About Great Britain

ABOUT LONDON

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II delivers her annual Christmas message for 2011 to the peoples of the Commonwealth.

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
The UK of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. It consists of four parts: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. England, Wales and Scotland occupy the territory of Great Britain. Northern Ireland is situated in the northern part of Ireland. The territory of the UK is 244 000 (two hundred and forty four thousand) square kilometers. The population is 57 (fifty seven) million. About 80 % of population is urban. The capital of the country is London.
Great Britain is a highly developed industrial country. One of the chief industries is shipbuilding. 7 per cent of the population is engaged in farming.
Great Britain is a country with old cultural traditions and customs. The famous educational centres are Oxford and Cambridge universities.
The United Kingdom is a monarchy and the Queen is the head of the state. But in practice it is ruled by the elected government with a Prime Minister at the head. There is no written constitution in Great Britain only precedents and traditions.
 Interesting Facts About United Kingdom
United Kingdom's flag is called the Union Flag - it is called the Union Jack when it's flown from the jack mast of a ship.
> The United Kingdom's National Health Service is the third largest employer in the world, after the Red Army in China and the railway in India.
Did you know that when the United Kingdom adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, -> 11 days dissapeared.
Cinderella is officially the UK nation's most favourite fairy tale, followed by Sleeping Beauty and Hansel and Gretel.
The only undeground station in London to be named after a footbal club is called Arsenal. Football fans used to get off at Gillespie Road.
British actor Colin Fith became an Arsenal fan after filming "fever pitch" in which he played the part of an Arsenal fan.
Just when you thought it was Newport, the most popular town name in Britain is Newtown, which occurs over 150 time 
Wales is a country that is a part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England, the Atlantic Sea and the Irish Sea. Here are some interesting facts about Wales.

 

Interesting Facts About Wales

English and Welsh are the two official languages of Wales. English is the most widely spoken language.
Scotland is a country in the north of Great Britain. It is a part of the United Kingdom. Scotland is divided into three natural regions: the Southern Uplands, the Central Lowlands and the Highlands and islands. A lot of places in Scotland are a natural paradise, still untouched by man.

  
• Just over 3 million people live in Wales.
• The official currency of Wales is the British Pound.
• Until the 1980′s, Wales was one of the main exporters of coal.
• The soil quality in Wales is very poor. It is difficult to grow crops in Wales so they focus on raising livestock. Wales is well known for sheep farming.
• Rugby union and football (soccer) are the two most popular sports in Wales.
• Tom Pryce was one of two Welsh drivers to compete in Formula One Racing. He finished on the podium twice during his career.
• Just over 70% of the Welsh population identify themselves as Christians. The Roman Catholic Church is the largest denomination.
• Road signs in Wales are usually written in both Welsh and English.
• About 2% of the Welsh population are of Asian decent.
• There are a lot of shipwrecks off the Welsh coast due to the perilous seas near Cardiff (the capital of Wales).
• The official motto is (translated to English): “Wales forever”   

 Interesting Facts about Scotland

• What comes to mind when you think about Scotland? Maybe it is the centuries-old castles, famous  tartan, or the allure of its mysterious lochs that may hold the key to the Lochness Monster. Whatever image comes to mind, Scotland’s glorious heritage and rich culture continues to capture and romanticize the imagination of the world. Many of Scotland’s consumer goods, destinations, and establishments have become world-famous icons that are unsurpassed for quality, craftsmanship, and uniqueness. These “Best of Breed” Scottish brands are famous all over the world. Whether you are literary fans of Burns, an outdoor sportsman who enjoys hiking and fishing, an adventure traveler looking to explore the countryside, or a history buff hoping to learn about William Wallace, Scotland offers first class cuisine and unsurpassed accommodation.