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| Inglaterra Europa Inglaterra no es un país donde se pueda ir a buscar sol y playa, pero cuenta con un patrimonio cultural impresionante, así como con una riqueza cosmopolita en su capital, Londres, fuera de toda duda. Monumentos, museos, castillos, paisajes verdes rodeados de una luz tenue… Inglaterra es una de las mejores posibilidades a la hora de planear unas vacaciones en Europa. Inglaterra es cuna de literatura, es el país de Shakespeare no menos, es el país de la música pop, con los chicos buenos de Los Beatles y los malos Rolling Stones, de los Pet Shop Boys o de Elton John, Inglaterra es el país del Manchester United y el Liverpool, un país donde paseando por su capital, Londres, podremos visitar los jardines de Buckingham Palace, Oxford Street, el Milenium, o podremos visitar Picadilly Circus, el Soho, o la trafalgar Square. |
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| Londres es una ciudad dividida por el
Támesis, río emblemático, pero además en este país encontramos otras
ciudades como Birminghan, Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester, Epson, Leicester
y un sinfín de ciudades rodeadas de verdes llanuras y de un aroma
eminentemente británico. 1 - 8 de 8 Conducir por Reino Unido Conducir por Reino Unido (999 (Policía, Ambulancias y Bomberos) 112 (Emergencias)) A diferencia de la mayoría de países europeos, en Reino Unido se conduce por el lado izquierdo, adelantándose por el lado derecho de la carretera.... [Ver más] Viajar con animales a Inglaterra Viajar con animales a Inglaterra Para poder entrar con animales a Inglaterra es necesario que los animales tengan más de 3 meses, estén identificados con microchip (no con tatuaje), estén... [Ver más] Cajeros y dinero en Inglaterra Cajeros y dinero en Inglaterra La moneda oficial de Reino Unido es la libra esterlina. (Un euro equivale a 0,8 libras, aproximadamente). A pesar de pertenecer a la UE, no... [Ver más] Asistencia Médica en Inglaterra Asistencia Médica en Inglaterra Si usted es miembro de la UE, del Espacio Económico Europeo o Suiza y viaja a Inglaterra, sepa que tendrá cubierta la asistencia sanitaria básica... [Ver más] Electricidad en Inglaterra Electricidad en Inglaterra La corriente eléctrica en Gran Bretaña es de 240 voltios AC, 50HZ. Los enchufes suelen ser de 3 clavijas, por lo que se recomienda que... [Ver más] Horario de tiendas en Inglaterra Horario de tiendas en Inglaterra Horario de bancos: Generalmente, de 9:00-17:00h (de lunes a viernes); algunos, de 9:00-12:30h (sábados) Horario de Correos: Generalmente, de 9:00-17:00h (de lunes a viernes); las principales... [Ver más] Oficina de Turismo en Inglaterra Oficina de Turismo en Inglaterra (0870 1566366) Centro de información turística de Gran Bretaña y Londres [Ver más] lanzarsc lanzarsc (+34923373307) ARTESANIA SENEGALESA [Ver más] |
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| United Kingdom Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see High Force--Englands Biggest WaterFall High Force--Englands Biggest WaterFall C Gregory The United Kingdom has been called the biggest small country on Earth due to its sheer diversity. The UK is short for the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" and is formed by the province of Northern Ireland and the countries of Great Britain -? England, Scotland?and Wales.? Each of these countries has a very distinct identity and you should not call a Welshman English or vice versa, and some may not like being called 'British', even though the Welsh (and the Cornish)?are the original Britons. In this site the different islands in the Irish Sea and those North of Scotland are also taken into consideration. The United Kingdom has too many sites to mention. Though detached from the continent of Europe by only a few miles of water,?the UK?is permeated by a strong sense of its cultural separateness. Everything is different here: measures (pounds and ounces are still more popular than the now official kilos), traffic (small island, lots of traffic jams), customs and food. Life in?the UK?retains an extravagant continuity with a past that has little in common with its its European sisters and brothers unity, some citizens (especially in England, less in Scotland which considers?herself more European) still have problems, not only with accepting the European idea, but also with defining the concept of the United Kingdom itself.?The dominant national culture of the UK is "England" and Englishness. The non-English are therefore, by extension, often unwittingly and unintentionally cast in the role of lesser mortals. That is the?problem with the UK,?many people in England?think British is another term for English. Therefore the other nations in the UK resent the term British due to its association with English.?To illustrate this point, the English national football team's anthem is God Save the Queen (This is actually the British national anthem). Therefore booing of the British anthem by the Welsh or Scots at national sporting events?is not uncommon. The reason that many Scots feel more European compared to their English neighbours?may be in part down to Scotland's long history of co-operation with France against the common enemy-England.?The alliance?provided both countries with?military assistance, it also gave citizens of Scotland and France dual nationality until that right was revoked by the French government in 1903. However the alliance also?introduced Scots to French influences in legal, culinary, architectural and linguistic fields.? Scotland was an independent nation until the Act of Union in 1707 when the Scottish Parliament was persuaded?to?dissolve?after the English imposed trade?sanctions and offered bribes to the Scottish nobility. The Scottish people were furious and the resentment has never?fully gone?away.?The?Act of Union maintained?many Scottish institutions?such as the Church of Scotland,?Education system?and Scottish Law. There has always been a strong sense of identity and although no longer an independent sovereign state, Scotland is still considered a country in its own right. In the early to mid-nineties there was a reawakening of the Scottish identity to such an extent that the British government had no option but to establish the Scottish Parliament in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. However there may yet be further constitutional change within the next decade as the Scottish National Party is the largest political party in Scotland and around 80% of Scots want a referendum on further powers/independence. The SNP's aim is to dissolve the Union and let Scotland regain her independence as a sovereign state. Scotland's most visited city is the capital, Edinburgh. It is known as the "Athens of the North" due to the beautiful scenery, architecture and historical background. The city has a very cosmopolitan atmosphere due to the huge number of foreign tourists and students that flock there. 'Edinburgh,' said writer Robert Louis Stevenson, 'is what Paris ought to be'. There are so many attractions to visit: Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, The Scottish Parliament, Our?Dynamic Earth, Museum of Scotland, National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, Royal Yacht Britannia, St Giles Cathedral, The Scott Monument, Arthur's Seat, Calton Hill, Royal Botanic Gardens, Forth Bridge, Rosslyn Chapel of "Da Vinci Code" fame and many more. Also if you are in the city in August you've just become immersed in one of Europe's greatest festivals; The Edinburgh Festival!? But Scotland?isn't just Edinburgh, Scotland has so much to offer such as the magical mountians?and lochs of the Highlands, the wonderful coastline, the castles of Aberdeenshire such as Fyvie the finest baronial castle in the land.? The small fishing villages and towns such as Pennan and Banff have a character all of their own and of course we can't forget the people the Scots, warm hearted and friendly, probably the most welcoming race in the world. Wales was an independent nation until she was absorbed into England in the Act of Union 1536. However the Welsh people like the Scot's retain a fierce sense of national identity. The Welsh language is becoming more popular and the establishment of the Welsh Assembly means Wales after several centuries is taking steps towards nationhood (Even though less than 50% of the Welsh voted for an assembly.? Meanwhile, Wales remains a Principality. But there are also things that resemble Europe: nationwide shops and businesses rule the appearance of most high streets, the tourist infrastructure is very well developed all over?the UK?and the growth of a nostalgia-obsessed heritage industry has produced a lot of museums, theme parks and commemorative monuments. However, the country is rich in monuments, that attest to its intricate history; from ancient hill forts and Roman villas, through a host of medieval cathedrals to the ambitious civic projects of the Industrial Revolution. The UK offers a lot of diversion to all its tourists: For pulsing cultural and nightlife, London, Manchester, Birmingham?and Leeds are a must. To feel the charm of the English seaside and the importance of harbours for an island like the British Isles, travel along the southeastern coastline and explore the heritage of Maritime England at Portsmouth. In the central part of England you will find towns plenty of historical heritage like Salisbury, Oxford, Cambridge?and Norwich. Moving to Eastern England you will find the delightful Norfolk Broads, a huge area of connecting inland waterways popular for sailing, fishing and various watersports. Western and northern England fascinate with beautiful landscapes: rugged moorlands, picturesque flatlands and rocky coastlines. A visit to the South Western penninsula is a must - Dartmoor and Exmoor in Devon and Somerset, and