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ENGLANDENGLAND
EnglandEngland is the most populous is the most populous Home Nation of the of the United Kingdom. It accounts for more than 83% of the . It accounts for more than 83% of the total UK population, occupies most of the southern total UK population, occupies most of the southern two-thirds of the island of two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and shares and shares land borders with land borders with Scotland to the north and to the north and Wales to to the west. Elsewhere, it is bordered by the the west. Elsewhere, it is bordered by the North Sea, , Irish Sea, , Atlantic Ocean and and English Channel..England is named after the England is named after the Angles, one of a number , one of a number of of Germanic tribes believed to have originated in believed to have originated in Angeln in Northern in Northern Germany, who settled in England , who settled in England in the in the 5th and and 6th centuries. This is also the origin of centuries. This is also the origin of its its Latin name name AngliaAnglia. It has not had a distinct . It has not had a distinct political identity since political identity since 1707, when the , when the Kingdom of Great Britain was established as a unified political was established as a unified political entity; however, it has a legal identity separate from entity; however, it has a legal identity separate from those of those of Scotland and and Northern Ireland, as part of the , as part of the entity "entity "England and Wales". England's largest city, ". England's largest city, London, is also the capital of the , is also the capital of the United Kingdom..
Capital city:Capital city: LONDONLONDON
Languages: EnglishLanguages: English
Largest city: LondonLargest city: London
Area: 130,395 kmArea: 130,395 km22
SCOTLANDSCOTLANDCapital city:Capital city:
EDINBURGHEDINBURGHScotlandScotland ( (Alba in in Gaelic) is a ) is a nation in in northwest Europe and a and a constituent country of the of the United Kingdom. The . The country occupies the northern third of the country occupies the northern third of the island of of Great Britain, shares a land border to the south with , shares a land border to the south with England, , and is bounded by the and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the to the north and west, and the North Channel and and Irish Sea to the south-west. Scotland has over 790 to the south-west. Scotland has over 790 islands..The The capital, , Edinburgh, is one of Europe's largest , is one of Europe's largest financial centres. centres. Scottish waters consist of a consist of a large sector of the of the North Atlantic and the North Sea, containing the largest North Atlantic and the North Sea, containing the largest oil resources in the in the European Union..The The Kingdom of Scotland was an was an independent state until until 1 May 1707, when the , when the Acts of Union resulted in a resulted in a political union with the with the Kingdom of England to create the to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. Scotland continues to constitute a separate . Scotland continues to constitute a separate state and and jurisdiction in in Public International Law. . Scots law, , the the Scottish education system and the and the Church of Scotland have been three cornerstones contributing to the have been three cornerstones contributing to the continuation of continuation of Scottish culture and and Scottish national identity since the Union.since the Union.
Languages: English, ScotsLanguages: English, Scots
Largest city: GlasgowLargest city: Glasgow
Area: 78,782 kmArea: 78,782 km22
WALESWALESCapital city:Capital city:
CARDIFFCARDIFFWalesWales ( (Welsh: : CymruCymru; pronounced ; pronounced IPA: approximately : approximately "COME-ree") is one of the four constituent nations of the "COME-ree") is one of the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom. Wales is located in the south-west of . Wales is located in the south-west of Great Britain and is bordered by the and is bordered by the English counties of counties of Cheshire, , Shropshire, , Herefordshire, and , and Gloucestershire to the east, the to the east, the Bristol Channel to the south, to the south, St George's Channel to the to the southwest, and the southwest, and the Irish Sea to the west and north. to the west and north.The term Principality of Wales, in Welsh, The term Principality of Wales, in Welsh, Tywysogaeth CymruTywysogaeth Cymru, , is sometimes used, although the is sometimes used, although the Prince of Wales has no role in has no role in the governance of Wales and this term is unpopular among the governance of Wales and this term is unpopular among some. Wales has not been politically independent since 1536 some. Wales has not been politically independent since 1536 when the English Parliament unilaterally declared its Act of when the English Parliament unilaterally declared its Act of Union between the two countries. King Union between the two countries. King Edward I of England set set the process in motion when he defeated Welsh monarch the process in motion when he defeated Welsh monarch Llywelyn II in the Battle of Cilmeri in 1282, although Welsh law Llywelyn II in the Battle of Cilmeri in 1282, although Welsh law was not replaced in all cases by English law until the was not replaced in all cases by English law until the Laws in Wales Acts 1535-1542. The capital of Wales since 1955 has . The capital of Wales since 1955 has been been Cardiff, although , although Caernarfon is the location where the is the location where the Prince of Wales is invested, and Prince of Wales is invested, and Machynlleth was the home of a was the home of a parliament called by parliament called by Owain Glyndŵr during his revolt at the during his revolt at the start of the fifteenth century. In 1999, the start of the fifteenth century. In 1999, the National Assembly for Wales was formed, which has limited domestic powers, due to was formed, which has limited domestic powers, due to be expanded in 2007.be expanded in 2007.
