EnglandEngland (Lat (Latin in AngliaAnglia))

  

England occupies all of the island east of England occupies all of the island east of Wales and south of Scotland, other Wales and south of Scotland, other divisions of the island of Great Britain. divisions of the island of Great Britain. Established as an independent monarchy Established as an independent monarchy many centuries ago, England in time many centuries ago, England in time achieved political control over the rest of achieved political control over the rest of the island, all the British Isles, and vast the island, all the British Isles, and vast sections of the world, becoming one of sections of the world, becoming one of the greatest empires in history. The the greatest empires in history. The capital, largest city, and chief port of capital, largest city, and chief port of England is London. It is also the capital England is London. It is also the capital of the United Kingdom and the site of of the United Kingdom and the site of the headquarters of the Commonwealth the headquarters of the Commonwealth ofof NationsNations..

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The total area of England is 130,410 The total area of England is 130,410 sq km, 57 percent of the area of the sq km, 57 percent of the area of the island. This total, approximately the island. This total, approximately the size of the state of North Carolina, size of the state of North Carolina, includes the region of the Isles of includes the region of the Isles of Scilly, southwest of Land’s End in Scilly, southwest of Land’s End in the Atlantic Ocean; the Isle of Wight, the Atlantic Ocean; the Isle of Wight, located off the southern coast; and located off the southern coast; and the Isle of Man, located in the Irish the Isle of Man, located in the Irish Sea.Sea.

THE LANDTHE LAND One of the principal physiographic features of England, One of the principal physiographic features of England,

as well as of the entire island of Great Britain, is the as well as of the entire island of Great Britain, is the deeply indented coast. Most of the indentations are deeply indented coast. Most of the indentations are excellent natural harbours, easily accessible to excellent natural harbours, easily accessible to deepwater shipping, a factor that has been decisive in deepwater shipping, a factor that has been decisive in the economic development and imperial expansion of the economic development and imperial expansion of England. By virtue of the high tides that prevail along England. By virtue of the high tides that prevail along the eastern coast, a number of rivers and their the eastern coast, a number of rivers and their estuaries provide this region with safe anchorages. The estuaries provide this region with safe anchorages. The most important of these belong to such ports as most important of these belong to such ports as Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne, on the Tyne River; , on the Tyne River; MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough, on the Tees River; , on the Tees River; HullHull, on the , on the Humber River; Humber River; Great YarmouthGreat Yarmouth, on the estuary of the , on the estuary of the Yare River; and Yare River; and LondonLondon, on the Thames River. The , on the Thames River. The most important harbours on the most important harbours on the southern coastsouthern coast include those of include those of Dover, Hastings, EastbourneDover, Hastings, Eastbourne, , Brighton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, and Brighton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, and PlymouthPlymouth. The . The western coastwestern coast, considerably more , considerably more broken than either the eastern or southern coast, also broken than either the eastern or southern coast, also has numerous anchorages. Of outstanding commercial has numerous anchorages. Of outstanding commercial importance are the harbour of importance are the harbour of BristolBristol, at the , at the confluence of Bristol Channel and the Severn River; and confluence of Bristol Channel and the Severn River; and Liverpool HarbourLiverpool Harbour, at the mouth of the Mersey River., at the mouth of the Mersey River.

The principal highland region, The principal highland region, the Pennine Chainthe Pennine Chain (or (or Pennines), forms the backbone of northern England. It is Pennines), forms the backbone of northern England. It is composed of several ranges extending south from composed of several ranges extending south from the the Cheviot HillsCheviot Hills to the valley of the Trent River and to the valley of the Trent River and numerous spurs and extensions that radiate in all numerous spurs and extensions that radiate in all directions. The highest summit in England is directions. The highest summit in England is Scafell PikeScafell Pike (978 m above sea level), located in the nearby (978 m above sea level), located in the nearby Cumbrian Cumbrian MountainsMountains, which has some 25 summits above 457 m. A , which has some 25 summits above 457 m. A large portion of the area occupied by the Pennine Chain large portion of the area occupied by the Pennine Chain comprises comprises the Lakethe Lake DistrictDistrict, one of the most picturesque , one of the most picturesque regions in England. The terrain east of Wales and between regions in England. The terrain east of Wales and between the southern extremities of the Pennine Chain and Bristol the southern extremities of the Pennine Chain and Bristol Channel is an extension of the rolling plain that occupies Channel is an extension of the rolling plain that occupies most of central and eastern England. Much of the western most of central and eastern England. Much of the western part of this central region is known as part of this central region is known as the Midlandsthe Midlands; it ; it contains an area that is known as contains an area that is known as the Black Countrythe Black Country because of its intensive industrial development. To the because of its intensive industrial development. To the east lies east lies The FensThe Fens, a vast drained marsh area. To the , a vast drained marsh area. To the south of Bristol Channel an elevated plateau slopes south of Bristol Channel an elevated plateau slopes upward, culminating in the barren uplands and moors of upward, culminating in the barren uplands and moors of CornwallCornwall and and DevonDevon. . DartmoorDartmoor (about 600 (about 600 m m above sea above sea level), one of the wildest tracts in England, is situated in level), one of the wildest tracts in England, is situated in this region. Successive ranges of chalk hills, seen from the this region. Successive ranges of chalk hills, seen from the English Channel as white cliffs, project eastward from English Channel as white cliffs, project eastward from Devon to the Strait of Dover.Devon to the Strait of Dover.

