Great Britain

The United Kingdom Great Britain is situated on the British Isles.

The British Isles consist of two islands, Great Britain and Ireland and great number of small islands. The total area is over 244.100 sq. km.

The British Isles are separated from European continent by the North Sea and the English Channel, the narrowest part of it is called the Strait of Dover and is 33 kms across.

The Western coast of Great Britain is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea, the eastern – by the North Sea.

The island of Great Britain consist of three main parts: England, Wales, and Scotland.

There are no high mountains in the country. In the north the Cheviot Hills separate England from Scotland, the Pennies stretch down North England along its middle.

Most of the rivers are very short. The Themes and Severn are the longest among them. Some of the British ports are situated on the rivers: London – on the river Themes, Liverpool on Mersey river and Glasgow – on the river Clyde.

Great Britain is a highly industrialized country. The main industrial centres are London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Bristol.

Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield constitute the industrial area, called the “Black Country” situated in the middle of the country near coalfields. Its centre is Birmingham which is often called the “City of 1500 Trades”. Sheffield is the city of steel. Manchester is the chief cotton manufacturing city. Liverpool is the first port, exporting the products of the “Black Country”. Bristol is a large port and the centre of aircraft and food industry. In Scotland and Glasgow is the largest shipbuilding and mining centre.

During the 20^th century the position of Great Britain among the countries of the world has changed beyond recognition. It is no longer the leading imperialist state.

Nowadays it is politically and financially dependent on the United States.