Territory of Great Britain on the map. Other representatives of the royal house of Great Britain. Great Britain on the world map

What is the difference between England and Great Britain, the payment of the 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 going into the legal meaning of these concepts. Meanwhile, as they say in Odessa, these are “two big differences”, two completely different territories.

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 region.

Scottish man in traditional dress

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 british archipelago, on which, in addition to England, there are two more independent territories, formerly independent states: Wales and Scotland.

Country England or UK?

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 erroneous.

The possessions 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, the Falklands and the Cayman Islands.

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" - United Kingdom).

United Kingdom of Great Britain: general information

What continent is the UK in?

Great Britain, not counting the small islands, is located in the British Archipelago, in the North-Western part of Europe. This region is often called Foggy Albion because of 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 average temperature keeps around 20 C heat.

Capital of England and Great Britain

London is the capital of Great Britain, it is also the capital of the administrative region of England. This is the largest city of the kingdom, its cultural and economic center. London is also one of the global financial centers of the world.

World-class economic institutions are concentrated here, the main financial flows of the largest transnational corporations and currency centers of smaller states pass through London.

London was founded by the Romans as the capital of the Roman province of Britain, located in the British Isles. The first mention of London is 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 influence 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 dandy and casual styles, rock musicians and the Beatles.

Great Britain on the world map

Today, the United Kingdom occupies a modest 78th place in the world in terms of territory. It accounts for only 2% of the earth's surface. We can say that the UK is just a small spot on the world map. But it was not always so.

At its peak, the British Empire literally owned a quarter of the world. At the beginning of the 20th century, Great Britain was largest state from ever existing on the planet (its record has not been beaten so far).

Apart from 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 a territory of the British Crown until its war of independence in 1776.

Contemporaries said that the sun never sets on 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.

UK map in Russian

Detailed maps of Great Britain, including a map of attractions, road and railways, administrative division and many others you can see. All maps are available for download.

The political structure of Great Britain

Who is the head of state in the UK?

The UK has a rather complex and confusing system of government. 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.

UK House of Commons

The main task of the House of Commons is to represent the interests of all classes of the population in the adoption of laws in the state. Members of the House of Commons are elected by voting in administrative districts UK for 5 years. It is the lowest rung of the UK legislature.

UK House of Lords

The House of Lords represents the interests of the highest aristocracy and 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 bill infringes on the interests of the nobility.

At present, the Lords can only delay such laws for periods ranging from one month to a year. The duties of members of the House of Lords also include the consideration of judicial appeals.

The seat in the House of Lords is hereditary (with the exception of representatives of the Church, where the members of the Palana of Lords are appointed by the Council of Bishops), and this is one of the most archaic bodies of government in Europe. Members of the House of Lords, unlike the House of Commons, do not receive a fixed salary for attending meetings and are not required to attend every meeting.

UK Parliament

The Commons Board and the House of Lords are collectively referred to as the British Parliament. If necessary, the monarch can dissolve parliament and announce early elections, or vice versa extend its powers.

Cabinet of Ministers

The Cabinet of Ministers is the highest governing body of the country. Members of the cabinet of ministers head various state structures (departments or ministries). Ministers are appointed from among the representatives of Parliament, their duties include leading ministries, as well as consulting with the monarch on important decisions. The British Cabinet is subordinate to the Parliament.

British Prime Minister

The Prime Minister of Great Britain is the most important official in the country after the monarch. He heads the government, in certain matters he can act on behalf of the monarch. The candidate 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

The UK is one of the oldest monarchies in the world. The highest head in the country is the monarch (king or queen), the throne is transferred by majority inheritance (that is, the eldest in the family).

Despite the fact that outwardly the members royal house Great Britain perform purely representative and ceremonial functions, the monarch in the UK has very real power.

The King or Queen of Great Britain can dissolve the government, assign the title of Lord to citizens of non-noble origin to enter the House of Lords, approve bills, appoint ministers and pardon criminals.

Conservative Party of Great Britain

The Conservative Party of Great Britain (Tory Party) is the oldest political party in Europe, which originated in the 17th century. The party traditionally represents the interests of the nobility, the clergy and the bourgeoisie.

Historically, this is the most influential political force in the kingdom, which invariably holds the majority of seats in Parliament. The most brilliant prime ministers in recent British history have belonged to the Conservatives: Neville Chamberlain, Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and David Cameron.

The current British Prime Minister, Theresa May, is also a member of the Conservative Party.

