotland are also rich in salmon and trout. In coastal waters, cod, herring, haddock are caught. In Wales, the fauna is almost the same as in England, with the exception of the black ferret and pine marten, which are not found in England.
Population and language
The United Kingdom has a population of approximately 58.97 million, with an average population density of about 241 per sq. km. Ethnic groups: British 81.5%, Scots 9.6%, Irish 2.4%, Welsh 1.9%, Ulster 1.8%, Indians, Pakistanis, Chinese, Arabs, Africans. The state language is English.
Religion
Anglicans - 47%, Catholics - 16%, Muslims - 2%, Methodists, Baptists, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs.
A brief historical outline
In 43 A.D. NS. Britain became part of the Roman Empire and remained there until 410, when the Romans were driven out by the Celts, Saxons and other tribes.
In 1066 the small kingdoms of Great Britain were conquered by the Norman commander William and united into a single state.
In 1215, King John Landless signed a guarantee of rights, providing for the rule of law "Magna Carta" (the document is still one of the main parts of the country's constitution).
In 1338 England entered into a war with France, which lasted more than a hundred years (until 1.453). Almost immediately after its end, a war broke out for the English throne (the War of the Scarlet and White Rose - two rival dynasties of Lancaster and York, as a result of which both dynasties perished), which ended in 1485 with the victory of the Tudor dynasty "
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603), England developed into a great maritime power and conquered vast colonies on several continents.
In 1603, when the Scottish king James VI ascended the English throne as King James I, Scotland and England were effectively united into one state. However, the Kingdom of Great Britain was proclaimed after the signing of the act of unification in 1707, from that time London became the capital of a unified state.
In the years 1642-1649. the conflict between the royal house of Stuarts and parliament led to a bloody civil war, which resulted in the proclamation of a republic led by Oliver Cromwell. The monarchy was soon restored, but the king's rights were significantly curtailed and, in fact, parliament held full power.
At the end of the 18th century. Great Britain lost 13 American colonies, but significantly strengthened its positions in Canada and India.
In 1801 Ireland was annexed to the kingdom. In 1815, Great Britain played a major role in the defeat of Napoleon's army, which strengthened its position as one of the most important European powers. After that, the country lived in peace for a century, expanding its colonial possessions, which especially grew during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901).
After the First World War, Great Britain was in a difficult economic situation, which partly played in favor of the Irish liberation movement, and in 1921 Ireland declared independence.
After World War II, national problems intensified in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Particularly dramatic were the events in Northern Ireland, where the war was actually waged since 1969.
In August 1994, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) declared a unilateral ceasefire, and the peace process, which began in the early 1990s with negotiations between the governments of Great Britain and Ireland, went a little faster. However, dissatisfied with the course of the negotiation process, the IRA militants resumed their terrorist activities in early 1996. An agreement was reached between England and Ireland on the settlement of differences by peaceful political means.
Brief economic outline
Great Britain is an economically developed industrial country. Extraction of oil, natural gas, coal. The leading branch of industry is mechanical engineering, including electrical and radio-electronic, transport (aircraft construction, auto and shipbuilding), tractor and machine tool construction. The oil refining, chemical (production of plastics and synthetic resins, chemical fibers, synthetic rubber, sulfuric acid, mineral fertilizers), textile and food industries are well developed. Large footwear, clothing and other light industry sectors. The main branch of agriculture is meat and dairy and dairy farming. Grain farming predominates in crop production; cultivation of sugar beet, potato growing. Fishing. Export: machinery and equipment, oil and oil products, chemical products. Great Britain is a major exporter of capital. Foreign tourism.
The monetary unit is the pound sterling.
