SEPTEMBER 2008
Please Turn On Sound to hear
the National Anthem of the United Kingdom
Click
here for the history of the National Anthem.
The United Kingdom is often called the UK.
The official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
A fact about the United Kingdom for each letter of the alphabet
AGRICULTURE in the UK includes growing crops and raising livestock. The
Royal Agricultural Society of England plays a leading role in the development of British Agriculture and sponsors an annual farm event and also a grain event. Nearly 3/5 of England is used as farmland, and most farmers concentrate on 1 crop or animal. Major
crops include wheat, barley, potatoes, and sugar beet. Farmers in the southern part of the country grow most of Britains fruits and vegetables.
Some of the best cattle in the world evolved from
British breeds. In Northern Ireland the
Department of Agriculture & Rural Development is responsible for the development of agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Nearly 3/4 of Scotland is agriculture, and
Scottish farms are larger in area than anywhere in the UK. Areas in North Scotland have tiny farms known as
crofts. Wool from
Shetland sheep comes in a wider range of color than any other breed. There have been
Shetland Ponies in Shetland for over two thousand years. The
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Department of the Welsh Assembly Government is responsible for agriculture, fisheries, food, forestry, and rural affairs in Wales. The most important sheep raising area in Europe is in Wales. The
Butser Ancient Farm Research Project farms in the manner of the Ironage.
Corn dollies are made from the last straw reaped at harvest time.
ARCHAEOLOGY sites are located throughout the UK and many of the
Roman sites are open to the public. The country has
archeology groups and organizations.
Prehistoric life in the UK has been well documented. In England 5,000-year-old
Stonehenge is the most famous prehistoric site in Europe. The
Ironbridge Gorge Museum is Britain's finest museum of industrial archaeology. Paviland Cave on the
Gower Peninsula is an early Stone Age archaeological site. Archaeological sites in England include
Wroxeter, which is the ruins of Virononium, the fourth-largest city in Roman Britain and
Shrewsbury which is famous for its half-timbered buildings and winding medieval streets.
Northumberland, England, probably has more castles and battlefield sites than anywhere else in the UK. The
British Museum has an outstanding archaeology collection. The
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland helps preserve monuments and ancient landscapes in the Scotland. Archaeological evidence on the
Shetland Islands in Scotland dates back to 3,000 BC. In Northern Ireland the
Department of Environment investigates artififacts including shipwrecks. The
An Creagan Visitor Centre in Northern Ireland has an interpretive exhibit and offers archeaological, environmental, and cultural tours of the area. In Northern Ireland
Giant's Causeway is a famous landmark and a UNESCO Heritage Site. The
Council for British Archaeology in Wales focuses on archaeology in the country. Four
Welsh Archaeological Trusts were established to provide uniform local archaeology service across the country. A 1,000 year old burial site of 6 vikings complete with swords, spears, jewelry, fire-making material, and riding equipment was found near Cumwhitton in Northwest England. Dreghorn has been named the oldest continuously inhabited village in Scotland following the discovery of 5,500-year-old neolithic remains. The largest Iron-Age Fort in Europe is in Wales -
Tre'r Ceiri
ARCHITECTURE in the UK evolved from one period to another, and many different kinds of
archtecture can be seen from prehistoric times up to the present.
Thatching is the traditional English craft.
Christopher Wren was the greatest British architect of all time.
The town of
Bath in England has Georgian architecture and is a World Heritage Site. England has several famous cathedrals including
Winchester,
Salisbury,
Durham, and
Canterbury which is a World Heritage Site.
Buckingham Palace has been the official home of the royal family since 1837. Wellknown castles in England include
Windsor which is the largest inhabited castle in the world,
Belvoir which has been the home of the Duke of Rutland for one thousand years, and
Nottingham. Northern Ireland has many
interesting buildings. Scotland has several famous
castles including Edinburgh, Stirling, Urquhart, and Glamis.
Rosslyn Chapel is a 15th century chapel. The
National Library of Wales has examples of architecture in the country, and
Morris Castle in Swansea is an architectural landmark.
Wales is often called the "Land of the Castles", and
Chepstow Castle is the oldest castle in the UK.
ART festivals are held throughout the UK, and the government encourages and supports the arts through agencies called
Art Councils. A drama festival is held in Chichester and
Glyndebourne has an opera festival. The
British Arts Festivals Association promotes art from street theatre to opera. The
Arts Council of Northern Ireland supports organizations and individual artists. Scotland holds an
Edinburgh International Festival, and
Art Scotland promotes artists in the country. The
School of Fine Art in Glascow offers programes in painting and printmaking, sculture, and environmental art, and photography. The
Museum of Modern Art in Wales is a centre for the performing arts and has exhibitions throughout the year.
Eisteddfod is a Welsh Festival of the Arts.
Many
BEACHES are located throughout the UK. In England
Woolacombe has two miles of golden sands with excellent surfing and a
webcam showing the beach.
Durdle Door is a world famous geologic wonder and is ideal for diving, snorkeling and fishing.
Manorbier Bay has a sandy beach and is one of the most beautiful spots in Wales. The coast of Scotland has over a dozen
beaches including
White Sands Bay with golden sands hemmed in by a rocky shore and grasslands.
Nothern Ireland has several beaches including
Benone which has 7 miles of sands. The
Channel Islands have many good beaches. The
Llanrystud Beach in Wales is ideal for windsurfing and swiming.
The UK has many species of
BIRDS includingseveral species of
owls.
The
European Robin is the National BIRD of the UK and is often shown on postage stamps.
Birdwatching is a popular pastime and there are many
bird sites and bird reserves. The North Swan study was formed to study the
Mute Swan a much prized bird that has been given Royal status.
Swan Upping is a national tradition. The
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust is the largest international wetland conservation charity in the UK.
Bird World is Britains largest Bird Park and Garden.
Inside the stone dovecoat at
Willington, England, there are nesting boxes for 1,500 pigeons. The Great Bustard Steering Group plans to reintroduce Europe's biggest land bird to England. Northlumberland has some of the biggest seabird nesting sites in Europe.
The
National Bird of Prey Centre is one of the oldest and best known specialists in the collection of birds of prey. The
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has reserves throughout the country. Ornithologists from Britain and Western Europe go to
Northern Ireland to study birds. The rare
golden eagle can be found in Scotland, and the
Bird Observatory on Fair Isle is world famous. A wide variety of birds can be found around the rivers, lakes, seashores, and wetlands of
Wales as well as in the countryside and gardens.
There are many
BRIDGES throughout the UK. In England
Tower Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world,
Clifton Suspension Bridge is also world famous, and
Tyne Bridge is just one of 6 bridges over the River Tyne. The
Corporation of London owns and maintains 5 bridges across the Thames. There are 38 bridges over the
River Tees. In England there has been a bridge at
Marlow since before 1227,
and
Ironbridge is an open air museum of steel sculptures. The
Leamington Lift Bridge in Scotland was restored in 2002.
Northern Ireland has 9 bridges in addition to many stone bridges.
Carrick-a-rede-ropbridge spans a chasm 80'deep. The
River Severn has 100 bridges and 40 of them are in Wales. Two
Suspension Bridges cross the Menai Strait between mainland Wales and Anglesey. C IS FOR CAVES, CLIMATE, COMMONWEALTH, & CURRENCY
CAVES are located throughout the UK, and the country has about a dozen
Show Caves.
