What do we know about England? The weather is constantly bad there, the British drink tea five times a day and have humor incomprehensible to residents of other countries. However, in addition to all of the above, it has a lot of interesting things that make it unique.
The United Kingdom is the largest island on the European continent. It consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.
The country is surrounded by water and has only one land border with Ireland. This state has a rich history full of great achievements and no less significant upheavals.
To this day, many tourists coming here want to feel the unique atmosphere of England and learn more about its rich culture and traditions. Let's start! We bring to your attention a list of the 10 most interesting facts about England.
10. England - part of the UK
Great Britain is located in northwestern Europe and covers an area of 242,900 sq.m. From the very beginning you need to know one important thing about the UK. The full name of the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but this country is usually called the United Kingdom. Its population exceeds 63 million people, while only London has more than 8 million people.
Major cities of Great Britain - Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Portsmouth, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Bristol, Belfast, Leicester and others. The official spoken language is English, and the currency is the pound sterling. Their political definition is parliamentary monarchy.
The United Kingdom is one of the largest countries in the world and plays an important and central role in world politics and economics.
9. English does not always sound the same
A variety of accents and idioms at first can confuse a tourist or student who has decided to improve their English. However, everyone who lived there for a long time received a good knowledge of dialects, so they return home with a more authentic English accent and vocabulary, which the book cannot teach.
8. English humor
English humor can be difficult to grasp on the cultural aspect of this amazing country.. Almost imperceptible sarcasm, and sometimes seemingly petty comments are commonplace in the conversations of the British.
As soon as you delve into the nuances of English humor, it will immediately become clear that using it will be an unmistakable way of winning the hearts of local residents. In addition, you will discover the wonderful world of British films and television programs!
7. Stunning city views
Wherever you are, you will always have breathtaking landscapes somewhere nearby. Every tourist needs to visit national parks, take a walk along the coast and relax in the green areas so common in cities.
Big Ben, Buckingham Palace or the Tower of London are magnificent buildings that were built centuries ago and magically attract tourists. Even today, the capital of England still draws attention with its buildings.
6. Colonial past and impact on today's geopolitics
The United Kingdom, or Great Britain and Northern Ireland, has a long history that is difficult to trace in the early stages. The scientific interpretation of the United Kingdom and its people is that the territory, now known as British land, was first inhabited in the ice age thousands of years ago. Referring to this theory, the territory of the United Kingdom was then connected to the rest of the continent.
Until the creation of the first alliance of Scotland and England in a kingdom called Britain in 1707, this country could not be fully considered a sovereign state..
At the beginning of the 20th century, Britain controlled a quarter of the world. However, after World War II, the country lost control of many of its colonies. Today, the United Kingdom includes the British Isles, Northern Ireland and some other islands in the area.
Prior to the referendum in 2016, the United Kingdom was a member of the European Union. However, its role in global processes is still unprecedented.
5. Rich culture and tourist lures
Sure, the most exciting thing you can learn about England is its culture. With such a long history and diversity of society, the UK is a representative of an incredibly distinctive culture. The British boast a variety of unique and historical places that attract tourists from all over the world.
Many people like to travel to Britain because of its rich history. English gastronomy is no less in demand. If you want good food, such as sausages and porridge, hot butter balls and corn pies, Britain is the best place for you.
The English architectural exposition is also unique. The most impressive architectural structures in the UK were built in various forms and styles and represent a diverse era of British history.
Having visited this country, you will not give up the pleasure of visiting one of the eight wonders of the world - Stonehenge. Scientists have been struggling over the solution to this strange structure for more than a century.
4. English weather
One of the most famous features of England is its climate. The weather here is very changeable. Those who have been living in this country for a long time are used to wet, rainy and often changing weather.
If you have seen films shot in the UK, you will see that it often rains in these films. Precipitation can occur even in the coldest winter months.. Snow here is quite rare, even in the coldest winter months (January and February).
3. Great Britain, England or Britain?
The term “United Kingdom” covers only England, Scotland and Wales and does not include Northern Ireland, which is also part of the United Kingdom..
Officially, the country is called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In addition, there are still people who confuse England and Great Britain, although this may sound insulting to a Scottish or Welsh citizen.
2. The British drink too much tea
Well, that is not so far from the truth. They say that England is the third largest tea consumer in the world. Although this does not mean that every citizen of the UK drinks tea. Some statistics indicate that an average of 165 million cups of tea are consumed in the United Kingdom.
1. Squirrels in the parks
Proteins live in large numbers in city parks, and almost all of them are tame. Proteins in the bulk are gray in color, and they are also quite well-fed. They say that red squirrels used to be found here, but the gray ones killed them, therefore, at present, red squirrels are officially protected by the state.
In addition, swans and many other interesting birds are found in city parks. It is curious that all the Thames swans, by law, are the property of the Queen of England.