A brief outline of culture
Art and architecture. Great Britain has preserved the largest, unusually folded and solid in composition megalithic complexes of the Neolithic and Bronze Age (Stonehenge, Avebury), the remains of Roman buildings of the 1st-5th centuries, stone carvings and metal products of the Celts, Picts, Anglo-Saxons. By the 7th - 10th centuries. include churches (in Earle Barton, X century), descended from folk frame buildings, and miniatures with a complex curvilinear pattern. Anglo-Norman temples (in Norwich, Wickchester) with narrow, long naves, choir and transept and powerful square towers, tower-like castles (Tower in London, begun around 1078), colorful miniatures of the Winchester school are characteristic of the Romanesque style of the 11th-12th centuries ... Developing from the XII century. English Gothic (the first Gothic construction in Europe - in the cathedral in Durham) is represented by cathedrals in Canterbury, Lincoln, Salisbury, York, Westminster Abbey in London; they are characterized by a combination of simplicity and massiveness of elongated squat volumes with an increasing abundance of decor, an increasingly complicated pattern of wide facades; decorative grace excellent
He likes Gothic paintings, miniatures, sculptures, tombstones with stone figures or figures engraved on copper sheets. Late Gothic ("perpendicular style", from the second half of the 14th century) is marked by the richness of the carved decoration of the light, spacious interiors of churches and secular buildings (St. George Chapel in Windsor, 1474-1528, Henry VII at Westminster in London, 1503-1519), the emergence of easel painting, including portrait painting.
The Reformation (began in 1534) gave English culture a purely secular character, and after the English Revolution of the 17th century. in construction and everyday life, the desire for rationality and comfort has increased.
In painting of the XVI-XVII centuries. the main place was taken by the portrait: the traditions of H. Holbein, who came to Great Britain, were developed by the English miniaturists N. Hilliard, A. Oliver, S. Cooper; the type of spectacular aristocratic portrait of the 17th century, introduced by foreigners who migrated to Great Britain - L. van Dyck, P. Lely, G. Neller, acquired great simplicity, rigor and objectivity from their English successors - W. Dobson and J. Riley.
The classically clear buildings of I. Jones (Banquet Hall in London, 1619-1622) served as the starting point for the development of English classicism of the 17th-18th centuries, distinguished by restrained, strict solemnity, clear logic of the composition of urban ensembles (Greenwich Hospital, 1616-1728, architect K. Wren et al., Fitzroy Square, circa 1790-1800, architects R. and J. Adam, in London), churches (St. Paul's Cathedral, 1675-1710, and 52 churches in London, built by C. Wren after fire of 1666).
Great Britain was the birthplace of the romantic movement of pseudo-Gothic and landscape "English" parks (W. Kent, W. Chambers).
The flowering of English art of the 18th century. opens with the work of W. Hogarth. A galaxy of brilliant portrait painters: A. Ramsey, J. Reynolds, H. Raeburn skillfully combined the ceremonial imposing composition with the naturalness and spirituality of the image. National schools of landscape (G. Gainsborough, R. Wilson, J. Crome; watercolors J. R. Cosens, T. Guertin) and genre painting (J. Morland, J. Wright) have developed.
In the first half of the XIX century. Along with the romantic science fiction graphic artists W. Blaycom and the bold colorist landscape painter W. Turner, the founder of the plein air realistic landscape J. Constable, the subtle landscape painter and historical painter R. P. Bonington, the master of the watercolor landscape J. S. Cotman and D. Cox.
London. British Museum (which houses world-famous archaeological finds, collections of drawings, coins, medals, specialized exhibitions are regularly held); Victoria and Albert Museum (which is one of the most interesting museums of applied arts with the richest collections of objects from almost all countries of the world, all styles and eras, national collections of post-classical sculpture, photography, watercolors); Natural History Museum with magnificent collections of animals, insects, fish, a specialized exhibition of dinosaurs; Museum of the History of London with a collection of artifacts from the time of the Roman Empire to the present day; the Tate gallery with magnificent collections of British and European painting of the late 19th-20th centuries; National Gallery with a collection of Western European painting from the XIII century. to the XX century; London Prison - a medieval horror museum with torture chambers; Madame Tussauds - the world famous wax museum; cathedral of st. Paul (XVII-XVIII centuries); The Tower of London - a museum complex, which, in particular, stores the jewels of the British Crown; Westminster Abbey (XI century) - the place of coronation of all British monarchs; The Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament), the most famous part of which is the "Bit Ben" clock tower; Buckingham Palace is a royal residence. Trafalgar Square with Nelson's Column, erected to commemorate the victory at Trafalgar; a large number of parks, among which Hyde Park with the "speaker's corner" stands out; Regent's Park with a magnificent zoo, Kew Gudns with a greenhouse, aquarium and Butterfly House, where tropical butterflies fly all year round. Edinburgh. Edinburgh castle; church of st. Margaritas (XI century); Castle Rock Castle, royal residence in Scotland, Holyrod Palace; church of st. Gilles (XV century); the building of the Scottish Parliament (1639); house of the Protestant reformer of the 16th century. John Nons; National Gallery of Scotland; National Portrait Gallery of Scotland; Royal Museum; Museum of Contemporary History; Museum of the History of Scotland. Belfast. City hall; Protestant Cathedral of St. Anna; Ulster Museum. Glasgow. Cathedral of st. Mungo (1136 - mid-15th century); Glasgow Museum, one of Britain's finest art galleries; Hunter-en Museum; Botanical Garden; zoo. Cardiff. Kardaf Castle (XI century); Llandaff Cathedral; church of st. John the Baptist (XV century); National Museum of Wales. Stratford-upon-Avon (England). House-Museum of V. Shakespeare; Royal Shakespeare Theater. Inver-ness (Scotland). Castle of the XII century; the remains of the fort Guv .; nearby is the famous Loch Ness, where a monster with the affectionate name Nessie allegedly lives.
