The state of Great Britain (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) is located in the northwestern part of Europe, on the territory of the British Isles, including the island of Great Britain, partly the island of Ireland, the small Channel Islands and the Isle of Main.
On all sides it is washed by seas and oceans (in the north and west - the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea in the east and the Irish Sea in the west), and the English Channel and Pas-de-Calais in the southern part.
Administratively it consists of four administrative and political parts (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), in turn, consisting of counties, cities and districts.
The largest cities in Great Britain: London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds, Bristol and Manchester.
The capital of Great Britain- the city of London.
Borders and area
There are no land borders. Borders by sea with Ireland, Denmark, Norway and France.
Great Britain covers an area of 244,101 square kilometers.
UK map
Timezone
Population
62,008,000 people.
Language
Official language- English.
Religion
The main religion is Christianity (most of the population). There are also Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and other small communities.
Finance
The official currency is the British Pound Sterling.
Medical assistance and insurance
Emergency health care turns out to be free. The rest of the services are paid. Before visiting the country, you must purchase international medical insurance.
Mains voltage
220 Volts, frequency 50 Hertz. Three-pin sockets, adapters are issued in places of residence.
Scotland is a mountainous northern part of Great Britain, occupying ancient mountains cut by rapids and deep gorges with lakes. Despite the fact that Scotland is only part of the kingdom, it has its own parliament. The capital Edinburgh is a city of fortresses and castles. The traditional Scottish dress is a checkered kilt. Cells on the fabric (tartan) speak of belonging to the historical ancestral [...]
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is located in the British Isles. Sometimes we traditionally call the country England, although this is only the name of the largest historical part of the state. In addition, the Kingdom includes Scotland and Wales. Great Britain is a great maritime power that is proud of its navigators (some of whom were once pirates), conquerors, explorers, scientists and writers. English […]
The monuments of the Industrial Revolution in England, where the world's first industrial society took shape, includes several old factories, factory townships, industrial landscapes and individual structures from the beginning of the industrial era. In the valley of the river Derwent, industrial buildings were for the first time inscribed in the rural landscape of England. This happened back in the second half of the 18th century, when the Jenny cotton spinning machine was invented, all 16 spindles of which were driven [...]
Over time, the defensive nature of buildings in England is lost - castles become palaces. Manors are becoming the defining type of architecture in England. The high ceremonial hall - the hall - began to serve as the center of the residential estate. The decorative processing of the halls combines elements of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Wide staircases lead to the "long gallery" - a place for ceremonial meetings, balls and banquets. Portraits of ancestors were hung in the gallery. […]
The Skelling Islands, located southwest of the island of Ireland, are world renowned for their early Christian monastery complex dating back to the 7th century. On the steep slopes of the rocky island of Skelling Michael rises the monastery of Galarus Oratori. The shape of the island resembles an upside-down boat. Preserved stairs leading to the top, and several huts-cells, similar in shape to bee hives. The oldest functioning church in Great Britain, built at the turn of the 6th-7th centuries, [...]
In the south-west of England there is the most famous monument of the Bronze Age - Stonehenge ("stone fence"). This is a giant stone ring, consisting of huge sandstone pillars, paired with the same slabs. Stone blocks weighing up to 1.5 tons were brought here tens of kilometers from Wales. The appearance of Stonehenge changed several times from 3800 to 1800 BC. With regard to the purpose of Stonehenge, there is [...]
The British tourist microregion of the Western European tourist mesoregion includes two states: Great Britain and Ireland. The British micro-region is characterized, first of all, by a large number of monuments of history and culture. There are also areas with natural attractiveness (Wales, Scotland, Northern England and etc.). The cultural specificity of Great Britain is determined by the Protestant religion (in England and Wales - the Anglican Church, in Scotland - the Presbyterian Church), and Ireland [...]
If you leave the train car at Waverly Station Central Station, climb the stairs of the same name, walk to the main street of Edinburgh Princes Street, you will immediately find yourself in the city center. Well preserved Old city where ancient castles do not let you forget about its history. In the 5th century, the Picts, the indigenous population of Scotland, built a fortification on the Castle Rock, for which they fought with their neighbors for two centuries [...]
For the inhabitants of foggy Albion, home is everything. People start dreaming of their own home from childhood. An Englishman's life is basically a house, a fireplace, a backyard garden. It should be noted and the extraordinary constancy in the character of the typical Englishman. Breakfast is almost always the same: a plate of oatmeal in water and no salt, an egg with a slice of bacon, and a cup of coffee. Traditions are not only here [...]
