Great Britain is one of the largest countries in the European Union, a member of the United Nations. The capital of the country is London, the sights of which every schoolchild knows. Previously called the British Empire.
UK Outstanding Personalities
It was on the territory of England that the world's first steam locomotive and television were invented. Great Britain is the birthplace of many prominent people. Winston Churchill, Shakespeare, Newton, Margaret Thatcher, Paul McCartney, writer Charles Dickens, musician Freddie Mercury, the greatest physicist of our time Stephen Hawking, actress Emma Watson, Charles Darwin - the founder of the world famous theory of evolution were born here.
What areas does the UK consist of?
The generally accepted administrative division of Great Britain currently includes four historical areas, or, as the English call them, countries. These include England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The UK has an extremely high population density: 230 inhabitants per 1 sq. Km. Moreover, the population is unevenly distributed throughout the territory. Most of the British live in England. This is not surprising, because this territory occupies the most convenient geographical position. It is also in England that the political and economic center of the entire state is located. In addition, there are the most favorable natural conditions.
The most important region
England is the area in which most of the cultural and historical attractions of the whole Kingdom are located. For example, it is here that the well-known Westminster Abbey is located. The date of its foundation is the 9th century. Buckingham Palace gained particular fame. The royal family still lives here. The date of its construction is 1703. Every student has heard of Trafalgar Square. It is from her in England that the distance from London to other cities is counted.
The most important district of the country
The leading position among the cities of Great Britain is London. Besides the fact that London has a dominant position both politically, economically and culturally, it is the main seaport in England. Not far from the capital are the largest recreational areas of the country - the resorts of Brighton and Margate.
In addition to London, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland also includes other cities that carry the functions of regional centers. There are ten of them, including Edinburgh (the capital of Scotland), Cardiff (the capital of Wales) and Belfast (the capital of Northern Ireland), Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds and Bradford.
Scotland: nature and population
Despite the fact that the administrative division of Great Britain includes Scotland, the British often call it a separate country. Throughout the Scots are wayward. They have their own church, their own banks and currency. These features of Scotland originate from the time when it was still a separate state. Throughout history, there have been aggressive attempts by England to seize its territory.
The areas of Scotland are among the least populated. This is due to the harsher climate compared to other regions, as well as to economic indicators. The capital is Edinburgh.
Scotland is the northern part of the island of Great Britain, as well as the adjacent islands. The area is 78772 square meters. km If you compare Scotland with other parts of the UK, its climate is more changeable. This is due to uneven terrain.
In the process of the stubborn struggle of the Scots with the conquerors, their national identity grew more and more. In 1603, after the death of Queen Elizabeth I, King James VI ascended the throne. Then two territories were in the possession of one monarch. In 1707, documents were signed, according to which England and Scotland became a single state.
A little bit about Wales
The regions of Wales are located on the west side of England. In the north, its shores are washed by the Irish Sea, in the south - by the Gulf of Bristol, in the west is the St George’s Strait. Despite the fact that Wales is politically connected with England, he retained his traditions to this day. The main and largest city in Wales is Cardiff. About 3 million people live on its territory.
According to natural features, Wales can be divided into three areas. In its central part are mountains more than 600 meters high, which cross vast valleys. Lowlands - in the coastal part. There are many river valleys through which in the past enemy troops easily penetrated here. The climate is moderate. In elevated areas, vegetation is very sparse, but on the plains you can see many rare plant species.
One of the most famous attractions of this district are stalactite and stalagmitic caves. Everyone who visits Wales, above all, seeks to visit these mysterious places. The cave called Dan-Ir-Ogof is attractive for stalactites and stalagmites. And in the cave of Way of Nile you can admire unusual waterfalls.
UK Administrative Division: Other Criteria
There are other ways to divide the territory of a country, for example, into counties, as well as into regions. In this case, the name of the county (in full or in abbreviated form) must be indicated in any postal item. The history has developed so that modern Great Britain can be conditionally divided into several vast areas.
The administrative division of Great Britain in accordance with them is as follows:
- Northern Ireland. The capital is Belfast.
- Northern Scotland, Southern Scotland. The administrative center is Edinburgh.
- Northeast. Consists of 4 counties. The main city is Newcastle upon Time.
- Northwest - consists of five counties, the main cities are Liverpool and Manchester.
- Yorkshire and the Humber region. Yorkshire is the largest county in all of England. Included in the administrative unit of Yorkshire and the Humber.
- East Midlands. The capital of the region is Nottingham.
- West Midlands with its capital in Birmingham.
- Wales.
- East England, whose main city is Cambridge.
- Southeast with the administrative center in Guildford.
- Southwest. The largest settlement is Bristol.
- The territory of Greater London.
In the UK, there are about a hundred major cities. At the same time, 44 of them have large ports. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland throughout the history of trade through the sea, mainly with the countries of the Baltic basin. The cities of Bristol and Liverpool throughout history have been a kind of gateway to the New World.
Great Britain is known for its long and sometimes difficult to pronounce names. However, generally accepted toponyms are also used here. For example, the UK has about 1,500 settlements called Newtown.