The UK - England and Wales

The official name of the UK is Uhe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. We can also use shorter names such as the United Kingdom or British kingdom. A lot of people use only the name Great Britain, but it isn’t right. It’s the same, as if you wanted to talk about the USA and you would say such name of its part, f.e. California. Great Britain is part of the UK. Exactly the consists only of islands, and the largest one is called Great Britain. Great Britain can be divided into three historical countries: England, Scotland and Wales. Now I’d like to say something about England and Wales.

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England is the largest part of the UK. It has an area of 130 000 square km and a population of nearly 50 millions. Most of inhabitans language is English, the established church is the Church of England. England is divided into high number of shires, f.e. Kent, Essex, Yorkshire, Cornwall, but we can also divide England geographically...

I’d like so start with southern part of England. This part may be the oldest settled part. We can find here many historical monuments as well as romantic sceneries. I have  to mention several interesting places of this area.

Canterbury has population only of  40 000 inhabitans but it’s the second most popular tourist  destination in the UK. But Why? It has always been a religious centre. The Archbishop of Canterbury has been the head of Church of England, evidences of importance of religion are everywhere. The most famous one is its huge cathedral, which oldest parts come from the 11th century. But it isn’t only the cathedral, which attracts tourists. There are several others churches, museums and ancient houses. But we mustn’t think that Canterbury is only a „living museum“. There is a large modern university and other educational institutions. In fact about 30 percent of population is made up by students.

Near of Salisbury, on Salisbury Plain, you can find quite strange structure. It’s made up of large stones, which stand in two circles and two horshoes. I’m sure you know that I’m talking about Stonehange. I think, this is very exciting monument. It was build about 4000 years ago. Purpose of its building isn’t know, it may have been ritual or even scientipic.

Another interesting place is Hastings, it is situated on the sea coast. It’s mainly known because of Battle of Hastings, which took place here in 1066. In this battle William the Conqueror defeated Anglo- Saxon army with king Harold as its leader.

Well-known place is Dover and its white cliffs. The shortest connection between England and continental Europe is Dover- Calais (in France). Nowadays you can use even train to get to France or back.

Western part  of England has its own character. It is still unspoiled by industry- it’s called the Green country and you can find here many national parks. Important  are mainly large ports such as Bristol or Plymouth. There are mountains the Cornish Heights too.

In the centre of England there is an industrial area called the Black country. This partcan we call „old, good industrial England“. The industrial revolution developed there- especially textile and coal- mining industries. We can find here many industrial cities, f. e. the capital and the largest city of the UK- London, or the second largest city Birmingham. Industrial city is also Coventry, nowadays its products are mainly cars and bicycles, it was totally destroyed after german night air raids during WWII. Well known- mainly due to football- are industrial cities Liverpool and Manchester. Liverpool is one of the largest cities in England. It’s important port, it’s city of Beatles and well- known Steeplechase, which is run here every year. But this region isn’t only industrial area, there are also famous universitan towns Oxford and Cambridge.

Oxford is situated on the river Thames. Many historical events happened there, f. e. king Harold died here, Richard the Lionhearth was born here, Elizabeth I. was educated in Oxford. The university was established in 1214, when it received a charter from the Pope. Nowadays it has about 45 colleges.

Cambridge is Oxford’s younger sister. It’s very old town, it’s situated on the river Cam. Origins of the University aren’t clear, so it’s impossible to say with certainly, when it was established.

The last region is Northern England. That’s country of  beatiful nature, many national parks have been established here. Cultural traditions are very important here. We can find here many worth seeing places, f. e. the Hadrian’s wall or the Lake Distict- that’s the region in Cumbria, where are situated most famous English lakes- such as Windermare.

Wales is a historical and constituent part of the UK, in the west of Great Britain, between the British and the Irish sea. It has an area of about 20 000 square km and a population of nearly 3 millions. Only about 20% of inhabitans speaks Welsh, English is spoken by the rest, but the country is bilingual. Uhe highest mountain is Snowdon in the Cambrian mountains. The longest river of the UK- the Severn springs here.

Wales was conquered by English kings at the end of the 18th century. Since that time the oldest son of the English king has title „Prince of Wales“. There were several uprisings against English rule, but they weren’t succesful. In past, coal was mined in Wales,  but lady Thatcher has abolished it, and has saved the coal for „bad times“.

Wales is sometimes so-called the land of castles. Among the best known is Caernafon, where Prince Charles was appointed as Prince of Wales. The land is full of mystery and beauty. There are snow- capped mountains, green valleys, sea resorts.

The capital is Cardiff, it’s the largestcity of Wales too. It’s country’s economic, industrial and cultural centre. Three rivers (the Taff, the Ely, the Rrymney) go throw it into the Bristol Channel. Cardiff is an ancient city, from Roman times. By early 1800’s it was still a small town. Then, when Wales became a main centre of coal mining. Cardiff served as important port and grew very quickly. Nowadays it’s modern city, but you can find here friendly atmosphere, not very usual for such big cities as Cardiff.