[260] Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism are next in number, adding up to 2.8% combined,[260] introduced from India and South East Asia. However, the following are often considered unofficial English national anthems: The capital is London, which is among the world's . Domestically it drove the Industrial Revolution, a period of profound change in the socioeconomic and cultural conditions of England, resulting in industrialised agriculture, manufacture, engineering and mining, as well as new and pioneering road, rail and water networks to facilitate their expansion and development. [298] There is no official national costume, but a few are well established such as the Pearly Kings and Queens associated with cockneys, the Royal Guard, the Morris costume and Beefeaters. At 220 miles (350km), the Severn is the longest river flowing through England. England has an area of 50,337 square miles while Alabama is a little larger, with a land size of 50,645 square miles. [75] Samuel Hynes described the Edwardian era as a "leisurely time when women wore picture hats and did not vote, when the rich were not ashamed to live conspicuously, and the sun really never set on the British flag. Below are the list of states with their cities. Rank Country (or dependent territory) Population (2022) % of pop. [321], In response to the Industrial Revolution, agrarian writers sought a way between liberty and tradition; William Cobbett, G. K. Chesterton and Hilaire Belloc were main exponents, while the founder of guild socialism, Arthur Penty, and cooperative movement advocate G. D. H. Cole are somewhat related. [22] [23] The sea level was lower than the present day and Britain was connected by land bridge to Ireland and Eurasia. The Royal Oak symbol and Oak Apple Day commemorate the escape of King Charles II from the grasp of the parliamentarians after his father's execution: he hid in an oak tree to avoid detection before safely reaching exile. [46] From 1453 to 1487 civil war occurred between two branches of the royal family the Yorkists and Lancastrians known as the Wars of the Roses. [191] United Kingdom is ranked 4 out of 180 countries in the Environmental Performance Index. Some of the most commercially successful films of all time have been produced in England, including two of the highest-grossing film franchises (Harry Potter and James Bond). In 1922, the Irish Free State seceded from the United Kingdom, leading to the latter being renamed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Principality of Wales became a Plantagenet fief during the 13th century[44] and the Lordship of Ireland was given to the English monarchy by the Pope. It was created in 2009 after constitutional changes, taking over the judicial functions of the House of Lords. For many, Orwell captured as well as anyone the essence of what Shakespeare called this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.. [283], Throughout the Plantagenet era, an English Gothic architecture flourished, with prime examples including the medieval cathedrals such as Canterbury Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and York Minster. England retains a significant, though much reduced fishing industry. The administrative divisions together with Northern Ireland, form the four countries of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern . [152], England was a leading centre of the Scientific Revolution from the 17th century. England - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), England - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Rolling thunder: Contestants chase cheese wheel down a hill in chaotic UK race, Everton stays in Premier League after final-day escape, Leicester and Leeds relegated, Folarin Balogun opts to play for US instead of England, UK economy grows sluggishly in 1st quarter as double-digit inflation curbs consumers spending, Bank of England raises UK interest rates to highest level since 2008. Under the Stuart dynasty England expanded in trade, finance and prosperity. [87] In the House of Commons which is the lower house of the British Parliament based at the Palace of Westminster, there are 532 Members of Parliament (MPs) for constituencies in England, out of the 650 total. It has its own distinct variations and regional peculiarities. [140] The bank has a monopoly on the issue of banknotes in England and Wales, although not in other parts of the United Kingdom. [104] These are used primarily as a geographical frame of reference and 38 developed gradually since the Middle Ages, these were reformed to 51 in 1974 and to its current number in 1996. [h] Another early figure from British tradition, King Cole, may have been based on a real figure from Sub-Roman Britain. They were established to protect the most significant areas of habitat and of geological formations. [386] Other English success has come from Manchester United F.C., winning the competition on 3 occasions; Nottingham Forest F.C. A red cross was a symbol for many Crusaders in the 12th and 13th centuries. Rowling. As of 2023, four England-based universities, the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, and University College London, are each ranked among the top ten universities in the world in the 2023 QS World University Rankings. The countrys island location has been of critical importance to the development of the English character, which fosters the seemingly contradictory qualities of candour and reserve along with conformity and eccentricity and which values social harmony and, as is true of many island countries, the good manners that ensure orderly relations in a densely populated landscape. The earliest attested reference to the Angles occurs in the 1st-century work by Tacitus, Germania, in which the Latin word Angliicode: lat promoted to code: la is used. People who strictly identified as "Pagan". [322] Empiricism continued through John Stuart Mill and Bertrand Russell, while Bernard Williams was involved in analytics. It is the largest open-air Asian festival in Europe. Some species have adapted to the expanded urban environment, particularly the red fox, which is the most successful urban mammal after the brown rat, and other animals such as common wood pigeon, both of which thrive in urban and suburban areas. [130] There are 50 settlements which have designated city status in England, while the wider United Kingdom