Languages: English, WelshLanguages: English, Welsh
Largest city: CardiffLargest city: Cardiff
Area: 20,779 kmArea: 20,779 km22
IRELANDIRELANDCapital city:Capital city: DUBLINDUBLIN
A ring of coastal mountains surrounds low central A ring of coastal mountains surrounds low central plains. The . The highest peak is highest peak is Carrauntuohill ( (Irish: : Corrán TuathailCorrán Tuathail), which is ), which is 3,414 feet (1,041 m). The island is bisected by the 3,414 feet (1,041 m). The island is bisected by the River Shannon, ,
at 161 miles (259 km) the longest river in at 161 miles (259 km) the longest river in Ireland.Ireland. The island's The island's lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall, earns it the soft rainfall, earns it the sobriquet "Emerald Isle". The island's "Emerald Isle". The island's area is 32,477 area is 32,477 square miles (84,079 (84,079 km²).).Ireland is divided into four Ireland is divided into four provinces: : Connacht, , Leinster, , Munster and and Ulster. In Irish these are referred to as Cúige's ( Cúige - . In Irish these are referred to as Cúige's ( Cúige - meaning fifths). Previously there were five provinces - meaning fifths). Previously there were five provinces - Connacht, Munster, Ulster, Leinster and Meath, comprising the Connacht, Munster, Ulster, Leinster and Meath, comprising the counties of Meath, Westmeath and Longford. These were further counties of Meath, Westmeath and Longford. These were further divided into divided into 32 counties for administrative purposes. Six of the for administrative purposes. Six of the Ulster counties remain under Ulster counties remain under British sovereignty as sovereignty as Northern Ireland following Ireland's partition in 1922 (the remaining 26 following Ireland's partition in 1922 (the remaining 26 forming present-day forming present-day Republic of Ireland); since the ); since the UK's 1974 's 1974 reshuffle these county boundaries no longer exist in Northern reshuffle these county boundaries no longer exist in Northern Ireland for administrative purposes, although Ireland for administrative purposes, although Fermanagh District Council is almost identical to the county. is almost identical to the county.
Languages: English, IrishLanguages: English, Irish
Largest city: DublinLargest city: Dublin
Area: 84,079 kmArea: 84,079 km22
Northern Northern IRELANDIRELANDCapital city:Capital city:
BELFASTBELFAST
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four is one of the four constituent parts of the constituent parts of the United Kingdom. It is situated on the island of . It is situated on the island of Ireland, , consisting of six north-eastern consisting of six north-eastern counties and is the only part of the counties and is the only part of the United Kingdom with an external land United Kingdom with an external land border (with the border (with the Republic of Ireland). It ). It was created by the was created by the Government of Ireland Act, 1920..It covers 5,459 It covers 5,459 mi² (14,139 (14,139 km²) in the ) in the northeast of the island of Ireland, northeast of the island of Ireland, about a sixth of the total area of the about a sixth of the total area of the island, and has a population of island, and has a population of 1,685,000 (April 1,685,000 (April 2001) — between a ) — between a quarter and a third of the island's total quarter and a third of the island's total populationpopulation
Languages: EnglishLanguages: English
Largest city: BelfastLargest city: Belfast
Area: 13,843 kmArea: 13,843 km22
STONEHENGE - STONEHENGE - ENGLANDENGLAND
MELROSE - MELROSE - SCOTLANDSCOTLAND
IMPRESSIONS of WALESIMPRESSIONS of WALES
ARCHEOLOGY ofARCHEOLOGY of IRE IRE LANDLAND
ANTRIM COAST ROADANTRIM COAST ROAD
Northern IRELANDNorthern IRELAND
ENGLANDENGLANDTransport for London plans bus routes, specifies Transport for London plans bus routes, specifies
service levels and monitors service quality. The service levels and monitors service quality. The actual bus services are operated by a number of bus actual bus services are operated by a number of bus
operating companies which work under contract to operating companies which work under contract to London Buses. Although most of the operating London Buses. Although most of the operating
companies are private-sector organisations, one (companies are private-sector organisations, one (East Thames Buses) is owned by ) is owned by Transport for London
, and managed at arm's length so as to avoid , and managed at arm's length so as to avoid conflicts of interest. Although this originally came conflicts of interest. Although this originally came
