United Kingdom

www.uk.autold.com/

www.globaledge.msu.edu

www.globaledge.msu.edu

www.great-britain.co.uk

www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

www.globaledge.msu.edu

Basic tourist information about the country

Maps, most useful for travelling:

The British are said to be reserved in manners, dress and speech. They are famous for their politeness, self-discipline and especially for a sense of humour. Basic politeness (please, thank you, excuse me) is expected.

British people are quite reserved when greeting one another. A greeting can be a bright ’Hello’ ’Hi’ or ’Good morning’, when you arrive at work or at school.

Religion in Great Britain

The official religion in Britain is Christianity as practised by the Anglican Church. Followers of this branch of Christianity are known as Protestants and make up the majority of the population, although there are also many Catholics. Christians constitute about 71% of the population, but Britain is a multi-faith society and all other religions, including; Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam and Sikhism are freely practiced. About 23% of Britain follows no particular religion.

The main British parties support a strong transatlantic link, but have become increasingly absorbed by European issues as Britain’s economic and political ties to the continent grew in the post-Cold War world. Prime Minister Brown is expected to continue Blair’s policy of having the United Kingdom play a leading role in Europe even as the United Kingdom maintains its strong bilateral relationship with the United States. Britain’s relationship with Europe is a subject of considerable political discussion in the United Kingdom.

Great Britain was the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century and played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science.

The first half of the 20th century saw the UK’s strength seriously depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation.

The United Kingdom has the fifth-largest economy in the world, is the second-largest economy in the European Union, and is a major international trading power. A highly developed, diversified, market-based economy with extensive social welfare services provides most residents with a high standard of living. Unemployment and inflation levels are amongst the lowest within the European Union.

The economy of the United Kingdom is now primarily based on private enterprise, accounting for approximately four-fifths of employment and output.

Capital cities

England: London, 7 615 000 (metro. area), 7 429 200 (city proper)

Scotland: Edinburgh

Wales: Cardiff

Other large cities: Glasgow (1 099 400); Birmingham (971 800); Liverpool (461 900); Edinburgh (460 000); Leeds (417 000); Bristol (406 500); Manchester (390 700); Bradford (288 400)

Area: 209 331 km²

Largest city: London

Population: 60 776 238

Indigenous people: Cornish, English, Scots, Welsh, others