Borders of Great Britain on an outline map. Great Britain on the map. Features of the geographical location

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

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

Official name: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Capital:

The area of ​​the land: 244 thousand sq. km

Total Population: 61.6 million people

Administrative division: It consists of four historical regions (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), which are divided administratively into numerous counties.

England: 39 counties, 6 metropolitan counties and a special administrative unit - Greater London (administrative center - London).

Wales: 8 counties (administrative center - Cardiff).

Scotland: 12 regions and 186 islands (administrative center - Edinburgh).

Northern Ireland: 26 counties (administrative center - Belfast). The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands have a special status.

Form of government: A constitutional monarchy.

Head of State: The monarch is the supreme bearer of executive power, the head of the judicial system, and the supreme commander in chief.

Population composition: 83.6% - English, 8.5% - Scots, 4.9% - Welsh, 2.9% - Irish, 0.7% also live (Indians, Pakistanis, Chinese and from African countries)

Official language: English. Accordingly, in Scotland they use Scots, and in Wales they use Scottish Gaelic and Anglo-Scottish (Scots).

Religion: 71.6% are Christians, 15.5% are atheists, 0.3% are Buddhism, 2.7% are Islam, 1% are Hinduism, 0.6% are Sikhism, 0.5% are Judaism.

Internet domain: .uk

Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz

Country dialing code: +44

Country barcode: 50

Climate

The climate of the United Kingdom is very mild. Although extreme temperatures above 38°C or below -18°C have been reported, temperatures very rarely rise above 29°C on summer days or fall below -7°C on winter nights. The mildness of the climate is due mainly to the influence of the North Atlantic Current (an extension of the Gulf Stream ), bringing warm waters to the western coast of Europe. At these latitudes, westerly transport of winds predominates, and thus cool air comes from the Atlantic Ocean in summer and warm air in winter.

Although the temperature differences are very small, winters on the west coast of the United Kingdom are warmer than on the east. In the Isles of Scilly, in the far south-west of Great Britain, and Holyhead in north-west Wales, the average January temperature is 7°C, in London - just 5°C, and on most of the east coast - below 4°C. Despite similar temperatures, winters become less favorable as you move north along the east coast, where chilly, wet winds blow from the cold North Sea.

Frost and snow are not unusual phenomena, especially at high altitudes, but in the lowlands in a normal winter, temperatures below 0 ° C last only 30–60 days a year, and snow only 10–15 days. In London there is only snow on the ground for about 5 days a year.

The highest summer temperatures are observed in the southeast. In London the average July temperature is 17°C, on the Isles of Scilly 16°C, in Holyhead 15°C, and on the north coast of Scotland - less than 13°C.

In normal years, all areas of the UK receive sufficient rainfall for farming, and in some mountainous areas it is even excessive. Seasonal and annual fluctuations in precipitation are slight, and droughts are rare.

The greatest amount of precipitation falls in the west of the United Kingdom, and relatively little in the eastern part. In London, the average annual rainfall is only 610 mm, in most of Low Britain - up to 760 mm, and in parts of High Britain - up to 1020 mm. Central Wales averages over 1525mm of rainfall per year, while parts of the Lake District and western Scottish Highlands (the wettest places in the UK interior) receive over 2540mm.

The weather is fairly cloudy, as most precipitation falls in the form of constant drizzle rather than showers, and the sun does not appear many days of the year.

At these latitudes, summer days are long and winter days are very short. In January, the south coast of the UK receives an average of two hours of sunshine per day, while those north of Birmingham rarely receive more than an hour and a half. Even on the long days of July, the southern coast receives only seven hours of sunshine on average, while the northern part of the country receives less than five hours a day. The lack of sunlight depends more on continuous cloud cover than on fog.

London's famous fogs in the past were due to thick smoke from burning coal for heating purposes, rather than due to meteorological conditions. However, damp, damp fog still occurs in London on average 45 days a year, predominantly in January and February, and most ports experience between 15 and 30 foggy days each year, with fog able to paralyze all traffic for a couple of days or more .

