Great Britain (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland). Which is correct: England or Great Britain

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. Washed by the waters Atlantic Ocean in the west and north, 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 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: Consists of four historical areas(England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), which are administratively divided 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 in summer days above 29° C or drops below –7° C on winter nights. The mildness of the climate is mainly explained by the influence of the North Atlantic Current (a continuation of the Gulf Stream), which brings 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 in Holyhead in north-west Wales, the average January temperature is 7°C, in London - just 5°C, and in most parts east coast- below 4° C. Despite the similarity in temperatures, winters become less favorable as you move north along the east coast, where chilly, humid 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 recorded 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 they are even redundant. 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 1,525mm of rainfall per year, while parts of the Lake District and western Scottish Highlands (the wettest places in the UK interior) receive over 2,540mm.

Fairly cloudy weather prevails, 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 for a share south coast The UK receives an average of two hours of sunshine per day, with rarely more than an hour and a half north of Birmingham. Even on long July days South coast On average, there is only seven hours of sunshine per day, and 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. total area 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 most high point The country is located 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 wastelands. 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 time. 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 national parks, national natural and forest reserves and reserves for the protection of waterfowl, occupying about 7% of the country's territory. The uniqueness of British national parks is that these are not “wild” areas, but rather close to major cities areas that look more like huge city parks or botanical gardens. The largest National parks- These are the Lake District or Lake District and Snowdonia, Dartmoor and Brecon Beacons reserves.

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, there are four completely combined here. different types: proper heathland 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 in the south of 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 types of fish are found in the waters off British Isles: in the surface layers of sea waters - sablefish, 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, and the common seal prefers the coasts of Scotland, eastern shores Northern Ireland and 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. National symbol England - 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 peatlands, moorlands and incredibly blue lakes of Scotland in the north, picturesque coastal cliffs and crystal clear calm waters in the southern and west coast, the rolling hills of cultivated Central England with parks and lawns, the majestic mountains and green valleys of Wales to the west. Each region of the country has a characteristic appearance, its own distinctive traditions, culture and customs.

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 work around the clock. A passport is required to exchange cash.

Widely used credit cards Visa, Master Card, American Express, and also traveler's checks. 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 from 10.00 to 18.00. IN small towns and villages, shops often close for half a day after lunch 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 keep them there with reverse side forks without piercing. 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 should listen to whoever is speaking this 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.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

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

The capital of Great Britain. London.

UK area. 244,700 km2.

Administrative divisions of Great Britain. It consists of four historical regions (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), which are divided administratively into numerous counties. England: 39 counties, 6 shires 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.

UK form of government. .

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

Great Britain's highest legislative body. A bicameral parliament consisting of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Elected for a term of 5 years.

Great Britain's highest executive body. Council of Ministers.

Major UK cities. Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Belfast.

Official language of Great Britain. English, in Wales - English and Welsh.

Religion of Great Britain. 47% are Anglicans, 16% are .

Ethnic composition Great Britain. 81.5% are English, 9.6% are Scots, 2.4% are Irish, 1.9% are Welsh.

UK currency. Pound sterling = 100 pence.

UK climate. called the country and rains. varies depending on the region. In England the climate is mild and humid, thanks to the relative warmth of the seas that wash it. Average annual temperature is about + 11 °C in the south and + 9 °C in the northeast. Scotland is the coldest region in the UK. In the mountains in the north there is snow from November to April-May. The climate of Wales and Northern Ireland is mild and humid. The average annual temperature in Northern Ireland is +10 °C. The heaviest precipitation is in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the mountains of England and Wales (1000-1500 mm per year). The least rainfall is in south-east England (600-750 mm per year). Flora. The vegetation of England is quite poor, forests occupy less than 4% of the territory, the most common are oak, birch, and pine. In Scotland, woodland is more common, although the region is dominated by moorland. Mainly in the south and east grow oak and coniferous trees - spruce, pine and larch. In Wales the forests are mostly deciduous - ash and oak. Coniferous trees are common in mountainous areas.

Fauna of Great Britain. England is inhabited by deer, fox, rabbit, hare, and badger. Birds include partridge, pigeon, and raven. Reptiles, of which there are only 4 species, are rare in England. The rivers are inhabited mainly by salmon and trout. The most typical animals in Scotland are deer, roe deer, hare, rabbit, marten, otter and wild cat. The predominant 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 ferret and pine marten, which are absent in England. and lakes. The main rivers of England are the Thames, Severn, and Tyne. The main rivers of Scotland are the Clyde, Tay, Force, Tweed, Dee and Spey. Among the numerous lakes, the legendary Loch Ness, Loch Tay, and Loch Katrine especially stand out. The main rivers of Wales: Dee, Usk, Teifi. The most large lake- Bala. The main rivers of Northern Ireland are the Foyle, Upper Ban and Lower Ban. Lough Neagh is the largest in the British Isles. Attractions. Megalithic complex, church in Bargon, castle of the 12th century. in Inverness, Glasgow Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle and Church, Cardiff Castle, Shakespeare House Museum in Stratford, Oxford and Cambridge Universities, in London - the British Museum, Tower Castle (the royal crown jewels are kept here), Westminster Abbey (the place of coronation of British kings ) with Poets' Corner, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben Clock Tower, Buckingham Palace, Museum wax figures Madame Tussauds, Hyde Park with Speakers' Corner and much more. On Trafalgar Square a column rises. The “square mile of sin” is the Soho district.