has 66. Map The Country of England is administratively divided into a total of 9 regions, 48 ceremonial counties, 6 metropolitan counties, 24 non-metropolitan counties, 309 districts (including 36 metropolitan boroughs, 32 London boroughs, 181 non-metropolitan districts, 58 unitary authorities, and 2 sui generis), and about 4,500 civil parishes. [203] The NHS is largely funded from general taxation including National Insurance payments,[204] and it provides most of its services free at the point of use, although there are charges for some people for eye tests, dental care, prescriptions and aspects of personal care. [306], The earliest known examples are the prehistoric rock and cave art pieces, most prominent in North Yorkshire, Northumberland and Cumbria, but also feature further south, for example at Creswell Crags. [130] Other urban areas of considerable size and influence tend to be in northern England or the English Midlands. Club sides play in Super League, the present-day embodiment of the Rugby Football League Championship. Gardening, and visiting gardens, are regarded as typically English pursuits. [297] On 5 November people make bonfires, set off fireworks and eat toffee apples in commemoration of the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot centred on Guy Fawkes. [131] Traditionally the status was given to towns with diocesan cathedrals, so there are smaller cities like Wells, Ely, Ripon, Truro and Chichester. While many legends and folk-customs are thought to be ancient, such as the tales featuring Offa of Angel and Wayland the Smith,[291] others date from after the Norman invasion. Schools may choose to permit trousers for girls or religious dress. [210] The South of England has a higher life expectancy than the North; however, regional differences do seem to be slowly narrowing: between 19911993 and 20122014, life expectancy in the North East increased by 6.0 years and in the North West by 5.8 years, the fastest increase in any region outside London, and the gap between life expectancy in the North East and South East is now 2.5 years, down from 2.9 in 1993. [200], London is one of the world's most visited cities, regularly taking the top five most visited cities in Europe. When purchasing drugs, the NHS has significant market power that, based on its own assessment of the fair value of the drugs, influences the global price, typically keeping prices lower. [28] The author of one study of Roman Britain suggested that from 43 AD to 84 AD, the Roman invaders killed somewhere between 100,000 and 250,000 people from a population of perhaps 2,000,000. Much of it consists of rolling hillsides, with the highest elevations found in the north, northwest, and southwest. Subsequently, the House of Plantagenet from Anjou inherited the English throne under Henry II, adding England to the budding Angevin Empire of fiefs the family had inherited in France including Aquitaine. There are plans to reopen lines such as the Varsity Line between Oxford and Cambridge. [352] English producers are also active in international co-productions and English actors, directors and crew feature regularly in American films. Formed of the union of small Celtic and Anglo-Saxon kingdoms during the early medieval period, England has long comprised several distinct regions, each different in dialect, economy, religion, and disposition; indeed, even today many English people identify themselves by the regions or shires from which they comee.g., Yorkshire, the West Country, the Midlandsand retain strong ties to those regions even if they live elsewhere. [299], Since the early modern period the food of England has historically been characterised by its simplicity of approach and a reliance on the high quality of natural produce. The 5 million acres (2 million hectares) scorched so far this year is not far from the annual average of 6 million acres (2.5 . Sports originating in England include association football,[375] cricket, rugby union, rugby league, tennis, boxing, badminton, squash,[376] rounders,[377] hockey, snooker, billiards, darts, table tennis, bowls, netball, thoroughbred horseracing, greyhound racing and fox hunting. The Roanoke colony failed and is known as the lost colony after it was found abandoned on the return of the late-arriving supply ship. The political structure of the island changed in 1603, when the King of Scots, James VI, a kingdom which had been a long-time rival to English interests, inherited the throne of England as James I, thereby creating a personal union. 1 Athelstan was king of Wessex and the first king of all England. [66], During the Industrial Revolution, many workers moved from England's countryside to new and expanding urban industrial areas to work in factories, for instance at Birmingham and Manchester, dubbed "Workshop of the World" and "Warehouse City" respectively. [381] The FA Cup and The Football League were the first cup and league competitions respectively. [89] This when placed in the context of England being the only country of the United Kingdom not to have free prescriptions and free top-up university fees,[90] has led to a steady rise in English nationalism. What state is equal to the size of England? was 14,727,584. [329] Present-day composers from England include Michael Nyman, best known for The Piano, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose musicals have achieved enormous success in the West End and worldwide. [146], Rolls-Royce PLC is the world's second-largest aero-engine manufacturer. [80] Since the 1970s there has been a large move away from manufacturing and an increasing emphasis on the service industry. [249], In the 2011 census, 59.4% of the population of England specified their religion as Christian, 24.7% answered that they had no religion, 5% specified that they were Muslim, while 3.7% of the population belongs to other religions and 7.2% did not give an answer. Outside the London region, England's highest tier is the 48 ceremonial counties. The English monarch paid a tribute to the Doge of Genoa from 1190 onwards so that English ships could fly the flag as a means of protection when entering the Mediterranean. Bank of England says inflation has 'turned corner' despite soaring food prices. [55] He styled himself King of Great Britain, although this had no basis in English law. [193], English Heritage is a governmental body with a broad remit of