White Scar Caves is the longest show cave in Britain.
Cheddar Caves has beautiful rock formations and is one of the earliest sites in England known to have been inhabited by mankind.
Marble Arch Caves in Northern Ireland is a showcave and has rivers, waterfalls, passages, and chambers.
Scotland has several types of
caves including underwater caves, sea caves, fissure caves, and caves in other types of rock. Most of the caves in
Wales are found in the south. There are 3 caves in the Swansea Valley including the
Dan-yr-Ogof Showcave which has a childrens playground, and the Cathedral Cave where weddings are performed. The
United Kingdom Cave Conservation Emergency Fund supports projects which further the conservation of caves and cave features. The are many
caving organizations in the UK. The country also has a very rich and interesting
geology and mining and the discovery of caves goes hand in hand. The
British Cave Research Association supports cave and karst research.
The
CLIMATE in the UK is influenced by all of the major air masses. The
Gulf Stream carries warm water from the Carribbean Sea, and the combination of moisture and warmth keeps the country green throughout the year and from getting to warm in the summer.
The
Royal Meteorological Society advances and promotes the science of meteorology in the UK. The weather in
England changes rapidly. The eastern part of England receives the most rain, and the south western part is one of the warmest places.
Scotland has a wide range of weather types, and the heaviest rains fall in the highland areas of western Scotland.
Wales and
Northern Ireland are cloudier than England because of their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. There are
weather webcams in England, Scotland, Ireland, and
Wales.
Weather conditions throughout the UK can be found on the internet.
The
British Empire was reorgainized into the British
British COMMONWEALTH of Nations in 1931 and is an association of 54 independent countries. A Secretary-General is appointed by
governments of the Commonwealth. Each country has its own
flag. Some countries have their own
National Anthem and some use the National Anthem of the UK or parts of it. The
Commonwealth Institute provides information and promotes cultural understanding within Commonwealth countries. The
Commonwealth Games promote sports for the benefit of the people, nations, and territories of the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth Day is held in March.
Australia and
Canada were the first Commonwealth countries.
CURRENCY in England is called the British Pound sterling, with the symbol £ from libra, a roman unit of weight. Coins are struck by the
British Royal Mint and more than a hundred countries have intrusted the striking of their coinage to them. The English pound is divided into 100 pence. The Irish pound is called a punt. Wales and North Ireland both use the British pound sterling. Versions of the pound coin differ only in the national emblem on the reverse and the motto around the coin. The
Bank of England is the central bank of the UK. The
Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland, and the Bank of Wales are part of the
Royal Bank of Scotland. The earliest coins used in
Scotland were probably Roman coins, and banking in the country dates from the formation of the
Bank of Scotland in 1695.
Scotland issues its own pound notes but English and Scottish money are interchangeable. The Scot £1 note has a picture of Edinburgh Castle on one side, and the £20 pound note honors the writer Sir Walter Scot. Scotland has 4
Clearing Banks. The
Euro is not used in the UK.
DAMS and reservoirs are located throughout the UK with most being in England. The
British Dam Society provides information relating to dams and reservoirs. The dam in the
Borough of Lymm is a popular visitor attraction.
Lake Vyrnwy Dam was built in the 1890's to provide Liverpool with water.The Howden, Derwent, and Ladybower Reservoirs are on the
Derwent River. The
Testwood Lakes Reservoir Scheme has 2 reservoirs and a pumping station. The
Jumbles Reservoir is a country park and has a sailing club.
Silent Valley in Northern Ireland is a Mountain Park and features a dam. Carron Dam and several reservoirs in Scotland have excellent fishing.
Gartmorn Dam is a county park and includes the oldest man-made reservoir still operating in Scotland. The Island of Jersey has 5 reservoirs and
Queens Valley is the largest. The
Elan Valley in Wales has dams and reservoirs.
Crown
DEPENDENCIES are not part of the UK (and thus the European Union) but are directly linked to the British Crown. They have their own parliaments, governments, laws, postage stamps, and currencies. The
Isle of Man has many
special events. The Manx Parliament,
Tynwald, is the oldest functioning parliamentary democracy in the world. Other Dependencies include
Jersey which has a Marching Band that is 125 years old,
The Bailiwick of
Guernseyincludes and
Alderney and other islets.
Sark is the smallest of the Channel Islands, and it is ruled by a "Seigneur" or "Dame".
The Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy. The islands of St. Kilda west of the Scottish mainland was the 1st location in Scotland to be named a World Heritage Site. The UK has 14
Dependent Overseas Territories which are legally part of the UK. The central government in London is responsible for the foreign policy and defense, sometimes even for consitutional issues.
Evidence of many species of
DINOSAURS has been found in the UK and a variety of
fossils can be found.
The
Natural History Museum in London features dinosaur exhibits.
Dinosaur Adventure Park in Norfolk combines education with fun. The
Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester is a hands-on museum. The
Ulster Museum in Northern Ireland has dinosaur exhibits, and the Jurassic rocks at Larne have yielded dinosaur remains. Evidence of dinosaurs has been found in
Scotland and
fossilized dinosaur footprints have been found on the Isle of Sky.
Dinosaur World in Wales displays the largest collection of dinosaurs in the UK.
EDUCATION guidelines for the UK are provided by
UKERNA.
British Council connects people worldwide with learning opportunites and creative ideas from the UK. Each division of the UK has its own system of public education and is run by its own department of education.
The
Department of Education and skills provides children better education for a highly skilled workforce. In Northern Ireland the
Department of Education is responsible for the central administration of education and related services. In Scotland, the
HM Inspectorate of Education works with particular sectors of education. Education in
Wales differs in certain respects from system used elsewhere in the UK. The
David Linvingstone Centre is an educational facility dedicated to Scotland's most celebrated explorer and missionary.
Home Schooling is available in the UK.
Nuclear power is the largest souce of ELECTRICITY in the UK.
Calder Hall was the first first nuclear power plant built in England. Other sources of electricity include coal and gas. There are
Hydroelectric power stations in Scotland and Wales. At one time
windmills were important to the economy of England, and some have been restored. The
watermill at Woodridge, England, is worked by the rising tide. The windmill at
Outwood Common, England, was built in 1665 and is the oldest windmill in the UK. Scotland had the first major commercial development of
hydro-electric power in Britain.
Northern Ireland is doing reseach on
windpower, solar power, and biomass energy resources. Electricity in
Northern Ireland is managed by Northern Ireland Electricity.
ENGLAND is one of 4 areas which form the UK. Originally it was a kingdom but united under 1 crown with Scotland in 1707. It makes up about 54% of the UK. It is divided into over 40
counties and has a population of about 12 million people.
London is the Capital of England and of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Excavations have unearthed a 2,000 year old
plaque showing the oldest example known of the Roman name for London.
There are many forms of ENTERTAINMENT in the UK. The
British Broadcasting System offers a wide variety of radio and television programs and sets the standards for radio and TV around the world. Britain is one of the world's major centers for theater, and there are theaters in
England,
Northern Ireland,
Scotland, and
Wales. The Royal National Theatre and
English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre are in London, and
The Royal Shakespeare Company is based at Stratford-upon-Avon. The country has
Amusement and Theme Parks. Amusement parks include Fantasy Island and The Adventure of Treasure Island. Theme Parks include
Camelot and
American Adventure.
