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Great Britain

Officially United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, constitutional monarchy (1996 est. pop. 57,412,000), 94,226 sq mi (244,044 sq km), on the British Isles, off W Europe. The country is often referred to simply as Britain. Technically, Great Britain comprises England (1991 pop. 46,382,050), 50,334 sq mi (130,365 sq km); Wales (1991 pop. 2,798,200), 8,016 sq mi (20,761 sq km); and Scotland (1991 pop. 4,957,000), 30,414 sq mi (78,772 sq km) on the island of Great Britain, while the United Kingdom includes Great Britain as well as Northern Ireland (1991 pop. 1,577,836), 5,462 sq mi (14,146 sq km) on the island of Ireland.More Information on Britain.

Full country name: Great Britain
Area: 129,720 sq km
Population: 51 million
Capital City: London
People: Anglo-Saxons, Scots, Welsh, Irish, West Indians, Pakistanis, Indians
Language: English
Religion: Church of England, Catholic, Methodist, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and Hindu.
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II
Head of Government: Prime Minister Tony Blair

Also Read: Demographics Of Britain

History of Britain

The first-known inhabitants of England were small bands of hunters, but Stone Age immigrants arrived around 4000 BC and farmed the chalk hills of Salisbury Plain, constructing the mysterious stone circles at Stonehenge and Avebury. They were followed by the Bronze Age Celts...More on Britain's History.

Overview of Britain's Economy

GDP: US$1.25 trillion
GDP per capita: US$22,800
Annual Growth: 2.7%
Inflation: 1.7%
Major Industries: Banking and finance, steel, transport equipment, oil and gas, coal, tourism
Major Trading Partners: EU (especially Germany, France, Netherlands, Ireland), USA
Member of EU: Yes

Also Read: A deep insight into the Economy of Britain

Geography

England comprises most of the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain, plus offshore islands of which the largest is the Isle of Wight. It is bordered to the north by Scotland and to the west by Wales.

Most of England consists of rolling hills, but it is more mountainous in the north...more.

Also Read: Major Rivers Of Britain

Political System of Britain

- Politics Of Britain
- Official Anthem Of Britain
- Government Of Britain


Population and Religion:...male: 23,922,144, female: 25,216,687, total: 49,138,831...More Details about the Population and Religions practiced in Britain.

Culture: England 's greatest artistic contributions have come in the fields of theatre, literature and architecture...More about Culture of Great Britain.


Facts for the Traveler

Visas: Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa do not need a visa for stays in the UK up to 6 months, but they are prohibited from working. Citizens of the European Union (EU) don't need a visa to enter the country and may live and work here freely.
Time Zone: GMT/UTC 0 (Greenwich Mean Time (British Summer Time during daylight savings)
Dialling Code: 44
Electricity: 230V ,50Hz
Weights and measures: Metric

Also Read:List of Public Holidays in Britain

When to Go

Anyone who spends any extended period of time in England will sympathise with the locals' obsession with the weather, although in relative terms the climate is mild and the rainfall is not spectacular. The least hospitable months for visitors are November to February - it's cold and the days are short. March and October are marginal - there's more daylight but it can still be pretty chilly. April to September are undoubtedly the best months, and this is, unsurprisingly, when most sights are open, and when most people visit. However, July and August are the busiest months, and best avoided if at all possible. The crowds on the coast, at the national parks, in London and popular towns like Oxford, Bath and York have to be seen to be believed.

Also Read: Getting Around In Britain | Britain: Getting There & Away

What to See in Britain

Major Tourist Attractions in Britain
- London: London - the grand resonance of its very name suggests history and might...
- Canterbury Cathedral: The most impressive and evocative, if not the most beautiful, cathedral in England is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury...
- Durham: Durham is the most dramatic cathedral city in Britain...
- Lake District: The most green and pleasant corner of a green and pleasant land, the landscapes of the Lake District...
- Oxford: Arguably the world's most famous university town, Oxford is graced by superb college architecture...
- Stonehenge: It's the most famous site in prehistoric Europe, and is both a tantalising mystery and a hackneyed tourist experience...
- The Cotswolds: This limestone escarpment overlooking the Severn Vale is an upland region of stunningly pretty...
- York: For nearly 2000 years York has been the capital of the north, and it played a central role in British history under the Romans...

Other Tourist Attractions in Britain
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