managing the historic sites, artefacts and environments of England. Contemporary texts describing this period are extremely scarce, giving rise to its description as a Dark Age. Omissions? Britain developed Europe's largest merchant fleet. [351], The BFI Top 100 British films includes Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979), a film regularly voted the funniest of all time by the UK public. [149] Two-thirds of production is devoted to livestock, the other to arable crops. [253] Many cathedrals and parish churches are historic buildings of significant architectural importance, such as Westminster Abbey, York Minster, Durham Cathedral, and Salisbury Cathedral. National Cycle Route offers cycling routes nationally. [11] In 1801, Great Britain was united with the Kingdom of Ireland through another Act of Union to become the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. [344], England (and the UK as a whole) has had a considerable influence on the history of the cinema, producing some of the greatest actors, directors and motion pictures of all time, including Alfred Hitchcock, Charlie Chaplin, David Lean, Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, John Gielgud, Peter Sellers, Julie Andrews, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet and Daniel Day-Lewis. Retrieved 18 February 2012, 'Popular Entertainments through the Ages', Samuel McKechnie. St. Helens, Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants; the former three have all won the World Club Challenge previously. There was a revival in the profile of composers from England in the 20th century led by Edward Elgar, Benjamin Britten, Frederick Delius, Gustav Holst, Ralph Vaughan Williams and others. [340] Following his invention of the circus ring in 1768, Astley's Amphitheatre opened in London in 1773. [213] There has been significant Irish migration. [7] England is also home to the two oldest institutions of higher learning in the English-speaking world, the University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, and the University of Oxford, founded in 1096, both of which are routinely ranked among the most prestigious universities globally. There are non-Christian religions practised. [330], In popular music, many English bands and solo artists have been cited as the most influential and best-selling musicians of all time. The River Thames is the major waterway in England, with imports and exports focused at the Port of Tilbury in the Thames Estuary, one of the United Kingdom's three major ports. [138] London is the largest financial centre in Europe, and as of 2014[update] is the second largest in the world. Sport England is the governing body responsible for distributing funds and providing strategic guidance for sporting activity in England. A romantic name for England is Loegria, related to the Welsh word for England, Lloegrcode: cym promoted to code: cy , and made popular by its use in Arthurian legend. It represents the first global legally binding climate change mitigation target set by a country. [148], Much of the UK's space industry is centred on EADS Astrium, based in Stevenage and Portsmouth. The 2nd-largest Christian practice is the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church. [301] An early book of English recipes is the Forme of Cury from the royal court of Richard II.[302]. The coldest months are January and February, the latter particularly on the English coast, while July is normally the warmest month. Although it is not the same, they are much closer and far from being similar to counties. [184], Successive UK governments have outlined numerous commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. [309] Later Gothic art was popular at Winchester and Canterbury, examples survive such as Benedictional of St. thelwold and Luttrell Psalter. This Celtic Church was gradually joined to the Catholic hierarchy following the 6th-century Gregorian mission to Kent led by StAugustine. The Angles came from the Anglia peninsula in the Bay of Kiel area (present-day German state of Schleswig-Holstein) of the Baltic Sea. Some of the characters and stories are present across England, but most belong to specific regions. [332] Many musical genres have origins in (or strong associations with) England, such as British invasion, progressive rock, hard rock, Mod, glam rock, heavy metal, Britpop, indie rock, gothic rock, shoegazing, acid house, garage, trip hop, drum and bass and dubstep. Islam is the most common of these, now accounting for around 5% of the population in England. Students attending English universities now have to pay tuition fees towards the cost of their education, as do English students who choose to attend university in Scotland. [66] In 1825 the world's first permanent steam locomotive-hauled passenger railway the Stockton and Darlington Railway opened to the public. The Beaker culture arrived around 2,500BC, introducing drinking and food vessels constructed from clay, as well as vessels used as reduction pots to smelt copper ores. [304] Various meat pies are consumed, such as steak and kidney pie, steak and ale pie, cottage pie, pork pie (usually eaten cold)[303] and the Cornish pasty. 1", Region and Country Profiles, Key Statistics and Profiles, October 2013, "Regional gross value added (balanced) per head and income components", Office for National Statistics (United Kingdom), "2022-2023 Best Global Universities Rankings", "Population estimates for UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland", 2011 Census Population and household estimates for England and Wales, March 2011, "The Partition Of Ireland: A Short History", "Palaeolithic Archaeology Teaching Resource Box", "Tertiary Rivers: Tectonic and structural background", "Function and significance of Bell Beaker pottery according to data from residue analyses", "Large-scale population movements into and from Britain south of Hadrian's Wall in the fourth to sixth centuries AD", "Celtic whispers: revisiting the problems of the relation between Brittonic and Old English", "The P-Celtic Place Names of North-East England and South-East Scotland", "Royal Navy History, Tudor Period and the Birth of a Regular Navy", "The term "Great Britain" in the Middle Ages", "Department of History Napoleonic Wars", "Regency | British Architectural Dates and Styles | Property | UK | Mayfair