1. The British Isles
Ch. 6
Sec. 1 Pp

2. The United Kingdom
British Isles – United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland
UK – England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
1999 – Scotland and Wales set up legislatures to run local affairs

3. British Economy Industrial revolution started here about 250 years ago
Manufactured goods, machinery, banking, insurance, communications
Import 1/3 of food, because efficient farming, but not enough land and large population

4. British Government
Parliamentary democracy – voters elect representatives
2 branches – House of Lords, House of Commons
Constitutional monarchy – king and queen are official heads of state, but have little real power

5. British People and Culture
60 million live in UK
Speak English, but Welsh and Scottish Gaelic also spoken
Most are Protestants
90 % live in cities
7 million live in London, one of Europe’s most populated cities

6. Republic of Ireland
Emerald Isle – wide, rolling plains, green meadows, tree-covered hills
Peat – plants partly decayed in water which can be dried and used for fuel
Bogs – low, swampy areas

7. Irish Economy Potatoes, barley, wheat, sugar beets, and turnips
Sheep, beef and dairy cattle
Food processing, beverages, textiles, pharmaceuticals

8. Northern Ireland Conflict
Ireland became independent in 1921, but Britain still occupies Northern Ireland
Nationalists (mostly Catholic) want reunification, Loyalists (mostly Protestant) want to remain under British rule
Fighting between them called “the Troubles”
1998 – peace agreement

9. Irish People Celts settled Ireland around 500 B.C.
Gaelic and Irish are the official languages
58% live in cities and towns
1/3 live in and around Dublin, the capital