The United Kingdom, Great Britain, The British Isles; The Latin Britannia is derived from the travel writings of the ancient Greek Pytheas c320 BC and as a United Country – England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, we are still being written about for our stunning countryside, magnificent coastal plains, major contributions to Art, Science, Industry, Commerce and our diverse, multi-cultural society. We may be a small country in stature but we have always been at the forefront of innovation, science, engineering art, design, manufacturing and commerce. We are told we are an Island of shop-keepers but we, as a country, are far more than that. We pride ourselves on providing exemplarily goods and services which we export globally and Great Britain is still a “must see” tourist destination for discerning travellers throughout the World.
Great Britain was the foremost industrial and maritime power of the 19th century and played a dominant role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its peak, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy.
Some British Facts
Population 2011 = 61,113, 2005 Currency = Pound sterling Capital = London Native Languages = English, Welsh, Gaelic, Scots Main towns / cities = London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast Britain’s highest mountain = Ben Nevis 1300 metres – Scotland Britain’s longest river = River Severn 354 KM – Wales & England
A brief timeline
Victorians: 1837 - 1900
Victoria – the longest reigning British monarch – became Queen in 1837, aged just eighteen. During her reign, she introduced a number of constitutional changes and the spirit of these changes led to the publishing of the people's charter, which laid out six demands including universal manhood suffrage and annual parliamentary elections. The charter was continually rejected in parliament, but today five out of the six original demands are firm parts of the British constitution.
Early 20th Century: 1901 – 1944
The early twentieth century saw advances in science and technology that were unimaginable in previous eras. Among the ground-breaking achievements of this period were: the invention of the television by the EMI-Marconi Corporation; and subsequent founding of the British Broadcasting Company (BBC); the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming; and insights into the structure of the atom, which led to the development of nuclear weapons and energy.
Post World War II: 1945 - 2010
Following World War II, in which the UK was an allied power, most of the territories of the British Empire became independent. Many went on to join the Commonwealth of Nations, a free association of independent states. Some have retained the British monarch as their Head of state to become independent Commonwealth realms. In its capacity as a great power and as a leading member of the United Nations, European Union and NATO, the United Kingdom remains a strong economic, cultural, military and political influence in the 21st century.