Office", "Obituaries: Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle", "The coming of the Tudors and the Act of Union", "Prescott's dream in tatters as North East rejects assembly", "Gordon Brown pressed on English parliament", "English votes for English laws' plan by Tories", "Constitutional reform: A Supreme Court for the United Kingdom", "Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice GOV.UK", "Offender management statistics quarterly: April to June 2022", "Tiers shed as regional government offices disappear", "North West England & Isle of Man: climate", "It's official the Wren is our commonest bird", "Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs GOV.UK", "Mammals in Britain's cities: A spotter's guide in pictures | Urban wildlife", "BBC - Science & Nature - Pets - Rabbits", "BBC Nature Hare videos, news and facts", "The Complete Guide To: Cathedral cities in the UK", "Global Financial Centres Index, 200903", Regional economic activity by gross value added (balanced), UK: 1998 to 2017, "The Welfare State Never Ending Reform", "Personal allowance: Osborne's budget has been far from generous", "The Bank's relationship with Parliament", "From the Margins to the Mainstream Government unveils new action plan for the creative industries", "New aerospace technologies to get 365 million funding", "Born to fly: the real value of UK aerospace manufacture", "Reasons to be cheerful about the UK aerospace sector", "Ministerial Industry Strategy Group Pharmaceutical Industry: Competitiveness and Performance Indicators", "World Guide England Economy Overview", "Information on Royal Charters | Royal Society", "The formal title as adopted in the royal charter", "Welcome to the Royal Society | Royal Society", "Knowledge, networks and nations: scientific collaborations in the twenty-first century", "Department for Science, Innovation and Technology", "27 September 1825 Opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway", "Crossrail's giant tunnelling machines unveiled", "HS2: When will the line open and how much will it cost? Countries of the United Kingdom Since 1922, the United Kingdom comprises four constituent countries: England, Scotland, and Wales (which collectively make up Great Britain ), as well as Northern Ireland ( variously described as a country, [1] province [citation needed], jurisdiction [2] or region [3] [4] ). [290], English folklore developed over many centuries. [199] Entry to most state-supported museums and galleries is free unlike in other countries. From what to do to where to eat and how to get around, these are the best city guides for you. There are over 90universities in England, all but one of which are public institutions. Current actors include Tom Hardy, Daniel Craig, Benedict Cumberbatch, Lena Headey, Felicity Jones, Emilia Clarke, Lashana Lynch, and Emma Watson. English, today spoken by hundreds of millions of people around the world, originated in what is now England, where it remains the principal tongue. [57] After Cromwell's death and the resignation of his son Richard as Lord Protector, Charles II was invited to return as monarch in 1660, in a move called the Restoration. Below is a list of the 50 U.S. States by area size, from the largest to the smallest state of the United States. Alabama has 4,779,736 people as of the 2010 U.S. census while England's population was 55,977,178 as of 2018 . Colchester in Essex Doncaster in South Yorkshire The Best Days Out in England's Cities If you're looking for insider guides for the top cities in England, then check out the city guides below. Castells, M.; Hall, P.; Hall, P.G. Laced by great rivers and small streams, England is a fertile land, and the generosity of its soil has supported a thriving agricultural economy for millennia. [392] Lord's Cricket Ground situated in London is sometimes referred to as the "Mecca of Cricket". Later, an uprising led by Boudica, Queen of the Iceni, ended with Boudica's suicide following her defeat at the Battle of Watling Street. [126], England has a temperate oceanic climate in most areas, lacking extremes of cold or heat, but does have a few small areas of subarctic and warmer areas in the South West. William of Ockham and Roger Bacon, who were Franciscans, were major philosophers of the Middle Ages. In 2011 there were around 1,600 museums in England. [78] Residential patterns were altered in England by private motoring, and by the creation of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948. [356], English Heritage is a governmental body with a broad remit of managing the historic sites, artefacts and environments of England. Corrections? During the Elizabethan period, England was at war with Spain. [325] Some of the best-known songs are Greensleeves, Pastime with Good Company, Maggie May and Spanish Ladies amongst others. [273], The King's School, Canterbury and King's School, Rochester are the oldest schools in the English-speaking world. There is some ongoing dispute over the definition of 'city', consequently it's been a challenge to produce a list of Cities in England to please all (it's not possible! It has helped the development of golf, sailing and Formula One. [339] Philip Astley is regarded as the father of the modern circus. [201] It is largely considered a global centre of finance, arts and culture. Earlier divisions are unknown because the Britons were not literate. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is about the country. [268], Although most English secondary schools are comprehensive, there are selective intake grammar schools to which entrance is subject to passing the eleven-plus exam. This period of Christianity was influenced by ancient Celtic culture in its sensibilities, polity, practices and theology. [197] The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism is the minister with responsibility over tourism in England. With the emergence of romanticism during Victorian period, a Gothic Revival was launched. England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It was formally established by the Royal Society of Arts in 1867, and since 1986 has been run by English Heritage. [238] After the Norman conquest, the Old English language, brought to Britain by the Anglo-Saxon settlers, was confined to the lower social classes as Norman French and Latin were used by the aristocracy. Red squirrels are now confined to upland and coniferous-forested areas of England, mainly in the north, south west and Isle of Wight. North Yorkshire is still Englands Largest county after the split in 1974. [12], The name "England" is derived from the Old English name Englaland, which means "land of the Angles". Gascoin, J. From 1994 until the early 2010s England was divided into regions, a 1998 referendum for the London Region created the London Assembly two years later. The monarch of the United Kingdom is the supreme governor of the Church of England, which has around 26million baptised members (of whom the vast majority are not regular churchgoers). and Chelsea F.C. In the West Country, Dartmoor and Exmoor of the Southwest Peninsula include upland moorland supported by granite, and enjoy a mild climate; both are national parks.