Overview of the United Kingdom

Countries of the UK

• The United Kingdom (UK) consists of four countries:
  • England
  • Scotland
  • Wales
  • Northern Ireland

Geography

• England, Scotland, and Wales are located on one island known as Great Britain.
• Northern Ireland is located on the island of Ireland, which also includes the independent Republic of Ireland.
• The collective islands are called the British Isles.

Flags

• Each country in the UK has its own flag:
  • The Union Jack represents the UK and is formed by combining the flags of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
  • Wales was part of England when the Union Jack was created in 1606, hence it is not represented separately in the flag.
  • National flags:
    • England: St George's Cross
    • Scotland: Saltire
    • Wales: Y Ddraig Goch (Red Dragon)
    • Northern Ireland: St Patrick's Saltire

England

• Capital: London
  • Notable landmarks:
    • Tower of London
    • Big Ben
    • Houses of Parliament
    • The Shard
    • Buckingham Palace (home of the British monarch)
• Government: Led by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (members of Parliament).
• Geography: Low hills and plains in the south and central regions; mountainous in the north (e.g., Scafell Pike).
• Other landmarks:
  • Angel of the North
  • Stonehenge
  • Durdle Door
  • Windsor Castle

Scotland

• Capital: Edinburgh
  • Home to Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Parliament.
• UK government oversees defense, foreign affairs, and immigration; Scottish Parliament manages health, law, and education.
• Geography: Highlands with mountains, valleys, lakes.
  • Highest mountain: Ben Nevis.
  • Notable lakes: Lochs, including Loch Ness (home of the Loch Ness monster).
• Other landmarks:
  • Glenfinnan Viaduct
  • The Kelpies
  • Stirling Castle
  • Calanais Standing Stones

Wales

• Capital: Cardiff
• Initially ruled by England, Wales now has powers via the Welsh Assembly to determine health, education, and environmental policies.
• Geography: Snowdonia National Park and Mount Snowden.
• Notable landmarks:
  • Cardiff's Millennium Center
  • Caernarfon Castle

Northern Ireland

• Capital: Belfast
• Governed by the Northern Ireland Assembly, handling housing, employment, education, health, agriculture, and environmental laws.
• Geography: Landscape around Belfast resembles a sleeping giant; receives less sunshine and more rain.
• Notable landmarks:
  • Giant's Causeway (hexagonal volcanic rock columns)
  • Titanic Belfast (site of Titanic’s design and launch)

Conclusion

• The UK is a diverse union of nations with distinct identities, languages, and landmark features.