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The UK

Basics​

  • Anthem: GOD SAVE THE KING
  • States:
    • Scotland: Edinburgh
    • Wales: Cardiff
    • Northern Ireland: Belfast
    • Britain: London
  • Area and Borders: The UK is located northwest of Europe, between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It covers 243,000 km².
  • Geography: Various landscapes include mountains like Ben Nevis, rivers such as the Severn and Thames, and lakes like Loch Ness and Loch Lomond. Natural resources include coal, natural gas, and oil.
  • Climate: Temperate with frequent rain and overcast days.
  • National Symbols: The Union Flag represents England, Scotland, and formerly Ireland. National flowers include the rose (England), shamrock (Northern Ireland), thistle (Scotland), and daffodil (Wales).
  • Population and Language: Approximately 64 million people speak English as the official language, with recognized regional languages including Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, and Irish Gaelic.
  • Government and Political System: Constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy with a monarch (currently Queen Elizabeth II) and two houses of Parliament: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Executive power rests with the Prime Minister (currently Theresa May) and the cabinet. The Conservative Party and Labour Party are the main political entities, with devolution granting Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland their own parliaments.

Figures​

  1. William the Conqueror (1066): Conquered England at the Battle of Hastings, leading to significant cultural and political changes.
  2. Henry VIII: Established the Church of England to facilitate his divorce, dissolved monasteries, and had six wives, impacting England's religious and political landscape.
  3. Elizabeth I: Known as the "Virgin Queen," ruled during England's Golden Age, successfully navigated religious tensions, and defeated threats to her throne.
  4. Oliver Cromwell: Led the New Model Army, establishing the English Republic after defeating the Royalists, but unpopular as Lord Protector.
  5. Restoration of Monarchy (1660): Charles II returned as king after Cromwell's death, marking the end of the English Republic.
  6. James II: His reign led to the Glorious Revolution, establishing Protestant rule, and his subsequent exile.
  7. Queen Victoria (1837-1901): Oversaw significant industrial and imperial expansion during the Victorian era.
  8. Winston Churchill: Prime Minister during World War II, known for his leadership and oratory skills.
  9. Margaret Thatcher: Britain's first female Prime Minister, implemented significant economic reforms and led during the Falklands War.
  10. Elizabeth II: Long-reigning queen since 1952, symbolizing continuity in the monarchy.
  11. Neville Chamberlain: Prime Minister known for his policy of appeasement toward Nazi Germany, which faced criticism during WWII.

London​

  • Founded by Romans
  • Location: Southeast of England
  • 1665 the Great Fire
  • 1666 Plague

London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom. It lies on the river Thames and has about 7 million inhabitants. The main economic importance of modern London is as a financial and commercial centre. Tourism is also very important. London Heathrow is the world's busiest airport by number of international passengers.

The capital's top tourist attraction is the Tower of London. It was built by William the Conqueror in 1066. The Tower served as a royal home, a prison, an execution site, etc. Now it is a museum where you can, for example, see the Crown Jewels. Six ravens are kept in the Tower at all times. The legend says that the Kingdom will fall if the ravens leave. Next to the Tower, there is Tower Bridge. It is raised in the middle to allow ships to pass up the river.

The best-known church is perhaps St. Paul's Cathedral. It stands on the site of the previous cathedral which was damaged by the Great Fire of London in 1666. It is built in Baroque style. The wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana was held here. The Houses of Parliament are the political centre of the United Kingdom, the home of the British Parliament. They became the seat of Parliament in 1547. Great Britain is the oldest democracy in the world going back to the Magna Carta in 1215. The clock tower next to the Houses is called Big Ben. It is not really the name of the clock, it is the name of the bell.

The history of Westminster Abbey goes back to the 11th century. Almost all coronations since William the Conqueror (1066) have been held there, and many British kings and queens are buried there.

Buckingham Palace is the home of British kings and queens. The first monarch to live here was Queen Victoria. A lot of tourists come here to see the Changing of the Guard. Trafalgar Square is said to be the largest in London. Its name commemorates the victory of Admiral Lord Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. In the middle of the square there is Nelson´s Column (about 50m) with a statue of Nelson at the top. The National Gallery houses one of the greatest collections of paintings from the 13th to the 20th centuries. It exhibits paintings by Italian (da Vinci, Titian), Dutch (Rubens, Rembrandt), or French (Monet, Cézanne, Renoir) masters.

Others:​

  • The London Eye – Ferris wheel (vyhlídkové kolo), get in the capsule => view
  • Piccadilly Circus – Neon signs
  • Whitehall – You can find their government buildings (district)
  • Downing Street 10 – seat of the prime minister
  • The British Museum
  • Covent Garden – shops, markets
  • Hyde Park etc. – speakers corner
  • Greenwich observatory
  • Double deckers buses
  • Metro – Tube
  • The Shard
  • The Gherkin