[117]. MAPfrappe/Google Maps Show More Show Less 20 of 44 When a man's accountant asked how he played the lottery so many times and continued to win, he said he was simply "lucky," court documents show. [389] The England cricket team is a composite England and Wales, team. Ecclesiastical architecture ranged from a synthesis of HibernoSaxon monasticism,[281][282] to Early Christian basilica and architecture characterised by pilaster-strips, blank arcading, baluster shafts and triangular headed openings. The average life expectancy of people in England is 77.5 years for males and 81.7 years for females, the highest of the four countries of the United Kingdom. [21] Modern humans are known to have inhabited the area during the Upper Paleolithic period, though permanent settlements were only established within the last 6,000 years. [163], The Royal Society started from groups of physicians and natural philosophers, meeting at a variety of locations, including Gresham College in London. Welsh was spoken in Archenfield in Herefordshire into the nineteenth century,[246] and by natives of parts of western Shropshire until the middle of the twentieth century if not later. [39] In the early 9th century Mercia was displaced as the foremost kingdom by Wessex. [206] In recent years the private sector has been increasingly used to provide more NHS services despite opposition by doctors and trade unions.[207]. Roughly 11,000years ago, when the ice sheets began to recede, humans repopulated the area; genetic research suggests they came from the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula. [35][36] Roman-dominated Christianity had, in general, been replaced in the conquered territories by Anglo-Saxon paganism, but was reintroduced by missionaries from Rome led by Augustine from 597 onwards. Of these 50 states, 48 of them are contiguous, that is, they are connected directly. [167] Between 2004 and 2008 the United Kingdom produced 7 per cent of the world's scientific research papers and had an 8 per cent share of scientific citations, the third and second-highest in the world (after the United States and China, respectively). [127], Grey squirrels introduced from eastern America have forced the decline of the native red squirrel due to competition. The chivalrous bandit, such as Dick Turpin, is a recurring character, while Blackbeard is the archetypal pirate. England Bath and North East Somerset (unitary authority) Bedford (unitary authority) [365][366] It operates numerous television and radio stations in the UK and abroad and its domestic services are funded by the television licence. Some experts claim that the earliest concept of a metric system was invented by John Wilkins, the first secretary of the Royal Society, in 1668. [146], BAE Systems makes large sections of the Typhoon Eurofighter at its sub-assembly plant in Samlesbury and assembles the aircraft for the RAF at its Warton plant, near Preston. [209] Regulatory bodies such as the General Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council are organised on a UK-wide basis, as are non-governmental bodies such as the Royal Colleges. It is actually one [] [194], The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty is a charity which also maintains multiple sites. [151], Prominent English figures from the field of science and mathematics include Sir Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday, Charles Darwin, Robert Hooke, James Prescott Joule, John Dalton, Lord Rayleigh, J. J. Thomson, James Chadwick, Charles Babbage, George Boole, Alan Turing, Tim Berners-Lee, Paul Dirac, Stephen Hawking, Peter Higgs, Roger Penrose, John Horton Conway, Thomas Bayes, Arthur Cayley, G. H. Hardy, Oliver Heaviside, Andrew Wiles, Edward Jenner, Francis Crick, Joseph Lister, Joseph Priestley, Thomas Young, Christopher Wren and Richard Dawkins. Neopaganism in the United Kingdom is primarily represented by Wicca and Witchcraft religions, Druidry, and Heathenry. [237] It is an Indo-European language in the Anglo-Frisian branch of the Germanic family. Football is the most popular of these sports. Common non-alcoholic drinks include tea, the popularity of which was increased by Catherine of Braganza,[305] and coffee; frequently consumed alcoholic drinks include wine, ciders and English beers, such as bitter, mild, stout and brown ale. [312] The Royal Society of Arts is an organisation committed to the arts and culture.[313]. Discover Britain Essential information Places to visit Attractions by theme Issues & institutions You are here : About-Britain.com Institutions Regions For tourist regions , see Tourist regions in the UK. Despite the political, economic, and cultural legacy that has secured the perpetuation of its . [113], There are many lakes in England; the largest is Windermere, within the aptly named Lake District. Samuel Ryder: The Man Behind the Ryder Cup. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. [118] Rainfall is higher in the west, and parts of the Lake District receive more rain than anywhere else in the country. Society was tribal; according to Ptolemy's Geographiacode: lat promoted to code: la there were around 20 tribes in the area. Some of the best-known medieval castles are the Tower of London, Warwick Castle, Durham Castle and Windsor Castle. The geologic complexity of England is strikingly illustrated in the cliff structure of its shoreline. The Cumbrian Mountains, which include the famous Lake District, reach 3,210 feet (978 metres) at Scafell Pike, the highest point in England. [114] The Shropshire Hills are near Wales while Dartmoor and Exmoor are two upland areas in the south-west of the country. Students are then able to work towards a postgraduate degree, which usually takes one year, or towards a doctorate, which takes three or more years. Select a state name to display list of the popular cities and places. (April 2020) The regions, formerly known as the government office regions, are the highest tier of sub-national division in England, established in 1994. This is an alphabetically ordered list of cities and towns in the United Kingdom, arranged by constituent unit ( England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) and by administrative unit (unitary authority, county, and district). Later in that century escalating attacks by the Danes culminated in the conquest of the north and east of England, overthrowing the kingdoms of Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia. Its collection of more than seven million objects[359] is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world,[360] sourced from every continent, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its beginning to the present. It is bordered by two other countries of the United Kingdom: to the north by Scotland and to the west by Wales. [380], At club level, England is recognised by FIFA as the birthplace of club football, due to Sheffield F.C. West - The West in the US refers to the westernmost states of the nation. 19 May 2023. [27] The best-known of the native tribes who attempted to resist were the Catuvellauni led by Caratacus. [411][412] Trina Gulliver is the ten-time Women's World Professional Darts Champion of the British Darts Organisation. There are many motorways in England, and many other trunk roads, such as the A1 Great North Road, which runs through eastern England from London to Newcastle[170] (much of this section is motorway) and onward to the Scottish border. ). Acclaimed for his motion capture work, Andy Serkis opened The Imaginarium Studios in London in 2011. ", "Tim Webber: the man who put Sandra Bullock in space", Barry Ronge's Classic DVD: Alice in Wonderland, "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland", "English World Heritage Sites to get strongest ever protections", "Facts and figures of the British Library", "BBC: World's largest broadcaster & Most trusted media brand", "Microsoft Word The Work of the BBC World Service 200809 HC 334 FINAL.doc", "ABCs: National daily newspaper circulation September 2008", "Hurst the hero for England in the home of football", "Tracking 30 years of TV's most watched programmes", "The father of football deserves much more", "History and time are key to power of football, says Premier League chief", "Premier League towers over world football, says Deloitte", "A Brief History Of Football Chants In England", "Liverpool beat Spurs to become champions of Europe for sixth time", "England 1st country to win Cricket World Cup, Football World Cup and Rugby World Cup", "2019 Cricket World Cup final: England beat Black Caps in greatest ODI in history", "Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sport and Civil Society GOV.UK", "Origins of Rugby Codification "The innovation of running with the ball was introduced some time between 1820 and 1830. The UK's NHS provided publicly funded health care to all UK permanent residents free at the point of need, being paid for from general taxation. Around 7.2 per cent of English schoolchildren attend private schools, which are funded by private sources. England has produced some of the world's greatest sailors, including Francis Chichester, Herbert Hasler, John Ridgway, Robin Knox-Johnston, Ellen MacArthur, Mike Golding, Paul Goodison, and the most successful Olympic sailor ever Ben Ainslie. [175], England has extensive domestic and international aviation links. [143], Most of the UK's 30billion[144] aerospace industry is primarily based in England. [146] Reaction Engines Limited, the company planning to build Skylon, a single-stage-to-orbit spaceplane using their SABRE rocket engine, a combined-cycle, air-breathing rocket propulsion system is based in Culham. The Greater London Built-up Area is by far the largest urban area in England[130] and one of the busiest cities in the world. Upland and mountainous terrain is mostly restricted to the north and west, including the Lake District, Pennines, Dartmoor and Shropshire Hills. [394] London has hosted the Summer Olympic Games three times, in 1908, 1948, and 2012. [354] The visual effects company Framestore in London has produced some of the most critically acclaimed special effects in modern film. The 1950 British Grand Prix at Silverstone was the first race in the newly created Formula One World Championship. The royal county and Berkshire and the metropolitan counties different types of status to other ceremonial counties. p.6469. Englands topography is low in elevation but, except in the east, rarely flat. It is the most watched horse race in the UK, attracting casual observers, and three-time winner Red Rum is the most successful racehorse in the event's history. The table provides a chronological list of the sovereigns of Britain. [239] Modern English has extended this custom of flexibility when it comes to incorporating words from different languages. The second-highest is in Louisiana: 9.34 per 100,000. [171], Great British Railways is a planned state-owned public body that will oversee rail transport in Great Britain from 2023. The capital is London, whose greater metropolitan population of 14.2 million as of 2021 represents the United Kingdom's largest metropolitan area. Medieval architecture was completed with the 16th-century Tudor style; the four-centred arch, now known as the Tudor arch, was a defining feature as were wattle and daub houses domestically. [277] Many of England's most well-known schools, such as Winchester College, Eton, St Paul's School, Harrow School and Rugby School are fee-paying institutions. [224], In 1086, when the Domesday Book was compiled, England had a population of two million. The major victory at the Battle of Trafalgar confirmed the naval supremacy Britain had established during the course of the eighteenth century. [307] With the arrival of Roman culture in the 1st century, various forms of art such as statues, busts, glasswork and mosaics were the norm. Despite now being part of the United Kingdom, the legal system of the Courts of England and Wales continued, under the Treaty of Union, as a separate legal system from