Bodmin in Cornwall. Also, in Newquay there is world class surfing. _____________History Edit This Knights of the round table - the table! (Winchester, England) Knights of the round table - the table! (Winchester, England) Guy Grobler The Roman invasion of Britain in 55 BC and its subsequent incorporation into the Roman Empire stimulated development and brought more active contacts with the rest of Europe. As Rome's strength declined the country again was exposed to invasion-including the pivotal incursions of the Angles Saxons and Jutes in the fifth and sixth centuries AD -- up to the Norman conquest in 1066. Norman rule effectively ensured Britain's safety from further intrusions and so that certain institutions which remain characteristic of Britain could develop. Among these institutions are a political administrative cultural and economic center in London; a separate but established church; a system of common law; distinctive and distinguished university education; and representative government. Union Wales and Scotland were independent kingdoms that fiercely resisted English rule. The English conquest of Wales succeeded in 1282 under Edward I and the Statute of Rhuddlan established English rule 2 years later. To appease the Welsh Edward's son (later Edward II) who had been born in Wales was made Prince of Wales in 1301. The tradition of bestowing this title on the eldest son of the British monarch continues today. An act of 1536 completed the political and administrative union of England and Wales. While maintaining separate parliaments England and Scotland were ruled under one crown begining in 1603 when James VI of Scotland succeeded his cousin Elizabeth I as James I of England. In the ensuing 100 years strong religious and political differences divided the kingdoms. Finally in 1707 England and Scotland were unified as Great Britain sharing a single Parliament and flag (the "Union Jack"). Ireland's invasion by the Anglo-Normans in 1170 led to centuries of strife. Successive English kings sought to conquer Ireland. In the early 17th century large-scale settlement of the north from Scotland and England began. After its defeat Ireland was subjected with varying degrees of success to control and regulation by Britain. The legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland was completed on January 1 1801 under the name of the United Kingdom. However armed struggle for independence continued sporadically into the 20th century. The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 established the Irish Free State which subsequently left the Commonwealth and became a republic after World War II. Six northern predominantly Protestant counties have remained part of the United Kingdom. British Expansion and Empire Begun initially to support William the Conqueror's (c. 1029-1087) holdings in France Britain's policy of active involvement in European affairs endured for several hundred years. By the end of the 14th century foreign trade originally based on wool exports to Europe had emerged as a cornerstone of national policy. The foundations of sea power were gradually laid to protect English trade and open up new routes. Defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 firmly established England as a major sea power. Thereafter its interests outside Europe grew steadily. Attracted by the spice trade English mercantile interests spread first to the Far East. In search of an alternate route to the Spice Islands John Cabot reached the North American continent in 1498. Sir Walter Raleigh organized the first short-lived colony in Virginia in 1584 and permanent English settlement began in 1607 at Jamestown Virginia. During the next 2 centuries Britain extended its influence abroad and consolidated its political development at home. Great Britain's industrial revolution greatly strengthened its ability to oppose Napoleonic France. By the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 the United Kingdom was the foremost European power and its navy ruled the seas. Peace in Europe allowed the British to focus their interests on more remote parts of the world and during this period the British Empire reached its zenith. British colonial expansion reached its height largely during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). Queen Victoria's reign witnessed the spread of British technology commerce language and government throughout the British Empire which at its greatest extent encompassed roughly one-quarter to one-fifth of the world's area and population. British colonies contributed to the United Kingdom's extraordinary economic growth and strengthened its voice in world affairs. Even as the United Kingdom became more imperial abroad it continued to develop and broaden its democratic institutions at home. 20th Century By the time of Queen Victoria's death in 1901 other nations including the United States and Germany had developed their own industries; the United Kingdom's comparative economic advantage had lessened and the ambitions of its rivals had grown. The losses and destruction of World War I the depression of the 1930s and decades of relatively slow growth made it difficult for the United Kingdom to maintain its preeminent international position of the previous century. Britain's control over its empire loosened during the interwar period. Ireland with the exception of six northern counties broke away from the United Kingdom in 1921. Nationalism became stronger in other parts of the empire particularly in India and Egypt. Egypt gained independence from the United Kingdom in February 1922. However, during the interwar period, the British Empire had reached its maximum in territory with the last imperial expansion which saw a British mandate over former German and Turkish territories in Africa, the Middle East and in the Pacific. In 1926 the U.K. completed a process, begun a century earlier, which granted Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa complete autonomy within the empire. They became charter members of the British Commonwealth of Nations (now known as the Commonwealth), an informal but closely knit association that succeeded the empire. Beginning with the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947 the remainder of the British Empire was almost completely dismantled. Today, most of Britain's former colonies belong to the Commonwealth - almost all of them as independent members. There are however 13 former British colonies -- including Bermuda Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands -- which have elected to continue their political links with London and are known as United Kingdom Overseas Territories. Although weakened by economic and political nationalism, the Commonwealth offers the United Kingdom a voice in matters concerning many developing countries. In addition the Commonwealth helps preserve many institutions deriving from British experience and models such as parliamentary democracy in those countries. Today, 16 independent Commonwealth countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, Papua New Guinea and others, remain as realms of the Crown sharing Queen Elizabeth II as sovereign, where she is represented by a Governor General in each one, except the United Kingdom. The other Commonwealth countries are either republics or have their own national monarchies. _____________Practical Information Edit This Camping in Scotland Scotland is famous for its fantastic landscape - large forests, green hills and a lot of misterious lakes (the most popular one is Loch Ness) - and isn't very densly populated, so many people go there for wandering and camping. Being one of them you should pay attention on these facts: - the best time to to travel there is may, because weather is quite good and normally there are no flies - a huge problem for campers are very small but annoying flies; a good tent, anti-fly products and fire could help you - as long as you don't leave your rubbish behind, wild camping shouldn't be a problem; you don't have to stay on camping sites - if you plan larger tours, you don't have to care about taking water with you. Scotland is rich of greater and smaller rivers whose water you can drink without any problem. If you're not sure, there exist special pills to descontaminate the water; you can buy them in any outdoor shop - a good starting point for a lot of tours is Fort William (calling itself "the outdoor capital of the UK"), you can get there by train or bus from any bigger city - there's a series of really great maps called "OS Landranger maps" which are very detailled; you also can buy them in any outdoor shop Scotland offer tremedous activities and if you enjoy shopping then head for the City of Glasgow where the shopping experience is only bettered by London, visit the Buchanan Galleries Shopping Mall, St Enoch Centre Mall or the many international shops such as Gucci, JPG, Versace, etc.. and experience not to miss. ___________Webcams & 360 degree pics Edit This epjduxy jdpxmwlhv mndwtkhle eyznbaf xkfcl hsyw nchmx Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: ujvpfi vuoysnj [Add Webcam] Carbis Bay Holidays Edit This Carbis Bay Holidays offer 5 star self catering holiday accommodation, near St Ives West Cornwall. A selection of luxury apartments, houses, cottages and villas overlooking the glorious St Ives Bay as seen on our webcam. Visit our website and come and enjoy the hidden treasures of Carbis Bay. World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.carbisbayholidays.co.uk address: Carbis Bay St Ives Cornwall email: carbisbayholidays@hotmail.com ___________Getting Around Edit This Car hire in the UK is fairly inexpensive and is a very flexible way of getting around. You can rent a car at all airports or major cities. Do not use alcohol or speed as this is a major offence in the UK and do not forget the British