It is part of the British Kingdom, since in the Middle Ages England was a very large Empire and owned almost all the neighboring islands, some of them remained in its composition even after the collapse of the empire. This is in short, if you want a more detailed answer, then read on.
Middle Ages
Somewhere in the middle of the 16th century, England began to actively develop and, as a result, began to slowly crush all weak neighbors under itself. At first it was in the form of a sluggish economic expansion, the essence of which was that the British nobility came to the territory of other states and bought up land there. So it was with Ireland.
Conquest of Ireland
But after England became the largest maritime empire, its king could openly start wars against small states. Which was done in 1801, when the entire Irish island became part of the British Crown.
Thus began the second stage of colonization, during which the local nobility was replaced by English, and the Irish language began to be forcibly eradicated. Here it should be clarified that the British concentrated in the northern part of the island. And accordingly, there was the most developed housekeeper and the faith that the invaders professed was popular there.
Republic of Ireland
The second stage of colonization lasted almost a century and a half until the First World War. Which the Irish used to arm and train their rebels. There were a lot of them because of several "hungry" years and the aggressive policy of the Crown.
So in 1916, another uprising of the local population broke out in Ireland, which, although it was strangled, was not for long. Since everything started with renewed vigor in 1919, only this time it all ended with the proclamation of the Republic of Ireland.
Britain of course resisted, but still in 1921 a peace treaty was signed according to which it became a Free State under the protectorate of the British crown.
Almost the entire island ascended into the new state, except for the northern lands, which remained part of the kingdom (this is the North), since it was the place of compact residence of the British on this island. That is why the Northern part of Ireland is part of the UK to this day.
Finally, we will dot all i's in the question of the names of Foggy Albion - with the help of this simple map, which shows what such concepts as "" (British Isles), "United Kingdom" (United Kingdom), " Great Britain” and “England” (England). Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they are actually quite different from each other.
The most common name is the British Isles. True, in Ireland they say “British-Irish Isles” (British-Irish Isles) or even just “these islands”.
The British Isles are made up of Great Britain, Ireland and over six thousand others. Together they occupy an area of 315 thousand square kilometers; more than 67 million people live here.
Great Britain is the largest island, covering 73% of the area of the British Isles and accounting for 90% of the population. It is divided into three countries which are integral part United Kingdom: England (57% of the territory and 86% of the population of Great Britain), Scotland (34% of the territory and 9% of the population) and Wales (9% of the territory and 5% of the population).
Ireland is the smaller of the two islands of the archipelago - 27% of the territory and 10% of the population. It consists of the fully independent state of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom is thus a state made up of three countries located in Great Britain plus Northern Ireland. By the way, the full name of this state is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Well, and sweet. Everyone who lives in England, Scotland and Wales is British. But the inhabitants of Northern Ireland are Irish, although they are citizens of the United Kingdom. Accordingly, the inhabitants of the Republic of Ireland are also Irish. Finally, only residents of England can be called English.
Characteristic
Great Britain (United Kingdom) is an island state, most of whose territory is located on two large islands separated by the waters of the Irish Sea. total area Great Britain is 244,017 sq. km. The population of Great Britain is 58,395 thousand people.
The official name of the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It consists of four countries: England, Scotland and Wales, located on the island of Britain, and Northern Ireland. The latter is located on the same island as the Independent Republic of Ireland. Thus, Great Britain has a common land border only with Ireland.
The British Isles lie off the northwest coast of Europe.
The British Isles are surrounded by many small islands. To the southwest of the Isle of Britain are the Isles of Scilly, and to the north of Wales is the Isle of
Anglesey. On the western and northern coasts of Scotland there are numerous small islands that are part of Great Britain. The most important of these are the Orkney Shetland Islands.
From the west, Great Britain is washed by waters Atlantic Ocean, and from the east - the waters of the North Sea.
From the south, Great Britain borders on France - the closest and most developed neighbor, which has common water borders with it. The shortest distance to the northern coast of France is the Strait of Dover, but the main communication between the states is through the English Channel, called the English Channel by the British, along the bottom of which a high-speed rail tunnel was built at the end of the twentieth century. Prior to this, communication between the two countries was carried out by water or air.
Also, the closest neighbors of Great Britain are Belgium and the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Norway are located much further.
Thus, the EGP of Great Britain is both neighboring and seaside, which is extremely beneficial for the economic development of the country, although, undoubtedly, it has certain disadvantages in strategic and military terms.
The administrative map of Great Britain has changed several times, because. the accession of the countries that make up the United Kingdom lasted for centuries. Each once independent state has its own capital or administrative center. The official capital of the UK is
London, as the unification of the lands took place around England.
In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Great Britain, being in first place in the world in terms of economic development, created a colossal colonial power that occupied almost a quarter of the planet's territory. The British colonies included India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and much of Africa. In the twentieth century, the English colonies became independent states, but many of them are part of the British Commonwealth, headed by the British monarch. In 1921, the southern part of Ireland seceded from Great Britain and became an independent state.