the one used in Scotland. It was based on the findings of the Beveridge Report, prepared by economist and social reformer William Beveridge. [226] Due in particular to the economic prosperity of South East England, it has received many economic migrants from the other parts of the United Kingdom. New England is a region of the northeastern United States. Sausages are commonly eaten, either as bangers and mash or toad in the hole. Among the statutes set down were that the law could only be made by Parliament and could not be suspended by the King, also that the King could not impose taxes or raise an army without the prior approval of Parliament. Royal Air Force Alconbury is a British military base located in Cambridgeshire, in the southeastern part of the United Kingdom. [146][147] The pharmaceutical industry plays an important role in the economy, and the UK has the third-highest share of global pharmaceutical R&D expenditures. Lancashire hotpot is a well-known stew originating in the northwest. English language learning and teaching is an important economic activity, and includes language schooling, tourism spending, and publishing. A Christmas carol p. 10. After the last ice age only large mammals such as mammoths, bison and woolly rhinoceros remained. Julius Caesar of the Roman Republic attempted to invade twice in 55BC; although largely unsuccessful, he managed to set up a client king from the Trinovantes. One of the game's top rivalries is The Ashes series between England and Australia, contested since 1882. New England's population in 2015 (est.) The world's oldest golf tournament, and golf's first major is The Open Championship, played both in England and Scotland. [165] After the English Restoration, there were regular meetings at Gresham College. The Independent. United Kingdom, island country located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe. There were internal religious conflicts during the reigns of Henry's daughters, Mary I and Elizabeth I. [320] The poet Alexander Pope with his satirical verse became well regarded. [10], The Kingdom of England, which after 1535 included Wales, ceased being a separate sovereign state on 1 May 1707, when the Acts of Union put into effect the terms agreed in the Treaty of Union the previous year, resulting in a political union with the Kingdom of Scotland to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. Cheddar or bougie brie? With his role in the marketing and manufacturing of the steam engine, and invention of modern coinage, Matthew Boulton (business partner of James Watt) is regarded as one of the most influential entrepreneurs in history. The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent countries, almost all of which were formerly under British rule. More radical elements were later countered by Edmund Burke who is regarded as the founder of conservatism. In the U.S., states are made up of counties, which are in turn made up of towns, cities or other municipal governments. The Department for Education is the government department responsible for issues affecting people in England up to the age of 19, including education. HM Treasury, led by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, is responsible for developing and executing the government's public finance policy and economic policy. In contrast with much of European Protestantism, the roots of the split were more political than theological. Elizabethan England represented the apogee of the English Renaissance and saw the flowering of art, poetry, music and literature. The Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution allows states to exercise all powers of government not . London had the next highest. England has a dense and modern transportation infrastructure. Chipperfield's Circus dates back more than 300 years, making it one of the oldest family circus dynasties. While many cities in England are quite large, such as Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Bradford, Nottingham, population size is not a prerequisite for city status. Middle English literature emerged with Geoffrey Chaucer, author of The Canterbury Tales, along with Gower, the Pearl Poet and Langland. (2004). Early authors such as Bede and Alcuin wrote in Latin. Thanks in large part to the British Empire, the English language is the world's unofficial lingua franca.[240]. Some English people, especially in the north, were Jacobites and continued to support James and his sons. Some of the most successful clubs include Wigan Warriors, Hull F.C. The area of Alaska is 18% of the area of the United States and 21% of the area of the contiguous United States . Other sedimentary layers have yielded chains of hills ranging from 965 feet (294 metres) in the North Downs to 1,083 feet (330 metres) in the Cotswolds. Outside the British Isles, England is often erroneously considered synonymous with the island of Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and even with the entire United Kingdom. The scheme was the brainchild of politician William Ewart in 1863 and was initiated in 1866. [114] Most of England's landscape consists of low hills and plains, with upland and mountainous terrain in the north and west of the country. [73] Technologically, this era saw many innovations that proved key to the United Kingdom's power and prosperity. Its engines power more than 30 types of commercial aircraft, and it has more 30,000 engines currently in service across both the civil and defence sectors. [258] During the English Civil War and Interregnum, the New Model Army's standards and the Commonwealth's Great Seal both incorporated the flag of Saint George.