drive on the left hand side of the road. See car hire options from 115 GBP a week for all major cities at http://www.carrental4you.co.uk [Add Local transport mode] Bus (coach) travel Edit This Travelling by bus (coach) in the UK is generally cheaper than by train. There are 2 major coach operators in the UK. The first, National Express (www.nationalexpress.com) have been in business for many years. They offer an extensive network of routes, however their prices are not the cheapest. The other major coach operator in the UK is Megabus (www.megabus.com). Launched in 2003, they have the explicit aim of being a low-cost coach operator. Their network is expanding, and their services are the cheapest way to travel around the UK. World66 rating: [rate it] Flying Edit This The UK has the largest domestic network of airline routes of any European country. It is now possible to fly all over the UK using low-cost airlines, and frequently the cost is considerably less than traveling by train (which is notoriously expensive in the UK). The key to getting a good deal is to book early. flycheapo.com offers a low-cost route search and news for those who want to keep up-to-date. World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.flycheapo.com Trains Edit This The UK has an extensive rail system allbeit rather expensive with trains often running late. That aside it's possible to visit the majority of mainland Britain via train and it's still far faster than road transport. A new visitor to the country is more than likely going to arrive at one of the major airports. All London Airports have train stations as does Manchester and a few other regional airports. Other airports usually have a bus link to take you to the nearest station. Those visiting from mainland Europe may consider taking the Eurostar more.. World66 rating: [rate it] url: http: Coach and longdistance bus travel Edit This You can find out more information on timetables and fares on the following link. Fares are usually cheaper than trains and flying. World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.nationalexpress.com _____________Economy Edit This Economy—overview: The UK is one of the world's great trading powers and financial centers and its essentially capitalistic economy ranks among the four largest in Western Europe. Over the past two decades the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture is intensive highly mechanized and efficient by European standards producing about 60% of food needs with only about 1% of the labor force. The UK has large coal natural gas and oil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 12% of GDP one of the highest shares of any industrial nation. Services particularly banking insurance and business services account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance now employing only 18% of the work force. Exports and manufacturing output have been the primary engines of growth. Unemployment is gradually falling. Inflation is a moderate 3.1%. A major economic policy question for the UK in the late 1990s is the terms on which it participates in the financial and economic integration of Europe. GDP: purchasing power parity—$1.242 trillion (1997 est.) GDP—real growth rate: 3.5% (1997 est.) GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity—$21 200 (1997 est.) GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 1.8% industry: 31.4% services: 66.8% (1996 est.) Inflation rate—consumer price index: 3.1% (1997) Labor force: total: 28.2 million (1997) by occupation: services 68.9% manufacturing and construction 17.5% government 11.3% energy 1.2% agriculture 1.1% (1996) Unemployment rate: 5.5% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $416.1 billion expenditures: $470 billion including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.) Industries: production machinery including machine tools electric power equipment automation equipment railroad equipment shipbuilding aircraft motor vehicles and parts electronics and communications equipment metals chemicals coal petroleum paper and paper products food processing textiles clothing and other consumer goods Industrial production growth rate: 2% (1997 est.) Electricity—capacity: 360.9 billion kWh (2001) Electricity—consumption per capita: 5 546 kWh (1995) Agriculture—products: cereals oilseed potatoes vegetables; cattle sheep poultry; fish Exports: total value: $268 billion (f.o.b. 1997) commodities: manufactured goods machinery fuels chemicals semifinished goods transport equipment partners: EU countries 53.2% (Germany 12.4% France 9.9% Netherlands 7.8%) US 11.4% (1996) Imports: total value: $283.5 billion (f.o.b. 1997) commodities: manufactured goods machinery semifinished goods foodstuffs consumer goods partners: EU countries 50.2% (Germany 14.2% France 9.0% Netherlands 6.5%) US 13.9% (1996) Debt—external: $16.2 billion (June 1992) Economic aid: donor: ODA $2.908 billion (1993) Currency: 1 British pound (£) = 100 pence Exchange rates: British pounds (£) per US$1—0.6115 (January 1998) 0.6106 (1997) 0.6403 (1996) 0.6335 (1995) 0.6529 (1994) 0.6658 (1993) Fiscal year: 1 April—31 March _____________People Edit This A Londoner and his dog having lunch A Londoner and his dog having lunch Joseph Hollick Population: 58 970 119 (July 1998 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19% (male 5 832 086; female 5 530 679) 15-64 years: 65% (male 19 304 762; female 19 032 024) 65 years and over: 16% (male 3 807 710; female 5 462 858) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.25% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 12.01 births/1 000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 10.72 deaths/1 000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 1.2 migrant(s)/1 000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.87 deaths/1 000 live births (1998 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.19 years male: 74.57 years female: 79.96 years (1998 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (1998 est.) Nationality: noun: Briton(s) British (collective plural) adjective: British Ethnic groups: English 81.5% Scottish 9.6% Irish 2.4% Welsh 1.9% Ulster 1.8% West Indian Indian Pakistani and other 2.8% Religions: Anglican 27 million Roman Catholic 9 million Muslim 1 million Presbyterian 800 000 Methodist 760 000 Sikh 400 000 Hindu 350 000 Jewish 300 000 (1991 est.) note: the UK does not include a question on religion in its census Languages: English Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales) Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60 000 in Scotland) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 99% (1978 est.) male: NA% female: NA% :::::::::::Channel Islands Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see A visit to this museum is well worth the effort. A visit to this museum is well worth the effort. Located closer to the coast of Normandy & Brittany than that of Britain, the Channel Islands consist of five different islands: Jersey is the biggest island, with Guernsey in second place. Alderney, Sark and Herm are smaller and less visited. The islands have a very pleasant climate, even in winter temperatures rarely fall below 10 degrees Celsius. In summer you can count on more than 250 hours of sunshine in the month of July alone! :::::::::Cornwall Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Cornwall is the south-westernmost county in England. Touristically, it is most noted for its stunning, very British-style coastline with highlights ranging from fine, long sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs and bays in the north to quaint fishing harbours and rolling coastal hills in the south. Cornwall benefits from the Gulf-stream, particularly in summer when the climate can be balmy. Visitors could do worse than to visit these: Land's End (the south-westernmost tip of the UK) Bude town, beach and breakwater Penzance town and Tate (Art) Gallery Bedruthan Steps (dramatic bay and beach) The beaches around and north of Newquay Tintagel Boscombe Trebarwith St. Austell "Eco-Bubbles" Fowey St. Michael's Mount Hundreds of walkers enjoy walking all or part of the Cornish coastal path every year. Tea and scones with cream and jam (Cornish Cream Tea) is a delicious local speciality. :::::::::Crovie Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Crovie pronounced 'Crivie' is a village sited at the shore below rugged cliffs. This was in the days of sail a busy fishing community, however today the village comprises almost totally of holiday homes. Situated in Aberdeenshire on the Moray Firth coast the village has tremendous sea views and during the summer often has spectacular sunsets. In the winter months the 'Northern lights' can often be seen. This is the place to go if you're looking for peace and tranquility and is very popular with artists and photographers. Ocassionally you can see the dolphins leaping in the bay and if in a small boat you may spot the odd 'Minke whale'. To the east of the village is 'Troup Head' which has now been recognised by the RSPB as a site of importance regarding breeding colonies of gannets, puffins, guillimots, razor-bills, cormorants, and all types of gulls. Birds such as the 'Great Skua' are often seen out at sea attacking and harrassing other gulls. ::::::Cumbria Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Walney channel, Cumbria Walney channel, Cumbria Ron Creer Cumbria is England's most north westerly county and is easily its most beautiful with the world famous Lake District at its heart. The county, the second largest in England, contains the highest mountains [known locally as "fells"] and the biggest lakes in the country. The tourist meccas of Bowness-on-Windermere, Keswick and Ambleside attract most visitors but there are many pretty villages set in the valleys further afield. Brockhole is the Lake District's National