The United Kingdom: An Overview

Countries that Make Up the UK

• Four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• England, Scotland, and Wales are located on one island known as Great Britain.
• The term "British Isles" refers to all islands including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Southern Ireland.

Flags

• Each country has its own flag, and there is a national flag for the UK called the Union Jack.
  • Created in 1606, the Union Jack combines the flags of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Wales was part of England at that time, hence not recognized separately.

England

• Capital: London
• Landmarks:
  • Tower of London
  • Big Ben
  • Houses of Parliament
  • The Shard
  • Buckingham Palace (official residence of the monarch)
• Government: Led by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (members of Parliament).
• National Flag: St George's Cross
• Geography:
  • Low hills and plains in central and southern England.
  • Mountains in the north (e.g., Scafell Pike, highest peak in England).
• Other notable sites: Angel of the North, Stonehenge, Durdle Door, Windsor Castle.

Scotland

• Capital: Edinburgh

• Landmarks:

  • Edinburgh Castle
  • Scottish Parliament
  • Ben Nevis (highest mountain in the UK)
  • Loch Ness (famous for the Loch Ness Monster)
  • Glenfinnan Viaduct, Kelpies, Stirling Castle, Kalinas Standing Stones.

• Government: Scottish Parliament makes decisions on health, law, and education; UK government handles defense, foreign affairs, and immigration.

• National Flag: Saltire

• Languages: English and Scottish Gaelic

• Geography:

  • Highlands (large mountains, valleys, lakes) and 100 islands, only 16 inhabited.

Wales

• Capital: Cardiff
• Government: National Assembly for Wales; can decide on health, education, and environment.
• National Flag: Y Ddraig Goch (Red Dragon)
• Languages: English and Welsh
• Geography:
  • Home to Snowdonia National Park and Snowdon (highest mountain in Wales).
• Other landmarks: Caernarfon Castle, Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

Ireland

• Composed of two parts: Republic of Ireland (independent) and Northern Ireland (part of the UK).
• Capitals: Dublin (Republic of Ireland) and Belfast (Northern Ireland).
• Government: Northern Ireland Assembly decides on laws regarding housing, education, and health.
• National Flag: Saint Patrick's Saltire
• Languages: English and Irish
• Geography: Northern Ireland has less sunshine and more rain, with notable features like Giant's Causeway (hexagonal volcanic rock formations) and Titanic Belfast (site of Titanic’s design and construction).