ClimateClimate As a result of the relative warmth of the As a result of the relative warmth of the

nearby seas, England has a moderate nearby seas, England has a moderate climate, rarely marked by extremes of climate, rarely marked by extremes of heat or cold. The mean annual heat or cold. The mean annual temperature ranges between 11° C in the temperature ranges between 11° C in the south and 9° C in the northeast. Seasonal south and 9° C in the northeast. Seasonal temperatures vary between a mean of temperatures vary between a mean of about 16° C during July, the hottest about 16° C during July, the hottest month of the year, and 4° C during month of the year, and 4° C during January, the coldest month. The average January, the coldest month. The average January and July temperatures for the city January and July temperatures for the city of London are 4° C and 18° C, of London are 4° C and 18° C, respectively. Fogs, mists, and overcast respectively. Fogs, mists, and overcast skies are frequent, particularly in the skies are frequent, particularly in the Pennine and inland regions. Pennine and inland regions.

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources England has some agricultural and England has some agricultural and

mineral resources but must rely on mineral resources but must rely on imports of both. Approximately two-imports of both. Approximately two-fifths of the land area is arable, with fifths of the land area is arable, with the richest soils found in the east. the richest soils found in the east. Substantial reserves of iron ore are Substantial reserves of iron ore are concentrated in Cumbria, concentrated in Cumbria, Staffordshire, and Lancashire. Staffordshire, and Lancashire. Waterpower resources are small and Waterpower resources are small and mostly concentrated in the highlands mostly concentrated in the highlands of Cumbria, in northernof Cumbria, in northern England. England.

Plants and AnimalsPlants and Animals In early times, England, like most of the island of In early times, England, like most of the island of

Great Britain, was heavily forested, chiefly with Great Britain, was heavily forested, chiefly with oak and beech in the lowlands and pine and birch oak and beech in the lowlands and pine and birch in the mountainous areas. Woodlands now in the mountainous areas. Woodlands now constitute about 8 percent of the total land area. constitute about 8 percent of the total land area. Various types of fruit trees are cultivated, Various types of fruit trees are cultivated, including the cherry, apple, and plum. Numerous including the cherry, apple, and plum. Numerous varieties of wildflowers are also found.varieties of wildflowers are also found.

Among the chief indigenous fauna of England are Among the chief indigenous fauna of England are several species of deer, fox, rabbit, hare, and several species of deer, fox, rabbit, hare, and badger. The most widespread bird is the meadow badger. The most widespread bird is the meadow pipit, and sparrows are abundant. Grouse are pipit, and sparrows are abundant. Grouse are found in the northern counties. Other familiar found in the northern counties. Other familiar species are the crow, pigeon, rook, starling, and species are the crow, pigeon, rook, starling, and several members of the thrush family. Reptiles, several members of the thrush family. Reptiles, of which only four species occur on the entire of which only four species occur on the entire island of Great Britain, are rare in England. The island of Great Britain, are rare in England. The most common freshwater fishes found in England most common freshwater fishes found in England are trout and salmon.are trout and salmon.

Sherwood forest in central England was formerly a royal forest. It is famous as the hideout of legendary English outlaw Robin Hood during the late-14th or early-15th

century. Shown here is an oak tree in the forest with props supporting its heavy branches.

POPULATIONPOPULATION The great majority of the people of The great majority of the people of

England, like those of the British Isles in England, like those of the British Isles in general, are descended from early Celtic general, are descended from early Celtic and Iberian peoples and later invaders of and Iberian peoples and later invaders of the islands, including the Romans, Anglo-the islands, including the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Danes, and Normans. After 1945 Saxons, Danes, and Normans. After 1945 substantial numbers of blacks and Asians substantial numbers of blacks and Asians immigratedimmigrated came came into the country. into the country. England, once a nation of small rural England, once a nation of small rural villages, has become highly urban since the villages, has become highly urban since the early 19th centuryearly 19th century..