Park centre on the shores of Windermere and is the ideal introduction to England's largest National Park. Walkers especially love the Lake District and footpaths are well marked with excellent maps and guides available. The area has such varied scenery with wild moorland, pretty lush valleys, sweeping views and majestic lakes all in a relatively compact region. Carlisle in the far north is the only city in Cumbria and is its administrative capital and its other main towns are around the perimeter - Barrow, Workington, Kendal for example. On the west coast is the controversial industrial plant of Sellafield where nuclear waste is reprocessed in a site employing thousands of workers. However, tourism and agriculture remain at the centre of the county's employment base. Food and drink, along with varied accommodation, are plentiful and varied. You can have 5 star hotels, prize winning local beers, top class restaurants and delicacies such as Cumberland Sausage and Sticky Toffee Pudding. ________Getting There Edit This You can travel to the Lake District by car via the M6 motorway and then on the A591 from the south [Junction 36] or the A66 in the north [Junction 40], but you can also avoid any congestion, especially at busy times, by going by train to Windermere [changing from the westcoast mainline at Oxenholme] or to Penrith [on the mainline]. Other parts of Cumbria are served well by train with Carlisle, Penrith and Oxenholme station on the main London to Glasgow line, and direct trains from Manchester Airport to Barrow and Ulverston. There is also the line going around the coast of the county from Barrow to Carlisle via Millom, Whitehaven, Workington and Maryport. :::::::England Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see British telephone booth British telephone booth Marilyn Hollick When Victoria was queen, the sun never set on England's vast empire. Fueled by the Industrial Revolution, Great Britain extended its reach into every continent, every sea, nearly every port. In this century, the British have been forced down from their imperial heights, but England and its people still retain their distinctive charm. To this day, social climbers the world over imitate English habits, from the cut of their Savile Row suits to the scones and clotted cream that adorn their tea tables. Indeed, the peculiarly English combination of emotional reserve and buttoned-down elegance define what it means to be upper-class. England itself seems a small country to command such a formidable reputation, but within its borders are a dramatic range of natural and cultural differences. The wild country of the far north, where accents become nearly incomprehensible, contrasts sharply with the green hedgerows and genteel charm of the Home Counties in the south, where most visitors' impressions of England are formed. The fens and flats of East Anglia suggest a Dutch landscape worlds apart from the dark hills and valleys of the West Country. Most of all, England preserves its past. Travelers can find Roman ruins at York and Bath, but an even older age claims the visitor's attention at the gigantic monoliths of Stonehenge. Undergraduates in cap and gown still scurry about the quadrangles of Cambridge and Oxford, but the somber pre-Reformation cathedrals of Canterbury and Durham now preside over a country that must come to grips with its new status and new responsibilities. The center of English life remains London. Despite the traditional nature of British society, the capital's cultural life is increasingly dominated by immigrants from its former colonies, and you are more likely to hear steel drums in its street than a symphony by Handel. Theater, always an English strength, thrives in London, while the music sc ene makes it one of the world's cutting-edge cities. However, real Anglophiles prefer to leave town on the weekends and head for Kent or Surrey, with their rolling green fields ideal for cricket and old-fashioned tearooms. Other frequently visited sites include Canterbury and its Cathedral, Stonehenge, the Roman ruins at York and Bath, and the university towns of Oxford and Cambridge :::::::::Newcastle and North East Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Durham Cathedral Durham Cathedral The North East offers miles of beautiful and unspoiled scenery, a rich Roman, religious and industrial heritage. The Romans marked the northern extent of their Empire by building Hadrian’s Wall - coast to coast across the North of England. The wall starts on the River Tyne, just a few miles east of Newcastle at Wallsend. The North East's two biggest cities are Sunderland and Newcastle. Both were once industrial powerhouses but have re-invented themselves in the past decade or so. Close by is the smaller city of Durham, home to one of the UK's best and oldest Cathedrals and England's third oldest university. The region is steeped in industrial heritage. It played a leading role in the Industrial Revolution and was home to such men of genius as George Stephenson (father of the railways), Sir Joseph Swan (inventor of the lightbulb, born in Sunderland) and Sir Charles Parsons (inventor of the steam turbine). :::::::::::Sunderland Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Horatio St Horatio St Wayne Layton Sunderland is the largest city between Leeds and Glasgow, was once an industrial town, but is now undergoing a cultural renaissance. The city has the largest area of Green Belt land and Beaches within any city in the UK and is hope to plenty of spectacular attractions. The city centre has been, and is planned to undergo more, renovation and regeneration and is home to one of the region's most popular shopping centres, The Bridges, which has doubled in size. The Mowbray park, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens has been regenerated, with the park restored to its Victorian Splendour, and the Museum and Winter Gardens winning the 'best large visitor attraction' in the UK. The beaches, country parks, wildfowl park, Railway Museum, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art are some of the other attractions on offer to visitors of the city. The University also offers its own Reg Vardy Art Gallery, with the Library and Arts centre also being home to various displays and a fantastci gift shop. The regenerated Riverside provides a hugely interesting Riverside Sculpture train, leading to the National Glass Centre ( The Nation's centre for glass and glass-making), the stunning arcitecture of the St. Peter's Campus of the University oif Sunderland, and on to the beaches and marina. The nightlife of the city is fantastic, with a new super-club recently opened in September, to add to the wide variety of pubs and clubs offering something for everyone. More specialst shops can be found in the Park Lane Shopping Village, and the city's cultural quarter, Sunniside, is planned to undergo major regeneration and will soon be a home for live entertainment, street cafés etc. Sunderland Empire is the largest theatre in the North-East, the only one capable of hosting west-end productions such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Dec 2005 - March 2006.) Visitors can also visit the ancestoral home of George Washington at Washington Old Hall, take in the countryside on the River Wear trail, visit the stunning Penshaw Monument, take a tour around the Stadium of Light, home to SAFC, see the huge range of gigs and live music events happening in the city voted by NME as being the best place for live music, or indulge in the glorious cuisine offered by the city's host of restaurants and eateries. :::::::::::Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire also known as The Potteries or North Staffordshire is the hub city located between Birmingham in the South and Manchester to the North accessed via the M6 Motorway. The City has a range of excellent accommodation from B&B to Five Star Hotels; excellent parking and Bus and Rail Services. If you find Birmingham or Manchester overcrowded or "busy" then the "quiet" city of Stoke is the place to go; with services to attractions like Alton Towers (Thrill Rides and similar entertainment with accommodation available on site; Trentham Gardens (Italian Gardens, Monkey Forrest etc.) to mention just two. The city is home to a number of specialist museums including the renowned Potteries Museum. Stoke is situated in the foothills and to the East of the Penine Mountain range (The Backbone of England) and is an ideal starting point to visit the Peak Nation Park for walking, climbing or sightseeing. Bus services from Stoke call at Leek, Buxton, Bakewell and Sheffield as well as manyother towns and villages in the area. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: A B Steele ::::::::::Wales Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Dyfi Junction Railway Stop, Powys Dyfi Junction Railway Stop, Powys Harry Hayfield The relationship between England and Wales has never been entirely easy. The Saxon king Offa, impatient with constant demarcation disputes, constructed a dyke to seperate the two countries. This was more than 1000 years ago. Still today, a long-distance footpath running from near Chepstow in the South to Prestatyn in the North follows its route. During the reign of Edward Crompton I the last of the Welsh native princes was killed and Wales passed uneasily under English rule. Trouble flared again with the rebellion of Owain Glyndwr in the 15th century, but finally, when the Welsh prince Henry Tudor defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth to become king of England, he paved the way for the 1536 Act of Union, which joined the English and Welsh in restless but perpetual partnership. A number of castles from may eras are available to visit and enter for free in Wales. One such hidden gem is Castell Coch, in a picturesque place only ten minutes away from Cardiff city centre. Steady contact with England has watered down the indigenious Welsh culture. Bricked-up, decaying chapels stand as reminders of the days when Sunday services and chapel choirs were central to community life. Original Welsh music, poetry and dance are shown every summer at the International Music Eisteddfod Festivals in Llangollen. Nevertheless, the Welsh language is undergoing a revival and you will see it on bilingual road signs all over the country - but are most likely to hear it spoken in West, North and Mid-Wales. Other lesser-known gems include a stone age settlement, often referred to as the "Rhondda Stonehenge" on Mynydd-y-Gelli in Rhondda Fawr, which also lends fantastic views of the valley. There is also another marvellous vantage point and an indication of the marks left by the ice age where a glacier has carved a furrow from which you can view the coast from the mountains of the Rhondda and betrays the image of a valley scarred by heavy industry. Rhondda is not alone in this and much of Wales offers surprising vantage points, views and the best that nature can offer. Much of the country, particularly the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains in the south and Snowdonia in the north, is relentlessly mountainous and offers wonderful walking and climbing terrain, as well as special nature reserves like Eyarth Rocks Reserve. Pembrokeshire to the west also boasts a spectacular rugged coastline, dotted with offshore island nature reserves. The biggest towns, including Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth and Colwyn Bay, cling to the coastal lowlands, but even there the mountains are no more than a bus ride away. For the fans of Dylan Thomas, Laugharne is a must see. It houses the Dylan thomas museum. A visit to Laugharne can be combined with Tenby, a posh beach resort. __________sle of Man (Dependency) Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The 5'000yr old Meayll (Mull) Circle with Port Erin The 5'000yr old Meayll (Mull) Circle with Port Erin ©T. Jones The Isle of Man is a dependency of the British crown. It is not part of Great Britain or the United Kingdom but geographically a part of Europe Read on further at ---- The Isle of Man Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: Gari, Isle of Man ::::::::Leeds, Sheffield and Yorkshire Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see How Stean Gorge How Stean Gorge Erin Whyte The historic city of Ripon and York, the Yorkshire Dales, the coast and the North York Moors are waiting for you in the North of England. Leeds and The Shoals - Florence, Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals are the biggest cities in the region. Of the others Bradford is particularly worth a visit. They are big towns with many things to do, places to eat and nightlife opportunities. ________Sights Edit This Brimham Rocks Brimham Rocks Erin Whyte This is an area full of history and full of sights, natural and manmade. [Add Sight] Yorkshire's ruined Abbeys and Priories Edit This Yorkshires abbey ruins are as noted as any in the UK and a week's holiday could well be spent with this as a theme. Fountains Abbey near Ripon, one of the finest, which joins the estate grounds of Studley Royal is owned by the National Trust which has erected a substantial Visitors' Centre and eating area. This is extensive and many of the monastic builidngs can be seen. There would be no difficulty in spending a long half day here. Bolton Abey is on the Duke of more.. type: Monasteries World66 rating: [rate it] address: various url: britannia.com ::::::Beverley Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Beverley Beck Beverley Beck Michael Askin Beverley has managed to be the county town of two counties, first and for many centuries of the historic East Riding of Yorkshire and more recently of the ill-fated and short-lived Humberside. County hall remains as a memorial to this past glory. It is a lovely town with a minster as good as many cathedrals - with superb workmanship in stone and in wood, a church which can almost match it in carvings and sculpture if not in general impressiveness, an RAF museum, a racecourse, an excellent market and one of the best squares in Northern England with a road at the north end leading past the minster and through a mediaeval gate to the old town. ::::::::Bradford Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Alhambra Theatre Alhambra Theatre jonxyz - www.flickr.com/photos/jonxyz It was not until the Industrial Revolution that Bradford became one of the leaders in the field of wool trade. It was able to maintain this position until the beginning of World War II. What was a common thing in the larger part of England, happened in Bradford as well: the industry collapsed and the Bradfordians had to find other means of living. At present, tourism and chemistry factories have taken over the textile industry, but it won't be a problem to see (and hear) stories of the glorious woolen past. Bradford has some interesting museums (check out the UK's National Museum of Photography, Film and Television), fine parks and is located on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors. The same moors that inspired the Bronte sisters, who were actually born in one of the suburbs of Bradford. The city has a large Pakistani/Indian community and although it always claimed to be the example of the peaceful living together of different nationalities, Bradford appeared recently in the news because of severe riots going on between the different groups. ______Sights Edit This In Saltaire, a suburb of what was the separate town of Shipley but now part of Bradford, started as a model village built by Sir Titus Salt in Victorian times. It still contains Salt's Mill in its centre, though it has not been involved in textile production for many years. It now contains two floors largely devoted to the works of David Hockney, shops in which the contents have unusually strong visual appeal and an excellent and moderately priced 'diner.' It is still fascinating to walk round the 'village' and you find that some of what were important communal buildings now house Shipley College. There is a railway station and a halt on the 'canal bus.' _______Museums Edit This Bradford is fortunate in its museums. The Natinal Museum of Photography, Film and Television includes an IMAX cinema and is situated right in the centre. The Industrial Museum, including working textile machinery and a mill manager's house, was one of England's first. This shows a bit but does not distract from the museum's interest. The Bolling Hall Museum, situated ironically bang on the ring-road, is an old hall, a lovely building containing much of historical interest. Further out is Cliffe castle, a large Victorian house at Keighley, with anything from geology to stufffed birds and animals to musical instruments. In Haworth where the father of the Bronte sisters was Rector is the Parsonage Museum containing many artefacts associated with the family. ::::::::Calderdale Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see This metropolitan Borough was based on the County Borough of halifax and, among others, the municipal boroughs of Elland, Brighouse, Ripponden and Todmorden. Todmorden is included under South County Dublin The principal places in Halifax of appeal to visitors are the Eureka Museum of Childhood, excellent for children but unfortunately expensive for their parents, The Industrial and Pre-Industrial Museums and the Piece Hall [not PEACE] where the 'pieces' or lengths of wol were brought for sale. The Piece Hall consists of a huge coutyard with beautiful iron gates and a number of interesting shops in upper arcades surrounding the courtyard. The courtyard is often the home to markets. ::::::::Doncaster Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see St Georges Minster St Georges Minster Founded during the early years of the invasion of Britain by the Romans, Doncaster was once a centre for coal mining and railways. The oldest classic horse race in the world the 'St Leger' is held every year here. Doncaster Rovers FC are the local football team. ::::::::Harrogate Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The Cenotaph, Harrogate town centre The Cenotaph, Harrogate town centre Matt Watson Harrogate is a town with about 60,000 pop. A Victorian spa town that has today blossomed into a thriving floral town and with it's international standard conference centre and facilities is a top destination for conferences and exhibitions. Mainly due to this, Harrogate is blessed with more restaurants per capita than any other town in the UK. It's bars and clubs are wide and varied giving Harrogate youth has a wide range of night life options. And it's a jolly nice place. ::::::::Hawes and Gayle Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The small town of Hawes and the village of Gayle are close together at the western end of the road through Wensleydale in the Leeds, Sheffield and Yorkshire Hawes has a good, though small, market as well as the ropemaker's shop [public welcome] and a good Dales museum. http://www.britainexpress.com/villages/hawes.htm Gayle is the home of Wesleydale cheese and the Creamery, where it is made is open to the public. http://www.wensleydale.co.uk/ It's also the home of Gayle Mill, which was a strong contender [finishing third] in the UK television series 'Conservation' in 2004. www.bbc.co.uk/history/ programmes/restoration/profiles/?10 |
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GNU Free Documentation License Esso utilizza materiale tratto da http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regno_Unito Estratto da "http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regno_Unito" Cronologia/Autori: http://it.wikipedia.org/=Regno_Unito&action=history Regno Unito Da Wikipedia, l'enciclopedia libera.
