UK counties map. Great Britain on the world map

You will learn from this article how England differs from Great Britain, the lords' fees from the House of Commons, and Prince Harry from Princess Beatrice.

Most of us use the words “England” and “Great Britain” as identical concepts, without going particularly 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 (the Angles) that once inhabited this historical region.

Scottish man in traditional costume

During 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 of the British archipelago, on which, in addition to England, there are two more independent territories that were previously independent states: Wales and Scotland.

Henry VIII - one of the most famous rulers of medieval England

Country England or Great Britain?

The country that we call either England or Great Britain is officially called the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland"(The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland). Therefore, strictly speaking, both names are wrong.

The United Kingdom's possessions include the island of Great Britain, the north of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands and archipelagos around the world, such as Gibraltar, Bermuda, the Falkland Islands and the Cayman Islands.

Tower Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in Great Britain

In Russia, this cumbersome name is often shortened to “Great Britain”. In Europe, the abbreviation UK (from “united kingdom”) is almost always used for abbreviation.

British Royal Guards dress uniform

United Kingdom of Great Britain: general information

What part of the continent is Great Britain located on?

Great Britain, not counting small islands, is located in the British Archipelago, in the North-Western part of Europe. This region is often called Foggy Albion due to the abundance of rain, dampness and endless fog that cyclones bring from the Atlantic.

The warm waters of the Gulf Stream soften the climate a little: there are no very cold winters here (with the exception of the mountainous areas of Scotland and Wales), and in the summer average temperature stays around 20 C heat.

Rain and fog are common in England

Capital of England and Great Britain

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

Economic institutions of global scale are concentrated here; the main financial flows of the largest transnational corporations and currency centers of smaller states pass through London.

London is the capital of England and Great Britain

London was founded by the Romans as the capital of the Roman province of Britannia, 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 on world politics, few cities in 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 group.

The Beatles are Britain's most famous rock band

Great Britain on the world map

Today, Great Britain ranks modestly 78th in the world in terms of territory size. It accounts for only 2% of the earth's surface. We can say that Great Britain is just a small spot on the world map. But it was not always so.

At its height, the British Empire literally controlled a quarter of the world. At the beginning of the 20th century, Great Britain was the largest state that has ever existed on the planet (its record has not yet been broken).

Former British colonies on the world map

In addition to the crown territories in the British Isles, Great Britain owned: 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 USA 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 promise anything good for the conquered territories. In the history of the British Empire there were many bloody wars and the most severe punitive operations in the territories under its control.

Modern territory of Great Britain on the map of Europe

Map of Great Britain in Russian

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

Political structure of Great Britain

Who is the head of state in Great Britain?

The UK has a rather complex and confusing system of government. In addition to the monarch, there are such bodies governing the country as the House of Lords, the House of Commons, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Prime Minister.

British Parliament House in London

UK House of Commons

The main task of the House of Commons is to represent the interests of all classes of the population when passing laws in the state. Members of the House of Commons are elected by voting in administrative districts UK for a period of 5 years. This is the lowest level 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 law infringed on the interests of the nobility.

UK House of Commons

Currently, the Lords can only delay such laws by between one month and a year. The duties of members of the House of Lords also include the consideration of judicial appeals.

A seat in the House of Lords is hereditary (except for representatives of the church, where members of the House of Lords are appointed by the Council of Bishops), and it 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 permanent salary for attending meetings and are not required to attend every meeting.

UK House of Lords

UK Parliament

The Commons and the House of Lords are collectively known as the Parliament of Great Britain. If necessary, the monarch can dissolve parliament and announce early elections, or, conversely, extend its powers.

Cabinet of Ministers

The Cabinet of Ministers is the highest governing body of the country. Cabinet members head various government structures (departments or ministries). Ministers are appointed from among the representatives of Parliament, their responsibilities include the leadership of ministries, as well as consultations with the monarch on important decisions. The UK Cabinet reports to Parliament.

UK Cabinet Office, 2012

Prime Minister of Great Britain

The Prime Minister of Great Britain is the main official in the country after the monarch. He heads the government and can act on behalf of the monarch in certain matters. The candidacy for the post of prime minister is approved by the king or queen from among the most influential members of Parliament.

Kings and Queens of Great Britain

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

Throne Room of Buckingham Palace in the UK

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

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

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain on the throne

UK Conservative Party

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

Historically, it is the most powerful political force in the kingdom, consistently holding the majority of seats in Parliament. The most prominent prime ministers in modern history Great Britain belonged specifically 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.

Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister during World War II

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

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain

Despite belonging to the weaker sex, Elizabeth II is famous for her iron character, and will give odds to many men. Some interesting facts from her biography:

At the age of 18, Elizabeth persuaded her father to let her join the active army and in 1944 she took a driver-mechanics course, after which she entered military service in the women's self-defense unit and served for about six months until the end of World War II. She is the only lady in the royal family who took part in military operations.

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain as a child

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

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain with her future husband Prince Philip

Elizabeth bought the fabric for her wedding dress using discount coupon cards. In 1947, the British economy had not yet recovered from the war, and Elizabeth considered it indecent to spend the kingdom’s treasury on lavish celebrations.

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain after her coronation

Even at 90 years old, Elizabeth still personally conducts all the most important meetings in the state and, as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, inspects all military installations of the kingdom. She does not trust the heir apparent, Prince Charles, with any of these issues.

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain with her son

The queen's steely character does not prevent her from having small human weaknesses.

Elizabeth II is considered a trendsetter and a big fan of hats. She wears bright colors regardless of her age, but never goes beyond the boundaries of strict classics.

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and one of her hats

According to protocol, the Queen cannot appear at official events in the same outfit twice. Each of her clothes is entered into a huge catalog, has its own serial number and is accompanied by a record of where, when and under what circumstances she wore it - this allows her to avoid repetition and embarrassment.

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and her outfits

The Queen is obliged to be the standard of politeness, but the number of meetings and audiences is so great that it takes too much energy. Elizabeth II has several secret signs by which the courtiers must understand that it is time to end the event. For example, if Elizabeth is spinning a ring on her finger, the conversation must be ended within the next 5 minutes.

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and her handbag

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

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. Something went wrong.

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

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain on vacation

Other representatives of the British royal house

Elizabeth II belongs to the royal branch of the Windsors, of which there are quite a lot of descendants in modern Britain. The British are very sensitive to the institution of the monarchy; among the members of the royal family they have their favorites and scandalous persons, whose name is well known to everyone.

Members of the British Royal Family

Princess Diana

Diana Spencer (or Lady Di) is consistently ranked in the TOP 10 greatest Britons according to 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 many contributions to charity, as well as her boundless personal charm, modesty and simplicity.

Princess Diana with her sons

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

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

Princess Diana (Lady Di)

Prince William and Kate Middleton

Prince William is the grandson of Elizabeth II, the son of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. William inherited many traits from his mother (he is also charming, does a lot of charity work), and in terms of the degree of adoration of his loyal subjects, he has recently rapidly overtaken his grandmother. He serves as a helicopter pilot for the English Medical Service and takes part in rescue operations.

Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton comes from a simple family. She met her future husband, Prince William, while studying at university. Shy Kate's demeanor very much reminds the British of Diana. They are delighted with her attitude towards children and 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.

William and Kate with children

Prince Harry

The youngest son of Diana and Prince Charles evokes mixed feelings among the British. On the one hand, he is not distinguished by impeccable behavior, but on the other hand, he is such a sweetheart that British citizens forgive him everything. In addition, his antics are caused more by curiosity and youthful carelessness than by a spoiled disposition.

Prince Harry

The most notorious “exploits” of Prince Harry: boundless amorousness (photos of Harry with cute young ladies regularly appear in the press), hussar antics and cheerful parties. But there are also serious achievements: Prince Harry took part in combat operations in Afghanistan as an ordinary pilot, and put his life in danger along with others without any concessions.

Prince Harry with his partner while serving in Afghanistan

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

Sisters Beatrice and Eugenie are granddaughters of Queen Elizabeth II, daughters of her second son, Prince Andrew. Unlike William and Harry, the girls cannot boast of an ideal reputation in the eyes of others, or even relative charm.

Princess Beatrice

The eldest Beatrice is often criticized by residents of Great Britain for her too extravagant outfits, which do not always comply with the protocol. She also gets punished for being too curvaceous and having an idle lifestyle (in Great Britain, belonging to the royal house does not at all mean the right to idleness). Otherwise, Beatrice manages to stay within the bounds of decency.

Princess Eugenie

The youngest Evgenia is a real headache for her family. The girl regularly excites the British public with her antics and the next batch of paparazzi photographs: drunken dancing, cigarettes and indecent antics - this is the main thing that Evgenia is famous for.