There are also 2 Water Parks -
Water World and
Quaywest. Northern Ireland has 4
Entertainment and Amusement Parks. Wales has
amusement parks, and the
Alice in Wonderland Centre has animated displays from scenes in the book.
Trade fairs and exhibitions are held during the year throughout the UK.
Social and cultural differences in different parts of the UK are reflected in their FASHION. The British Empire brought British fashions around the world and foreign fashions to Britain. The tropical heat of India introduced short trousers to British soldiers and eventually to
British Boy Scouts and school boys. The Royal families have often influenced fashion. In the late 18th century there were special styles for
children. One of the traditional fashions in the UK is the Tartan Kilt.
Harris Tweed is a special type of wool produced in the outer Hebrides, Scotland.
Charles MacIntosh of Scotland invented a waterproof material. Buttondown collars were created for polo playes to keep their collar from flapping. Other items of fashion that came from the UK include the
top hat, and a jacket called a
blazer which often displays the names of schools or teams. The UK has
fashion shows, fashion galleries, and fashion designers.
The
FLAG of the UK is known as the Union Jack. It is blue with the red cross of
Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of
Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland) which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of
Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland). The design and colors have been the basis for a number of
other flags including Commonwealth countries, provinces, and overseas territories.
The
flab of Wales is not represented on the flag.
Each area of the UK has a National
FLOWER. There are many species of
wildflowers of in the country and most counties have a
wildflower emblem.
Flower and Garden Shows are held throughout the country. The
Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is the largest flower show in the world. The
Chelsea Flower Show is the world's leading horticultural event. Over 3,000 gardens are open to the public each year thru the
National Gardens Scheme.
Flower and Gardens shows are held throughout the year in
Northern Ireland including the International Rose Festival at
Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park. The
Keen of Hamar National Nature Reserve in Scotland has some of the rarest plants in Britain.
Wales has a variety of flowers.
The National Botanic Garden of Wales has the largest single span greenhouse in the world.
The UK offers a wide variety FOOD, and
mealtimes have special meanings. There are many
restaurants and places that offer takeway and fast food. Many
traditional recipies were developed in the UK. Favorite foods in
England include
Fish and chips,
steak and kidney pie, and
cornish pastries.
Tea is the unofficial drink The sandwich is said to have been invented by
John Montagu, the Earl of Sandwich. Cheddar cheese originated in the town of
Cheddar, and
Yorkshire Pudding was named after a county in England.
Christmas Pudding is a once-a-year treat. The first kitchen range and thermos were invented in England.
Worcestershire County is best known for worcestershire sauce. England has several
Traditional Foods. Many Traditional Foods in Northern Ireland include potatoes with
Colcannon being the most famous. Much of the bacon in Britain comes from Northern Ireland. Food in
Scotland is often based on traditional food and includes
"haggis" which is stuffed sheep's stomach.
Wales has several
traditional foods including laverbread (fried seaweed), bara brith (a rich cake), and a snack called
Welsh rarebit. A variety of
Food Festivals are held throughout the country. The Isle of Wight has a
Garlic Festival.
The UK is wellknown for its GHOSTS, and the City of
Derby is called the "Ghost Capital" of England.
Borley Rectory in England is the most famous haunted house in the UK. There are suspected hauntings at
Manor Farm Lillinston Dayrel in England. Devizes Castle in southern England is inhabited by a number of ghosts of former inhabitants.
Scotland has tales of ghosts from folklore.
Northern Ireland and
Wales have several haunted houses. There are many other places where
ghosts tell their own story, and several have
Ghostwatch webcams. The UK also has
Haunted Inns & Hotels.
The
GLOBAL POSITION of the Great Britain ranges from latitude 55 degrees north and longitude 8 degrees east and 0 degrees west. An international agreement set an invisible line running through Greenwich as the zero line of longitude from which all distances on earth are measured. The
Royal Observatory Greenwich is part of the National Maritime Museum and the home of the
Prime Meridian of the World. A
special project for Y2K was to explore the lives of people who live along the zero degree meridian including the UK.
The UK is bordered to the north by the
North Sea and
Irish Sea and to the south by the English Channel that separates the island of Great Britain from France. The
Lizard Peninsula in England is the most southern point of the British mainland,
Lands End is the most western point, and
Lowestoft is the most eastern point. The most northern point is
Dunnet Head in Scotland.
The GOVERNMENT of the United Kingdom is a
constitutional monarchy. The reigning monarch appoints the prime minister after each general election and asks him/her to form a government. Many celebrations are based on functions of the government. In June there is the
Trooping of the Colour when the monarch reviews the troops. Then there is
The State Opening of Parliament when the monarch rides through the streets in a horse-drawn carriage. When there is a coronation of a new king or queen or a royal wedding, the whole country celebrates. The
Magna Carta is considered the cornerstone of liberty and was the basis for the Constitution of the United States. The
National Trust looks after acres of countryside, 600 miles of coastline, and hundreds of buildings and gardens. Northern Ireland,
Scotland, and
Wales each have their own government. The UK is a member of the
European Union and many international organizations.
HEALTH care in the UK is provided by the
National Health Service which is one of the largest employers in the world. Medical services in the country are nationalized. The
Department of Health aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people in England. The
Scottish Executive Health Department is responsible for the health policy and administration of National Health Service in Scotland. Sir Alexander Fleming of Scotland discovered penicillin. The
Edward Jenner Museum in Scotland is dedicated to the man who discovered a vaccine for smallpox. In North Ireland the
Department of Health and Children provides healthcare. Health and wellbeing in Wales is provided by the
National Health Service of Wales.
HERALDRY developed during the crusades to help armored men identify each other. The English College of Arm was created in 1484 and helps create Coats of Arms. The
Royal Coat of Arms dates back to the 10 century. Many cities, boroughs, urban districts, and towns have their own
Coat of Arms. Places in both England and Wales have their own
Badges and Crests.
Heraldry has existed in
Ireland since the 13th century. In Scotland healdry is controlled by the
Lyon Court. The Heraldry Society helps increase and extend interest in heraldry. Northern Ireland falls under the jurisdiction of the UK College of Arms. Information about
genealogy is readily available in the UK.
The HISTORY of
England dates back to 8300 BC. The history of
Scotland dates back to 4500 BC. The history of
Northern Ireland dates bback to 7000 BC. The history of
Wales dates back to 24000 B.C., and it is considered to be one of the oldest countries in the world. The UK has at least 2,000
historic buildings and many are open to the public.
English Heritage is a government agency that evaluates and lists properties of historical or architectural importance that need to be protected. The
Historic House Association represents the interests of privately owned historic houses and gardens. The
National Trust takes care of acres of the countryside, 6000 miles of coastline, and several hundred buildings and gardens. The
Royal Yacht Britannic, one of the most famous ships in British history, was taken out of service and is moored at Leith, Scotland and is open for tours.
The UK has several National
HOLIDAYS including the Monarchs birthday. There are also
public (bank) holidays. A unique holiday is
Pancake Day/Shrove Tuesday. The country has many
festivals. In England the festivals include
Nottingham Goose Fair,
Cambridge Folk Festival, and the
Chiddlingly Festival. Northern Ireland has
special events especially in the summer, and the
Belfast Festival at Queens is one of the largest in the British isles. In Scotland
Hogmanay is the most important festival, the
Beltane Fire Festival celebrates the arrival of summer, the
Highland Games are more of a festival than a sport, and
Whuppity Scoorie is a storytelling festival. The
Shetland Islands has
events including
Up-Helly which is a tribute to its Viking heritage.