Il Regno Unito di Gran Bretagna e Irlanda del Nord (in ingl.: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) è uno stato dell'Europa Occidentale. Il Regno Unito fu formato da una serie di Atti d'Unione che riunirono diverse nazioni: Inghilterra, Galles, Scozia e Irlanda. Gran parte dell'Irlanda si separò nel 1922 costituendo la Repubblica d'Irlanda, la parte restante è ancora sotto il Regno Unito e viene chiamata Irlanda del Nord. Il Regno Unito è situato al largo delle coste occidentali dell'Europa settentrionale, circondato a est dal Mar del Nord, a sud dal Canale della Manica, e a ovest dall'Oceano Atlantico e dal mare d'Irlanda. Sono sottoposte alla sovranità del Regno Unito le Isole del Canale, l'Isola di Man e un cospicuo numero di territori d'oltremare. Gran Bretagna è il nome geografico dell'isola comprendente Inghilterra, Galles e Scozia. Isole britanniche è il nome geografico dell'arcipelago comprendente la Gran Bretagna, l'Irlanda, l'Isola di Man, l'Isola di Wight, le isole Orcadi, le isole Ebridi, le isole Shetland le Isole del Canale e altre.
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Storia
La Scozia e l'Inghilterra esistono come entità separate dal X secolo. Il Galles, che è sotto il controllo dell'Inghilterra dal 1284 entrò a far parte del regno di Inghilterra tramite l'Atto di Unione del 1536. Con l'atto di unione del 1707 i regni separati di Scozia e Inghilterra, che dal 1603 avevano lo stesso sovrano, si uniscono in modo permanente e divengono il Regno di Gran Bretagna. Tramite l'atto di unione del 1800 il Regno di Irlanda entrò a far parte del Regno di Gran Bretagna che prese così il nome di Regno Unito di Gran Bretagna e Irlanda. Nel 1922 26 contee irlandesi, comprese tre contee dell'Ulster (Cavan, Monaghan e Donegal) formarono il libero Stato di Irlanda. Le rimanenti sei contee dell'Ulster rimasero parte del Regno Unito con il nome di Irlanda del Nord, il regno prese l'attuale nome di Regno Unito di Gran Bretagna e Irlanda del Nord.
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GeografiaLa maggior parte del territorio d'Inghilterra è caratterizzato da colline e pianure divise da est a ovest da alcune catene collinari. Da Nord a Sud le più rilevanti sono: le Cumbrian Mountains, i Monti Pennini, le colline del Peak District , i Cotswolds e i Chiltons. I fiumi principali sono il Tamigi, il Severn, il Trent, l'Humber e il Tyne. Città principali sono Londra, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Lincoln, Leeds, Bristol e Newcastle upon Tyne. Il Galles è principalmente montuoso, il monte principale è lo Snowdon, alto 1.085 metri. A Nord del Galles si trova l'isola di Anglesey. Capoluogo e città principale è Cardiff situata nella parte meridionale del paese. Il territorio della Scozia è contraddistinto da pianure nelle parti meridionale orientale e da montagne, tra le quali il Ben Nevis 1.343 metri, e altipiani nelle parti settentrionali e occidentali. Vi sono numerosi laghi e profondi fiordi. La Scozia comprende un vasto numero di isole situate al largo delle coste occidentali e settentrionali: Le Ebridi, le Orcadi e le isole Shetland. Le città principali sono Edimburgo, Glasgow e Aberdeen. L'Irlanda del Nord situata nella parte nord-orientale dell'isola irlandese è principalmente collinosa. Le maggiori città sono Belfast e Derry.
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Popolazione
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Lingua IngleseIl Regno unito non ha una lingua ufficiale anche se di fatto lo è l'inglese. La Carta Europea delle lingue Regionali o minoritarie ha ufficialmente riconosciuto come lingua autoctone e regionali il gallese, il gaelico scozzese, il gaelico irlandese, il cornico, lo Scots e l'Ulster Scots. Nelle altre lingue del Regno il nome ufficiale del paese è:
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ReligioniAnglicani 45%, protestanti 10%, cattolici 9%, musulmani 1%, atei e agnostici 35%.
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EconomiaIl Regno Unito ha un ruolo trainante fra le economie occidentali sia sotto l'aspetto finanziario sia sotto quello commerciale. Negli ultimi due decenni il paese ha fatto fronte ad un intenso processo di privatizzazione. L'agricoltura è di tipo estensivo e altamente meccanizzata e la produzione copre circa il 60% del fabbisogno interno. Il Regno unito è ricco di riserve di carbone, gas e petrolio. La maggior parte del Prodotto Interno Lordo viene dal terziario; banche, assicurazioni e servizi finanziari mentre la parte di PIL dell'industria è in costante declino. Con oltre, 9 milioni di visitatori all'anno il turismo è uno dei settori più importanti, il Regno Unito è il sesto paese più visitato al mondo.
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Politica
Il parlamento del Regno Unito è diviso in due Camere (o Houses): la Camera dei Lord (House of Lords), non elettiva e la Camera dei Comuni (House of Commons). In entrambi i rami del parlamento vi sono rappresentanti dell'Inghilterra, della Scozia, del Galles e dell'Irlanda del nord. Il Regno Unito, più precisamente Regno Unito di Gran Bretagna e Irlanda del Nord è uno stato che comprende l'Inghilterra, il Galles, la Scozia e l'Irlanda del Nord nelle Isole Britanniche. Il Regno Unito comprende inoltre alcuni altri territori, talvolta in regime post-coloniale:
Le Isole del Canale (Isole Anglo-Normanne) non fanno parte del Regno Unito ma appartengono al re d'Inghilterra in qualità di duca di Normandia. Il Regno Unito ha rapporti politici e commerciali con numerose altre nazioni del Commonwealth.
