Where in the World? As you sit and enjoy your afternoon tea, you look at a policeman standing nearby. He is not carrying a firearm. Except for specific cases such as anti-terrorist work, police do not carry firearms. In fact, special authorization is required. You are at 0 degrees longitude, and the prime meridian runs through this country.

Where on Earth are you? Can you find your place? England

Welcome to England

England, Wales, and Scotland lie on Great Britain, the largest of the 2,000 or so islands that make up the British Isles. Great Britain is part of the United Kingdom, which includes Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands. What is the Prime Meridian? The prime meridian runs through the original site of the Royal Greenwich Observatory at Greenwich, England, and all other longitudes are reckoned from this site. Navigators need to know both longitude and latitude if they are to figure out their location. What is England’s latitude? Between 50 and 60 degrees north latitude.

England is as far north as Newfoundland, Canada, but England’s winters are much milder. In fact, daffodils can bloom in February. Why? Ocean currents. Fifty miles (80km) wide and more than 2000 feet (610 m) deep, the warm Gulf Stream flows out of the Gulf of Mexico and merges with the warm North Atlantic Drift current. These currents warm England and influence the climate of Western Europe.

England’s most famous writer is William Shakespeare (1564-1616) England’s most famous writer is William Shakespeare (1564-1616). Can you match these lines to his plays Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Richard the Third? Some famous lines you might recognize are: To be or not to be – Hamlet O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore are thou, Romeo – Romeo and Juliet My kingdom for a horse. – Richard the Third

The United kingdom is part of the European Union (EU) The United kingdom is part of the European Union (EU). What is the EU, and why would someone join? In 1986, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands joined together to create the European Economic Community, or Common Market. In 1992, Denmark, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Greece, Spain, and Portugal joined, and the organization became known as the EU. In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden became members. There are no trade barriers between these countries and together, they form one of the world’s largest and most powerful economic trading blocs.

England has been ruled by Celts (about 2,600 years ago from Northern Europe), Romans, German-speaking Anglos and Saxons, Vikings from Scandinavia, and French-speaking Normans. Many kings and queens followed, but in 1936 King Edward VIII chose to abdicate because he was not allowed to marry the woman he loved. She had been divorced twice, and this made her unacceptable to the royal family. The throne went to Edward’s brother, the current Queen Elizabeth’s father. Would you have abdicated?

When Henry VIII (1509-1547) was told he could not have his marriage annulled so that he could marry Anne Boleyn, Henry did not abdicate. Instead, he started a new church: the Church of England. Anne was beheaded later, and Henry married six times. Is it right to advance one’s personal desires under the guise of public policy or moral right? Do some leaders do this today?

FAST FACTS - England England is bordered by Wales to the west and Scotland to the north. The population of England in 2011 was around 53 million The capital city of England is London. Other major cities include Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Newcastle and Leeds. There is only a 34 kilometre (21 mile) gap between England and France and the countries are connected by the Channel Tunnel which opened in 1994. The longest river in the United Kingdom is the River Severn. Located in England and Wales, it stretches around 354 kilometres (220 miles) in length. The largest lake in England is named Windermere. The highest mountain in England is Scafell Pike, which stands at around 978 metres (3,209 ft) in height. Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in England but others such as cricket and rugby have large followings. The official London home of the British monarch (king or queen) is Buckingham Palace.

Where in the World? It’s your turn: Complete your “Where in the World?” page. 1 – fill in the country and continent. 2 – write a paragraph about France with at least 5 interesting details (important details). 3 – colour in France on the world map.