Wales has many special events throughout the year including a
Victorian Festival.
Major INDUSTRIES in the UK include banking and finance, steel, transportation, oil and gas, and tourism. The
Industrial Revolution began in England, and the UK is a leading industrial nation.
British Aerospace is the largest aerospace company in Europe, and the largest brickworks in the world is at
Stewartby. The UK is the 4th largest exporter of pharmaceuticals and one of the world's chief centers of printing and publishing.
The city of
Sheffield is the Steel Capital of England and is famous for its cutlery and tools, and
Stoke-On-Trent is the largest pottery producing city in the world. Outstanding names in British pottery include
Spode, and
Wedgwood.
Northern Ireland has large shipbuilding, aircraft, and automobile industries. It also make textiles and clothing.
Scotland has a number of regions each with its own industries including electronics, fishing, finance, agriculture, forestry, minerals, and tourism.
Wales has a long tradition as an industrial nation including mining and fishing.
The outskirts of towns in the UK have shopping centers and the largest shopping mall in Europe is in
Dartford. One of the most famous stores in the world is
Harrods of London.
Hundreds of thousands of
INSECTS can be found throughout the UK.
Dragonflies are one of the largest types of insects, and there are dozens of species of
damselflies and
butterflies, and nearly a dozen species of
moths. The
Butterfly Conservation Group has over 30 branches in the UK that help protect wild butterflies and their habitats.
Tropical Wings Butterfly and Bird Garden is home to one of the largest butterfly houses in the UK. The
Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World in Scotland is an exotic indoor rainforest and has hundreds of the most colorful butterflies in the world. The
Holly Blue Butterfly can now be found in the country. Several types of insects are found in
Scotland including three types of beetles - woodworm, death watch, and house longhorn.
Midges are prevalent in the west of Scotland during the summer.
Northern Ireland is home to 500 species of butterflies and moths, and the
British Dragonfly Society provides information about dragonflies. The
Natural Histroy Museum in South Kensington is home to 70 million specimens of insects. The UK has native bees and many
beekeeping associations. The
Bee Farmers Association of the UK represents commercial and semi-commercial beekeepers. Over 600 species of
spiders are found in the UK.
The UK is among the best in the world when it come to
INVENTIONS
and some of the greatest
inventions came from there. Inventors from England include the following:
Michael Faraday the electrical generator and the electric motor;
Thomas Saint, the first sewing machine; Sir Godfrey Newbold Hounsfield, Cat Scan machine for which he won a Nobel Prize;
John Kemp Starley, bicycle; and
John Stringfellow, the 1st flying machine. Last but not least is
Sir Isaac Newton who discovered the law of gravitation.
Scotland has produced hundreds of inventions including the 1st cloned mammal. Inventors from Scotland include:
Sir David Brewster, the kaleidoscope;
Sir Robert Watson-Watt, radar; and
John Logie Baird was the first man to transmit a TV picture.
The
Welsh Assembly Government supports inventors with promotion and retention of ownership of inventions. The XL Wales Roadshow visits schools and clubs and encourages creativity and innovation. .
The British Isles consist of 2 large ISLANDS - Britain and Ireland. Small islands that are part of Britain include the
Isle of Wight, and The
Isles of Scilly. The
Isle of Man is located in the Irish Sea between England and Northern Ireland. The Southern part of the island of
Ireland is a separate country.
Lough Erne in Northern Ireland has over 100 islands. The
Channel Islands are not part of the UK but are dependencies of the English Crown. Scotland has nearly 800 islands most of which are part of the Hebrides and the
Orkney and Shetland island groups. The
Isle of Anglesey is joined to the mainland of Wales by road and rail bridges. The UK has thousands of small islands.
JAZZ has always had a strong presence in the UK, and many Jazz Festivals are held there. A
Jazz Festival is held every year in London. There are several international jazz festivals including The Grimsby International Jazz Festival, the HMV Birmingham International Jazz Festival, and
Cheltenham International Jazz Festival. Other Jazz festivals in England include the
Alford Jazz Festival in Lincolnshire, the
Bude Jazz Festival in Cornwall, the
Marsden Jazz Festival in Yorkshire, and
Riverfront Jazz in Greenwich.
Jazz in Scotland promotes Scottish jazz and provides information about it. The
Royal Bank Glasgow Jazz Festival is one of the most spectacular jazz festivals in the country. Northern Ireland has several Jazz Festivals including The Guiness Cork Jazz Festival and an
International Music Festival. Many jazz events are held in
Wales. One of the biggest is the
Brecon Jazz Festival.
JUMBLE sales in the UK are similar to garage sales in the United States. Items are not limited to family possesions, and there are many contributors. The sales are often held in church halls or other public buildings and are usually for charity. England and Wales have a
Charity Law, and there is a
Charity Law in Scotland. The
Beaulieu Boat Jumble is the biggest boat jumble in Europe. The
Southampton Boat Show is the largest purpose built marina in Europe. The nearest thing to a garage sale in the UK is called a car boot (car trunk) sale where people get together at one place and sell from the boot (trunk) of their car.
Many aspects of the UK focus on KIDS. The UK
Parliament has a webpage for Kids. The
British Broadcasting Company also has a webpage for kids. The
Kids Channel has stories, games, and coloring pages.
KINGS have ruled the UK for nearly a thousand years.
King Egbert is
considered to be the 1st true King of England.
Alfred the Great laid the basis for the unification of England and is the only English king known as "The Great". The ancient
Kingdom of Ulster in Northern Ireland had both real and legendary kings.
The history of
Kings in Scotland dates back to 843. There were 5 rulers who can claim to have been
King of Wales. The title
Prince of Wales is given to oldest son of the ruler of the UK.
A KILOMETERS is a metric unit that measures distance. The
metric system is the official system of measurement in the UK for all except road distance signs and speeds. The UK also uses the
imperial system of measurement. The
UK Metric Association supports the use of the metric system in the UK. The British Standard Institute has proposed a new scheme that would insure common
clothes sizing. 
Many LAKES are located throughout the UK. Cumbria in England is known as the
Lake District and is commonly called "Little Switzerland". It has about 16 lakes including Lake Windermere - the largest lake in England.
The Jumbles Valley was flooded to produce a lake. The
Jumbles Sailing Club has several events a year. Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland is the largest lake in the British Isles.
Loch Morar is the deepest lake in Scotland. The largest lake in Wales is
Bala Lake, and it has a narrow-gage train runs along one side.
English is the official LANGUAGE of the United Kingdom and the 2nd most used language in the world. Thousands of people in Scotland speak
Scottish Gaelic. The Isle of Skye is home to the largest number of Gaelic Speakers in Scotland. A number of people in Northern Ireland speak
Irish Gaelic. In Wales many people speak
Welsh which is one of the Celtic languages. Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllandysiliogogogoch is a village in North Wales. It is the longest name in the UK and the longest single .com domain name in the world. Many unique
sayings originated in the UK. The expression 'gringos' comes from the Mexicans listening to Welsh soldiers at the Alamo singing 'green grow (gringo) the rushes, oh!'English is spoken in the United States but
different words are often used.
The UK has many ancient
LEGENDS and myths including
King Arthur.
Many legends are associated with
Glastonbury.