By demographic characteristics, the UK is a typical Western European country with low birth and death rates and almost zero natural growth... This modern situation contrasts sharply with the 19th century, when, despite massive emigration to all parts of the world, the country's population almost tripled. Life expectancy is high - about 78 years. The United Kingdom today is a multinational and multiracial state. […]
The per capita indicator of gross domestic product (PPP) at the beginning of the century exceeded 25 thousand US dollars per year. Total GDP is approaching $ 1.5 trillion. The spectrum of industries in the UK is huge and comparable in Overseas Europe only with Germanic. There are several dozen branches of specialization on the world market, g Agriculture gives about 2% of the country's GDP, in it [...]
Great Britain - Island state, separated from continental Europe by the narrow Strait of Pas-de-Calais (Strait of Dover). The closest overseas neighbors from the south and southeast are France to Belgium. To the west is Ireland, which occupies most of the island of the same name. The main natural factor that determines quite acceptable living conditions is the North Atlantic current of the Gulf Stream, as a battery that warms the archipelago. New Year in London, which [...]
GREAT BRITAIN
Geographical location and nature:
State in the north-west of Europe, located on the British Isles (the island of Great Britain, the northern part of the island of Ireland, etc.). In the north it borders on Ireland (the length of the border is 360 km), in the west it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, in the east - by the North Sea, in the southeast - by the English Channel separating the island of Great Britain from the European continent (length coastline 12 429 km). The total area of the country is 244,111 km 2 (land area - 241,590 km 2), including the Scottish Islands. Among the territorial disagreements with other states: with Ireland on the issue of Northern Ireland, with Spain (the issue of Gibraltar), with Argentina the dispute over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). The banks are very indented. Fertile lowlands stretch along the coasts. In the west and north of the country, mountainous terrain prevails - the Northwest Highlands and the Grampian Mountains from the very high point countries - Mount Ben Nevis (1,344 m), the Pennine and Cambrian mountains (Mount Snowdon, 1,085 m). In Northern Ireland - the Antrim plateau and the Mon Mountains. In the south-east and in the Center are hilly plains. The main rivers of the country: Thames, Severn, Trent, Mersey, Clyde. There are many lakes, especially in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the largest of them is Lough Ney (400 km 2). Main minerals: coal, oil, natural gas, iron ore, rock and potassium salts, tin, lead, quartz. Arable land occupies 29% of the territory, meadows and pastures - 48%.
Population:
The population is 58,295,119 people (1995), the average population density is about 238 people per km 2. Most of the inhabitants are English (81.5%), Scots - 9.6%, Irish - 2.4%, Welsh - 1.9%, Indians, Pakistanis, Arabs, Chinese, Africans also live in the country. The official language is English, part of the population of Wales speaks Welsh, Scottish is widespread in Scotland. Most of the population is of the Protestant denomination (Anglican Church, Presbyterians, Methodists), there are also Catholics, Jews, Hindus, Muslims. Birth rate - 13.18 newborns per 1,000 people (1995). Mortality - 10.66 deaths per 1,000 people (infant mortality rate - 7 deaths per 1,000 newborns). Average life expectancy: men - 74 years, women - 80 years (1995).
The oceanic nature of the UK's temperate climate contributes to erratic weather with gusty winds and thick fogs throughout the year. Winters are very humid and mild. The average temperature of the coldest month - January - does not drop below 3.5 ° C, even in the extreme northeast of Great Britain, and in the southwest it reaches 5.5 ° C. Masses of warm sea air coming from the southwest increase winter temperatures, but at the same time bring cloudy and rainy weather with strong winds and storms. With the invasion of cold air from the east and northeast, frosty weather sets in for a long time and the temperature can drop to -18 ° С. Snow falls throughout the country in winter, but very unevenly. V mountainous areas In Scotland, the snow cover lasts at least 1-1.5 months. In the south of England, and especially in its south-west, snow falls very rarely and lasts no more than a week. Western Britain typically receives twice as much rainfall during the winter as in the summer. In the eastern regions, winters are colder and less humid. In the spring the cold blows north winds, sometimes dry oriental. Summer in the UK is relatively cool: average temperature the warmest month - July - is 1-2 ° C lower than at the same latitudes of the mainland. In the summer months, the temperature in the southeast of the country is 16 ° С, and in the extreme northwest it is 12 ° С. Maximum temperature in the south-east of England, sometimes it rises above 27 ° С, and sometimes up to 32 ° С. Warm and humid winds blowing from the Atlantic are associated with an abundance of rainfall in the western regions of Great Britain. On average, more than 2,000 mm of precipitation falls there per year, while in eastern England it is only about 600 mm.