about due to the default of a private sector operator, about due to the default of a private sector operator, it seems now to be deliberate policy, possibly partly it seems now to be deliberate policy, possibly partly to act as an exemplar for other operators as to how to act as an exemplar for other operators as to how
TfL wishes bus services to be run.TfL wishes bus services to be run.Transport for London is also directly responsible for Transport for London is also directly responsible for
the management of the management of bus stations and and bus stops and and other support services. It provides passenger other support services. It provides passenger
information in the form of timetables and maps at information in the form of timetables and maps at bus stops, and produces leaflet maps which bus stops, and produces leaflet maps which passengers can obtain at Travel Information passengers can obtain at Travel Information
Centres, libraries etc.Centres, libraries etc.
Northern Northern IRELANDIRELANDThe area now known as The area now known as Northern Ireland has had a diverse history. At the has had a diverse history. At the
beginning of the 17th century, it changed from the beginning of the 17th century, it changed from the bedrock of Irish resistance to to the location of the the location of the Plantation of Ulster by by Scottish and and English colonists. Today, colonists. Today, Northern Ireland is a diverse patchwork of community rivalries. In some towns Northern Ireland is a diverse patchwork of community rivalries. In some towns and cities, whole communities fly various flags to indicate their allegiences. For and cities, whole communities fly various flags to indicate their allegiences. For example, some example, some unionists and and loyalists fly the fly the Union Flag to indicate their wish to to indicate their wish to remain part of the remain part of the United Kingdom. Some . Some nationalists or republicans fly the or republicans fly the tricolour of the of the Republic of Ireland to indicate their wish to become part of a to indicate their wish to become part of a United Ireland. In some less affluent areas, even the kerbstones are painted . In some less affluent areas, even the kerbstones are painted green/white/orange or red/white/blue, depending on whether a community is green/white/orange or red/white/blue, depending on whether a community is nationalist/nationalist/republican or unionist/loyalist. In recent years, Nationalist areas have or unionist/loyalist. In recent years, Nationalist areas have flown Palestinian flags to show their support Palestine in the disputes with flown Palestinian flags to show their support Palestine in the disputes with Israel, this has been combatted in some Unionist areas with the flying of Israeli Israel, this has been combatted in some Unionist areas with the flying of Israeli flags.flags.In 1922, Northern Ireland was formed from six of the nine counties of In 1922, Northern Ireland was formed from six of the nine counties of Ulster and, and, together with together with Great Britain, forms the present , forms the present United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This came about through the . This came about through the Government of Ireland Act, 1920 that that also granted also granted Home Rule to the rest of Ireland as to the rest of Ireland as Southern Ireland. In 1922, the rest . In 1922, the rest of Ireland became independent and became known as the of Ireland became independent and became known as the Irish Free State..
WALESWALESRugby union was an increasingly popular sport for Wales in the was an increasingly popular sport for Wales in the 1890s and and
particularly in the particularly in the south where its popularity was known to rival that of where its popularity was known to rival that of association football. The Welsh association football. The Welsh coal miners shared the same shared the same working class
ethos of the miners from the northern counties of England. The impending ethos of the miners from the northern counties of England. The impending schism of 1895 tore apart the English rugby union and in the early 1900s, the tore apart the English rugby union and in the early 1900s, the shock waves where being felt in Wales, though the shock waves where being felt in Wales, though the Welsh Rugby Union were were less strict in their interpretation of the amateur ethos and avoided a schism.less strict in their interpretation of the amateur ethos and avoided a schism.