[415][416]. Other Pagan paths, such as Druidism, and general "Pagan" have not been included in this number. [260], A small minority of the population practise ancient Pagan religions. Tennis was created in Birmingham in the late 19th century, and the Wimbledon Championships is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and widely considered the most prestigious. Loughborough University, 2016). [406] In women's boxing, Nicola Adams became the world's first woman to win an Olympic boxing gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics. [192] A law has been passed that UK greenhouse gas emissions will be net zero by 2050. England competes in the Commonwealth Games, held every four years. [338], The circus is a traditional form of entertainment in England. "A reappraisal of the role of the universities in the Scientific Revolution", in Lindberg, David C. and Westman, Robert S., eds (1990), Ronald Shillingford (2010). [55] To accommodate the union, institutions such as the law and national churches of each remained separate. [178], Energy use in the United Kingdom stood at 2,249 TWh (193.4 million tonnes of oil equivalent) in 2014. The states and territories included in the United States Census Bureau's statistics for the United States population, ethnicity, religion, and most other categories include the 50 states and Washington, D.C..Separate statistics are maintained for the five permanently inhabited territories of the United States: Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana . In 2013, the British Government pledged 60 million to the Skylon project: this investment will provide support at a "crucial stage" to allow a full-scale prototype of the SABRE engine to be built. People who strictly identified as "Wiccan". [396] The England rugby union team won the 2003 Rugby World Cup, with Jonny Wilkinson scoring the winning drop goal in the last minute of extra time against Australia. The cuisine of England has, however, recently undergone a revival, which has been recognised by food critics with some good ratings in Restaurant's best restaurant in the world charts. The northern uplands include the Pennines, a chain of uplands dividing east and west, the Lake District mountains in Cumbria, and the Cheviot Hills, straddling the border between England and Scotland. [317] Filmer wrote on the Divine Right of Kings. [271], Higher education students normally attend university from age 18 onwards, where they study for an academic degree. The church regards itself as both Catholic and Protestant.[252]. DAY OUT IN LONDON DAY OUT IN BATH DAY OUT IN PORTSMOUT H These tales may have come to prominence, at least in part, as an attempt by the Norman ruling elite to legitimise their rule of the British Isles, finding, Lyndsey Bakewell, "Changing scenes and flying machines: re-examination of spectacle and the spectacular in Restoration theatre, 16601714" (PhD. The earliest known evidence of human presence in the area now known as England was that of Homo antecessor, dating to approximately 780,000 years ago. Early English composers in classical music include Renaissance artists Thomas Tallis and William Byrd, followed up by Henry Purcell from the Baroque period and Thomas Arne who was well known for his patriotic song Rule, Britannia!. The term was then used in a different sense to the modern one, meaning "the land inhabited by the English", and it included English people in what is now south-east Scotland but was then part of the English kingdom of Northumbria. Sweet pastries include scones (either plain or containing dried fruit) served with jam or cream, dried fruit loaves, Eccles cakes and mince pies as well as a wide range of sweet or spiced biscuits. Based on conflicting political, religious and social positions, the English Civil War was fought between the supporters of Parliament and those of King Charles I, known colloquially as Roundheads and Cavaliers respectively. England also has a rich heritage in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, the premier championship of motorcycle road racing, and produced several World Champions across all the various class of motorcycle: Mike Hailwood, John Surtees, Phil Read, Geoff Duke, and Barry Sheene. There is a rapid transit network in two English cities: the London Underground; and the Tyne and Wear Metro in Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead and Sunderland. However, following the 2011 census data released by the Office for National Statistics, figures now show that Polish is the main language spoken in England after English. Following the war, the British Empire experienced rapid decolonisation, and there was a speeding-up of technological innovations; automobiles became the primary means of transport and Frank Whittle's development of the jet engine led to wider air travel. 24.7% of people in England declared no religion in 2011, compared with 14.6% in 2001. 8 November 2016, Richard Michael Kelly. [361][362] The most senior art gallery is the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, which houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. [280] Another well-preserved example is the Roman Baths at Bath, Somerset. England is closer than any other part of mainland Britain to the European continent. England's climate is very suitable for lagomorphs and the country has rabbits and brown hares which were introduced in Roman times. [250] Christianity is the most widely practised religion in England, as it has been since the Early Middle Ages, although it was first introduced much earlier in Gaelic and Roman times. Phil Taylor is widely regarded as the best darts player of all time, having won 187 professional tournaments, and a record 16 World Championships. [180] Wind power contributed 15% of UK electricity generation in 2017. David Christopher (2002). According to Bede, missionaries were sent from Rome by Eleutherius at the request of the chieftain Lucius of Britain in 180 AD, to settle differences as to Eastern and Western ceremonials, which were disturbing the church. It is separated from France (Hauts-de-France) by a 21-mile (34km)[109] sea gap, though the two countries are connected by the Channel Tunnel near Folkestone. [358], There are many museums in England, but perhaps the most notable is London's British Museum. An armada sailed from Spain in 1588 as part of a wider plan to invade England and re-establish a Catholic monarchy. Classical music attracted much attention from 1784 with the formation of the Birmingham Triennial Music Festival, which was the longest running classical music festival of its kind until the final concerts in 1912. [347], Major film studios in England include Pinewood, Elstree and Shepperton. p. 74. Erosion by rain, river, and tides and subsidence in parts of eastern England subsequently shaped the hills and the coastline. Yet, the UK still has more people than the 27 least populated states combined.

Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe, Cheat Engine Value Type, Ncaa Volleyball Quiet Period 2022, Used Mazda For Sale Under $5,000 Near Illinois, Box Truck Driving Jobs No Cdl Near Me, Jungwon Enhypen Nicknames,