Vegetable world:
Deforestation for arable land began in the 6th century, and by the middle of the 15th century. the country was already experiencing a shortage of timber. From the second half of the 17th century. exotic tree species (Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, thin-scaled larch) were imported into the country. In Lancashire, Scotland, and then in Northern Ireland, work was carried out to drain the marshes. Currently, forests in the UK cover only 8% of the area. Basically, they survived along river valleys and in the lower parts of mountain slopes. Small oak groves are found in southeast Wales and Yorkshire. In the lower belt of the mountains of England and Wales grow oak, elm, hornbeam, beech and ash. In the Lake District and the Highlands of Scotland, pine also appears in this belt. In the north of Scotland, in the Grampian Mountains and in the Northwest Highlands, the lower mountain belt is occupied by mixed oak-spruce-pine forests, and pine and birch forests are widespread above. Excessive hydration led to the widespread distribution of peat bogs, meadows and moorlands. These formations are especially characteristic of Scotland, where they cover 70% of the total area. Wild pale yellow daffodils (the emblem of the Welsh), lilies, purple orchis and primrose grow in natural perennial meadows in England and Wales. Above the border of the forest in the mountains of England and Wales, cereal-forb meadows and moorlands with juniper, blueberry and crowberry prevail. On the Scottish highlands, above the forest border, sphagnum-cushy peat bogs and alpine meadows are developed, where meadow rue and alpine mountaineer prevail.
Animal world:
Many large mammals such as bear, wild boar and Irish red deer have long been exterminated in the British Isles as a result of intense hunting, and the wolf has been destroyed as a pest. Currently, only 56 species of mammals remain, 13 of which have been introduced. The largest representative of Britain's mammals, the red deer, lives in the hills of Cornwall, in the mountains of the Lake District and in the Scottish Highlands. There are quite a few roe deer that are found north of Yorkshire and in the south of England. Wild goats live in mountainous areas. The islands and coastal cliffs of Cornwall and Wales have a gray seal, while the common seal prefers the coast of Scotland. eastern shores Northern Ireland and the surrounding islands. There are practically no beasts of prey in the UK. In forests and groves foxes and badgers are found, otters, ermines and weasels are widespread, ferrets are found in Wales, and wild European cats and American martens are found in the mountains of Scotland. The British Isles are inhabited by 130 species of birds, but due to the drainage of swamps in the country, the population of ducks, geese and other waterfowl has significantly decreased. Various types of fish are found in the waters off the British Isles: herring, sprat, sardines, mackerel, flounder, cod, haddock, marpan, etc.
State structure, political parties:
Full name - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (abbreviated Great Britain). Political system- a constitutional monarchy. The United Kingdom includes England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland - a total of 47 counties, 7 capital districts, 26 districts, 9 regions and 3 islands. England consists of 39 counties, 7 capital districts, Scotland - 9 provinces and 3 islands, Wales - 8 counties, Northern Ireland - 26 boroughs. In addition, the country includes dependent territories: An-ghilya island, Bermuda, British Territory Indian Ocean, British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, Cayman Islands, Isle of Man, Montserrat Island, Pitcairn Islands, St. Helena, Turke and Caicos Islands, Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Capital London. January 1, 1801 is considered the founding day of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain does not have a constitution, the basic law is replaced by parliamentary legislation passed by a bicameral parliament, which consists of the House of Lords (upper house) and the House of Commons (lower house). The national holiday (Queen's Birthday) is celebrated on the second Saturday in June. Head of State - Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (since February 6, 1962, Great Britain has been ruled by Queen Elizabeth I, the heir to the throne is Prince Charles (son of the Queen, born November 14, 1948). Real executive power rests with the Prime Minister, who forms the Cabinet of Ministers. Most influential political parties: Conservative Party, Labor Party, Liberal Democratic Party.
Economy, transport communications:
London is one of the world's largest shopping and financial centers. GNP amounted to $ 10 452 billion in 1994 (GNP per capita - $ 17 980). With significant energy resources (coal, natural gas, oil), the UK has one of the highest rates for industrialized countries in terms of energy production (12% of GNP). Among the most developed industries (22% of GNP): aircraft manufacturing, automobile manufacturing, shipbuilding, metallurgical industry, coal, oil, chemical, pulp and paper, food, textile. Agriculture, which employs only about 1% of the working-age population, has a high level of mechanization and produces about 60% of the food required for the needs of the country. The monetary unit is the pound sterling in (1 pound sterling is equal to 100 pence). Main trading partners: Germany, France, Netherlands, USA. railways- 16 629 km (4 205 km electrified), inland waterways - 2291 km. Great Britain has a wide network of roads - 362 982 km (of which 339 483 km - with hard surface), in addition, in Northern Ireland the total length of roads is 23 499 km (22 907 km - with hard surface). The main ports of the country are Dover, Liverpool, London, Southampton, Felixstowe, Hartlepool.