Video. Interesting facts about Great Britain

England is very often used in other meanings: Great Britain, Britain, United Kingdom. England on the world map is the largest historical and administrative part of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. The capital of England - London. This city is the largest city in Great Britain and the European Union. England occupies the south eastern part Great Britain.

The flight time to London, the capital of Great Britain, is short and families with small children will not need to make a transfer to give the child a break from the flight.

From North the country borders Scotland, and from the west with Wales. England is separated from France by two straits: the English Channel and the Pas de Calais, under which runs the large Eurotunnel, which connects Europe and the UK by rail. The coast of England is washed by the waters of two seas: the Northern and Irish, and the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Detailed map England with cities in Russian is presented on our website.

The southern half of England lies on plains that are separated by hills and highlands. In the north, the country becomes mountainous and here are the Pennine Mountains, which stretch for 350 kilometers. Mountains separate the north-west of the country from Yorkshire and the north-east. The Pennines are also often referred to as the "backbone of England". The highest point in England is Scafell Pike, which is about 978 meters high. The eastern part of England is occupied by marshy lowlands that have been drained for agricultural work.

GREAT BRITAIN

(United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

General information

Geographical position. Great Britain is a country in northwestern Europe. Consists of the island of Great Britain, which contains England, Scotland and Wales, and Northern Ireland, which occupies part of the island of Ireland. The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are dominions of the United Kingdom, but are not part of it.

Square. The territory of Great Britain occupies 244,110 square meters. km.

Main cities, administrative divisions. The capital of the Great Britain is London. Largest cities: London (7,335 thousand people), Manchester (2,277 thousand people), Birmingham (935 thousand people), Glasgow (654 thousand people), Sheffield (500 thousand people), Liverpool (450 thousand people), Edinburgh (421 thousand people), Belfast (280 thousand people).

Great Britain consists of 4 administrative and political parts (historical provinces): England (39 counties, 6 metropolitan counties and Greater London), Wales (8 counties), Scotland (9 districts and an island territory) and Northern Ireland (26 counties). The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands have a special status.

Political system

Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II (in power since 1952). The head of government is the prime minister. Legislative power belongs to Parliament, which consists of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

Relief. On the territory of England there are the Pennine Mountains (in the north of the region) with the highest point - Mount Scafell Pike (2,178m). A vast plain stretches south from the Pennines and east from Wales, occupying most of central and southern England. In the far south are the Dartmoor Hills (about 610 m above sea level).

Scotland's largely mountainous region can in turn be divided into three regions: the Highlands in the north, the Central Lowlands in the center and the Sazen Uplands in the south. The first region occupies more than half of Scotland's territory. This is the most mountainous region of the British Isles, cut in many places by narrow lakes. The Grampian Mountains of this region contain the highest point in Scotland and the entire United Kingdom - Mount Ben Nevis (1,343 m). The central region is more or less flat with some hills. And although it occupies only a tenth of Scotland's territory, the majority of the country's population is concentrated here. Most South Region- heather uplands, much lower than the Highlands. >

Wales, like Scotland, is a mountainous region, but the mountains here are not so high. The main mountain range is the Cambrian Mountains in central Wales, the Snowdon massif (up to 1,085 m high) is located in the north-west. Most of Northern Ireland is occupied by a plain, in the center of which is Lough Neagh. In the northwest are the Sperin Mountains, in the north- east coast- the Antrim Highlands and the Mourne Mountains in the southeast of the region, where the most high point Northern Ireland Slieve Donard (852 m).

Geological structure and minerals. In Great Britain there are deposits of coal, oil, natural gas, iron ore, rock and potassium salts, tin, lead, and quartz.

Climate. The climate of the country varies depending on the region. In England the climate is mild due to the relative warmth of the seas that wash it. Average annual temperature is about +11°C in the south and about +9°C in the northeast. The average July temperature in London is about +18°C, the average January temperature is about +4.5°C. The average annual precipitation (the heaviest rain occurs in October) is about 760 mm. Scotland is the coldest region in the UK. The average January temperature is about +3°C, and snow often falls in the mountains in the north. The average July temperature is about +15°C. The greatest amount of precipitation falls in the west of the Highlands region (about 3,810 mm per year), the least in some eastern areas (about 635 mm per year). The climate of Wales is mild and humid. The average January temperature is about +5°C. The average July temperature is about +15°C. Average annual rainfall is approximately 762 mm in the central coastal region and over 2,540 mm in the Snowdon massif. Northern Ireland's climate is mild and humid. The average annual temperature is about +10°C (about +14.5°C in July and about +4.5°C in January). Precipitation in the north often exceeds 1,016 mm per year, while in the south it is about 760 mm per year.