The population of England in 2004 was The population of England in 2004 was 50,093,800. The overall population density 50,093,800. The overall population density of 384 persons per sq km was one of the of 384 persons per sq km was one of the highest in the world.highest in the world.

Political DivisionsPolitical Divisions For local governmental purposes, For local governmental purposes,

England is divided into 34 counties, England is divided into 34 counties, 46 unitary authorities, and Greater 46 unitary authorities, and Greater London (established in 1965 as a London (established in 1965 as a separate administrative entity). The separate administrative entity). The countiescounties are subdivided into are subdivided into districtsdistricts, , which together are further divided which together are further divided into into parishesparishes. Each level of local . Each level of local government is presided over by a government is presided over by a councilcouncil, the members of which are , the members of which are elected to four-year terms. In elected to four-year terms. In districts that have the title of city or districts that have the title of city or borough, the chairperson of the borough, the chairperson of the council is the council is the mayormayor. .

Administrative Units of EnglandAdministrative Units of England* Not necessarily comparable in geographic * Not necessarily comparable in geographic area with the present counties of the same area with the present counties of the same

name.name.

Bath & NESomersetBath & NESomerset NottinghamNottingham

Blackburn with DarwenBlackburn with Darwen PeterboroughPeterborough

BlackpoolBlackpool PlymouthPlymouth BournemouthBournemouth PoolePoole Bracknell ForestBracknell Forest

PortsmouthPortsmouth Brighton and HoveBrighton and Hove

ReadingReading BristolBristol Redcar & Redcar &

ClevelandCleveland DarlingtonDarlington RutlandRutland DerbyDerby SloughSlough East Riding of YorkshireEast Riding of Yorkshire

South GloucestershireSouth Gloucestershire

HaltonHalton SouthamptonSouthampton HartlepoolHartlepool Southend-on-SeaSouthend-on-Sea HerefordshireHerefordshire Stockton-on-Stockton-on-

TeesTees Isle of WightIsle of Wight Stoke-on-TrentStoke-on-Trent Kingston upon HullKingston upon Hull SwindonSwindon LeicesterLeicester Telford and WrekinTelford and Wrekin LutonLuton ThurrockThurrock Medway TownsMedway Towns TorbayTorbay MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough WarringtonWarrington Milton KeynesMilton Keynes Windsor & Windsor &

MaidenheadMaidenhead North East LincolnshireNorth East Lincolnshire West West

BerkshireBerkshire North LincolnshireNorth Lincolnshire

WokinghamWokingham North SomersetNorth Somerset YorkYork

COUNTIESCOUNTIES BedfordshireBedfordshire LancashireLancashire BerkshireBerkshire LeicestershireLeicestershire BuckinghamshireBuckinghamshire LincolnshireLincolnshire CambridgeshireCambridgeshire NorfolkNorfolk CheshireCheshire NorthYorkshireNorthYorkshire CornwallCornwall NorthamptonshireNorthamptonshire CumbriaCumbria NorthumberlandNorthumberland DerbyshireDerbyshire NottinghamshireNottinghamshire

DevonDevon OxfordshireOxfordshire DorsetDorset ShropshireShropshire DurhamDurham SomersetSomerset EastEast SussexSussex StaffordshireStaffordshire EssexEssex SuffolkSuffolk GloucestershireGloucestershire SurreySurrey HampshireHampshire WarwickshireWarwickshire HertfordshireHertfordshire West SussexWest Sussex KentKent WiltshireWiltshire

METROPOLITAN DISTRICTSMETROPOLITAN DISTRICTSGreater LondonGreater London, , Tyne & WearTyne & Wear, , Greater ManchesterGreater Manchester, , WestWest MidlandsMidlands, , MerseysideMerseyside, , West YorkshireWest Yorkshire, , South YorkshireSouth Yorkshire

Somerset, county, south-western England; Taunton is the administrative centre. Somerset borders the

Bristol Channel on the north and contains a central lowland area surrounded by ranges of hills. Somerset is known for its cider making and

dairying, the town of Cheddar here having given its name to the famous cheese. The hilly districts are rich in minerals, especially dolomite and barites. Somerset has evidence of prehistoric habitation, including a lake dwelling near Glastonbury. The

area was absorbed by the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex in the 7th century.

