Category: GREAT BRITAIN

The United Kingdom is a sovereign state, the official name of which is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The capital is London. The official language is English. The state includes four administrative parts: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Geographical location and climate

The British Isles archipelago consists of two large islands – Great Britain and Ireland which includes many smaller islands. The country is separated from the continent by the English Channel.
The climate of Great Britain is moderate oceanic with mild, wet winters and cool summers. The country has a varied topography – Scotland and Northern England are dominated by mountains, North-West England has many lakes and the South and South-East are dominated by rolling plains.

Government structure and population

he United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy where the head of state is the monarch (queen/king). The highest legislative body is the parliament and the executive body is the government.
The population of the state in 2022 was 57,106,398 people. The majority of the population live in England – 72%. The population of the country is predominantly Christian (Catholics or Anglicans) and Muslim and Hindu. The urban population of the United Kingdom accounts for about 90% of the inhabitants who live in large cities – London, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Sheffield, etc. The Armed Forces of Great Britain consist of 212 000 people and consist of strategic forces such as the Air Force, the Navy and ground forces. The number of reserve units is 313 000 people (as of 2024). The nominal role of the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces is occupied by the monarch.

Economy

The United Kingdom is a developed capitalist country, a member of the “Big Seven” and occupies high positions in the ratings for world GDP and CDM among other countries in the world.
The UK has well-developed mechanical engineering, oil, gas and petrochemical industries. The country produces electricity at thermal power plants while paying great attention to the development of alternative energy. Other sectors of the economy, developed or developing in the country include:

• ferrous metallurgy (mechanical engineering);
• aircraft construction;
• production of automobiles, sea vessels;
• chemical industry;
• food industry;
• agriculture;
• animal and plant breeding, etc.

In addition, tourism makes a huge contribution to the country’s economic development.
Great Britain is a major importer of products of the mechanical engineering complex, chemical and petrochemical industries, metals, clothing and food. The main economic partners are countries such as Germany, the USA, France and China.

Main attractions

London

• Trafalgar Square is at the intersection of main streets the Mall, Whitehall and the Strand. This is where the distances of the country’s main roads are measured.
• Big Ben is the tower of the Palace of Westminster with a clock that was launched in the 19th century and still works today. The clock is one of the largest clock mechanisms in the world.
• Buckingham Palace is the official residence and home of the royal family.
• The Tower of London was built in 1070. It was a prison. Today it houses knights’ armour, ancient coins and jewellery.

Oxford and Cambridge are cities near London which are home to the oldest universities in Europe with the same names.

Scotland

• Edinburgh Castle is home to the Stone of Destiny which was used to crown monarchs.
• Stirling Castle is a mediaeval palace where coronations of the kings of Scotland took place.

Northern Ireland

• The Giant’s Causeway is a 400m-long road with about 40,000 stone boulders ranging in height from 6 to 12m.
• The Carrick-a-Rede Bridge is a 20m-long suspension bridge that connects the mainland with the island of Carrick-a-Rede. It is located at a height of 30m and is quite extreme entertainment for tourists.

Wales

• Caernarfon Castle – Since 1911 the castle has hosted the ceremony of conferring the title of Prince of Wales.
• St. David’s Cathedral is a purple brick church built in the shape of a cross.
• St Fagans National Historic Site is a comprehensive introduction to the history, architecture and cultural traditions of Wales.