Inland waters. The main rivers of England are the Thames, Severn, Tyne, and the picturesque Lake District is located in the Mersinnines. The main rivers of Scotland are the Clyde, Tay, Force, Tweed, Dee and Spey. Among the many lakes, Loch Ness, Loch Tay and Loch Katrine stand out. The main rivers of Wales: Dee, Usk, Teifi. The largest lake is Bala. The main rivers of Northern Ireland are the Foyle, Upper Ban and Lower Ban. Lough Neagh (about 390 sq. km) is the most big lake British Isles.

Soils and vegetation. The vegetation of England is quite poor, forests occupy less than 4% of the region's territory, the most common are oak, birch, and pine. In Scotland, woodland is more common, although the region is dominated by moorland. The forests in the southern and eastern Highlands are primarily composed of oak and conifers (spruce, pine and larch). In Wales the forests are mainly deciduous: ash, oak. IN mountainous areas Coniferous trees are common.

Animal world. In England, deer, fox, rabbit, hare, and badger are common; among the birds - partridge, pigeon, raven. Reptiles, of which there are only four species in the entire British Isles, are rare in England. The rivers in the region are inhabited mainly by salmon and trout. The most typical species for Scotland are deer, roe deer, hare, rabbit, marten, otter, and wild cat. The most common birds are partridges and wild ducks. There are also plenty of salmon and trout in Scotland's rivers and lakes. Cod, herring, and haddock are caught in coastal waters. In Wales the fauna is almost the same as in England, with the exception of the black ferret and pine marten, which are not found in England.

Population and language

The population of the United Kingdom is approximately 58.97 million people, with an average population density of approximately 241 people per square meter. km. Ethnic groups: English - 81.5%, Scots - 9.6%, Irish - 2.4%, Welsh - 1.9%, Ulsters - 1.8%, Indians, Pakistanis, Chinese, Arabs, Africans. Official language-English.

Religion

Anglicans - 47%, Catholics - 16%, Muslims - 2%, Methodists, Baptists, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs.

Brief historical sketch

In 43 AD e. Britain became part of the Roman Empire and remained there until 410, when the Romans were driven out by the Celts, Saxons and other tribes.

In 1066, the small kingdoms of Great Britain were conquered by the Norman commander William and united into a single state.

In 1215, King John the Landless signed a guarantee of rights providing for the supremacy of the Magna Carta law (a document that remains one of the main parts of the country's constitution to this day).

In 1338, England entered into a war with France that lasted more than a hundred years (until 1.453). Almost immediately after its end, a war for the English throne broke out (the War of the Roses - the two rival dynasties of Lancaster and York, as a result of which both dynasties died), ending in 1485 with the victory of the Tudor dynasty.”

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603), England emerged as a great maritime power and conquered extensive colonies on several continents.

In 1603, when the Scottish king James VI ascended the English throne as King James I, Scotland and England were effectively united into one state. However, the Kingdom of Great Britain was proclaimed after the signing of the act of union in 1707, from the same time London became the capital of a single state.

In 1642-1649. conflict between royal house The Stuarts and Parliament led to a bloody civil war, which resulted in the proclamation of a republic led by Oliver Cromwell. The monarchy was soon restored, but the king's rights were significantly curtailed and parliament actually had full power.

At the end of the 18th century. Great Britain lost 13 American colonies, but significantly strengthened its position in Canada and India.

In 1801, Ireland was annexed to the kingdom. In 1815, Great Britain played a major role in the defeat of Napoleonic army, which strengthened its position as one of the most important European powers. After this, the country lived in peace for a whole century, expanding its colonial possessions, which especially grew during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901).

After the First World War, Great Britain was in dire straits economic situation, which partly played in favor of the Irish liberation movement, and in 1921 Ireland declared independence.

After the Second World War, national problems in Scotland and Northern Ireland worsened. The events in Northern Ireland, where a war had actually been waged since 1969, took on a particularly dramatic character.