Geography

Great Britain is an island country in northwestern Europe. It occupies the island of Great Britain, part of the island of Ireland and a number of smaller islands (Man, White, Channel, Orkney, Hebrides, Shetland and others).

Great Britain consists of 4 historical and geographical regions: England, Scotland and Wales, located on the island of Great Britain, and Northern Ireland. The total area of ​​the country is 244.9 thousand square meters. km. Great Britain has a land border with only one country - Ireland. In the north and west the country is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and in the east and south by the North Sea and the narrow straits of the English Channel and Pas de Calais. The entire coast is dotted with bays, bays, deltas and peninsulas, so most of Great Britain is located no more than 120 km from the sea.

Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Northern England are dominated by medium-height mountains and hills with deeply incised river valleys. The highest point of the country is in Scotland - this is Mount Ben Nevis with a height of 1343 m. The south-eastern and central parts of Great Britain are occupied by elevated plains and heaths. In these areas, only a few places reach 300 m above sea level.

Great Britain has a dense network of rivers. In England and Wales the main rivers are the Tyne, Trent, Humber, Severn and Thames, in Scotland the Clyde, Forth and Tweed, and in Northern Ireland the Bann and Logan. All of them are short, deep and non-freezing in winter. There are many lakes in the mountains, mostly of glacial origin. The largest of them are Loch Neagh, Loch Lomond and Loch Ness.

Nature conservation in Great Britain is carried out by a system of national parks, national nature reserves, forest reserves and waterfowl reserves, occupying about 7% of the country's territory. The uniqueness of British national parks is that these are not “wilderness” areas, but areas quite close to large cities, more like huge city parks or botanical gardens. The largest national parks are the Lake District and Snowdonia, Dartmoor and Brecon Beacons.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

In prehistoric times, much of the United Kingdom had dense forests of oak, birch and other hardwoods, but now, after more than 20 centuries of development, the area is largely deforested. However, despite the absence of large forest areas, agricultural areas appear wooded due to hedgerows, shelterbelts in fields, game reserves and small forest plantations near farms and estates.

Forest areas are usually confined to areas with very rugged terrain or sandy soils that are unsuitable for agriculture. Huge old trees are preserved in the royal forests, i.e. in areas such as the New Forest, which were originally set aside for royal hunts, but some of them were never heavily forested. After 1919 and especially after 1945, the government began to encourage the creation of both public and private border forest belts from fast-growing coniferous trees. According to 1997 estimates, forest management was carried out in the country on an area of ​​approx. 2 million hectares. However, in Low Britain it is not forests that predominate, but fields and pastures.

The main vegetation formation in Great Britain is heathland, which predominates in High Britain at altitudes above 215 m, but is also found in other areas. Overall, they account for approximately 1/3 of the area of ​​Great Britain and most of Northern Ireland. In fact, four completely different types are combined here: heathland proper, dominated by common heather (Calluna vulgaris), found on fairly steep slopes and well-drained, usually sandy soils; grassy heaths on well-drained soils with a predominance of bentgrass (Agrostis sp.) and fescue (Festuca sp.), and in less drained areas - blue molinia (Molinia coerulea) and white grass (Nardus stricta); sedge heaths represented by cotton grass (Eriophorum vaginatum), rush (Scirpus cespitosus) and rush grass (Juncus sp.) on more humid lands, and sphagnum bogs in the wettest areas.

Animal world

Many large mammals, such as bear, wild boar and Irish red deer, have long been hunted to extinction in the British Isles, and the wolf has been eradicated as a pest. Today there are only 56 species of mammals left. The red deer, the largest mammal, lives in the highlands of Cornwall and the Scottish Highlands. There are quite a few roe deer found north of Yorkshire and southern England.

Wild goats live in mountainous areas. Among the small mammals there are hare, rabbit, marten, otter, wild cat, a large number of partridges and wild ducks. Of the small predators, the most numerous are ermine and weasel; ferrets are found in Wales, and European wild cats and American martens are found in the mountains of Scotland.