Inhabited by Celtic tribes, territory modern Britain became a Roman colony by Britain in 43 under the Emperor Claudius. Began at the end of the 3rd century. raids on Britain by the Scandinavian tribes, and then by the Germanic - the Angles and Saxons - put an end to Roman rule in 411. Having displaced the Celts to the west of the country, the Angles and Saxons formed during the 5-9 centuries. seven kingdoms that converted to Christianity from the 6th to the 8th century. In the 9th century. Britain began to be subject to raids by the Vikings, who gradually subjugated all the Saxon kingdoms except Wessex, which became the first English kingdom. The Saxon king Edward restored the influence of the Saxon dynasty, but the Saxon troops led by his son Harold were defeated at Hastings in 1066 by the Norman commander William the Conqueror. The Normans had a huge impact on the life of English society, which underwent a serious reorganization - administrative, legal, financial, in addition, the French language, which the Norman conquerors spoke, left a serious imprint on Saxon culture.
A descendant of William, Henry I, who became king of England in 1154, founded the Plantagenet dynasty. The dispute between the English kings and the French for lands on the continent led to the Hundred Years War between England and France (1330-1435). The defeat in the war and the weakness of King Henry VI led in 1455 to a civil war known as the War of the White Rose and the Scarlet Rose, which ended in 1485 with the victory of Henry Tudor (Henry VII). During the reign of the last representative of the Tudor dynasty - Elizabeth I - England reached an unprecedented prosperity, becoming a powerful maritime power. In 1603, James VI of the Scottish Stuart dynasty became king of England. In 1649 in England broke out Civil War, which divided the country into supporters of the king and parliament and ended in 1649 with the proclamation of a republic led by Oliver Cromwell. The monarchy was restored in 1660, when the son of Charles I, Charles II, ascended to the English throne. In 1707, the act of unification of England and Scotland was signed, which led to the formation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain with a common parliament, which played an increasingly important role in the life of the country. At the end of the 17th century. In England, political parties - Tory and Whigs (which in the 19th century were transformed, respectively, into the Conservative and Labor parties) were formed. After the death of Anna Stewart, the Elector of Hanover George (George I) was invited from Germany to the English throne. In 1783 Great Britain lost part of its colonies in North America(US War of Independence). In 1801 Ireland became part of the United Kingdom. After the defeat of Napoleon's army at the Battle of Waterloo, Great Britain became one of the leading European powers. The Victorian era, named for Queen Victoria (1837-1901), was characterized by the expansion of the colonial possessions of Great Britain (India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) and the implementation of deep reforms (governance, law, education, army) inside the country.
After the end of the First World War, the Irish question again escalated in the country. After Ireland declared independence in 1921, only the northern part of the island remained within the Kingdom. Great Britain entered the war against Nazi Germany in September 1939, becoming one of the main participants in the anti-Hitler coalition. W. Churchill, who proved himself to be an outstanding political figure during the Second World War, lost in the 1945 elections to the representative of the Labor Party, K. Attlee. In the 50s and 60s. almost all British colonies have become independent states, some of them remained in the British Commonwealth formed in 1931. One of the most prominent British politicians in the post-war years was M. Thatcher (Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1979-1990), who defeated the trade unions that declared a general strike in 1979 and sent troops to the Falkland Islands in 1982 who intended to occupy Argentina. The conflict in Northern Ireland between Catholics and Protestants remains a serious political problem for the British government. After years of armed clashes between warring parties in the 90s. a negotiation process has begun, but an agreement between the British and Irish governments is being hampered by the periodic resumption of terrorist activities by the Irish Republican Army. In November 1990, M. Thatcher succeeded John Major as prime minister, and in May 1997, when Labor leader Tony Blair became prime minister, the 18-year rule of the Conservatives ended. Great Britain is the main strategic partner of the USA in Europe.
Sights:
Among the many landmarks of the country, one can note the "Giants' Road" in Northern Ireland - rock formations of several thousand multifaceted basalt columns up to 6 meters high. Lake Loch Ness in Scotland, with an area of 56 km 2 and a depth of up to 230 m, is famous for the fact that it is believed to be home to a large animal “Nesen” - “the Loch Ness monster”. There are more than 30 museums in London, among them the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Gallery, the Tate Gallery. The metro of the capital is the oldest in Europe, has been operating since 1863. Among architectural monuments stand out: the Gothic church (13-18th centuries) with the chapel of Henry VIII (16th century) in Westminster Abbey, where the coronation ceremonies of British monarchs are held; Tower Castle (from the 11th century) - now a museum complex; Hampton Court Palace (since 1515); cathedral of st. Paul (1675-1710), Buckingham Palace- royal residence; Westminster Palace with the Big Ben tower, which has become the symbol of London; Hyde Park.
