The united kingdom
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THE UNITED KINGDOM
A visit to our friends “across the pond” is a delightful study in the roots of
American culture. Literary giants like Shakespeare, Dickens and Austen
come to life on this storied island. Yes, England swings—from the double-decker
buses of London to Stonehenge’s mystical circle to York’s medieval grandeur.
Scotland’s green grasses give way to pristinely preserved cities and an unmatched
commitment to hospitality. The world itself seems just a bit more civilized
as you roam the land of tea, biscuits and royalty.
history
Not always a world powerhouse, Britain was riddled with invasions during the early
stages of its history—from the Roman invasion in 55 B.C. to the pivotal incursions of
the Angles, Saxons and Jutes in the fifth and sixth centuries, and on to the Norman
conquest in 1066. Norman rule effectively ensured Britain’s safety from further
intrusions and ushered in a unique culture, system of government, religion and
educational system.
Initiated to support William the Conqueror’s holdings in France, Britain’s policy of
active involvement and trade with continental Europe endured for several hundred
years. The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 firmly established England as a
major sea power. Thereafter, its interests outside Europe grew steadily. In search
of an alternate route to the Spice Islands, English explorer John Cabot reached
North America in 1498. The first established English settlement didn’t occur until
Jamestown in 1607. During the next two centuries, Britain extended its influence
abroad, culminating with the long reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901. At this
point, the mighty United Kingdom encompassed roughly one-fifth to one-quarter of
the world’s area and population.
The twentieth century saw a Britain with resources heavily depleted by war and
colonies that had developed a stronger sense of nationalism. Between WWI and
WWII, Ireland gained independence from the United Kingdom—save six northern,
predominantly Protestant counties. In 1926, Australia, New Zealand and Canada were
granted autonomy within the empire, becoming members of the Commonwealth.
India and Pakistan gained full independence in 1947, followed shortly thereafter
by the majority of the United Kingdom’s holdings worldwide. But although the
Great Britain of today is only a fraction of its former self, it still maintains a strong
democratic voice in the modern world. As one of the five permanent members of the
UN Security Council and a founding member of NATO, the UK pursues a global
approach to foreign policy and enjoys the respect of nations worldwide.
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THE UNITED KINGDOM
Continued
United kingdom
fasT Facts
Capital
Population
Language
Currency
Time Zone
Electricity
holidays &
festivals
January January
January 11
January 25
March
March 17
March 29
April April 23
May
May 1
June
June
June
June-July
July
August
August
August
October-November
November 5
November 30
A
B
London
60.5 million
English, Welsh
British pound (GBP)
EST plus 5 hours
230V, 50Hz
C
E
F
G
I
J
K
L
M
D
Hogmanay Festival (Edinburgh)
Up-Helly-Aa (Scotland)
The Burning of the Clavie (Scotland)
Robert Burns Night (Scotland)
Crufts Dog Show (Birmingham)
St. Patrick’s Day
Oxford/Cambridge University Boat Race (River Thames)
St. Andrew’s Golf Week
St. George’s Day
Chelsea Flower Show
May Day
Queen’s Birthday Parade (London)
Wimbledon (England)
Trooping of the Colour (London)
Glasgow International Jazz Festival
Llangollen (Wales)
Notting Hill Carnival
Edinburgh International Festival
Eisteddfod (Wales)
Belfast Festival
Guy Fawkes Day (England)
St Andrew’s Day (Scotland)
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THE UNITED KINGDOM
Continued
BOOKS
-The Bride of Lammermoor, by Sir Walter Scott
-Notes from a Small Island, by Bill Bryson
-Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon
- The Road North: 300 Years of Classic Scottish Travel Writing,
by June Skinner Sawyers
-Robert Burns: Selected Poems and Songs, by Robert Burn
-William Wallace: Guardian of Scotland, by A.F. Murison
VIDEOS
- Brigadoon (1954)
- Braveheart (1995)
- Rob Roy (1995)
- Elizabeth (1998)
- Calendar Girls (2003)
Local Tourism
web sites
England............................................................................................www.enjoyengland.com
Great Britain...................................................................................... www.visitbritain.com
Scotland............................................................................................. www.visitscotland.com
Wales......................................................................................................www.visitwales.com
british slang
for travelers
Hello
Goodbye
Thank you
I don’t understand
Biscuit
Crackers/cookies
Telephone
Watch your step
Alright
Cheerio/Cheers/Ta-ta
Cheers
I’m all at sea
Bicky
Biscuits
Blower
Mind the gap
weather
Great Britain’s weather is wet year-round, with pleasant summers and cool winters. London
fog goes beyond the city limits, as humidity creates many misty mornings across the whole
island. The East Coast is the coldest in winter, while the West gets the most rain. Bring
lightweight clothes in the summer and warmer layers in winter, especially in the North.
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THE UNITED KINGDOM
Continued
average
temperatures
Belfast
Dublin
Edinburgh
Glasgow
London
York
January
40˚
42˚
37˚
38˚
41˚
38˚
April
46˚
47˚
45˚
45˚
48˚
46˚
July
58˚
60˚
58˚
58˚
65˚
61˚
October
49˚
51˚
48˚
48˚
54˚
50˚
Temperatures are in °F. For specific weather information, visit www.accuweather.com.
TIPS FOR
TIPPING
Some restaurants and most hotels add a service charge of 10 to 15 percent of the bill. If this
has been done, you’re under no obligation to tip further. If no service charge is indicated,
add 10 to 15 percent to your total bill.
Currency
NoTES
Although Great Britain is a highly involved member of the European Union, it has
decided for now to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union and stick with the
Great Britain pound as its standard of currency. Visit www.exchangerate.com for the most
up-to-date exchange-rate information.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Stonehenge is surely Britain’s greatest
historical icon, symbolizing mystery,
power and endurance. And although its
original purpose is unclear to us, some
have speculated that it was a temple
made for the worship of ancient deities or
used for marking significant events on
the prehistoric calendar.
- The Scottish island Ailsa Craig is famous
for being the sole source of the stones used
in the sport of curling.
- Loch Ness by volume holds more fresh
water than all the lakes and reservoirs in
England and Wales combined. Perhaps
that is why sightings of the loch’s 1,400-
year-old legend, Nessie, are so elusive.
- There are about 40 abandoned stations in
London’s Underground subway network,
both below and above ground. Some of
these forgotten transportation hubs are
intact, grimy time capsules of the era in
which they were closed.
- Bagpipes have been banned twice in
Scotland’s history, the first after the
reformation in 1560 and again in 1746
after the Battle of Culloden. The ban was
so strictly enforced that piper James Reid
was executed in 1746 as a rebel, because
bagpipes were deemed an instrument
of war.
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