There are many salmon and trout in the rivers and lakes of Scotland. Cod, herring, and haddock are caught in coastal waters. The fauna is almost the same as in England, with the exception of the black ferret and marten, which are not found in England. Various species of fish are found in the waters off the British Isles: in the surface layers of sea waters - sablefish and herring; sprat feed in the bays and estuaries of rivers, and sardines and mackerel appear off the coast of the Kirkwall Peninsula.

The most important commercial fish from distant and near waters are cod, haddock and marlan. Some cod weigh up to 20 kilograms. Also in rivers and lakes there are roach, chub, and barbel. The famous monster of Loch Ness, which could supposedly be a relict aquatic dinosaur, is most likely a fiction invented to attract tourists and various types of business.

The gray seal is found off the islands and coastal cliffs of Cornwall and Wales, while the common seal prefers the coasts of Scotland, the eastern coast of Northern Ireland and the surrounding islands.

More than 200 species of birds can be seen in England, more than half of which come from other countries. The British Isles are home to 130 bird species, including many songbirds. Many species are able to adapt to changing conditions, and it is believed that there are more birds in suburban gardens than in any forest. The most common species are sparrows, finches, starlings, crows, kingfishers, robins, and tits. The national symbol of England is the red-breasted robin. Millions of birds migrate along the coast of Great Britain from south to north and back.

Attractions

The territory of Great Britain is full of natural contrasts - ancient and dull moors, moors and incredibly blue lakes of Scotland in the north, picturesque coastal cliffs and crystal clear calm waters off the south and west coasts, hilly cultivated Central England with parks and lawns, majestic mountains and green valleys of Wales in the West. Each region of the country has a characteristic appearance, its own distinctive traditions, culture and customs.

• Beaumaris
• York Minster
• Canterbury Cathedral
• Tower
• Sherwood forest
• Edinburgh castle
• Westminster Abbey
• Loch Ness

Banks and currency

The UK currency is the pound sterling (GBP). There are 100 pence in one pound. There are notes in circulation in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 pounds and coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 pence and 1 pound. The provinces sometimes use the names of old British coins - "guinea", "shilling", "penny" and others, but the real unit of payment is the pound.

England, Scotland and Northern Ireland print slightly different banknotes. Although they are valid throughout the UK, it is best to leave them in stores in the parts of the country where you received them. If you did not have time to do this, such banknotes can be exchanged in banks, and without commission.

Banks are open from 9.00 to 15.30 without a break on weekdays, large banks are also open on Saturdays.

You can change money at any bank branch (commission 0.5-1%), in the evening - at exchange offices of large department stores and at some travel agencies. At airports, exchange offices operate 24 hours a day. A passport is required to exchange cash.

Visa, Master Card, American Express credit cards, as well as traveler's checks are widely used. Street ATMs are widespread, but cases of credit cards being blocked by mistake are not uncommon, so it is better to use ATMs in institutions.

Useful information for tourists

Shops are usually open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 17.30, although many department stores are open until 18.00, and on Wednesdays or Thursdays until 19.00-20.00. Large stores can also accept customers on Sundays, but only for any six hours between 10.00 and 18.00. In small towns and villages, shops often close for a half-day afternoon once a week, as well as for an hour-long lunch break.

Hotels in many cases have a special service charge, usually 10-12%. Where this fee is not included in the bill, the staff and maids who serve you are usually given a tip of 10-15% of the bill.

Some restaurant bills include service. Where it is not taken into account, a tip of 10-15% of the bill amount is accepted.

Porters receive 50-75 pence per suitcase, taxi drivers - 10-15% of the fare.

One of the quirks you may encounter in the UK is that most hotels still don't have mixer taps above the washbasin. The British do not wash with running water, but fill a washbasin full of water, use it, then flush it.

On the day of departure you must vacate your room before 12.00. If there is a lot of time left before the plane departs, you can leave your things in the hotel storage room.

In England, good manners and table manners are very important, so you must follow the basic rules of the meal ritual. Never place your hands on the table, keep them on your lap. The cutlery is not removed from the plates, since knife stands are not used in England. Do not transfer cutlery from one hand to another; the knife should always be in the right hand, the fork in the left. Since various vegetables are served at the same time as meat dishes, you should proceed as follows: you put the vegetables on a small piece of meat using a knife; learn to hold them there with the back of a fork without piercing them. If you dare to prick even one pea on a fork, you will be considered ill-mannered.