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 more than 60 years (in 2016, Elizabeth II turned 90 years old). According to most Britons, Elizabeth is an example of an impeccable ruler who has not tarnished her royal title in any way.

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 as drivers-mechanics, after which she entered the 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 has taken part in hostilities.

Elizabeth fell in love with her future husband, Prince Philip, as a child. Philip is the heir to the impoverished Greek monarchy, whose representatives 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 get consent to the marriage. Moreover, she herself offered him a hand and a heart, without waiting for reciprocal signs of attention.

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.

Even at the age of 90, Elizabeth still personally holds all the most important meetings in the state and, as the supreme commander, inspects all the military installations of the kingdom. The heir apparent Prince Charles, she does not trust any of these matters.

The steel character of the queen does not prevent her from having small human weaknesses.

Elizabeth II is considered a trendsetter and a great lover of hats. She wears bright colors regardless of her age, but never crosses the boundaries of strict classics.

According to protocol, the queen cannot appear at official events in the same outfit twice. Each of her toilets is entered in a huge catalog, has its own serial number and is accompanied by a record: where, when and under what circumstances she put it on - this avoids repetition and embarrassment.

The queen is supposed to be the standard of courtesy, but the number of meetings and audiences is so great that it takes too much effort. 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 completed within the next 5 minutes.

In her busy schedule, Elizabeth II makes sure to set aside time to watch her favorite series and TV shows. She is known to be a fan of the English version of "X-Factor", as well as several series, including "Game of Thrones".

Once a year, Elizabeth takes an extended vacation and retires to a castle in Scotland, where she spends most of her time reading books and walking. In the same place, Elizabeth takes a warm bath every day for several hours, in which, according to the assurances of the courtiers, she cannot do without a small rubber duck, presented to her as a child.

Other representatives of the royal house of Great Britain

Elizabeth II belongs to the royal branch of the Windsors, whose descendants in modern Britain are quite a lot. 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.

Princess Diana

Diana Spencer (or Lady Dee) is consistently ranked 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 contributions to charity, as well as boundless personal charm, modesty and simplicity.

According to rumors, Elizabeth II really disliked her daughter-in-law for her popularity among the people (at times she overshadowed the queen herself).

In 1997, Lady Dee suddenly died in a car accident, which still causes a lot of rumors and suspicions: there is a version that members of the ruling family. But even after her death, Princess Diana remains the queen of people's hearts.

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 (just as charming, does a lot of charity), and according to the degree of adoration of loyal subjects in Lately quickly overtakes his grandmother. He serves as a helicopter pilot for the English medical service and takes part in rescue operations.

Kate Middleton comes from a simple family. With her future husband, Prince William, she met while studying at the university. Shy Kate demeanor is very reminiscent of the British Diana. They admire 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 fairy tale about Cinderella.

Prince Harry

The youngest son of Diana and Prince Charles causes mixed feelings among the British. On the one hand, he does not differ in impeccable behavior, but on the other hand, he is such a cutie that the citizens of Great Britain forgive him everything. In addition, his antics are caused more by curiosity and youthful carelessness than by a spoiled temper.

The loudest "exploits" of Prince Harry: boundless amorousness (photos of Harry with cute young ladies regularly get into the press), hussar antics and merry partying. But there are also serious achievements: Prince Harry took part in the fighting in Afghanistan as an ordinary pilot, and put his life in danger on an equal basis with others without any concessions.

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, the girls cannot boast of an ideal reputation in the eyes of others, or even relative charm.

The elder Beatrice is often criticized by residents of the UK for being too extravagant and not always in accordance with the protocol. She also gets it for being too curvaceous and an idle lifestyle (in the UK, belonging to the royal house does not at all mean the right to idleness). Otherwise, Beatrice manages to keep within the bounds of decency.

Younger Evgenia is a real headache for her family. The girl regularly excites the British public with her antics and another batch of paparazzi photos: drunken dances, cigarettes and indecent antics are the main thing that Evgenia is famous for.

Video. Interesting facts about Great Britain

Great Britain or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is an island nation located in the west of Europe. A map of Great Britain shows that the country occupies the British Isles and borders continental Europe along the English Channel. The country is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, Celtic and North Seas. The country is connected to Europe by a 50-kilometer Eurotunnel, 38 km of which pass under water. The UK consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Great Britain is a state that is the successor of the Great British Empire. Today, the country's own territory is 243,809 km2. Detailed political map Great Britain shows that the country has sovereignty over 17 territories: 14 British Overseas Territories and 3 Crown Lands.

The largest cities in the country are London (capital), Glasgow, Birmingham, Belfast, Edinburgh and Manchester.