The legend of the
Loch Ness Monster in Scotland is famous around the world. Wales has many
Legends, and Myths, and
folklore. The red dragon on the flag of Wales comes from a legend about
Merlin. The most famous legends in
Northern Ireland are about 2 heroes of Ancient Ireland. The
Orkney Islands have a variety of legends. The poisonous snake, the
Adder, is found in supersitions and folklore.
LIBRARIES are located throughout the UK, and the
United Kingdom Public Library System serves people throughout the country. Many
Public Libraries are on the internet. The
British Library is the largest research library in the UK and one of the greatest libraries in the world. The
Bodleian Library is the main research library of the University of Oxford and has 7 dependent libraries in separate locations in Oxford. The
Cambridge University Library has 4 dependent libraries.
Many famous writers called England their home including
A.A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh),
Shakespeare (Plays),
Charles Dickens (Oliver Twist),
Beatrice Potter, and
J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter). The Smithsonian Institute, USA, has a traveling exhibition about the literature and life of
Beatrice Potter. An annual
Literature Festival is held in Bath, and a
Book Festival is held in Guildford. The
York National Book Fair is the largest rarebook fair in Europe. Public libraries are located throughout
Northern Ireland. They provide access to computers for patrons, and computers are being updated to be accessible by the disabled. The National Library of Scotland is the largest library in the country. The
oldest public library in Scotland was founded in Kirkwall in 1683. Scotland has had
Scotland Public Libraries since 1853. The first
Carnegie Libraries in the world were established in Scotland. Edinburgh has an
International Book Festival. Edinburg is the 1st UNESCO
"City of Literature" in the world. Famous writers from Scotland include
Sir Walter Scott and
Robert Lewis Stevenson who wrote 'Treasure Island'.
Robert Burns is the National Poet. Wales has public libraries and a
National Library . Wellknown Welsh writers include
Roald Dahl who wrote 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and
T.E. Lawrence known as Lawrence of Arabia. The story of 'Alice In Wonderland' by
Lewis Carroll was set in Llandudno, Wales.
Many
LIGHTHOUSES are located along the coasts of the UK. The
Lighthouse Society of Great Britain was one of the 1st in the world dedicated to lighthouses. The are many lighthouses in
England and Wales
The
Corbiere Lighthouse Jersey in the Channel Islands has a live webcam of the beach.
Scotland has both old and new lighthouses.
Bell Rock Lighthouse is probably Scotland's greatest engineering feat of the early 19th century. The
Northern Lighthouse Board provides information about lighthouses in Scotland and the Isle of Man. The
Eshaness Lighthouse is on the west coast of the Shetland Islands.
Mumbles Lighthouse has stood on the outer islet of Mumbles Head since 1794. St. John's Point Lighthouse is located off the coast of
County Down in Northern Ireland. The
Lighthouse at New Brighton last shone in 1974 and can now be rented for a holiday stay.
Wales has dozens of lighthouses.
The
Trinity House Lighthouse Service provides aids to navigation.
The UK has several branches of
MILITARY including Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force. The
Ministry of Defence defends the UK and overseas Territories.
There are hundreds of
military museums in the UK. The
Royal Submarine Museum offers an opportunity to walk on board a real submarine. There are over 50,000 War Memorials in the UK, and the
National Inventory of War Memorials is an information gathering project. The
Cabinet War Rooms is a historic site. The
Imperial War Museum provides information about the history of modern war. The
Mary Rose, a Tudor-period warship, was raised after more than 400 years.
Roman Military Sites are located throughout the UK.
A variety of
MINERALS have been found in the UK and many are for
industrial use. The geology of the UK can be traced back to the Jurassic Age. The
Geological Society of London promotes the geosciences and interest of UK geoscientists.
The
Confederate of United Kingdom Coal Producers promotes the UK coal industry. The
Coal Authority outlines licensing, reports, and records for coal mining in the UK.
Scotland has some gold and silver deposits. Marble is quarried in the northwest of Scotland and barites is mined in the Highlands.
Wales and Northern Ireland have produced some interesting minerals. Wales has 3 goldmines and 1 working coal mine, and the now shut down
Lewis Merthyr offers tours
MOUNTAINS are located throughout the UK.
The Pennine Mountain chain runs down the middle of England and is often called the backbone of England. The Lake District in the northwest part of England has the highest mountains including Scafell Peak which is the highest peak in the country. The
Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland has 12 peaks including
Slieve Donard which is the highest mountain in the country.
Ben Nevis in Scotland is the highest mountain in the UK. One of the major mountain ranges in Wales is
Brecon Beacons which is part of a National Park. The tallest mountain in the country is
Snowden.
The UK has over 2,000
MUSEUMS and art galleries. In England the
National Gallery has some of the greatest paintings in the world, and the
Tate Gallery houses the national collection of British art from the 16th century to the present day. The
Manchester Museum has millions of items from every continent. The
National Maritime Museum in Greenwich has the largest collection of marine art in the world. The
Northern Ireland Museums Council supports museums in Northern Ireland. Museums are located throughout
Scotland. The
National Museums Of Scotland has 6 sites and an extensive collection built up over more than 2 centuries. The
Huntarian Museum is the oldest public museum in Scotland. Wales has several
National Museums and Galleries.
MUSIC has always been important in the UK beginning with folk songs many of
which are still sung today. In the 1500s and early 1600, everyone sang
madrigal. In the late 1600s
Henry Purcel wrote church mass. In 1870s
Gilbert &
Sullivan wrote operetas. The
Beatles started a whole new thing in Pop music.
Symphony Orchestras and Opera Companies can be found through the UK.
Many
music events, concerts, and festivals are held throughout the country during the year. The
Three Choirs Festival is one of the oldest music festivals in Europe. The
Cheltenham International Music Festival is one of the finest classical music events in the UK. The
Thorney Live Charity Music Festival has live music featuring local bands. An
International Music Festival is held in Northern Ireland. The
Loch Schiel Spring Festival in Scotland has concerts and international performers. Two songs from Scotland are familiar around the world. One of the songs is
You take the high road and I'll take the low road. The
Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland is a popular event with drim and drill teams from around the world.The music and song
Auld Lang Syne by Robbie Burns is sometime called the National Anthem of the world and is associated with New Years. The
Llantilio Crossenny Festival in Wales has music and drama.
Place
NAMES in the UK often tell a story or reflect the history of the place. The people living in the UK are called British, or English, Irish, Scottish, or Welsh, depending upon where they live.
There are 4 types of
Surnames in the UK. Many personal names have a
nickname.
The
Northern Ireland Place-Name Project at Queens University was established to study the place-names of Northern Ireland. Many place names in
Scotland have their roots in either the Gaelic, Pictish, or Norse language. Names of
places in Northeast England have special meanings. Most areas of
Wales have names derived from the ancient Welsh language. Many place names begin with Llan meaning "Church Of", and many
places names are very long.
NORTHERN IRELAND is one of 4 areas which form the UK. It is a province of the UK but is often called a country. It is located in the northeast part of the Island of Ireland, and the capital is Belfast. It has 26 districts and a population of 1.6 million. In
Northern Ireland the age structure is the youngest in the UK. The country has an unofficial flag and the unofficial
National Anthem is 'A Londonderry Air'(Oh Danny Boy). The
North of Ireland Family Historical Society promotes interest in family history of people with roots in North Ireland and their descendents. The
Belfast Festival at Queens is a cornerstone of cultural life in Northern Ireland.