Principal CitiesPrincipal Cities After After LondonLondon, , BirminghamBirmingham, population , population

976,400 (2001), is the second largest city and 976,400 (2001), is the second largest city and is the centre of an extensive industrial area is the centre of an extensive industrial area that contains major concentrations of the that contains major concentrations of the automotive and other industries. automotive and other industries. LiverpoolLiverpool (439,500) is the second largest port and a (439,500) is the second largest port and a major cargo export outlet for Britain; it is also major cargo export outlet for Britain; it is also a great commercial and industrial centre. a great commercial and industrial centre. ManchesterManchester (392,900) is the chief (392,900) is the chief commercial hub of the cotton and synthetic-commercial hub of the cotton and synthetic-fibber textile industries, as well as an fibber textile industries, as well as an important financial and commercial centre and important financial and commercial centre and a major port. Among other important cities are a major port. Among other important cities are Sheffield Sheffield (513,100), the heavy engineering (513,100), the heavy engineering centre famous for its high-quality steels, centre famous for its high-quality steels, cutlery, and tools, and cutlery, and tools, and BristolBristol (380,600), a (380,600), a leading port and commercial centre.leading port and commercial centre.

The Lake District, in England's northwestern corner, includes The Lake District, in England's northwestern corner, includes some of the country's most beautiful and varied landscapes. some of the country's most beautiful and varied landscapes.

Located in the county of Cumbria, the area has, since the 18th Located in the county of Cumbria, the area has, since the 18th century, attracted romantic poets such as William century, attracted romantic poets such as William

Wordsworth, who hoped to capture the rugged appeal of its Wordsworth, who hoped to capture the rugged appeal of its deep blue lakes, rocky peaks, rolling green pastures, and deep blue lakes, rocky peaks, rolling green pastures, and

isolated villages. The Lake District's Scafell Pike is England's isolated villages. The Lake District's Scafell Pike is England's highest mountain, at 978 m above sea level.highest mountain, at 978 m above sea level.

Fabled White Cliffs of Dover Fabled White Cliffs of Dover The rough and stormy English Channel flows between The rough and stormy English Channel flows between

the southern coast of England and the northern coast of the southern coast of England and the northern coast of France, and it connects the Atlantic Ocean with the France, and it connects the Atlantic Ocean with the

North Sea. The channel is 565 km (351 mi) long, with a North Sea. The channel is 565 km (351 mi) long, with a maximum width of 240 km (150 mi). At its narrowest maximum width of 240 km (150 mi). At its narrowest

point-between Dover, England, and Cap Gris-Nez, point-between Dover, England, and Cap Gris-Nez, France-it is only 34 km (21 mi) wide. Shown here are France-it is only 34 km (21 mi) wide. Shown here are the famed White Cliffs of Dover, towering chalk bluffs the famed White Cliffs of Dover, towering chalk bluffs facing the English Channel at the port town of Dover.facing the English Channel at the port town of Dover.

White Horse of Wiltshire White Horse of Wiltshire Seven enormous carved white horses adorn the chalk Seven enormous carved white horses adorn the chalk

hillsides of the Wiltshire Downs in England. Although it hillsides of the Wiltshire Downs in England. Although it is not clear when these enigmatic carvings were made, is not clear when these enigmatic carvings were made, they are popularly associated with Alfred the Great's they are popularly associated with Alfred the Great's

victory over the Danes in the late 9th century.victory over the Danes in the late 9th century.

Shown here is the cape of Lands End in Cornwall, Shown here is the cape of Lands End in Cornwall, England. The cape marks the westernmost part of the England. The cape marks the westernmost part of the English mainland. Tourists are attracted to Cornwall English mainland. Tourists are attracted to Cornwall

because of its favourable climate and natural beauty.because of its favourable climate and natural beauty.

Dartmoor Prison, England Dartmoor Prison, England Built in 1802 to hold French prisoners of the Napoleonic Built in 1802 to hold French prisoners of the Napoleonic

Wars, Britain’s famous Dartmoor Prison lies in the historic Wars, Britain’s famous Dartmoor Prison lies in the historic moor lands of moor lands of south-westernsouth-western England. The region’s rugged England. The region’s rugged

beauty results from a dramatic combination of granite beauty results from a dramatic combination of granite outcroppings, heather-covered slopes, grassy lowlands, and outcroppings, heather-covered slopes, grassy lowlands, and

tracts of dark peat and treacherous bogs. The wild and tracts of dark peat and treacherous bogs. The wild and desolate terrain of Dartmoor is vividly evoked in Sir Arthur desolate terrain of Dartmoor is vividly evoked in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Conan Doyle's The Hound of the BaskervillesThe Hound of the Baskervilles (1902). The (1902). The

region is also the site of several prehistoric building remains region is also the site of several prehistoric building remains and Druidic settlementsand Druidic settlements

Culture and traditionsCulture and traditions