Foggy Albion is one of the main world powers. The country is a member of the EU, NATO, UN Security Council, G8, WTO and OSCE. Britain has a developed economy (6th in the world). More than 73% of GDP comes from the service sector.

Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy, where kings are more symbols than real rulers. The country is ruled by Parliament.

Historical reference

BC. Britons lived in the British Isles. In 43, the Roman conquest of Britain began. After 400 years, the British Isles were captured by the Anglo-Saxons, who formed the kingdom of England. The Pictish tribes united to form the Kingdom of Scotland. In 1066, the Normans conquered England and Wales.

1337-1453 - Hundred Years War with France

16th century - Reformation and establishment of the Anglican Church

17th century - civil wars and the creation of the English Republic

18th century - colonial policy

1801 - the creation of the state of Great Britain

XIX-XX centuries - british empire, participation in world wars and the policy of decolonization.

must visit

The map of Great Britain is literally “replete” with sights. Mandatory to visit the capital of 4 countries that make up the United Kingdom: London (England), Edinburgh (Scotland), Cardiff (Wales) and Belfast (Northern Ireland).

Recommended to visit the castles of Great Britain, Stonehenge, abbeys and cathedrals, the Palace of Westminster, Edinburgh castle, Tower, Lake District, science towns of Oxford and Cambridge, mountains of Scotland (Cape Ben Nevis), museums and other attractions of the country.

Everyone is used to thinking that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is one country. But this is not a completely correct statement. The kingdom includes four historical and geographical regions. The United Kingdom includes such territories 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 mention the Isle of Man and True, these territories are administratively independent parts of the kingdom.

Description

Each territory that is part of the UK has its own culture, traditions, sights that have accumulated over the centuries. The official language is English, but there are peculiar exceptions for each administrative and political part. So, today the population of the Welsh villages communicates in the ancient

The heritage of the territories that make up the Kingdom of Great Britain is practically nothing like each other. They differ not only in history, composition of the population and the structure of government, but also in religion and even climate.

A few main points that characterize the UK as a whole:

• The monetary unit is the pound sterling.
• Religions - Anglicanism, Catholicism and Presbyterianism.
• Great Britain is famous for talented actors, musicians, singers, writers, sportsmen, scientists.
• The Kingdom is considered one of the most popular places for shopping. The country is very rich in brands such as Burberry, which are known all over the world, shops, boutiques and street markets, where you can find vintage clothes and pick up accessories for them.

England

The largest administrative and political part that is part of the UK is England. In turn, it has nine separate regions, each with its own unique traditions and culture, fascinating bustling metropolitan areas such as London, and beautiful, peaceful 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 from all over the world come to England, because it is suitable for a noisy and fun holiday, as well as for romantic walks. There are more than 20 attractions that are listed world heritage UNESCO.

Scotland

There are few places on our planet that can compete with Scotland. It is home to major cities such as Glasgow, deep lakes and picturesque mountains. This country is divided into nine regions, which contain about eight hundred islands, three hundred of which are unsuitable for human life.

During the celebration of 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, they held a referendum on secession from the state. But 55.3% of the population opposed the declaration of independence.

The official languages ​​are English, Anglo-Scots 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 as part of the UK has three official Ulster-Scots and, of course, English.

Wales

There is no place on Earth that would be even slightly similar to the island nation 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 the UK in terms of land area.

There are five districts with unique nature, as well as three Locals call the castles "because of the impressive number ancient fortresses(about 600 castles).

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is an island nation located in northwestern Europe. The country is washed by the waters of the North Sea from the east, the Norwegian - from the north and the Atlantic Ocean - from the west and south. Entirely occupies the island of Great Britain, as well as north- eastern part the islands of Ireland and small nearby islands and archipelagos.

A detailed map of the UK shows that the country also extends its sovereignty over a number of island territories in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas, as well as the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Great Britain on the world map: geography, nature and climate

Great Britain on the world map occupies 243,809 km 2, of which 229,946 km² falls on the island of Great Britain. Despite its relatively small size, the country has an extremely long coastline of 17,820 km.

The length of the land border is only 360 km. The only land neighbor of the UK is Ireland, which occupies most of the island of the same name. However, the overseas territories of the country border on Spain (on a small stretch near the city of Gibraltar) and Cyprus (in the area of ​​the location of sovereign British military bases). Great Britain recognizes more than two dozen states as its maritime neighbors, but the main territory borders only on France through the English Channel and Pas-de-Calais.

