Meet United Kingdom
Comprised of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom is one of the world’s most powerful countries and most beautiful destinations. From its low mountains to its rolling plains, this country, though only slightly smaller than the state of Oregon, has a dynamic and well-known history. Sites like Stonehenge represent the prehistoric predecessors of this nation, which has flourished from Viking settlement to world power.
Great Britain’s population is approximately 60 million — the second largest in the European Union and the 20th-largest in the world. Its overall population density is one of the highest in the world. Almost one-third of the population lives in England’s fertile southeast. Because of the many invasions in Great Britain’s history, there is a great deal of diversity in the population. There are European peoples, including Celts, Angels, Saxons, Jutes, French and Danes, among others.
English is the official language of Great Britain, and is the primary language of the majority of its citizens. In North Wales and more remote parts of Scotland, people may still speak Welsh or Scottish Gaelic, which are the original languages in that area. Although these languages are preserved, schools teach English as the first language.
Traditional Food
Fish 'n' Chips
In the 17th and 18th centuries, as the United Kingdom’s industrial north added fried potato strips, or chips, to their diet, the London area took advantage of the large cod, haddock and other white fish populations off the shores. Chips quickly became a staple, and fried fish restaurants started popping up all along the coast. In no time at all, the two popular, inexpensive dishes made their way onto the same plate – and have stayed together ever since.
Country Info
Capital:
London
Population:
61,838,154
Student Snapshot
Teenagers in Great Britain may partake in a number of different activities when they get together with one another. On the weekends, they may meet up in the town to go shopping, go for a pizza or burger, play a sport, go to the cinema, or just go to a friend’s house to watch a video or play computer games. During the week, many teenagers participate in sports, music, drama or another extracurricular activity.
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Fun Facts
- Contrary to popular belief, Big Ben does not refer to the famous clock tower, but instead the thirteen ton bell inside the tower.
- While “fish and chips” may be the most well-known dish out of England, the national dish is chicken tikka masala, a Pakistani tradition – making the England one of the few countries whose national dish is not native to that country.
- Scotland is known as the home and birthplace of golf.
- The national animal of Scotland is the unicorn.
- Welsh and English are the official languages of Wales.
- The RMS Titanic was built in Belfast.