The science. D. Priestley (1733-1804) - chemist who discovered oxygen; T. More (1478-1535) - one of the founders of utopian socialism; W. Hilbert (1544-1603) - physicist, researcher of geomagnetism; F. Bacon (1561-1626) - philosopher, founder of English materialism; W. Harvey (1578-1657) - the founder of modern physiology and embryology, who described the large and small circles of blood circulation; R. Boyle (1627-1691) - chemist and physicist, who laid the foundation for chemical analysis; J. Locke (1632-1704) - philosopher, founder of liberalism; I. Newton (1643-1727) - mathematician, mechanic, astronomer and physicist, creator of classical mechanics; E. Halley (1656-1742) - astronomer and geophysicist, who calculated the orbits of more than 20 comets; J. Berkeley (1685-1753) - philosopher, subjective idealist; S. Johnson (1709-1784) - lexicographer, who created the "Dictionary of the English language" (1755); D. Hume (1711_1776) - philosopher, historian, economist; V. Herschel (1738-1822) - the founder of stellar astronomy, who discovered Uranus; G. Court (1740-1800) - inventor of the rolling mill; E. Cartwright (1743-1823) - inventor of the loom; T. Malthus (1766-1834) - economist, founder of Malthusianism; D. Ricardo (1772-1823) and A. Smith (1723-1790) - the largest representatives of classical political economy; J. Watt (1774-1784) - inventor of the steam engine; J. Stephenson (1781-1848) - inventor of the steam locomotive; M. Faraday (1791-1867) - physicist, founder of the theory of the electromagnetic field; J. Nesmith (1808-1890) - the creator of the steam hammer; C. Darwin (1809-1882) - natural scientist, creator of the theory of evolution; J. Joule (1818-1889) - physicist who experimentally substantiated the law of conservation of energy; J. Adams (1819-1892) - astronomer and mathematician who calculated the orbit and coordinates of Neptune; G. Spencer (1820-1903) - philosopher and sociologist, one of the founders of positivism; J. Maxwell (1831-1879) - physicist, creator of classical electrodynamics; W. Batson (1861-1926) - biologist, one of the founders of genetics; G. Rutherford (1871-1937) - physicist, one of the founders of the theory of radioactivity and the structure of the atom; A. Fleming (1881-1955) - microbiologist, who discovered penicillin; J. Keynes (1883-1946) - economist, founder of Keynesianism; J. Chadwick (1891-1974) - physicist who discovered the neutron; P. Dirac (1902-1984) - physicist, one of the founders of quantum mechanics; F. Whittle (b. 1907) - inventor of the turbojet engine.
Literature. The epic poem "Beowulf" (VII century) has come down to us in the lists of the X century. On British soil VIII-Hvc. arose the religious lyrics of the Anglo-Saxons, theological works, chronicles. After the conquest of England by the Normans in the XI-XIII centuries. trilingual literature is developing: church writings in Latin, chivalric poems and poems in French, English legends in Anglo-Saxon. The synthesis of the culture of the era of mature feudalism and the anticipation of the early Renaissance are characteristic of the "Canterbury Tales" (XIV century) - a collection of poetic stories and short stories by J. Chaucer. The prologue to this work describes people of all classes and professions who go on pilgrimage to Canterbury. The medieval romance of chivalry is combined here with the prosaic humor of the townspeople; in the assessments of life phenomena, the emergence of early humanism is felt. A hundred-year war with France, then the War of the Scarlet and White Rose slowed down the development of literature. Among the few monuments is the prose narration of the legends about the knights of the Round Table - The Death of Arthur by Thomas Malory (15th century). At the beginning of the XVI century. Thomas More, the author of Utopia, speaks out, which contained not only a criticism of the feudal system, but also a picture of an ideal state.