In August 1994, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) declared a unilateral ceasefire, and the peace process, which began in the early 1990s with negotiations between the British and Irish governments, moved a little faster. However, dissatisfied with the progress of the negotiation process, IRA militants resumed terrorist activities in early 1996. An agreement was reached between England and Ireland to resolve differences by peaceful political means.

Brief Economic Sketch

Great Britain is an economically developed industrial country. Extraction of oil, natural gas, coal. The leading industry is mechanical engineering, including electrical and radio-electronic, transport (aircraft rocket, automobile and shipbuilding), tractor and machine tool manufacturing. Oil refining, chemical (production of plastics and synthetic resins, chemical fibers, synthetic rubber, sulfuric acid, mineral fertilizers), textile, and food industries are developed. Large shoe, clothing and other light industries. Home industry Agriculture- meat, dairy and dairy farming. Grain farming predominates in crop production; cultivation of sugar beets, potato growing. Fishing. Export: machinery and equipment, oil and petroleum products, chemical products. Great Britain is a major exporter of capital. Foreign tourism.

The monetary unit is pound sterling.

Brief sketch of culture

Art and architecture. In Great Britain, the largest megalithic complexes of the Neolithic and Bronze Age (Stonehenge, Avebury), remains of Roman buildings I-V centuries, stone carvings and metal products of the Celts, Picts, Anglo-Saxons. By the 7th - 10th centuries. include churches (at Earl Barton, 10th century), derived from vernacular frame buildings, and miniatures with complex curvilinear patterns. Anglo-Norman churches (in Norwich, Wickchester) with narrow, long nave, choir and transept and powerful square towers, tower-shaped castles (Tower of London, begun around 1078), colorful miniatures of the Winchester school are characteristic of the Romanesque style of the 11th-12th centuries . Developed from the 12th century. English Gothic (the first Gothic design in Europe - in the cathedral in Durham) is represented by the cathedrals in Canterbury, Lincoln, Salisbury, York, Westminster Abbey in London; They are characterized by a combination of simplicity and massiveness of elongated, squat volumes with an increasing abundance of decor, an increasingly complex pattern of wide facades; decorative elegance is distinguished

favors Gothic paintings, miniatures, sculpture, tombstones with figures in stone or engraved on copper sheets. Late Gothic (“Perpendicular style”, from the second half of the 14th century) is marked by the richness of the carved decoration of the light, spacious interiors of churches and secular buildings (St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, 1474-1528, Henry VII in Westminster in London, 1503-1519), the emergence of easel painting, including portraiture.

The Reformation (began in 1534) gave English culture a purely secular character, and after the English Revolution of the 17th century. In construction and everyday life, the desire for rationality and comfort has intensified.

In painting of the 16th-17th centuries. The portrait took the main place: the traditions of H. Holbein, who came to Great Britain, were developed by the English miniaturists N. Hilliard, A. Oliver, S. Cooper; The type of spectacular aristocratic portrait of the 17th century, introduced by foreigners who moved to Great Britain - L. van Dyck, P. Lely, G. Neller, acquired greater simplicity, rigor and objectivity from their English successors - W. Dobson and J. Riley.

The classically clear buildings of I. Jones (Banquet Hall in London, 1619-1622) served as the starting point for the development of English classicism of the 17th-18th centuries, which was distinguished by restrained, strict solemnity, a clear logic of the composition of urban ensembles (Greenwich Hospital, 1616-1728, architect K . Wren et al., Fitzroy Square, about 1790-1800, architects R. and J. Adam, - in London), churches (St. Paul's Cathedral, 1675-1710, and 52 churches in London built by K. Wren after fire of 1666).

Great Britain was the birthplace of the romantic pseudo-Gothic movement and landscape “English” parks (W. Kent, W. Chambers).

The heyday of English art in the 18th century. opens with the work of W. Hogarth. A galaxy of brilliant portrait painters: A. Ramsey, J. Reynolds, H. Raeburn skillfully combined the ceremonial impressiveness of the composition with the naturalness and spirituality of the image. National schools of landscape painting (G. Gainsborough, R. Wilson, J. Crome; watercolorists J. R. Cozens, T. Gurtin) and genre painting (J. Moreland, J. Wright) emerged.

In the first half of the 19th century. Along with the romantic science fiction graphic artist W. Blake and the bold colorist landscape painter W. Turner, the founder of plein air realistic landscape J. Constable, the subtle landscape painter and historical painter R. P. Bonington, the masters of watercolor landscape J. S. are put forward. Cotman and D. Cox.