Modern administrative divisions of Great Britain
Great Britain - a constitutional monarchy
The UK form of government is a constitutional monarchy. Monarchy is the oldest form of government in existence today. Moreover, in the UK, the succession of royal power was violated only once in ten centuries of the existence of the state. The current Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain
The second comes from the family of the Saxon king Egbert, who united England in 892, and Malcolm II, who ruled in Scotland from 1005 to 1034.
The monarch in Great Britain is the main person of the state. Legally, the monarch leads the executive branch, is the supreme commander of the British Army. But in fact, as a result of the changes that have taken place over many centuries, the monarchs have lost absolute power. The Queen rules the state with the consent of the Cabinet of Ministers, i.e. "reigns, does not rule."
The legislature is a bicameral Parliament, consisting of the Upper House - the House of Lords and the Lower House - the House of Commons. Meetings are held in the Houses of Parliament, which is one of the sights of London. The 650 members of the House of Commons are elected by British citizens once every five years, while membership in the House of Lords is hereditary in the families of hereditary nobles.
Thus, the queen represents the state in the international arena and is a symbol of power. Executive power belongs to the Cabinet of Ministers, which is formed by a parliamentary majority.
Among the variety of political parties in the UK, the leading role belongs to the two largest parties. These are the Conservatives (Tory) and the Labor Party (Whigs).
UK population
The population of the UK is over 58 million people. National composition: English - more than 80%, Scots - 10%, Welsh (indigenous people of Wales) - 2%, Irish - 2.5%.
A significant part of the population professes Protestantism. The exception is Northern Ireland, the majority of whose inhabitants are Catholics. Northern Ireland is a place of constant conflicts on religious and national grounds.
Since 1921, about 40% of the population has lived in the seven largest urban agglomerations with centers in London (Greater London), Manchester ( southeastern Lankshire), Birmingham and Wolverhampton (West Midlands), Glasgow (Central Clydeside), Leeds and Bradford (West Yorkshire), Liverpool (Merseyside) and Newcas-on-Tyne (Tyneside). The rate of urbanization in the UK is 91%. The proportion of the rural population is very small.
In recent years, there has been a significant influx of population from developing countries, mainly from Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Industry
Great Britain is one of the four countries that determine the economic power of Europe. UK industry includes many industries, some of which are of global importance. Midland is the main industrial region of Great Britain.
Metallurgy
Metallurgy in the UK is one of the most developed industries. It employs more than 582 thousand people. Moreover, the first place in terms of the number of employment belongs to the ferrous metallurgy (332 thousand people). The rest falls on non-ferrous metallurgy. The main centers of steel and iron production are Cardiff and Swansea (Wales), Leeds (England). Annual steel production is more than 15 million tons. Aluminum smelters are located mainly in Scotland and Wales.
The consumers of ferrous metallurgy products are mainly machine-building plants.
mechanical engineering
Engineering is one of the leading industries in the UK. It includes many directions, each of which is characterized by its location. So high-tech engineering (aeronautics, electronics) are located mainly around London. The machine tool industry is concentrated in the Birmingham area. Shipbuilding is a specialization of the Glasgow region, and textile engineering is developed mainly in the Manchester region.
Fuel and energy complex.
The main energy sources are coal and oil, and to a lesser extent natural gas. The coal mining industry is one of the oldest industries in the UK. At the beginning of the century, British coal dominated the world market, but now more than 80 million tons of coal are mined annually in the UK. The main areas of coal mining are Cardiff, South Wales and Central England (Sheffield). Oil is produced on the shelf of the North Sea off the east coast of England and Scotland. The annual production is more than 94 million tons. The main oil refineries are located in Southampton, Cheshire, Yorkshire. Income from oil exports reaches 150 million pounds. Gas production is 55 billion cubic meters. m. per year and grows annually. The electric power industry is based on thermal and hydroelectric power stations. Numerous hydroelectric power plants are located in the mountainous regions of Scotland and Wales, and thermal power plants are located in coal mining areas. The share of nuclear power plants is small, although in recent years there has been an increase in their construction.
Chemical industry
The chemical industry is concentrated mainly in Birmingham and Middlesbrough. This is mainly the production of plastics, detergents and disinfectants, dyes, fertilizers. The UK is one of the largest dye exporters in the world. The pharmaceutical industry has reached a high level of development. Demand for medicines manufactured in the UK is growing every year
Light industry
Light industry is one of the oldest industries in the UK. About 690 thousand people are employed in this area, more than half of them are women. The main areas for the development of light industry are Lancashire, Yorkshire, Liverpool, Manchester. On the Isle of Lewis, the production of woolen fabrics is concentrated, mainly the world-famous "plaid". The UK is one of the world leaders in the production of woolen fabrics. Knitwear production is developed mainly in Scotland and the Midlands. The production of linen fabrics is concentrated mainly in Northern Ireland. The UK has a long history of leather tanning and is a global exporter of leather goods. Factories engaged in leather production are located everywhere, but a significant part of them are concentrated in Lancashire, Yorkshire, the Midlands, and around London. The UK is the world's third largest pop shoe manufacturer. More than 200 million pairs of shoes are sold annually. The UK clothing industry is the largest in Europe. The UK is a major clothing exporter. The main centers of the clothing industry are London, Leeds and Manchester.
