UNITED KINGDOM - ABOUT

About The Country:

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (usually shortened to the United Kingdom, the UK, or Britain is a country and sovereign state that lies to the northwest of Continental Europe with the Republic of Ireland to the west. The United Kingdom is a political union made up of four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. British cities are cultural powerhouses and the British are a creative, energetic and bullish people who have had an impact on the world that is entirely disproportionate to their number and insularity. Although Britishness has traditionally been characterized by a polite aloofness or just plain eccentricity, visitors will find Britons as humorous, passionate, hospitable, sentimental and obsessive as any other people. The official currency of UK is Pound sterling and the symbol is £. The predominant spoken language is English.

London is the place to start. Nowhere in the country can match the scope and innovation of the metropolis, a colossal, frenetic city, perhaps not as immediately attractive as its European counterparts, but with so much variety. It's here that you'll find Britain's best spread of nightlife, cultural events, museums, galleries, pubs and restaurants. The other large cities, such as Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds or Liverpool each have their strengths: Birmingham has a resurgent arts scene, for example, while people travel for miles to sample Newcastle's nightlife. These days Manchester can match the capital for glamour in cafes and clubs, and also boasts the inimitable draw of the world's best-known football team.

Climate: England has a temperate climate, with plentiful rainfall all year round, though the seasons are quite variable in temperature.

Geography: Most of England consists of rolling lowland terrain, divided east from west by more mountainous terrain in the Northwest.