You should not kiss ladies' hands or say compliments in public such as “What a dress you have!” or “This cake is so delicious!” - they are regarded as great indelicacy.

Individual conversations are not allowed at the table. Everyone must listen to whoever is speaking at the moment and, in turn, speak loudly enough to be heard by those present.

Remember that the British have their own lifestyle, and they, like no other nation, sacredly honor traditions and customs.

When traveling to the UK - the land of fogs - we advise you not to forget that British weather is unpredictable! Winters are usually quite mild, with temperatures rarely reaching sub-zero. From March to May, days can be both sunny and windy, with rain. In June-August, temperatures can reach + 30 °C or more, but during the day, as a rule, they remain somewhere between + 20-25 °C. In London it rains 180 days a year, and the wettest cities are Liverpool and Manchester.

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

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

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

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

The state's main competitor in this industry was Spain, which at that time was at war with Holland. In this struggle, England actively supported Holland. Later, Britain more than once showed its strength in military matters, seizing and colonizing new lands in Australia, Asia, America, Africa and Oceania.

Map of the Colonies of the British Empire

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

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

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

Interesting facts about Great Britain are described in this video:

In 1973, the United Kingdom joined the European Union and English became an international language. But later the country faced a severe economic recession, which was caused by unemployment from African migration. Recently, the government has been engaged in the development of industry and science.

UK government

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

Great Britain and Ireland, political map

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

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

UK composition

The countries that make up the UK are as follows:

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

England

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

Scotland

In 2012, a referendum took place in Scotland. According to its results, Scotland decided to remain within the UK. The country is famous for whiskey, kilts and bagpipes. The expanses of the state lie on 787 islands. The capital of the country is Edinburgh. The state has not only thousand-year-old traditions and a rich history full of wars, but also a charming nature. Majestic castles, mountain spirit and rocky coastlines make Scotland a popular tourist destination. The Scots have a wayward temperament, they are independent and extraordinary, sociable and friendly, but they will not open up to a stranger.

Wales

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

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is known as a major European student center and has a rich culture. The capital of Ireland is Belfast, the city famous for being the builder of the Titanic. Among the attractions of Northern Ireland are the Giant's Causeway, Oxford, Glenariff and Cable national parks, and Cooley Castle.

Great Britain is a country of a combination of nations

The ethnic composition of Great Britain is quite diverse for a European state. As the British Isles suffered numerous attacks from mainland Europe, the Romans, Normans, Saxons and Danes occupied the low-lying terrain, driving the indigenous population into the mountains and to the west and north of the island.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Great Britain – small but incredible attractive kingdom, where tourists from all over the world come to take a closer look at the architectural, cultural and natural attractions of this country, which has left its bright mark on world history.

Once upon a time, Shakespeare was born here, the Beatles arose, the legendary Baker Street appeared and the best universities in the world opened - 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 a large map of Europe, you will find Great Britain to the north-west of the continent. The country is spread over two large islands with a total length of 244,100 square meters. km. The largest island called Great Britain, and on it are:

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

Relief

Traveling around the kingdom, many note that Great Britain has varied landscape, which replace each other along the way. In just an hour, the plain can give way to high hills, followed by picturesque ones. At the same time, the topography of all the countries that make up Great Britain is very diverse and different.

The southern half of England is located on plains, but in some places there are hills and hills. This part of the country is home to the famous Dartmoor Hills, rising about 610 meters above sea level. In the eastern part of the island there is a swampy lowland that has been drained for agriculture.

In the northern part of England the vengeance is mountainous. Here are the Pennine Mountains, which stretch for 350 kilometers.

The "Bridge of England", as it is affectionately known by the country's inhabitants, separates the north-western part of the kingdom from Yorkshire.

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

Scotland It is considered the most mountainous region, as more than half of its terrain is cut 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 terrain of Scotland - it is just as 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 terrain, and in the very center of the country there is a deep lake, Lough Nee. The highest point in this region is Slieve Donard (862 meters).