Geographic location of Great Britain

The relief of the country is very diverse. The northern regions of Great Britain are represented by the North Scottish Highlands. It is here that on the maps of Great Britain in Russian you can find the highest point of the country - Mount Ben Nevis (1344 m). To the south, the Mid-Scottish Lowland begins, resting on the Pennine Range, which stretches for 350 km from north to south. Behind him begins the Midland - a plain that occupies most of the island. Another small mountain range Snowdonia is located in Central Wales in the west of the country.

The Northern Irish enclave of the country, despite its small size, is also distinguished by a variety of relief. It is here that the largest lake in the country, Loch Neagh, is located, whose area is 396 km². There are a sufficient number of large full-flowing rivers in the UK, but the length of the longest - the Severn - does not exceed 354 km.

Animal and plant world

The nature of the country has been subjected to significant human interference since ancient times. Up to 70% of the UK is used for agricultural purposes. And only 10% of the land is occupied by forests. In the northern mountainous regions, mixed oak and pine forests. To the south of the bowl there are elms, hornbeams, birches, beeches and ash trees. A significant part of animal species was exterminated. To date, only 53 species of mammals live in the UK. The most common are red deer, wild goats, roe deer, badgers, foxes, otters and weasels. Gray and common seals are often found on the coasts. Coastal waters are rich in commercial fish species - mackerel, herring, sprat, cod and sardine.

Climate

Thanks to the warm current of the Gulf Stream, the country's climate is milder than in countries of the same latitude. Most of the UK lies in the temperate oceanic climate zone. The average winter temperature ranges from 2-4 0 C, and the summer temperature rarely exceeds 15-16 0 C.

It should be noted that in the mountainous and most northern regions these figures will be 2-3 degrees lower. The number of rainy and cloudy days in the country is high, so the rainfall in the most humid western regions can reach 3000 mm per year. However, in most areas of the UK, the average rainfall does not exceed 800 mm.

UK map with cities. Administrative division of the country

The UK has a very confusing structure. Apart from overseas territories, the country is divided into 4 main parts, which are actually autonomous states. These are England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Moreover, each of the parts has its own internal Administrative division, different from others. So Northern Ireland is divided into 6 counties and 11 districts, Scotland - into 32 districts, and Wales - into 9 counties, 10 city-counties and 3 cities. England has the most complex division: 28 counties, 6 city-counties, 9 regions, 55 unitary units, Greater London and the Scilly archipelago, which has a special legal status. A map of the UK with cities in Russian makes it clear that most of The population of the country (up to 85%) lives in England, which occupies about 53% of the area of ​​Great Britain.

London- the capital of Great Britain and the third most populous city in Europe. Located in the southeast of the country on the banks of the River Thames. It is one of the key economic and financial centers of the world.

150 km northwest of London is Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK. Historical Center British industry and engineering. It is also one of the leading European scientific and educational centers.

City of Leeds located closer to the geographical center of the country in Yorkshire and is the third largest city in the UK. After the capital, it is the second most important financial center of the country.

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

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

Great Britain on the map of the world and Europe

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

Where is?

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

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

Relief

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Northern Ireland has a flat relief, and in the very center of the country is located deep lake Loch Knee. The most high point this region - Slieve Donard (862 meters).

Nature

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

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

• severn;
• Yew;
• Secrets;
• Tweed.

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

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

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

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

Climate

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

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

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

Scotland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wales

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

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

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

Other major cities in the region include Swansea And newport.

Northern Ireland

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

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

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

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

Detailed UK map with cities

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

London

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

Plays an important role in the politics, economy and culture of the UK and is the most important financial and political center Europe.

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

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

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

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

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

Belfast

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

Belfast, as a city, was formed only by the 19th century, and capital status received in 1921, although its territory was inhabited as far back as bronze age. Ever since the city got new status, bloody clashes on the basis of religion began to occur in it. Here, Catholics and Protestants staged armed clashes between themselves, which were only completed in 1998.

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

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

Birmingham

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

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

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

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

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

Bristol

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

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

Because of this, throughout its history locals actively cultivated their capital through trade with the United States and the West Indies.

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

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

Cardiff

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

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

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

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

Today there are about 350 thousand people.

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

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

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

Edinburgh

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

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

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

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

Glasgow

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

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

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

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

Liverpool

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

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

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

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

Manchester

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

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

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

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

Newcastle upon Tyne

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

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

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

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

Newcastle has its own attractions:

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

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

Oxford

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

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

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

1. Christ Church;
2. Magdalen College.

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

Cambridge

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

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

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

nottingham

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

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