Participation in international organizations
AfDB, ADB, BIS, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EU, ECA (partner), ECE. ECLAC, EIB, ESCAP, ESA, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, MAP, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, NATO, OECD, UN, UNCTAD, UNHCR, UNIDO, UN Security Council, UN Trusteeship Council, UPU, CGT, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO.
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United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom, United kingdom or UK) is a constitutional monarchy (which includes most of the British Isles) and one of the richest countries in the world.
The kingdom includes four nations: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Occupies all the islands of Great Britain, the northeastern part of the island of Ireland and most of the rest of the British Isles (It is important to remember that the Republic of Ireland, after gaining independence in 1922, is a separate independent state). The kingdom is bordered by Ireland, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands (with the consent of the "crown") have their own legislatures. They are neither part of the United Kingdom nor the EU, but they are not sovereign states, something like "in and of themselves."
Great in the name of Great Britain (French for Grand Brittany, Grande-bretagne) is used to distinguish Great Britain from other, lesser Brittany ( Bretagne) located in northwestern France.
The UK today is a huge mix of different nations and immigrants who carry a fascinating history and dynamic modern culture, while remaining a highly influential state in the world. Despite the fact that Britain is no longer a "ruler of the sea", it still remains a popular destination for tourism. London is the capital and largest city United Kingdom.
Climate
In the UK, soft, moist, temperate climate, defined by the North Atlantic Current and the country's proximity to the sea. Warm, wet summer and the moderate temperature in winter makes it comfortable to spend a lot of time outdoors all year round. It should be added that the weather in the UK can be changeable and mostly windy and humid. British drizzle is known all over the world, but it usually does not rain more than two to three hours, and in many areas it can be dry for several weeks, especially in the east. Most often it is cloudy or cloudy. When going outside, you must always be prepared for a change in the weather. If in the given time not winter, it is enough to have a sweater and a raincoat with you.
From north to south, the temperature can change quite significantly, because Great Britain is stretched for almost a thousand kilometers from end to end. It is more humid in the western regions than in the east of the country. Scotland and northwest England (particularly in the Lakes region) are often rainy and cold. In winter, the highlands of northern Scotland often experience heavy snowfall. It is also cool in the Northeast, although there is less rainfall. The southeast and east of England is generally warm and dry, while the southwest is warm but often humid. In Wales and Northern Ireland, temperatures and rainfall are generally moderate, although heavy snow sometimes falls in the mountains of Wales. Even in relatively low areas of the UK, rarely reaching more than 1,300 meters above sea level, temperature and rainfall are highly dependent on altitude.
Entering the country
The UK is physically linked to two countries: the Channel Tunnel connects the UK to France, and the land border in Northern Ireland connects the Kingdom to the Republic of Ireland. Although the UK is a member of the European Union, it does not fully support the Schengen agreement, which means that when tourists cross the border between other EU countries and the UK, there will be systematic passport checks.
Immigration and visas
Citizens of the EU member states do not need a visa to visit the country, they can live and work (for the most part) in the UK. Irish citizens have additional rights, including the ability to vote in parliamentary elections. Bulgarian and Romanian citizens need to obtain a work permit.
Citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have the same rights to residence and work permits as EU citizens.
Citizens of American Samoa, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bonaire, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, East Timor, El Salvador, Federated States of Micronesia, French Guiana, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Kiribati, Lesotho, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Saba, South Korea, St. Eustatius, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines San Marino, Singapore, Swaziland, Tahiti and its islands, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Tuvalu, Uruguay, USA, Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Vatican, Venezuela (biometric passport holders only) do not require a visa to visit the UK as a tourist or business trip for up to 3 or 6 months within one year, for all other purposes an entry visa is required.
Recently, it is possible to obtain a student visa for study purposes, but for no more than 6 months and only on the condition that the student is not looking for a paid job. This visa can be renewed within six months. Visitors cannot apply for a student visa while already in the country, but they can safely do this before arriving in the UK - at the British embassy or consulate, following the standard procedure.
For citizens of other countries, a visa is required, which can be obtained from the nearest British embassy or consulate. All visa applicants must provide biometric data (10-digit fingerprints and biometric digital photo).
All non-European Union visitors should be prepared to speak with the immigration office regarding: a) whether you have a return ticket to leave the United Kingdom or whether you have sufficient funds to buy a return plane ticket; b) the address where you will be staying in the United Kingdom; and c) whether you have sufficient funds to support your stay during your stay. Failure to answer these three basic questions may result in the refusal of an entry permit.
The UK also provides visas for the so-called Mobile Youth to citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan. Such a visa allows you to reside in the UK for up to 2 years with disabilities for work. Some visas limit work opportunities only for a part of the visa's validity period. A limited number of visas are issued for each country, since in Japan, for example, the demand for such a visa far exceeds the supply. The "Working Holiday" visa has been canceled.