Nature

The coast of Great Britain is washed by two seas - Irish in the West, Northern in the east, and also Atlantic Ocean in the South-West. There are many rivers and lakes in 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, the following are considered extremely important navigable water canals in the country:

• Severn;
• Yew;
• Tyne;
• Tweed.

There are many lakes in Scotland, such as the famous Loch Ness and Loch Lomond.

In prehistoric times, Great Britain could boast of luxurious nature. Were here incredibly dense forests, which were dominated by oaks, lindens, birches and beech. But by the end of the 20th century, due to human economic activity, 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.

Nowadays, forest in Great Britain occupies only a tenth of the kingdom, and most of the trees have survived on the mountain slopes, in river valleys or in the south of the country. But despite this, one gets the impression that when you get to the UK, you find yourself in green region. This is happening as places that have been severely damaged by industrialization are being replanted with trees, greenery is found everywhere, and game reserves are being formed.

Animal world Britain is rich and diverse. It is difficult to name birds and animals that are not here. Hares, foxes, wolves and wild boars are found in the forests, as well as otters, raccoons and stoats.

Climate

Great Britain has acquired a stable name "Foggy Albion", which perfectly characterizes the country’s climate – humid and temperate. The weather here is changeable: the morning may be clear and warm, and in the evening the sky will become cloudy and there will be persistent rain. This climate contributes to the occurrence of fog, which is not uncommon here.

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

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

Scotland

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

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

Scotland has land borders with England in the south of Great Britain, as well as water boundaries 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 has a harsh climate, so there are not many people living here - about 5.2 million people who speak Scots and English.

There are 9 regions and 32 areas 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 thousands of years old.

Wales

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

Wales has land borders with England in the east, and water - through Bristol Bay on South. Also, water boundaries across St. George's Channel separate Wales and Ireland. The north of the country is washed 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 separately from England, Scotland and Wales because this country is located on a separate island- in the north-west of Great Britain. 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 country's water boundaries lie in the southeast from Irish Sea, and in the southwest with Atlantic Ocean.

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

Detailed map of Great Britain 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 does not provide any privileges other than prestige.

London

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

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

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

While walking around the city, you will come across attractions on every corner:

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

Guests of the British capital are of great interest ancient streets, located in the Westminster area, and squares that preserve the history of the country.

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

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. This convenient location is very good for the country, since it is home to the largest seaport and numerous shipbuilding enterprises, one of which built the infamous Titanic. The city has a well-developed oil refining and electrical engineering industry, as well as instrument making.

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

Today Belfast is a large city with a population of approximately 600 thousand people, and its numbers are growing every year.

Tourists are encouraged to come here by a large number of attractions, such as, for example, Donegall Square or sculpture "Big Fish", which contains a capsule with important information about the city.

Birmingham

Birmingham is another major city in central England, located in West Midlands. During the war, the city suffered greatly, many residents died and houses were destroyed, but by 1990 it was returned to its original appearance, having been slightly improved. Today, 1.2 million people live in it, 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 of handicrafts and metal forging.

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

Today, Birmingham is so famous that it attracts tourists with unusual contrasts: the main attractions of the city are located next to industrial zones, and former factories are being turned into art galleries. Thanks to this, the city incredibly in demand from 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 left penniless.

Bristol

Bristol is one of the most important cities in the UK and major port in central England, with an extensive seafaring 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, local residents actively cultivated their capital through trade with the United States and the West Indies.

Today Bristol is capital of the county of the same name, as well as a major business, cultural and educational center in the southwest 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 to get to know the country better. This place has a lot of attractions, some of which belong to the 11th century – the century of the city’s founding. Georgian architecture, considered a great rarity for the country, seems especially attractive.

Cardiff

This city is capital of Wales, as well as one of the main cities in the UK, with the status of a “city”. This status was granted to him at the beginning of the last century because rapid industrial growth began 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 shores of Bristol Bay near Newport. It is bordered to the west by the Vale of Glamorgan and to the north it is surrounded by two other Welsh valleys - Caerphilly and Rhondagh Cynon Taw.