London. The British Museum (which houses world-famous archaeological finds, collections of drawings, coins, medals, and regularly hosts specialized exhibitions); Victoria and Albert Museum (which is one of the most interesting museums applied art with the richest collections of objects from almost all countries of the world, all styles and eras, national collections of post-classical sculpture, photography, watercolors); Museum natural history with magnificent collections of animals, insects, fish, a specialized exhibition of dinosaurs; Museum of the History of London with a collection of exhibits from Roman times to the present day; Tate Gallery with magnificent collections of British and European paintings of the late 19th and 20th centuries; National Gallery with a collection of Western European paintings from the 13th century. to the 20th century; London Prison - a museum of medieval horrors with torture chambers; Madame Tussauds - Worldwide famous museum wax figures; Cathedral of St. Paul (XVII-XVIII centuries); Tower of London - museum complex, which, in particular, houses the British Crown Jewels; Westminster Abbey (11th century) is the place of coronation of all British monarchs; Palace of Westminster(Parliament Buildings), the most famous part of which is clock tower with the bell "Beat Ben"; Buckingham Palace is the royal residence. Trafalgar Square with Nelson's Column, erected in honor of the victory at Trafalgar; a large number of parks, among which Hyde Park with its “speakers’ corner” stands out; Regent's Park with its magnificent zoo, Kew Gardens with its greenhouse, aquarium and Butterfly House, where tropical butterflies fly all year round. Edinburgh. Edinburgh castle; Church of St. Margaret (XI century); Castle Rock Castle, the royal residence in Scotland; the Palace of Holyrod; Church of St. Gilles (XV century); Scottish Parliament House (1639); house of a Protestant reformer of the 16th century. John Nonce; National Gallery of Scotland; National Portrait Gallery of Scotland; Royal Museum; Museum modern history; Scottish History Museum. Belfast. City hall; Protestant Cathedral of St. Anna; Ulster Museum. Glasgow. Cathedral of St. Mungo (1136 - mid-15th century); Glasgow Museum, one of the best in Britain art galleries; Hunterian Museum; Botanical Garden; zoo. Cardiff. Cardaf Castle (XI century); Llandaff Cathedral; Church of St. John the Baptist (XV century); National Museum of Wales. Stratford-upon-Avon (England). William Shakespeare House-Museum; Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Inver Ness (Scotland). Castle of the 12th century; remains of the GUV fort; is nearby famous lake Loch Ness, where a monster with the affectionate name Nessie allegedly lives.

The science. D. Priestley (1733-1804) - chemist who discovered oxygen; T. More (1478-1535) - one of the founders of utopian socialism; W. Gilbert (1544-1603) - physicist, geomagnetism researcher; F. Bacon (1561-1626) - philosopher, founder of English materialism; W. Harvey (1578-1657) - founder of modern physiology and embryology, who described the systemic and pulmonary circulation; R. Boyle (1627-1691) - chemist and physicist who laid the foundation for chemical analysis; J. Locke (1632-1704) - philosopher, founder of liberalism; I. Newton (1643-1727) - mathematician, mechanic, astronomer and physicist, creator of classical mechanics; E. Halley (1656-1742) - astronomer and geophysicist who calculated the orbits of more than 20 comets; J. Berkeley (1685-1753) - philosopher, subjective idealist; S. Johnson (1709-1784) - lexicographer who created the Dictionary in English"(1755); D. Hume (1711_1776) - philosopher, historian, economist; V. Herschel (1738-1822) - founder of stellar astronomy, who discovered Uranus; G. Cort (1740-1800) - inventor of the rolling mill; E. Cartwright (1743-1823) - inventor of the loom; T. Malthus (1766-1834) - economist, founder of Malthusianism; D. Ricardo (1772-1823) and A. Smith (1723-1790) are the largest representatives of classical political economy; J. Watt (1774-1784) - inventor of the steam engine; J. Stephenson (1781-1848) - inventor of the steam locomotive; M. Faraday (1791-1867) - physicist, founder of the doctrine of the electromagnetic field; J. Nesmith (1808-1890) - creator of the steam hammer; Charles Darwin (1809-1882) - natural scientist, creator of the theory of evolution; J. Joule (1818-1889) - physicist who experimentally substantiated the law of conservation of energy; J. Adams (1819-1892) - astronomer and mathematician who calculated the orbit and coordinates of Neptune; G. Spencer (1820-1903) - philosopher and sociologist, one of the founders of positivism; J. Maxwell (1831-1879) - physicist, creator of classical electrodynamics; W. Batson (1861-1926) - biologist, one of the founders of genetics; G. Rutherford (1871-1937) - physicist, one of the creators of the doctrine of radioactivity and the structure of the atom; A. Fleming (1881-1955) - microbiologist who discovered penicillin; J. Keynes (1883-1946) - economist, founder of Keynesianism; J. Chadwick (1891-1974) - physicist who discovered the neutron; P. Dirac (1902-1984) - physicist, one of the creators of quantum mechanics; F. Whittle (b. 1907) - inventor of the turbojet engine.