Nonetheless, many Welsh players signed for English clubs. The Nonetheless, many Welsh players signed for English clubs. The Northern Union's administrators began to ponder the possibilities of international 's administrators began to ponder the possibilities of international
competitions against an English representative side. The first attempt met competitions against an English representative side. The first attempt met with a lack of public interest, and the first scheduled Northern Union with a lack of public interest, and the first scheduled Northern Union
international, also became the first postponed Northern Union international. international, also became the first postponed Northern Union international. It was rescheduled for the It was rescheduled for the 5 April 1904. The team opposing England was . The team opposing England was
labelled Other Nationalities and consisted of Welshmen and a few labelled Other Nationalities and consisted of Welshmen and a few Scots. The . The Other Nationalities proved too strong, defeating the English 9 - 3. In Other Nationalities proved too strong, defeating the English 9 - 3. In 1905, ,
England gained back some credibility with a 21 - 11 win.England gained back some credibility with a 21 - 11 win.In 1908 a professional "All Blacks" rugby team from New Zealand (nicknamed In 1908 a professional "All Blacks" rugby team from New Zealand (nicknamed
the the All Golds by Australian press) would tour England in what became the by Australian press) would tour England in what became the first set of international games played under the new NU rules. The All Golds first set of international games played under the new NU rules. The All Golds
had not played under the Northern Union rules and underwent a week of had not played under the Northern Union rules and underwent a week of intensive training. Wales went on to defeat New Zealand 9-8.intensive training. Wales went on to defeat New Zealand 9-8.
IRELANDIRELANDFor an island of relatively small population, Ireland has For an island of relatively small population, Ireland has made a disproportionately large contribution to world made a disproportionately large contribution to world literature in all its branches, mainly in English. Poetry in literature in all its branches, mainly in English. Poetry in Irish represents the oldest Irish represents the oldest vernacular poetry in Europe poetry in Europe with the earliest examples dating from the 6th century; with the earliest examples dating from the 6th century; Jonathan Swift, still often called the foremost , still often called the foremost satirist in the in the English language, was wildly popular in his day (, was wildly popular in his day (Gulliver's Travels, , A Modest Proposal, etc.) and remains so in , etc.) and remains so in modern times amongst both children and adults. In more modern times amongst both children and adults. In more recent times, Ireland has produced four winners of the recent times, Ireland has produced four winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature: : George Bernard Shaw, , William Butler Yeats, , Samuel Beckett and and Seamus Heaney. . Although not a Although not a Nobel Prize winner, winner, James Joyce is widely is widely considered one of the most significant writers of the 20th considered one of the most significant writers of the 20th century. His 1922 novel century. His 1922 novel Ulysses is sometimes cited as is sometimes cited as the greatest English-language novel of the 20th century the greatest English-language novel of the 20th century and his life is celebrated annually on June 16th in and his life is celebrated annually on June 16th in Dublin as the as the Bloomsday celebrations. celebrations.
SCOTLANDSCOTLANDAs one of the As one of the constituent countries of the United of the United
Kingdom, the Kingdom, the head of state in Scotland is the in Scotland is the British monarch, currently , currently Queen Elizabeth II (since (since 1952).).Executive power is exercised by the is exercised by the Parliament of the United Kingdom at at Westminster in in London, and the , and the Scottish Parliament at at Holyrood in in Edinburgh. The . The United Kingdom Parliament retains power over United Kingdom Parliament retains power over Scotland's Scotland's taxes, , social security system, the system, the military, , international relations, , broadcasting, and some other , and some other areas explicitly specified in the Scotland Act 1998 as areas explicitly specified in the Scotland Act 1998 as Reserved matters. The Scottish Parliament has Reserved matters. The Scottish Parliament has legislative authority for all other areas relating to legislative authority for all other areas relating to Scotland, and has limited power to vary income tax. Scotland, and has limited power to vary income tax. The Scottish Parliament is not a sovereign authority, The Scottish Parliament is not a sovereign authority, and the UK Parliament could, in theory, overrule or and the UK Parliament could, in theory, overrule or even abolish it at any time, although this is in even abolish it at any time, although this is in practice inconceivable without the consent of the practice inconceivable without the consent of the Scottish people.Scottish people.
Jack McConnell,Jack McConnell,
the first minister of Scotlandthe first minister of Scotland
Jakub Orinak Jakub Orinak 8.A8.A
