The British Isles Ch. 6 Sec. 1 Pp. 174-177. The United Kingdom British Isles – United Kingdom and...

The British Isles

Ch. 6

Sec. 1

Pp. 174-177

The United Kingdom

• British Isles – United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland

• UK – England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

• 1999 – Scotland and Wales set up legislatures to run local affairs

British Economy

• Industrial revolution started here about 250 years ago

• Manufactured goods, machinery, banking, insurance, communications

• Import 1/3 of food, because efficient farming, but not enough land and large population

British Government

• Parliamentary democracy – voters elect representatives

• 2 branches – House of Lords, House of Commons

• Constitutional monarchy – king and queen are official heads of state, but have little real power

British People and Culture

• 60 million live in UK• Speak English, but

Welsh and Scottish Gaelic also spoken

• Most are Protestants• 90 % live in cities• 7 million live in

London, one of Europe’s most populated cities

Republic of Ireland

• Emerald Isle – wide, rolling plains, green meadows, tree-covered hills

• Peat – plants partly decayed in water which can be dried and used for fuel

• Bogs – low, swampy areas

Irish Economy

• Potatoes, barley, wheat, sugar beets, and turnips

• Sheep, beef and dairy cattle

• Food processing, beverages, textiles, pharmaceuticals

Northern Ireland Conflict

• Ireland became independent in 1921, but Britain still occupies Northern Ireland

• Nationalists (mostly Catholic) want reunification, Loyalists (mostly Protestant) want to remain under British rule

• Fighting between them called “the Troubles”

• 1998 – peace agreement

Irish People

• Celts settled Ireland around 500 B.C.

• Gaelic and Irish are the official languages

• 58% live in cities and towns

• 1/3 live in and around Dublin, the capital