Regardless of citizenship, there are non-immigration checks when entering the UK from Ireland. However, depending on your nationality, a visa may be required.
All citizens subject to immigration control (persons from outside the EU and Switzerland) must complete boarding pass and provide the employee passport control before arriving at the port of entry. This generally applies to planes and ferries prior to arrival in the UK.
For more information on UK immigration and visa applications, see the UK Home Office website.
Customs and goods
The UK has fairly strict laws regarding what can and cannot be brought into the country. Laws especially strictly control the movement of animals and whether they have rabies vaccinations (there is such a practice in EU countries, where an animal's passport is used indicating the vaccinations received. Signs about this are usually visible in the most prominent places and, as a rule, in several languages. for weakening in some places laws on alcohol and tobacco when crossing the EU borders the British in last years began to abuse it and acquire duty-free in continental Europe in large quantities for the purpose of selling and making a profit. Therefore, the customs strictly monitor alcohol and tobacco, and if the customs officer believes that the amount that you are trying to enter into the country from the EU is excessively large, then he may question your entry or ask for proof that this amount is necessary for your personal consumption, although ultimately EU citizens rely on free trade union laws, which allow them to carry an unlimited amount of cash. Fines can be very serious, up to and including confiscation of goods ( Vehicle and what is transported in them).
Work
Citizens of the European Union (temporarily with the exception of Romania and Bulgaria), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland have the right to work in the UK on a permanent basis. Citizens of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia may need to register as a worker. Citizens of other countries will need a work visa to work in the UK. In the UK, in recent years, the unemployment rate is low, which makes it easier for highly skilled workers to obtain a work visa. There is a shortage of qualified healthcare personnel, forcing British medicine to actively attract specialists from abroad, making it easier for them to issue work visas. However, the British government is seeking to reverse this trend by investing heavily in the training of nurses and doctors in the United Kingdom. There is also a shortage of qualified dentists, which forces many British citizens to treat their teeth in Hungary and Poland.
In the UK, there was (now temporarily canceled) a work program for a "day off" for Commonwealth citizens, giving a residence permit and a limited right to work for up to two years.
Due to the credit crisis, many businesses lost significant profits, and some even went bankrupt. The unemployment rate in 2008 reached its highest level in comparison with economic crisis early 1990s.
Volunteer
Organization WWOOF recruits volunteers to work for free on vegetable farms across the country in exchange for room and board. This system allows you to get to know life in the countryside, make new friends and, at the same time, learn about agriculture.
REFERENCE on the geography of a student of grade 10 "4" of school № 1840 Olga Dvoretskaya Theme: "Great Britain" Moscow 2001 EGP characteristics. Great Britain (United Kingdom) is an island state, most of whose territory is located on two large islands separated by the waters of the Irish Sea. The total area of Great Britain is 244,017 sq. km. The population of Great Britain is 58 395 thousand people. The country is officially called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It consists of four countries: England, Scotland and Wales, located on the island of Britain, and Northern Ireland. The latter is located on the same island as the Independent Republic of Ireland. Thus, Great Britain has a common land border only with Ireland. The British Isles lie off the northwest coast of Europe. The British Isles are surrounded by many small islands. The Isles of Scilly are located southwest of the Isle of Britain and the Isle of Anglesey to the north of Wales. On the west and north coasts of Scotland there are numerous small islands that make up the UK. The most important of these are the Orkney Shetland Islands. From the west, Great Britain is washed by waters Atlantic Ocean, and from the east - by the waters of the North Sea. From the south, Great Britain borders on France - the closest and most developed neighbor, having common water borders with it. The shortest distance to the northern coast of France is the Strait of Dover, but the main communication between the states is through the English Channel, called by the British "English Channel", along the bottom of which at the end of the twentieth century a railway communication... Prior to this, communication between the two countries was carried out by water or air. Also, the closest neighbors of Great Britain are Belgium and the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Norway are located much further. Thus, the EGP of Great Britain is both a neighborly and a seaside one, which is extremely beneficial for economic development the country, although, undoubtedly, has certain disadvantages strategically and militarily. Administrative card Great Britain has changed several times, tk. the accession of the countries that make up the United Kingdom lasted for centuries. Each once independent state has its own capital or administrative center. The official capital of Great Britain is London, since the unification of lands took place around England. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Great Britain, being in first place in the world in terms of economic development, created a colossal colonial power that occupied almost a quarter of the planet's territory. The British colonies included India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and much of Africa. In the twentieth century, the English colonies became independent states, but many of them are part of British Commonwealth led by the British monarch. In 1921 southern part Ireland separated from Great Britain and became an independent state. Modern Administrative division Great Britain | Territory | Capital | Area, thousand sq. | Population, million | | | | km | people | | England | London | 136.36 | 48.708 | | Scotland | Edinburgh | 78.77 | 5,132 | | Wales | Cardiff | 20.77 | 2.913 | | Northern Ireland | Belfast | 14.12 | 1.64 | United Kingdom - Constitutional Monarchy Form state structure Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy. Monarchy is the oldest of all forms of government in existence today. Moreover, in Great Britain, the continuity of royal power was violated only once in ten centuries of the state's existence. The current Queen of Great Britain, Elizabeth II, comes from the family of the Saxon king Egbert, who united England in 892 and Malcolm II, who ruled in Scotland from 1005 to 1034. The monarch in Great Britain is the main person of the state. Legally, the monarch leads the executive branch, is the supreme commander of the British army. But in fact, as a result of the changes that took place over the centuries, the monarchs lost absolute power. The queen rules the state with the consent of the cabinet of ministers, i.e. "Reigns, does not rule." The legislative body is a bicameral parliament, consisting of the Upper House - the House of Lords and the Lower House - the House of Commons. The meetings are held in the Houses of Parliament, which is one of the landmarks of London. 650 members of the House of Commons are elected by British citizens every five years, while membership in the House of Lords is hereditary in the families of hereditary nobles. Thus, the queen represents the state in the international arena and is a symbol of power. Executive power belongs to the cabinet of ministers, formed by a parliamentary majority. Among the diversity of political parties in Great Britain, the leading role belongs to the two largest parties. These are the Conservatives (Tories) and Labor (Whigs). Population of Great Britain The population of Great Britain is over 58 million people. Ethnic composition: British - more than 80%, Scots - 10%, Welsh (indigenous people of Wales) - 2%, Irish - 2.5%. A significant part of the population is Protestant. The exception is Northern Ireland, the majority of whose inhabitants are Roman Catholics. Northern Ireland is a place of constant conflict on religious and ethnic grounds. Since 1921, about 40% of the population has lived in the seven largest metropolitan areas, with centers in London (Greater London), Manchester (Southeast Lanxshire), Birmingham and Wolverhampton (West Midlands), Glasgow (Central Clydeside), Leeds and Bradford (West Yorkshire) ), Liverpool (Merseyside) and Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Tyneside). The urbanization rate in the UK is 91%. The share of the rural population is very small. In recent years, there has been a noticeable influx of people from developing countries, mainly from countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Industry The UK is one of the four countries that define Europe's economic strength. The UK industry includes many industries, some of which have world significance... Midland is the UK's main industrial region. Metallurgy Metallurgy in the UK is one of the most developed industries. It employs over 582 thousand people. Moreover, the first place in terms of the number of employment belongs to ferrous metallurgy (332 thousand people). The rest falls on non-ferrous metallurgy. The main centers for the production of steel and iron are Cardiff and Swansea (Wales), Leeds (England). Annual steel production - over 15 million tons. Aluminum smelters are located mainly in Scotland and Wales. The consumers of ferrous metallurgy products are mainly machine-building plants. Mechanical Engineering Mechanical engineering is one of the leading industries in the UK. It includes many directions, each of which is characterized by its own location. So high-tech engineering (aviation industry, electronics) are located mainly around London. Machine tool building is concentrated in the Birmingham area. Shipbuilding is a specialty of the Glasgow area, and textile engineering is developed mainly in the Manchester area. Fuel and energy complex. The main sources of energy are coal and oil, and to a lesser extent natural gas. The coal mining industry is one of the oldest industries in the UK. At the beginning of the century, British coal dominated the world market, but now in the UK more than 80 million tons of coal are mined annually. The main mining areas are Cardiff, South Wales and Central England (Sheffield). Oil is produced on the shelf of the North Sea near east coast England and Scotland. Annual production is over 94 million tons. The main oil refineries are located in Southampton, Cheshire, Yorkshire. Oil export revenue reaches £ 150 million. Gas production is 55 billion cubic meters. m per year and grows annually. The power industry is based on thermal and hydroelectric power plants. Numerous hydroelectric power plants are located in the highlands of Scotland and Wales, and thermal power plants are located in coal mining areas. The share of nuclear power plants is small, although in recent years there has been an increase in their construction. Chemical industry The chemical industry is concentrated mainly in Birmingham and Middlesbrough. This is mainly the production of plastics, detergents and disinfectants, dyes, fertilizers. The UK is one of the largest exporters of colorants in the world. High level development reached the pharmaceutical industry. Demand for medicines manufactured in the UK is growing every year Light industry Light industry is one of the oldest types of manufacturing in the UK. About 690 