At the beginning of the 17th century. the genre of essays (F. Bacon) and characteristics (G. Overbury) appeared. The drama of the mature English Renaissance reached its greatest artistic heights. In the XV century. genres of morality and interludes appear in the theater. In the folk theater, which was experiencing rapid development in the second half of the 16th century, a distinctive national drama emerged: K. Marlowe (1564-1593), T. Kid (1558-1594), etc. Their activities paved the way for the work of the great playwright W. Shakespeare (1564-1616). In his comedies, he reflected the cheerful spirit of the Renaissance and the optimism of the humanists; among his works - plays-chronicles from the history of England ("Richard III", "Henry IV", etc.). Tragedies became the pinnacle of Shakespeare's work (Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra, etc.).
J. Milton (1608-1674) in the period of the Restoration created an epic poem based on the biblical subject "Paradise Lost" (1667).
The leading ideological current of the 18th century. becomes enlightenment. The primacy in literature is shifting from poetry to prose; a bourgeois novel appeared, the creator of which was D. Defoe (1661-1731), who became famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe (1719). The satire of J. Swift (1667-1745) "Travels of Gulliver" (1726) brought the author worldwide fame. The sentimental novels of S. Richardson (1689-1761), written in epistolary form, gained fame. The satirical line in social comedy continued to develop and reached its culmination in the work of R.B.Sheridan (1751-1816), the author of the satirical comedy School of Scandal (1777).
The revival of interest in folk poetry led to the popularity of the Scottish poet R. Burns (1759-1796). In the 90s of the XVIII century. the works of romantics by W. Wordsworth (1770-1850), S. T. Coleridge (1772-1834), R. Southey (1774-1843) appeared, sometimes united by the concept of the "lake school". The second generation of English romantics - J. G. Byron (1788-1824), P. B. Shelley (1792-1822), J. Keith (1795-1821). W. Scott (1771-1832) creates the genre of the historical novel.
30-60s of the XIX - the heyday of critical realism: in the novels of C. Dickens (1812-1870), W. M. Thackeray (1811-1863), C. Bronte (1816-1855), E. Gus-kell ( 1810-1865). Thackeray creates a "novel without a hero" Vanity Fair (1847-1848). At the end of the XIX century. in the English novel, there is a sharp contrast between the neo-romanticism of R. L. Stevenson (1850-1894) and the harsh realism of T. Hard (1840-1928) and S. Butler (1835-1902). Representatives of English naturalism J. Moore (1852-1933) and J. Gissing (1857-1903) were followers of E. Zola.
In the 90s gt. the period of modern English literature begins. At its doorstep stands a brief period of decadence and symbolism, represented by O. Wilde (1854-1900). The luminary of English Symbolism - Irishman WB Yeats (1865-1939).
The last decade of the 19th century and the years preceding the First World War were marked by the powerful development of critical realism, for example, the plays by B. Shaw (1856-1950, "The House Where Hearts Are Broken", "Back to Methuselah", etc.), fantastic and philosophical novels by G.J. Wells (1866-1946, "The First Men on the Moon" and others), the trilogy "The Forsyte Saga" and "Contemporary Comedy" by J. Galsworthy (1867-1933), works by W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965, "Burden human passions "," Razor's Edge "," The Moon and a Penny "," Theater "and others), E. M. Forster (1879-1970), Catherine Mansfield (1888-1923) and others. J. Conrad ( 1857-1924), combining the romance of sea travel and descriptions of exotic countries with a subtle psychologism. Poetry is most originally represented by R. Kipling (1865-1936).
The main place in the literature of the pre-war period remains with the novel, in which modernist experimentation arises. Irishman J. Joyce (1882-1941) in his novel "Ulysses" (1922) applied the method of "stream of consciousness" in literature, noting the smallest details of the inner life of the characters.