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Voci correlate
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Collegamenti esterni
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http://www.world66.com/ *********************The content is published under a creative commons licence : http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0 / ). |
| United Kingdom Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Wales Wales Melody Helvie The United Kingdom has been called the biggest small country on Earth due to its sheer diversity. The UK is short for the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" and is formed by the province of Northern Ireland and the countries of Great Britain -? England, Scotland?and Wales.? Each of these countries has a very distinct identity and you should not call a Welshman English or vice versa, and some may not like being called 'British', even though the Welsh (and the Cornish)?are the original Britons. In this site the different islands in the Irish Sea and those North of Scotland are also taken into consideration. The United Kingdom has too many sites to mention. Though detached from the continent of Europe by only a few miles of water,?the UK?is permeated by a strong sense of its cultural separateness. Everything is different here: measures (pounds and ounces are still more popular than the now official kilos), traffic (small island, lots of traffic jams), customs and food. Life in?the UK?retains an extravagant continuity with a past that has little in common with its its European sisters and brothers unity, some citizens (especially in England, less in Scotland which considers?herself more European) still have problems, not only with accepting the European idea, but also with defining the concept of the United Kingdom itself.?The dominant national culture of the UK is "England" and Englishness. The non-English are therefore, by extension, often unwittingly and unintentionally cast in the role of lesser mortals. That is the?problem with the UK,?many people in England?think British is another term for English. Therefore the other nations in the UK resent the term British due to its association with English.?To illustrate this point, the English national football team's anthem is God Save the Queen (This is actually the British national anthem). Therefore booing of the British anthem by the Welsh or Scots at national sporting events?is not uncommon. The reason that many Scots feel more European compared to their English neighbours?may be in part down to Scotland's long history of co-operation with France against the common enemy-England.?The alliance?provided both countries with?military assistance, it also gave citizens of Scotland and France dual nationality until that right was revoked by the French government in 1903. However the alliance also?introduced Scots to French influences in legal, culinary, architectural and linguistic fields.? Scotland was an independent nation until the Act of Union in 1707 when the Scottish Parliament was persuaded?to?dissolve?after the English imposed trade?sanctions and offered bribes to the Scottish nobility. The Scottish people were furious and the resentment has never?fully gone?away.?The?Act of Union maintained?many Scottish institutions?such as the Church of Scotland,?Education system?and Scottish Law. There has always been a strong sense of identity and although no longer an independent sovereign state, Scotland is still considered a country in its own right. In the early to mid-nineties there was a reawakening of the Scottish identity to such an extent that the British government had no option but to establish the Scottish Parliament in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. However there may yet be further constitutional change within the next decade as the Scottish National Party is the largest political party in Scotland and around 80% of Scots want a referendum on further powers/independence. The SNP's aim is to dissolve the Union and let Scotland regain her independence as a sovereign state. Scotland's most visited city is the capital, Edinburgh. It is known as the "Athens of the North" due to the beautiful scenery, architecture and historical background. The city has a very cosmopolitan atmosphere due to the huge number of foreign tourists and students that flock there. 'Edinburgh,' said writer Robert Louis Stevenson, 'is what Paris ought to be'. There are so many attractions to visit: Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, The Scottish Parliament, Our?Dynamic Earth, Museum of Scotland, National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, Royal Yacht Britannia, St Giles Cathedral, The Scott Monument, Arthur's Seat, Calton Hill, Royal Botanic Gardens, Forth Bridge, Rosslyn Chapel of "Da Vinci Code" fame and many more. Also if you are in the city in August you've just become immersed in one of Europe's greatest festivals; The Edinburgh Festival!? But Scotland?isn't just Edinburgh, Scotland has so much to offer such as the magical mountians?and lochs of the Highlands, the wonderful coastline, the castles of Aberdeenshire such as Fyvie the finest baronial castle in the land.? The small fishing villages and towns such as Pennan and Banff have a character all of their own and of course we can't forget the people the Scots, warm hearted and friendly, probably the most welcoming race in the world. Wales was an independent nation until she was absorbed into England in the Act of Union 1536. However the Welsh people like the Scot's retain a fierce sense of national identity. The Welsh language is becoming more popular and the establishment of the Welsh Assembly means Wales after several centuries is taking steps towards nationhood (Even though less than 50% of the Welsh voted for an assembly.? Meanwhile, Wales remains a Principality. But there are also things that resemble Europe: nationwide shops and businesses rule the appearance of most high streets, the tourist infrastructure is very well developed all over?the UK?and the growth of a nostalgia-obsessed heritage industry has produced a lot of museums, theme parks and commemorative monuments. However, the country is rich in monuments, that attest to its intricate history; from ancient hill forts and Roman villas, through a host of medieval cathedrals to the ambitious civic projects of the Industrial Revolution. The UK offers a lot of diversion to all its tourists: For pulsing cultural and nightlife, London, Manchester, Birmingham?and Leeds are a must. To feel the charm of the English seaside and the importance of harbours for an island like the British Isles, travel along the southeastern coastline and explore the heritage of Maritime England at Portsmouth. In the central part of England you will find towns plenty of historical heritage like Salisbury, Oxford, Cambridge?and Norwich. Moving to Eastern England you will find the delightful Norfolk Broads, a huge area of connecting inland waterways popular for sailing, fishing and various watersports. Western and northern England fascinate with beautiful landscapes: rugged moorlands, picturesque flatlands and rocky coastlines. A visit to the South Western penninsula is a must - Dartmoor and Exmoor in Devon and Somerset, and Bodmin in Cornwall. Also, in Newquay there is world class surfing. ______________History Edit This Knights of the round table - the table! (Winchester, England) Knights of the round table - the table! (Winchester, England) Guy Grobler The Roman invasion of Britain in 55 BC and its subsequent incorporation into the Roman Empire stimulated development and brought more active contacts with the rest of Europe. As Rome's strength declined the country again was exposed to invasion-including the pivotal incursions of the Angles Saxons and Jutes in the fifth and sixth centuries AD -- up to the Norman conquest in 1066. Norman rule effectively ensured Britain's safety from further intrusions and so that certain institutions which remain characteristic of Britain could develop. Among these institutions are a political administrative cultural and economic center in London; a separate but established church; a system of common law; distinctive and distinguished university education; and representative government. Union Wales and Scotland were independent kingdoms that fiercely resisted English rule. The English conquest of Wales succeeded in 1282 under Edward I and the Statute of Rhuddlan established English rule 2 years later. To appease the Welsh Edward's son (later Edward II) who had been born in Wales was made Prince of Wales in 1301. The tradition of bestowing this title on the eldest son of the British monarch continues today. An act of 1536 completed the political and administrative union of England and Wales. While maintaining separate parliaments England and Scotland were ruled under one crown begining in 1603 when James VI of Scotland succeeded his cousin Elizabeth I as James I of England. In the ensuing 100 years strong religious and political differences divided the kingdoms. Finally in 1707 England and Scotland were unified as Great Britain sharing a single Parliament and flag (the "Union Jack"). Ireland's invasion by the Anglo-Normans in 1170 led to centuries of strife. Successive English kings sought to conquer Ireland. In the early 17th century large-scale settlement of the north from Scotland and England began. After its defeat Ireland was subjected with varying degrees of success to control and regulation by Britain. The legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland was completed on January 1 1801 under the name of the United Kingdom. However armed struggle for independence continued sporadically into the 20th century. The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 established the Irish Free State which subsequently left the Commonwealth and became a republic after World War II. Six northern predominantly Protestant counties have remained part of the United Kingdom. British Expansion and Empire Begun initially to support William the Conqueror's (c. 1029-1087) holdings in France Britain's policy of active involvement in European affairs endured for several hundred years. By the end of the 14th century foreign trade originally based on wool exports to Europe had emerged as a cornerstone of national policy. The foundations of sea power were gradually laid to protect English trade and open up new routes. Defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 firmly established England as a major sea power. Thereafter its interests outside Europe grew steadily. Attracted by the spice trade English mercantile interests spread first to the Far East. In search of an alternate route to the Spice Islands John Cabot reached the North American continent in 1498. Sir Walter Raleigh