thousand people are employed in this area, and more than half of them are women. The main regions for the development of light industry are Lancashire, Yorkshire, Liverpool, and Manchester. The production of woolen fabrics is concentrated on the Isle of Lewis, mainly the "tartan" famous throughout the world. Great Britain is one of the world leaders in the production of woolen fabrics. Knitwear production is developed mainly in Scotland and the Midlands. The production of linen fabrics is concentrated mainly in Northern Ireland. Great Britain has long specialized in leather dressing and is a global exporter of leather goods. Factories engaged in leather production are located everywhere, but a significant part of them are concentrated in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Midlands, and the outskirts of London. Great Britain is the third largest shoe manufacturer in the world. More than 200 million pairs of shoes are sold annually. The UK garment industry is the largest in Europe. UK is major exporter clothes. The main centers of the garment industry are London, Leeds and Manchester. Food industry B Food Industry Great Britain employs over 860 thousand people. The range of manufactured products is very diverse. In the UK, consumption of bakery and confectionery products, chocolate and cocoa is very high. More than 2/3 of all bread is produced in automated bakeries, where bread is baked, cut and packed with little or no human intervention. Smaller bakeries produce a variety of cookies, cakes and muffins so popular among the British. British biscuits are world renowned and export revenues of over £ 12 million. Britain exports about 30% of the world's chocolate. Chocolate export revenue is up to £ 14 million annually. Also, the UK specializes in the production of fruit jams and ready-made fruit pie fillings, which are widely exported to various countries around the world. The UK exports over 700 tons of fresh frozen fruits and about 120 tons of frozen vegetables annually. Ham and bacon, traditional English products, predominate among meat products. The production of alcoholic beverages is widespread. Scotch whiskey, gin and ale are world famous. Agriculture The UK is characterized by moderate and sufficient humid climate with small temperature fluctuations throughout the year, which creates favorable conditions for the development of agriculture. Most of the used rural land is occupied by pastures (about 80%). A smaller part of the territory is occupied by agricultural crops, which are mainly grown in East Anglia. Potatoes are grown almost everywhere. One of the main crops is sugar beet grown in East Anglia and Lincolnshire, where the main sugar refineries are located. Other important crops are wheat, barley and oats grown in England, Northern Ireland and the east coast of Scotland. In the south of Britain, in the Dover area, there are a few orchards. Dairy farming plays an important role in UK agriculture. It should be noted that natural milk is more widely used than fermented milk products. The exception is Northern Ireland, where the main production of dairy products is concentrated. Dairy cattle are raised mainly in the southwest of England. Great Britain is known throughout the world for its breeds of beef and dairy cattle. Its livestock is about 11.6 million. In the hilly regions of Scotland, mainly black Welsh and Galloway breeds are bred, and on the plains - Aberdeen White and Hereford. In connection with epidemics of mad cow disease (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) and foot and mouth disease in recent years, dairy and beef cattle breeding are experiencing a severe crisis. Britain has all the conditions for raising sheep. Much attention is paid to the development of new breeds, both meat and fine-wool breeds. In the highlands of Scotland, special breeds of mountain livestock are bred. Pig breeding is especially developed in the eastern regions of England. Up to 30% of the pork is used to make bacon, and the rest is used to make meat products. Since the UK has been a maritime power since ancient times, fishing is considered a traditional trade. The main fishery is cod, flounder, herring, whitefish, trout, oysters and crabs. The share of fish is up to 80% of the total catch. The bulk of the fish is caught in the waters of the Celtic Sea, in the west and north of Scotland, and in the south of England. The main fishing ports are Kingston-on-Hull, Greensby, Fleetwood, North Shields, Aberdeen and others. Transport There are more than 300 seaports in Great Britain, the annual cargo turnover of which exceeds 140 million tons. The largest ports are: London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Southampton. The main navigable rivers are the Thames, Severn, Dover, Trent. The creation of the high-speed railway under the English Channel simplified the connection between the UK and the mainland. At the same time, the load on the ports in the south of the country has decreased. Expressways running from north to south link different parts of the country. From large cities, motorways diverge in radial directions. So from London highways diverge to Dover, Yorkshire, Cardiff, and from Birmingham - to Bristol, Manchester. The length of railways is 37.8, and of automobile roads - 358 thousand kilometers. Bridges and tunnels are of great importance for the development of transport, many of which are part of highways. Tourism Every year, more than 12 million tourists come to the UK from around the world, visiting major cultural and historical centers: London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol. Small world famous museum cities such as Stratford-upon-Avon, Windsor, Cambridge and Oxford university centers are equally popular. Resorts in Great Britain are concentrated mainly on the southern coast of England (Brighton). Lovers mountain tourism and mountain climbing can enjoy the beauty of Scotland. City dwellers love to spend the weekend outdoors in the countryside.
