Great Britain
Capital: London
Official language: English
Time zone: 2 hours behind Kiev time
Currency: Pound Sterling .
Geography
Climate
Population
Currency
Transport
Public Holidays
Communications
Important things
Geography
The
United Kingdom is a union of four constituent countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Their capitals are London, Cardiff and Belfast. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the official name of the state which is sometimes referred to as Great Britain or Britain (after it major island), England ( after its major historic part or the British Isles. The UK is an Island state it is composed of some 5.500 islands, large and small. The two main islands are: Great Britain to the east and Ireland to the west.
It lies between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, coming within 35 kilometres (22 mi) of the northwest coast of France, from which it is separated by the English Channel.Geographically the island of Great Britain is subdivided into 2 main regions: Lowland Britain and Highland Britain. Lowland Britain comprises southern and eastern England. Highland Britain consists of Scotland, most of Wales, the Pennines (or the Pennine Chain) and the Lake District.
The highest mountain top is Ben Nevis (1343 m) in Scotland. The total area of the UK is 244,100 square km.
Climate
The weather is very changeable and unpredictable throughout the United Kingdom. Winters are cold and wet with occasional snow, especially in the high-lying areas. Summers are generally warm with heavy rains. The overall climate in England is called temperate maritime. This means that it is mild with
temperatures not much lower than 0ºC in winter and not much higher than 30ºC in summer. It also means that it is damp and is subject to frequent changes.
Population
English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%, Northern Irish 2.9%, Black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, Mixed 1.2%, Other 1.6%
Official language: English
Time zone: 2 hours behind Kiev time
Currency: Pound Sterling .
Geography
Climate
Population
Currency
Transport
Public Holidays
Communications
Important things
Geography
The
United Kingdom is a union of four constituent countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Their capitals are London, Cardiff and Belfast. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the official name of the state which is sometimes referred to as Great Britain or Britain (after it major island), England ( after its major historic part or the British Isles. The UK is an Island state it is composed of some 5.500 islands, large and small. The two main islands are: Great Britain to the east and Ireland to the west.It lies between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, coming within 35 kilometres (22 mi) of the northwest coast of France, from which it is separated by the English Channel.Geographically the island of Great Britain is subdivided into 2 main regions: Lowland Britain and Highland Britain. Lowland Britain comprises southern and eastern England. Highland Britain consists of Scotland, most of Wales, the Pennines (or the Pennine Chain) and the Lake District.
The highest mountain top is Ben Nevis (1343 m) in Scotland. The total area of the UK is 244,100 square km.
Climate
The weather is very changeable and unpredictable throughout the United Kingdom. Winters are cold and wet with occasional snow, especially in the high-lying areas. Summers are generally warm with heavy rains. The overall climate in England is called temperate maritime. This means that it is mild with
temperatures not much lower than 0ºC in winter and not much higher than 30ºC in summer. It also means that it is damp and is subject to frequent changes. Population
English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%, Northern Irish 2.9%, Black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, Mixed 1.2%, Other 1.6%
The official currency of the United Kingdom is the Pound Sterling (£). Pound notes are divided into 100 pence and denominations are available in £100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. It should be noted that certain Scottish banks disburse their own currency, which is legal tender throughout the U.K. In addition to official exchange offices, money can be exchanged in banks and many hotels. Travelers' checks and credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are widely available throughout the country. Although the U.K. is not a member of the European Monetary Union and, therefore, has not adopted the Euro, many British retail shops and restaurants that cater to foreign visitors unofficially accept the currency.
Transport
There is left hand traffic in Great Britain. Bus is the cheapest method of moving in the country. Cards of "Brit express Card" are sold in air-ports. Cards are effective for 30 days. A passenger with this card gets a discount 30%. For passage on railways it is possible to purchase the ticket of "Brit-rail". With it you can make the unlimited number of journeys during a certain term (4, 8, 15, 22 or 30 days). Older people
(more senior 60 years) and young people (from 16 to 25 years) have a right on discounts.
Children (from 4 to 16 years) pay 50% cost of the ticket. Children fewer 4 years free of charge. Hitch-hiking is not welcomed. The most rapid and comfortable type of transport in town is a subway. Trains walk each 3-5 minutes. The cost of tickets depends on area (80 pence - for a 1 area). Cheapest transport - in town busses (one-day ticket in areas 1-2 will cost 2 .5 pounds).
Public Holidays
1 Jan New Year's Day.
21 Mar Good Friday.
Easter Monday (except Scotland).
Spring Bank Holiday.
Summer Bank Holiday except Scotland).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.
There is left hand traffic in Great Britain. Bus is the cheapest method of moving in the country. Cards of "Brit express Card" are sold in air-ports. Cards are effective for 30 days. A passenger with this card gets a discount 30%. For passage on railways it is possible to purchase the ticket of "Brit-rail". With it you can make the unlimited number of journeys during a certain term (4, 8, 15, 22 or 30 days). Older people
(more senior 60 years) and young people (from 16 to 25 years) have a right on discounts.Children (from 4 to 16 years) pay 50% cost of the ticket. Children fewer 4 years free of charge. Hitch-hiking is not welcomed. The most rapid and comfortable type of transport in town is a subway. Trains walk each 3-5 minutes. The cost of tickets depends on area (80 pence - for a 1 area). Cheapest transport - in town busses (one-day ticket in areas 1-2 will cost 2 .5 pounds).
Public Holidays
1 Jan New Year's Day.
21 Mar Good Friday.
Easter Monday (except Scotland).
Spring Bank Holiday.
Summer Bank Holiday except Scotland).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.
Communications:
Britain has technologically advanced domestic and international telephone system. However, foreigners should be aware that local calls are individually billed. Therefore, when using someone else's telephone it is courteous to offer to pay. The most economy way is to call from public telephone. Need to use 10 pence coins or telephone cards. Cards are cost about 2 till 10 pounds. Police, fire station- dial 999 or 112.
Important things
Business and government offices are open generally from 0900 to 1700 weekdays. Government offices and some rural shops close for lunch and stay open until 1730. Most businesses are closed on Sunday.
Underground is the fast way to trip around the city. It is opened from 5.30 till midnight; at rush hours from 8.00-9.30 and 17.00-18.30 it is crowded. Electronic control will check up your ticket.
[Tags: Tours to Great Britain]
Туры в Великобританию (Russian version)