The city itself was built at 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 of Wales;
3. Llandaff Cathedral.

There are also many Welsh-related attractions in the area around Cardiff. culture And history countries.

Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland is the second most popular city that tourists prefer to visit when 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 largest and most beautiful festivals countries.

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

About 470 thousand people live here, which is much less than in another large city in this country - Glasgow. The first mention of it appeared in 1170, and in the 12th 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 large university world-famous (Edinburgh City University). The city is also home to many government offices.

Glasgow

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

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

As industry began to grow in Glasgow, its population increased significantly. Local merchants, who had become rich by trading goods from America, began arrange the city. Beautiful buildings, impressive warehouses, as well as squares and lawns appeared here.

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

Liverpool

The city that was glorified by the famous "Fab Four", was once just a small settlement in England in the county of Merseyside, formed in the west of the British island.

Thanks to its location, it overnight transformed 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 very close.

The first in England opened in Liverpool in 1715. port dock, and already in 1880 it received city status. Today, about 1.3 million people live here, and even more tourists come here to explore the city's many attractions, from the ancient 13th-century palace to the famous bar where the famous Beatles performed.

Manchester

The city with a rich history of industrialization is the third largest popularity as a tourist destination Great Britain and England. Manchester has always been distinguished by fairly developed handicrafts and active trade, but during the Industrial Revolution it took a leading position, becoming the textile center of Britain.

Spinning machines, steam engines, and proximity to coal mines and the port of Liverpool played a big role in such an active development of Manchester.

All this allowed the city to quickly achieve unprecedented scale, and wealthy merchants to invest a lot of money in the cultural development of the city. Construction began everywhere galleries, public parks.

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

Newcastle upon Tyne

The largest city located in the northeast of England in 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 that - a center for coal mining and an important city with a population of 300 thousand people.

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

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 at the college alone.

Newcastle has its own attractions:

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

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

Oxford

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

The first mentions of the city date 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. Magdalene College.

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

Cambridge

The city, located in the south of England near London, is the capital Cambridgeshire, but it received “city” status only recently. Cambridge is known to many as another place where the famous university is located, one of the top 5 best educational institutions in the world.

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

The first mentions of Cambridge date back to the 8th century, and already in the Middle Ages the city became one of the centers of concentration of forces supporting parliament. In the 15th century, Henry VI himself founded the famous King's College, considered not only an important educational institution, but also the most beautiful architectural monument in Great Britain.

Nottingham

Nottingham is located in the very center of England on the River Trent and is capital of Nottingshire with a population of about 300 thousand people. The city has a highly developed knitting industry, mechanical engineering, food-flavoring enterprises, as well as coal mining and pharmaceuticals, but its popularity came thanks to the famous 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 travel.

Great Britain or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is an island country located in western 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 are underwater. The UK consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Great Britain is a state that is the successor to the Great British Empire. Today, the country's own territory is 243,809 km 2. A detailed political map of Great Britain shows that the country has sovereignty over 17 territories: 14 British Overseas Territories and 3 Crown Lands.

The country's largest cities are London (the 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, the 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 actual rulers. The country is ruled by parliament.

Historical reference

BC. Tribes of Britons lived in the British Isles. In 43 AD 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, England and Wales were conquered by the Normans.

1337-1453 - Hundred Years' War with France

16th century - Reformation and creation of the Church of England

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

18th century - colonial policy

1801 - creation of the state of Great Britain

XIX-XX centuries - The British Empire, participation in world wars and the policy of decolonization.

Must Visit

The map of Great Britain is literally replete with attractions. The capitals of 4 countries that make up the United Kingdom are a must-visit: London (England), Edinburgh (Scotland), Cardiff (Wales) and Belfast (Northern Ireland).

We recommend visiting the castles of Great Britain, Stonehenge, abbeys and cathedrals, the Palace of Westminster, Edinburgh Castle, the Tower, the Lake District, the scientific towns of Oxford and Cambridge, the mountains of Scotland (Cape Ben Nevis), museums and other attractions of the country.