Many of the
NURSERY RHYMES that came from the UK refer to people. Jack Horner was a man who lived in England. Humpty Dumpty was a nickname for large people. "Mary had a Little Lamb" were the first words recorded of human voice.
Nursery rhymes often began as poems or verse and were passed along by word of mouth as entertainment and amusement for children. One of the most popular stories is Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and a wellknown song is Three Blind Mice. Mother Goose was 1st heard in England in a collection of British nursery rhymes. The
Mother Goose Society was founded to encourage a love for the Mother Goose Rhymes.
Mother Goose Day is celebrated on May 1 in the United States.
OBSERVATORIES are located throughout the UK. The
London Planetarium has a star show, 2 interactive zones, and the most advanced star projectors in the world.
Stonehenge might have been an observatory. There are several mobile planetarium services in England including
Astronomy Roadshop Auiga Astronomy,
Mizar Traveling Planetarium and
Mobile School Planetarium and Astronomy Shop.
Geomagnetic Observatories in the UK provide information about the change of the magnetic field.
Armagh Planetarium in Northern Ireland was one of the 1st observatories in the world. In Scotland the
Royal Observatory comprises the UK Astronomy Technolgy Centre, and the University of Edinburg's Institute for Astronomy. The
Coats Observatory in Scotland has a public telescop viewing.
Wales has public, institutional, and private observatories.
The UK is the largest producer and exporter of
OIL in the
North Sea, and oil has begun to flow from the
Penguin Fields. Aberdeen, Scotland, is known as the Oil Capital of Europe. The
VEBA Oil and Gas Organization is responsible for oil and gas exploration, development, and production the the North Sea.
Oil is produced from a site in
East Midlands in England. The
United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association provides information about oil production in the UK. Oil and Gas is a major part of
Scotland's economy.
National
PARKS in the UK are areas set aside by the state because of their natural beauty, ecological, archaeological, and geological features, and recreational value. They are often on privately owned land. There are 7 National Parks in
England,
3 in
Wales, and Scotland has 1 but will soon have another.
Dartmoor National Park is in both England and Wales. Each National Park has its own logo.
Northern Ireland does not have any National Parks but many areas of Outstanding Beauty have been identified.
Many famous
PEOPLE have come from the UK. Famous people from England include
Capt. James Cook who discovered Antarctica, and
Sir Issac Newton who discovered the law of gravity. Halley�s Comet is named after
Edmund Halley, and Oxygen was discovered by
Joseph Priestly. Famous people from
Northern Ireland include
C.S.Lewis who wrote the Chronicals of Narnia. Famous people from
Scotland include
John Muir who founded the U.S. National Park System,
Dr. David Livingston missionary and explorer,
Alexander Graham Bell who invented the telephone, and
Adam Smith who is regarded as the founder of modern economics. The
Wales Hall of Fame has a long list of famous people of Welsh heritage including American presidents, and entertainers, and
Ellis Island, USA, was named after Samuel Ellis from Wrexham. Other famous people from
Wales include
Sir George Everest who gave his name to Mount Everest and
Henry Morton Stanley an explorer and journalist.
Charlotte Church is among other
wellknown people from Wales.
PETS in the UK include cats, hamsters, dogs, rabbits, and tortoises. Dogs are a treasured pet and many breeds of dogs came from the UK including the beagle, cocker spaniel, bulldog, and English setter. The
border collie developed in response to needs in raising sheep.
Dog Shows are held throughout the country during the year.There is a
Sheepdog Centre in Wales that features educational programs and entertainment. The UK has
pedigree cats, and the
Manx cat from the Isle of Man is found in mythology and folklore.
Snakes and lizards are becoming popular pets. Each year there is a
National Pet Week.
The UK has many
PORTS, harbors, and marinas. Many rivers have estuaries (the stretch of a river mouth affected by tides) that make excellent harbors including the Clyde and Forth of Scotland, the Humber, Mersey, and Thames of England, and the Severn of England and Wales. The ports of Southhampton and Portsmouth are in
Hampshire County on the southcoast of England. The Titanic sailed from Southhampton. The Port of
Plymouth,where the pilgrims set sail for the new world is also on the south coast.
Liverpool has one of the largest harbors in the world. Scotland has many
ports Oban is the largest port in western Scotland and Leith is the largest port in eastern Scotland. The
UK Hydrographic Office provides information for ports in the UK. Northern Ireland has ports, docks, and harbors including
Belfast Port and the
Port of Larne which offers the shortest sea route to Great Britain.
Wales has several main ports.
Cornwall has several fishing villages and Newlyn is the largest fishing port.
The first adhesive
POSTAGE stamp stamp was made in England, and the British Postal Service was founded in 1635.
Special stamps are issued each year and one was issued for the Queen's Jubilee in 2002. The neighborhood mailbox was invented in England.
Royal Mail has started using a new postage label to be printed at the post office counter. Postal Codes are called postcodes and usually include area, district, sector, and location. There are 3
Postal Museums in the UK.
New postage stamps for
Northern Ireland were issued in 2001. Scotland has several dozen
Philatic Societies. The
Welsh Philatic Society includes members from around the world, holds, auctions, and issues a newsletter. The
Commonwealth countries and Dependencies issue their own stamps and some have Philatic Societies.
Several
QUEENS have ruled the UK. Queen Victoria was one of the longest reigning monarchs. Queen Elizabeth II is the present monarch. Scotland has had 2 queen -
Mary Queen of Scots and
Margaret, Maid of Norway.
To
QUEUE in England means to stand in line, and the lines are called queues.
Take a QUIZ about the United Kingdom---
Geography Quiz***
CIA World Fact Book Quiz***Flag Quiz***
British Monarch Quiz***
Commonwealth Day Quiz.
The UK is divided into several
REGIONS. Seven of these regions are in England and include
Wales and
Scotland. The regions in England include the
Southwest Peninsula, the
English Lowland, and the Pennines Region which makes up the
North Pennines, the
South Pennines, and the
West Pennines.
Northern Ireland makes up the eighth region. The UK has 8
coastal regions.
Northern Ireland has
6 counties and 26 councils.
Scotland is divided into 3 regions with several
subdivisions.
Wales has eleven regions.
Several
RELIGIONS are practiced in the UK, and it has become one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world. The country has two national religions -
The Church of England, which is Episcopal, and
The Church of Scotland, which is Presbyterian. There are areas of Scotland where the Free Church of Scotland dominates. All faiths are practiced and protected by law, and the country has many
Inter-Faith Organizations. The monarch must belong to the Church of England and is its worldly head. The
Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual head. Religion is a required subject in schools paid for by the state. The
Salvation Army, a semi-religious organization, was founded in England and is one of the largest charitable organizations in the world.
Sacred Sites and
abbeys and priories are located throughout the UK. The
Greenbelt Arts Festival is the largest Christian festival in the UK. County Down in
Northern Ireland is where St. Patrick started his evangelization of Ireland and where he is buried. The
St. Patrick Centre tells the story of the Patron Saint of Ireland. The
Church in Wales has 6 dioceses.
Wales has abbeys and religious sites.
REPTILES in the UK are protected under the
Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, and there are strict laws regarding importing them. Six species of
reptiles are
native to the UK including 3 species of
snakes
snakes. Proteus Reptile Trust rescues and promotes the correct care of reptiles in the country.