organized the first short-lived colony in Virginia in 1584 and permanent English settlement began in 1607 at Jamestown Virginia. During the next 2 centuries Britain extended its influence abroad and consolidated its political development at home. Great Britain's industrial revolution greatly strengthened its ability to oppose Napoleonic France. By the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 the United Kingdom was the foremost European power and its navy ruled the seas. Peace in Europe allowed the British to focus their interests on more remote parts of the world and during this period the British Empire reached its zenith. British colonial expansion reached its height largely during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). Queen Victoria's reign witnessed the spread of British technology commerce language and government throughout the British Empire which at its greatest extent encompassed roughly one-quarter to one-fifth of the world's area and population. British colonies contributed to the United Kingdom's extraordinary economic growth and strengthened its voice in world affairs. Even as the United Kingdom became more imperial abroad it continued to develop and broaden its democratic institutions at home. 20th Century By the time of Queen Victoria's death in 1901 other nations including the United States and Germany had developed their own industries; the United Kingdom's comparative economic advantage had lessened and the ambitions of its rivals had grown. The losses and destruction of World War I the depression of the 1930s and decades of relatively slow growth made it difficult for the United Kingdom to maintain its preeminent international position of the previous century. Britain's control over its empire loosened during the interwar period. Ireland with the exception of six northern counties broke away from the United Kingdom in 1921. Nationalism became stronger in other parts of the empire particularly in India and Egypt. Egypt gained independence from the United Kingdom in February 1922. However, during the interwar period, the British Empire had reached its maximum in territory with the last imperial expansion which saw a British mandate over former German and Turkish territories in Africa, the Middle East and in the Pacific. In 1926 the U.K. completed a process, begun a century earlier, which granted Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa complete autonomy within the empire. They became charter members of the British Commonwealth of Nations (now known as the Commonwealth), an informal but closely knit association that succeeded the empire. Beginning with the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947 the remainder of the British Empire was almost completely dismantled. Today, most of Britain's former colonies belong to the Commonwealth - almost all of them as independent members. There are however 13 former British colonies -- including Bermuda Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands -- which have elected to continue their political links with London and are known as United Kingdom Overseas Territories. Although weakened by economic and political nationalism, the Commonwealth offers the United Kingdom a voice in matters concerning many developing countries. In addition the Commonwealth helps preserve many institutions deriving from British experience and models such as parliamentary democracy in those countries. Today, 16 independent Commonwealth countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, Papua New Guinea and others, remain as realms of the Crown sharing Queen Elizabeth II as sovereign, where she is represented by a Governor General in each one, except the United Kingdom. The other Commonwealth countries are either republics or have their own national monarchies. __________Practical Information Edit This Camping in Scotland Scotland is famous for its fantastic landscape - large forests, green hills and a lot of misterious lakes (the most popular one is Loch Ness) - and isn't very densly populated, so many people go there for wandering and camping. Being one of them you should pay attention on these facts: - the best time to to travel there is may, because weather is quite good and normally there are no flies - a huge problem for campers are very small but annoying flies; a good tent, anti-fly products and fire could help you - as long as you don't leave your rubbish behind, wild camping shouldn't be a problem; you don't have to stay on camping sites - if you plan larger tours, you don't have to care about taking water with you. Scotland is rich of greater and smaller rivers whose water you can drink without any problem. If you're not sure, there exist special pills to descontaminate the water; you can buy them in any outdoor shop - a good starting point for a lot of tours is Fort William (calling itself "the outdoor capital of the UK"), you can get there by train or bus from any bigger city - there's a series of really great maps called "OS Landranger maps" which are very detailled; you also can buy them in any outdoor shop Scotland offer tremedous activities and if you enjoy shopping then head for the City of Glasgow where the shopping experience is only bettered by London, visit the Buchanan Galleries Shopping Mall, St Enoch Centre Mall or the many international shops such as Gucci, JPG, Versace, etc.. and experience not to miss. ___________Getting Around Edit This Car hire in the UK is fairly inexpensive and is a very flexible way of getting around. You can rent a car at all airports or major cities. Do not use alcohol or speed as this is a major offence in the UK and do not forget the British drive on the left hand side of the road. See car hire options from 115 GBP a week for all major cities at http://www.carrental4you.co.uk [Add Local transport mode] Bus (coach) travel Edit This Travelling by bus (coach) in the UK is generally cheaper than by train. There are 2 major coach operators in the UK. The first, National Express (www.nationalexpress.com) have been in business for many years. They offer an extensive network of routes, however their prices are not the cheapest. The other major coach operator in the UK is Megabus (www.megabus.com). Launched in 2003, they have the explicit aim of being a low-cost coach operator. Their network is expanding, and their services are the cheapest way to travel around the UK. World66 rating: [rate it] Flying Edit This The UK has the largest domestic network of airline routes of any European country. It is now possible to fly all over the UK using low-cost airlines, and frequently the cost is considerably less than traveling by train (which is notoriously expensive in the UK). The key to getting a good deal is to book early. flycheapo.com offers a low-cost route search and news for those who want to keep up-to-date. World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.flycheapo.com Trains Edit This The UK has an extensive rail system allbeit rather expensive with trains often running late. That aside it's possible to visit the majority of mainland Britain via train and it's still far faster than road transport. A new visitor to the country is more than likely going to arrive at one of the major airports. All London Airports have train stations as does Manchester and a few other regional airports. Other airports usually have a bus link to take you to the nearest station. Those visiting from mainland Europe may consider taking the Eurostar more.. World66 rating: [rate it] url: http: Coach and longdistance bus travel Edit This You can find out more information on timetables and fares on the following link. Fares are usually cheaper than trains and flying. World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.nationalexpress.com _____________Economy Edit This Economy—overview: The UK is one of the world's great trading powers and financial centers and its essentially capitalistic economy ranks among the four largest in Western Europe. Over the past two decades the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture is intensive highly mechanized and efficient by European standards producing about 60% of food needs with only about 1% of the labor force. The UK has large coal natural gas and oil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 12% of GDP one of the highest shares of any industrial nation. Services particularly banking insurance and business services account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance now employing only 18% of the work force. Exports and manufacturing output have been the primary engines of growth. Unemployment is gradually falling. Inflation is a moderate 3.1%. A major economic policy question for the UK in the late 1990s is the terms on which it participates in the financial and economic integration of Europe. GDP: purchasing power parity—$1.242 trillion (1997 est.) GDP—real growth rate: 3.5% (1997 est.) GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity—$21 200 (1997 est.) GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 1.8% industry: 31.4% services: 66.8% (1996 est.) Inflation rate—consumer price index: 3.1% (1997) Labor force: total: 28.2 million (1997) by occupation: services 68.9% manufacturing and construction 17.5% government 11.3% energy 1.2% agriculture 1.1% (1996) Unemployment rate: 5.5% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $416.1 billion expenditures: $470 billion including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.) Industries: production machinery including machine tools electric power equipment automation equipment railroad equipment shipbuilding aircraft motor vehicles and parts electronics and communications equipment metals chemicals coal petroleum paper and paper products food processing textiles clothing and other consumer goods Industrial production growth rate: 2% (1997 est.) Electricity—capacity: 360.9 billion kWh (2001) Electricity—consumption per capita: 5 546 kWh (1995) Agriculture—products: cereals oilseed potatoes vegetables; cattle sheep poultry; fish Exports: total value: $268 billion (f.o.b. 1997) commodities: manufactured goods machinery fuels chemicals semifinished goods transport equipment partners: EU countries 53.2% (Germany 12.4% France 9.9% Netherlands 7.8%) US 11.4% (1996) Imports: total value: $283.5 billion (f.o.b. 1997) commodities: manufactured goods machinery semifinished goods foodstuffs consumer goods partners: EU countries 50.2% (Germany 14.2% France 9.0% Netherlands 6.5%) US 13.9% (1996) Debt—external: $16.2 billion (June 1992) Economic aid: donor: ODA $2.908 billion (1993) Currency: 1 British pound (£) = 100 pence Exchange rates: British pounds (£) per US$1—0.6115 (January 1998) 0.6106 (1997) 0.6403 (1996) 0.6335 (1995) 0.6529 (1994) 0.6658 (1993) Fiscal year: 1 April—31 March |