Literature. The epic poem "Beowulf" (7th century) has come down to us in copies of the 10th century. On British soil in the 8th-19th centuries. Anglo-Saxon religious lyrics, theological works, and chronicles arose. After the conquest of England by the Normans in the 11th-13th centuries. trilingual literature is developing: church works in Latin, knightly verses and poems in French, English legends in Anglo-Saxon. The synthesis of the culture of the era of mature feudalism and the anticipation of the early Renaissance are characteristic of The Canterbury Tales (XIV century) - a collection of poetic stories and short stories by J. Chaucer. The prologue to this work gives a description of people of all classes and professions going on pilgrimage to Canterbury. The medieval romance of chivalry is combined here with the prosaic humor of the townspeople, and the emergence of early humanism is felt in the assessments of life phenomena. The Hundred Years' War with France, then the War of the Scarlet and White Roses, slowed down the development of literature. Among the few monuments is a prose presentation of the legends about the knights of the Round Table - “The Death of Arthur” by Thomas Malory (XV century). At the beginning of the 16th century. Thomas More, the author of Utopia, which contained not only criticism of the feudal system, but also a picture of an ideal state, speaks.

At the beginning of the 17th century. the genre of essay (F. Bacon) and characterization (G. Overbury) appears. The dramaturgy of the mature English Renaissance reached its greatest artistic heights. In the 15th century The genres of morality plays and interludes appear in the theater. In the folk theater experiencing rapid development in the 2nd half of the 16th century, an original national dramaturgy emerged: C. Marlowe (1564-1593), T. Kyd (1558-1594), etc. Their activities prepared the ground for the work of the great playwright W. Shakespeare (1564-1594). 1616). In his comedies he reflected the cheerful spirit of the Renaissance and the optimism of the humanists; among his works are chronicle plays from the history of England (“Richard III”, “Henry IV”, etc.). The pinnacle of Shakespeare's creativity were tragedies (Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra, etc.).

During the Restoration, J. Milton (1608-1674) created an epic poem based on the biblical story “ Lost heaven"(1667).

The leading ideological movement of the 18th century. becomes enlightenment. Primacy in literature moves from poetry to prose; A bourgeois novel arises, the creator of which was D. Defoe (1661-1731), famous for the novel “Robinson Crusoe” (1719). The satire of J. Swift (1667-1745) “Gulliver's Travels” (1726) brought the author worldwide fame. The sentimental novels of S. Richardson (1689-1761), written in epistolary form, became famous. The satirical line in social comedy continued to develop and reached its culmination in the work of R. B. Sheridan (1751-1816), author of the satirical comedy “The School for Scandal” (1777).

The revival of interest in folk poetry led to the popularity of the Scottish poet R. Burns (1759-1796). In the 90s of the XVIII century. The works of the romantics W. Wordsworth (1770-1850), S. T. Coleridge (1772-1834), R. Southey (1774-1843) appeared, sometimes united by the concept of the “lake school”. The second generation of English romantics - J. G. Byron (1788-1824), P. B. Shelley (1792-1822), J. Keathe (1795-1821). W. Scott (1771-1832) creates the genre of historical novel.

30-60s XIX - the heyday of critical realism: in the novels of Charles Dickens (1812-1870), W. M. Thackeray (1811-1863), S. Bronte (1816-1855), E. Haskell ( 1810-1865). Thackeray creates a “novel without a hero” “Vanity Fair” (1847-1848). IN late XIX V. in the English novel there is a sharp contrast between the neo-romanticism of R. L. Stevenson (1850-1894) and the harsh realism of T. Hard (1840-1928) and S. Butler (1835-1902). Representatives of English naturalism J. Moore (1852-1933) and J. Gissing (1857-1903) were followers of E. Zola.