Tortoise Keepers Association provides information and support on caring for tortoises in the country. The
Marine Turtle Rescue Group researches marine turtles worldwide.
Terrapin Rescue is a rescue center for red-eared terrapines and related species. The children in the UK report about
frogs and toads they find. The
British Herpetological Society is one of the oldest and largest herpetological socities in the world. Reptiles in Northern Ireland include the viparous lizzard, frogs, smooth newt, and the leatherback turtle. The
Adder is the only snake found in Scotland and is the only venomous snake in Britain. The
Sky Serpentarium on the Isle of Sky is an exhibition and educational centre featuring reptiles and amphibians.
Wales has lizards and snakes.
The UK has many
RIVERS The longest rivers in England are the Severn and the Thames. The
Henley Royal Regatta is held on the Thames and is one of the premier regattas in the world.
The
Severn River Association protects and promotes fish and game and develops access to the river. Many rivers in Northern England offer interesting
river trips ranging from easy to difficult. England has an extensive
Canal System. The most famous canals include Grand Union Canal, Manchester Ship Canal, and Caledonial Canal. Fishing Stations are located along the rivers of Northern Ireland. Scotland has 26 rivers that flow directly into the sea, and there are many
firths (long narrow arms into the sea). The Tay is the longest river in Scotland and many rivers have excellent fishing.
Wales has 24 rivers. The 3 longest pass through England before they reach the sea.
SCOTLAND is 1 of 4 areas which form the UK. Originally it was a kingdom but united under one crown with England in 1707. It is located north of England, the capital is Edinburgh, and it has 9 regions and 3 island areas. The country has a
population of over 5 million. The
National Flag is one of the oldest flags in the world. The
National Anthem is 'O Flower of Scotland'. The National Emblem is the
Thistle. The
Royal Mile leading to Edinburgh Castle is the most famous street in Scotland and was home to
Mary Queen of Scots and Dr. Jekyll. Scotland has many
firths - long narrow arms of the sea.
Hadrians Wall separated the borders of Roman England and Scotland and is a National Heritage Site. There are many National Trust Visitors Centers along the remains of the wall. The national instrument of Scotland is
Bagpipes. The Highland Dress is the
national dress, and no outfit is more recognizable than the
kilt. The
Scottish Tartan Society studies tartans and has 2
museums. A
National Tartan Day is held in the United States. The
Edinburgh Festival describes the festivals held each year, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the Military Tattoo.
The
Glascow Show is one of the biggest events in the city with entertaining acts, displays, & activities. The
Dundee Flower and Food Festival has floral and garden displays and cooking demonstrations. Rosslyn Chapel has intricate carvings inside and out. The
Botanic Gardens in Edinburg are home to the largest collection of Chinese plants outside China. An
International Comedy Festival is held in Glasgow.
Many forms of
SEA LIFE and marine mammals can be found in the waters that surround the UK. The
Marine Counservations Society is dedicated to the protection of the UK. marine environment and its wildlife. The
British Marine Life Study Society produces a journal exploring the marine life of the seas surrounding the British Isles.
Seasearch is an underwater survey project to record observations of marine habitats and the life they support.
The British Isles Seaweed Society has photographs of marine algae of the British Isles. The country has many
whale watching groups, programs and societies. The
Conchological Society Marine Recording Scheme promotes the study of Mollusca. There are several
Seal Sanctuaries in the UK. The National Marine Aquarium England was the 1ST aquarium in the country. The
Bolton Museum, Art, and Aquarium has freshwater and estuarine fish from around the world. The
Minke Whale is the most common whale found around the coast of Northern Ireland. The
Scottish Sealife Sanctuary in
Isle of Arran in Scotland is one of the best places in the UK to see basking sharks.
Many of the SPORTS played today developed in the UK.
Soccer is the most popular spectator sport.
Cricket was first played in 1300 and is considered to be the National sport. Schools, universities, and almost all towns and villages have cricket teams. Sports in the UK include rubgby, archery, lawn bowling, golf, hockey, horseback riding, horse racing, sailing, and tennis. Other popular sports are deer hunting and hunting with hounds which started in Saxon times.The annual games at
Wimbledon are the most important tennis matches in the world. Horseracing is a spectator sport and Queen Anne founded the
Ascot Races in 1711. The
National Horseracing Museum is in Newmarket, England.
Soccer is the National Sport of Scotland and curling was invented there. Scotland has more than 400 golf courses, and the
British Golf Museum is in St. Andrews, Scotland. The
Royal and ancient Golf Club is located in St. Andrews and is dedicated to the development of golf world-wide. There are small ski resorts in Scotland.
Lawn Tennis was invented in Wales. The
Sports Council for Northern Ireland aims to increase participation in sports especially among young people. The Isle of Man has world famous
motorcycle races including the International Tourist Trophy Races.
The
IEE is the largest professional engineering society in Europe and helps make the government aware of TECHNOLOGY issues. The first
computer was developed in England. The internet country code is ".uk" (without the quotes), and there are many internet service providers. Internet
Trade Shows are held throughout the country. The government and many organizations, businesses, and schools are online. A
schoolboy from Wales invented a device helpful in using a computer mouse.
Webcams are located throughout the UK and many are
interactive. There is an extensive network of
Payphones throughout the UK.
Public TRANSPORTATION throughout the UK includes
Rail, bus, and air The
London Underground is the oldest subway system in the world. The
London Bus System uses world-famous double-decker red buses. Single-decker green buses serve districts outside London. Every major city in England has a regional bus system. The word highway comes from the fact that at one time in England special roads were built up higher than the surrounding area so that they would stay dry. The M1 was the first motorway built in Europe. The
National Motor Museum has one of the most complete collections of historic cars in the world. The
Department of Vehicle License Agency is responsible for road safety and registering drivers and vehicles. The 1st
license plate was issued in 1903. The
Channel Tunnel carries freight and passengers to France.
Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in England.
Belfast International Airport is one of the major airport in Northern Ireland.
Richard Trevithick built the first steam locomotive to travel on railroad tracks and the f1st railroad was built in England. The 1st motorized bus was also built in England. Scotland has the busiest helicopter landing facility in the world. A Scottish inventor, John Macadam, gave his name to the material that surfaces roads. Another Scotsman,
John Dunlap, invented the pneumatic tire.
Cardiff International Airport in Wales has service to many European cities.
Tying a yellow ribbon around a tree was a Welsh tradition from the 18th century. Originally, Welsh settlers in America planted daffodils outside their homes to welcome new arrivals from Wales, but later they used a yellow ribbon tied around a tree instead. New immigrants would therefore know where their fellow countrymen were living.
Gregg shorthand was invented by
John Gregg who introduced it in England. (The writer of this webpage uses Gregg Shorthand and so does her mother.)
There are 33 native species of
TREES in the UK.
Champion Trees can be found in every part of the country. The
Tree Register records notable and ancient trees in the UK, and there are several
Tree Organizations in the country.
Forests are located throughout the UK, and more than 8% of the land area is devoted to productive forestry. The
Forestry Commision of Great Britain is responsible for protecting and explanding forests and woodlands. The National Arboreteum at Castlewellan Forest Park in
Northern Ireland was started in 1740. Several species of
conifers are found in the UK. It is the most common tree in Scotland and is cultivated as a cash crop.
Wales has a variety of trees.