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 receive customers on Sundays, but only during any six hours from 10.00 to 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 takes off
time, things can be left 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 going to the UK - the land of fogs - we advise you not to forget that the British one 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 features. 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 island was formed English language, which combines Scandinavian, German and French words.

England developed rapidly. And at the end of the 16th century international trade became the most developed species activities.

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 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.

About interesting facts Great Britain is described in this video:

In 1973, the United Kingdom joined the European Union and English became an international language. But later the country was faced with a severe economic recession, to which the migration of Africans contributed to unemployment. 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, northern part the islands of Ireland and a large number 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 the reigning monarch and parliament, which 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 rich history, full of wars, but also a charming nature. Majestic castles, mountain spirit and rocky coastlines make Scotland popular place for tourists. The Scots are distinguished by their 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 district 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 European state. As the British Isles suffered numerous attacks from continental Europe, the Romans, Normans, Saxons and Danes occupied the low-lying terrain, driving out indigenous people 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 Caribbean Islands. 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 there was 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.

For many people, Great Britain and England are consonant concepts, synonyms that are used to name the same state. But in reality, everything is not so simple, and there are serious differences between them, which we will talk about later in the article.

What is Great Britain

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the full name of the independent island state, located in northwestern Europe and occupying the largest territory in it.

Great Britain was founded in 1801. It includes such territorial units (the so-called “historical provinces”) as northern Scotland, the Principality of Wales and having sufficient autonomy and their own parliaments.

England is also one of the “provinces” of Great Britain (by the way, the largest in the country). It was, in fact, around it that the formation of the modern state initially took place. But, unlike other parts of the kingdom, it does not have its own legislative and executive powers, and their role is performed by the national parliament of Great Britain.

In addition to the named territories, the United Kingdom owns three more Crown Lands - the islands of Jersey, Maine and Guernsey, as well as fourteen overseas territories, which include, for example, Gibraltar, Bermuda, Falklands, etc.

England: information about the country

Despite the large number of dependent lands, England, we repeat, is the historical core of the United Kingdom, and its population accounts for 84% of all residents of Great Britain.

The English language was “born” here, and the formation of a powerful state began from here. This began with the Angles and Saxons, who conquered this territory at the beginning of the ninth century, displacing the Britons who inhabited it. In 825, King Egbert of Wessex united most of the smaller kingdoms into one, giving it the name England (this translates as “Land of the Angles”).

But when Scotland became part of the state in 1707 and the United Kingdom was formed, it was decided to call it Great Britain so as not to infringe on anyone’s pride. After all, the name, for example, Great England (Great England) would be absolutely unacceptable for the Scots.

Some features of the British government

While the meaning of the word “England” in our minds is closely intertwined with the meaning of the word “Great Britain”, and even some explanatory dictionaries list these names as synonymous, a cultured person should still understand what their internal difference is.

Of course, the role of England for the whole state cannot be overestimated. After all, its legal, legal and constitutional innovations were adopted by many states of the world. And it was this part of the United Kingdom that became the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, making Great Britain the world's first industrialized country.

In fact, the United Kingdom has quite a complex state structure, which, however, does not prevent it from being an example in maintaining democratic relations within the country.

Interestingly, Great Britain does not have a single constitution. It is to some extent replaced by a set of acts of a different nature, norms of common law, which include many judicial precedents, and some constitutional customs. The most important of them include (signed back in 1215), as well as the Act of Succession to the Throne.

Why does England not have its own parliament?

Because England is the only component Great Britain, which does not have its own parliament and government, has formed a movement in the country in support of its creation. After all, if decisions concerning Scotland alone can be made by the Scottish legislative bodies, then decisions regarding England are made by Welsh, Scottish, and Northern Irish deputies who are members of the national parliament.

But in response to this, representatives argue that if largest part Great Britain will receive independent authorities, this will lead to the fact that the remaining small territories will sharply lose their significance, and this, in turn, may lead to the collapse of the Kingdom.

Revisiting the differences between England and Great Britain

We hope the article helped to finally understand how England differs from Great Britain. And in order to finally systematize the information, let us once again recall their main differences:

  • Great Britain is an independent state, which includes England as an administrative unit;
  • England has no foreign policy relations, and Great Britain is an indispensable member of international organizations (UN, NATO, European Union, OSCE, etc.) and the “arbiter of destinies” for the countries dependent on it;
  • England doesn't have its own monetary unit, the armed forces and parliament;
  • The territory of England is only a small part of the whole of Great Britain.

 

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