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United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Europe
United Kingdom is located off the northwest coast of mainland Europe and is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean. It is a political union made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland since 1707.
The highest mountain in the British Isles is Ben Nevis at 1,343 metres (4,406 ft) and it is located in Scotland.
Britain contains some of the world's leading universities and produced many great scholars such as Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Sir Alexander Fleming.
It is also the homeland of one of the greatest writers of Western literature - William Shakespeare.
England
England is the largest country of the United Kingdom. The country was formed in the 10th century and it takes its name from one of the Germanic tribes- the Angles who settled there in the 5th and 6th century.
Most of England consists of rolling lowlands with the exception of Lake District where Cumbrain Mountains are located.
The capital city is London.
Historical Sites:
Scotland (Alba in Scottish Gaelic)
The written history of Scotland began with the arrival of the Romans and their occupation of England and Wales in AD 43. However, the first permanent houses were built by settlers on Scottish soil as early as 9,500 years ago.
Scotland's terrain is varied with lowlands dominating in the south and highlands in the north and west. The country has many lakes and nearly 800 islands. The climate of Scotland is temperate, oceanic and it tends to change often.
The capital city is Edinburgh and the largest city Glasgow.
Scotland's Highest Point:
Wales (Cymru in Welsh)
The area of modern Wales was first inhabited at the end of an Ice Age. During the Roman occupation in AD 43-410, the area was divided into many tribes.
Wales is mostly mountainous. The highest peak- Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) rises 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) above the sea level.
The capital city of Wales is Cardiff (Caerdydd).
Wales' Highest Point:
"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Troilus and Cressida
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