U IS FOR UFOs, UNESCO, UNITED KINGDOM, & UNIVERSITIES
The
British UFO Research Organization conducts research of UFO phenomena in the UK, and there are several
UFO Research Groups. The British Isles probably have more UFO sightings per capita than anywhere in the world. Scotland is the
UFO Capital of the world. Most
crop circles are found in England near Stonehenge.
The United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization
UNESCO protects natural and cultural properties around the world. The United Kingdom has 25
UNESCO World Heritage sites including Blenheim Palace, Wesminster Abbey, and Henderson Island. The newest site is the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The country also has 9
UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. Edinburgh is the first UNESCO
City of Literature.
The UNITED KINGDOM is located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe and is divided into 4 constituent countries - England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Britain is the term used for the island containing the contiguous principalities of England, Scotland, and Wales. Great Britain includes Britain and all the small islands but not Northern Ireland. Great Britain and Northern Ireland form the United Kingdom. The UK has a
population of nearly 60 million people and is the 3rd largest in Europe.
There are many
UNIVERSITIES and Colleges in the UK. In England
Oxford and
Cambridge are among oldest universities in the world.
Queen's University is the oldest and most prestigious university in Northern Ireland. The country also has technical colleges and special colleges for the study of commerce, the arts, or agriculture.
Greenmount College offers programs to meet the needs of agriculture and horticulture in Northern Ireland. Scotland has 8 universities including
St. Andrews which is the oldest university in Scotland,
Glasgow, and
Aberdeen. The
Isle of Skye has a Gaelic College.
Wales has 5 universities and several colleges. Bryn Mawr College, USA, was named after Roland Ellis' home in Wales. Brown's University, USA, was founded by the Welsh. The University of Bath and University College in London have television stations.
New Forest is the largest area of natural VEGETATION left in England.
English Gardens date back to the Roman Empire. Kent is called the Garden of England. The
Eden Project in Cornwall is a major environmental and educational project. The
Lost Gardens of Heligan is the site of the largest garden restoration in Europe. More than 20,000 exotic plants grow in the Abbey Garden on the
Island of Tresco. The Seed Bank at the
Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew has one of the world's largest collection of seeds of wild plants that are becoming extinct.
Levens Hall in England has a world famous topiary garden.
East Anglia has Britains only wetlands National Park.
Wildlife Park provides habitats for a variety of fauna.
Plantlife is dedicated to conserving all forms of plant life in its natural habitat. The
Woodland Trust is dedicated to protection of native woodlands.
Northern Ireland has a wide variety of vegetation. The
Garden of Wales has plenty to see and do throughout the year. Vegetation in Scotland includes
fern and heather.
Online and postal
VOTING are popular.
Postal voting boosts turnout in local polls. The UK is the first country in the world to have
online voting. Both
Scotland and
Wales use the Additional Member System (AMS) in voting which insures that the number of seats a party wins is more fairly related to its share of votes.
WALES is one of 4 areas which form the UK. Officially it is a principality, but it is often called a country. It is located west of England and the capital is
Cardiff. It has 8 counties.
The population figures for
Wales is divided into rural and industrial. Wales has its own
National Flag but it is not part of the flag of the UK. The
National Anthem is 'Wlad fy Nhadau' (Land of My Fathers)
WALKING is a favorite pastime in the UK and
National trails and
footpaths are located throughout the country. The
Ramblers Association provides information on all aspects of walking in the UK. The Cotswald Way is 100 miles long and goes thru the hills of south central England. Pennine Way is a 250 mile footpath along the Pennine Range. The
longest footpath is 630 miles long. Cambrian Way is a famed long distance walk in Wales.
There are many
WATERFALLS throughout the UK. The Falls of the Clyde is one of the most famous falls in Northern Europe, and Eas-Coul-Aulin in Scotland is the highest waterfall in the British Isles.
Waterfalls Walk has some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the North of England.
Scotland has dozens of waterfalls. The Vale of Heath in Wales has so many waterfalls it is known as
Waterfall Country.
Cenarth Falls has an old watermill.
Glenariff Forest Park in Northern Ireland has a series of waterfalls and is called "Queen of Glens".
WILDLIFE in the UK includes 6 species of
deer, wild ponies, wild cattle, and several small animals.
Webcams of animals are located through the country. Many species are
extinct The
European hedgehog can be found even in busy London.
Prickley Ball Farm has a hospital and wildlife garden center.
Mole Hall Wildlife Park has a collection of animals, birds, and a butterfly pavilion. There are many
Wildlife Museums and
National Nature Reserves in the country. There are many
Wildlife Rescue Centers in the UK that help disabled and injured wildlife. The
Wildwood Wildlife Center offers close encounters with native wildlife.
Mole Hall Wildlife Park has a collection of many exotic species. The
Royal Society for the Protection of birds is the largest wildlife conservation program in Europe.
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Garden supports the conservation of nature. At
Paradise Wildlife Park you can touch and feed animals.
Highland Wildlife Park specialises in Scottish Wildlife past and present. Herds of reindeer have been reintroduced in Scotland. There are many species of
endangered wild and migratory mammals living in the UK. A variety of bats are found throughout the country and there are several
organizations dedicated to protecting them. Scotland has nearly 10 species of bats.
Badgers are found throughout the UK but most of them live in Wales and Southwest England. They are protected by the
Badgers Act. Wales has several
National Federation of Badgers Groups.
XMAS
is the common abbreviation for Christmas and is celebrated in the
U.K. much as it is around the world. Many Christmas and New Year
traditions began in the UK including
Christmas Crackers and the
Christmas Stocking. The use of
Christmas tree lights and Christmas cards also began in England. Each year the Christmas tree in
Trafalgar Square is sent from Norway. Christmas was not celebrated in
Scotland until the 1960s. Christmas celebrations in
Wales and Northern Ireland are similar to those in the rest of the UK. Some parts of Northern Ireland have special
light displays.
The
YMCA was founded in England by Sir George Williams. YMCA programs in the UK are committed to helping young people build a future. There are YMCA programs in
England,
Scotland,
Wales, and
Northern Ireland.
Several hundred
YOUTH HOSTELS are located throughout the UK. YHA is part of the International Youth Hostel Federation and has over 200 youth hostels in
England and Wales. There are also youth hostels in
Northern Ireland and
Scotland. The UK also has
Elderhostels
The UK has several plant hardiness
ZONES
The UK is in the zero (0)
Universal Time Zone. Greenwich has a clock that determines the right time for every other clock in the world. It is called Greenwich Meantime. In Scotland
Edinburgh Castle fires a gun every day except Sunday at precisely 1:00 p.m. to provide everyone with the correct time. In the far north of the country, daytime can last for as long as 20 hours.
ZOOS are located throughout the UK. The
London Zoo is the most famous zoo in the world. At the
Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordhire you can touch and feed animals. The
Isle of Wight Zoo specializes in the care and breeding of threatened creatures. An important part of the
Jersey Zoo is to save animals from extinction. At the
Curraghs Wildlife Park on the Isle of Man, paths go thru the large enclosures where the animals live.The
Belfast Zoo in Northern Ireland is a recreational, education, and conservative facility.
Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland is one of the world's leading zoos. The
Highland Wildlife Park specializes in Scottish wildlife. The
Anglesey Sea Zoo in Wales is a marine aquarium. The
Welsh Mountain Zoo includes an adventure playground.