In the 90s The period of modern English literature begins. At its threshold stands a brief period of decadence and symbolism, represented by O. Wilde (1854-1900). The luminary of English symbolism-Irish W. B. Yeats (1865-1939).

The last decade of the 19th century. and the years preceding the First World War were marked by the powerful development of critical realism, for example, the plays of B. Shaw (1856-1950, “Heartbreak House,” “Back to Methuselah,” etc.), the fantastic and philosophical novels of G. J. Wells (1866-1946, “The First Men in the Moon”, etc.), the trilogy “The Forsyte Saga” and “Modern Comedy” by J. Galsworthy (1867-1933), the works of W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965, “Burden”). human passions”, “The Razor’s Edge”, “The Moon and a Penny”, “Theater”, etc.), E. M. Forster (1879-1970), Katherine Mansfield (1888-1923), etc. J. Conrad stands apart ( 1857-1924), combining romance sea ​​travel and descriptions exotic countries with subtle psychologism. Poetry is most originally represented by R. Kipling (1865-1936).

The main place in the literature of the pre-war period remains with the novel, in which modernist experimentation emerges. The Irishman J. Joyce (1882-1941) in the novel “Ulysses” (1922) used the “stream of consciousness” method in literature, noting the smallest details of the characters’ inner lives.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is commonly referred to as the United Kingdom. Great Britain is a great power, the heir to the largest British Empire in history, ruled by Elizabeth II.

Great Britain on the world map

Geography
This Island state in the British Isles, northwestern Europe. Includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of Ireland and many small islands and archipelagos. Washed Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, English Channel with the English Channel. There are many rivers and lakes on the territory of the country that feed the country and flow into the ocean and seas. If you decide to live here for a long time, we recommend that you register British citizenship and then your stay in this country will be more comfortable.

Administrative division
England - 39 counties and 7 county towns, central city– London;
Scotland is made up of 12 regions, centered in Edinburgh;
Wales - 9 counties, 13 city-counties, center Cardiff;
Northern Ireland has 26 counties, with Belfast as the center.
The area of ​​the country is 244,840 square meters. km. It is home to about 91 million people, the indigenous people are English, Irish, Scots, and Welsh. The official language is English. There are currently 17 territories under British control.

Map of Great Britain in Russian

Climate
Great Britain has a temperate continental climate, with warm winters and cool summers. Temperatures range from -10°C to +30°C. Temperatures in the mountainous areas of Wales and Scotland fall below the rest of the country. The climate type is maritime - strong winds blow throughout the entire territory, especially in winter and spring.

Tourism
Ancient history This distinctive country attracts tourists from all over the world. The first settlers were the Romans, who founded many big cities, including London. Some architectural monuments dating back to the 1st millennium BC have been preserved on the territory of the country.
To admire the nature of England, you can visit the countless gardens of Kent. Aristocratic castles amaze with their beauty and grandeur, and parks with their exquisite splendor. An interesting custom begins to celebrate the wedding in magnificent castles Great Britain.
Lake Loch Ness in Scotland amazes with its unforgettable and pristine beauty. According to legend, the semi-mythical monster Nessie lives in its depths.
There are a lot of beautiful cities in the country; they contain cultural and architectural monuments, museums, sculptures and monuments.
The most wonderful and majestic city is London; its wonderful sights and beautiful ancient architecture can be explored endlessly. Photo materials used from Wikimedia © Foto, Wikimedia Commons

Great Britain – small but incredible attractive kingdom, where tourists from all over the world come to get 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 sq. km. Most big 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 economic activity man, 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 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. She takes northern part islands, 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 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.

Of great interest to guests of the British capital are 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 the largest sea ​​port and numerous shipbuilding plants, 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 19th century, A 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 the vast number of attractions, such as, for example, Donegall area 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 restored 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 developed center handicrafts and metal forging.

IN war time 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.

Thanks to 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 south coast Bay of the Firth of Forth.

About 470 thousand people live here, which is much less than in the other big city of this country - in 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). There are also many government agencies.

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. appeared here beautiful buildings, impressive warehouses, as well as squares and lawns.

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 « Capital of Culture Europe". 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 more tourists people 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

City with rich history 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 great trading, financial and industrial centre countries.

It first arose in the small county of Tyne and Wear. For a long time Newcastle was the capital of the notorious Northumberland, and then - a 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 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 peace.

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 a beautiful architectural monument 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.

 

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