THE BRITISH ISLES

UNITED KINGDOM

Form of Government Queen Elizabeth II Constitutional monarchy = the sovereign has limited powers; political decisions are taken by the Government and the Parliament. The UK is part of the European Union but its currency is still the pound, not the euro.

The Magna Charta Magna Charta was issued in June 1215 and was the first document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government was not above the law. video Magna Charta video Magna Charta

England Wales Northern Ireland Scotland Four largely autonomous regions

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: England, Wales, Scotland e Northern Ireland England Physical and political region Great Britain = England + Wales + Scotland (3 physical and political regions) Ireland Island Republic of Ireland (Eire) State Be careful!

The former colonies  The UK has the sovereignty over some overseas territory, like Gibraltar and many islands in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean. These are all that remains of its former colonial empire.  Many former colonies are now part of the Commonwealth, an association of nations still allied with the British Crown.

Overseas territories

UK Population: around 64 million people (3° in the European Union) UK population density: 261 people per sq/km London Population: 8,6 million people London population density: more than 5000 people per sq/km Population

Main cities LONDON MANCHESTER LIVERPOOL BELFAST EDINBURGH GLASGOW BIRMINGHAM London: 7 million people CARDIFF

Language and religion English (official language) + Welsh and Scottish Gaelic in Scotland and Wales. English is a Germanic language, Gaelic is a Celtic language. Most widespread religion: Anglicanism (a form of Protestantism). Some Catholics in Northern Ireland and Presbyterians in Scotland.

Second official language (light blue) English in the world

Primary and secondary sectors  Advanced agriculture (cereals, potatoes, sugar beet) + sheep breeding and fishing  Coal deposits and oil (in the North Sea)  Industrial Revolution  Automotive, aerospace, chemical and food industry.

The first iron bridge in the world (1719) Industrial development in Great Britain

 The most important sector: finance (London) finance (London) trade (imports: foodstuffs and raw materials/ exports: machinery, clothing, beer and whisky) trade (imports: foodstuffs and raw materials/ exports: machinery, clothing, beer and whisky) transport network (Eurotunnel) transport network (Eurotunnel) tourism tourism Tertiary sector

Postcards from Great Britain

London

The Big Ben

Buckingham Palace

Thames

Tower Bridge

Oxford University

London Underground - map

Stonehenge

Scotland William Wallace Whisky

Wales Conwy castle

Northern Ireland The Giant’s causeway Belfast City Hall