General characteristics of Great Britain
Official name: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (English) Great Britain consists of three countries: England, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom includes Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The island nation in Western Europe between the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, owning overseas territories in all parts of the world Capital - London Area: 242,514 km², of which 53.7% of the territory is England, 32.1% Scotland, 8.6% Wales and 5.6% - Northern Ireland Population 60 million 587 thousand people (as of July 1, 2004), of which 83.8% live in England, 8.4% in Scotland, 4.9% in Wales and 2.9% in Northern Ireland 80% of the British are city dwellers. "white British" (English, Scots, Welsh and Irish), 4% descendants of people from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, 2% black people from Africa and the Caribbean, 1.2% - descendants of mixed marriages, 0.4% Chinese (2001 census data) G.) Official language: English State system - parliamentary democracy (constitutional monarchy with an unwritten constitution) Head of State - Queen (since 2.6.1953 - Elizabeth II) Head of government - Prime Minister Gordon Brown (since 27.6.2007) The UK Parliament consists of the House of Commons (646 members ), the House of Lords (753 members, called peers) and the Queen Telephone code 8-10-44 Time difference with Moscow: -3 hours Currency unit: pound sterling (£), in 1 pound 100 pence 1 £ = 2.0305 $ (as of 8.11.2006)
Geographical position
Great Britain is an island nation in the northwest of Europe. It occupies the island of Great Britain, part of the island of Ireland and a number of smaller islands. The country consists of 4 historical and geographical regions: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In the north and west, the country is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and in the east and south - by the North Sea and the narrow straits of the English Channel and Pas de Calais. The entire coast is dotted with bays, bays, deltas and peninsulas. Best time to visit the UK - the period from April to September, when it is warm, there is not much rain and most attractions are open. In July and August, the peak of attendance comes - about 1.5 million tourists come to the country, so it is better not to plan a trip for these months.
Local Features: It should be remembered that the English, Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish are different nations. To confuse a Scot, Welsh or Northern Irishman with an Englishman is to offend him. Scotland even issues its own banknotes (1:1 to the British pound). Please note that pounds sterling is also freely accepted in Scotland, however, Scottish pounds are not a convertible currency and it will be problematic to use them, for example, in London. Another note concerns the choice of clothing. The general reverent attitude towards nature here has led even the royal guards to change their bear hats for faux fur hats. Therefore, outfits made of natural fur can be perceived ambiguously.
What to try: Cuisine of Foggy Albion is characterized by great variety cold appetizers, the most popular of which are sandwiches (by the way, the standard lunch of working Brits), especially the traditional triangular favorites National dishes- This is roast beef and steak. Real roast beef is juicy and pink inside, and topped with a crispy crust. Leg of lamb, pork pies, kidney pate and tenderloins are also famous. Fast food lovers should try Fish&Chips.
What to bring: The UK is an expensive country, so when going shopping, stock up on a decent amount of money. At the same time, London is the capital of fashion from classic to avant-garde. It is interesting to visit the "flea market", where you can buy unusual things for reasonable price. Purely tourist souvenirs include figurines of policemen, models of Big Ben, castles, "double-deckers" - bright red double-decker buses, as well as key rings, spoons and trays with the image of the late Princess Diana. In Scotland it is nice to buy a real bagpipe or a national costume of a Scot, however, the pleasure is not cheap. Tax Free will help save a little.
Safety: In London, it is difficult to meet a policeman on the street, however, if something really happens, they appear as if from under the ground.
The British pride themselves on being markedly different from any other nation in the world. They still adhere to strange customs such as Left side traffic or playing cricket. They very reluctantly switched to the decimal system of measures, changing their adored pints to liters, and inches to centimeters. Until 1971, they had a wild three-tier non-decimal money system whereby the bill for lunch could look like "four pounds six shillings and seven and a half pence." And while the rest of Europe measures distances in kilometers, the British still cling to their miles, although they now buy fabric by the meter rather than the yard. Logic is not the most prominent feature of the British character.
There is still a certain psychological barrier between the UK and the rest of Europe, not at all lifted by the UK's accession to the European Union in 1973. The English Channel, the narrow strip of water between the Continent and the British Isles, has played a decisive role in British history, acting as a moat designed to protect the "island-fortress" from invaders and to maintain a distinct mentality from other nations. Many Britons want to leave this moat - the English Channel. It is difficult to assess how the opening of a tunnel across the strait will affect the feeling of security (both political and economic) of the average Briton in the long run. Even today, the oft-quoted old newspaper headline "Fog over the Strait, Continent Isolated" retains some of its truth. But this proud nation is friendly to tourists. She is happy to show others what she considers to be one of the most civilized societies in the world.
There is some truth in the popular belief that the British are a cold-blooded people. The highest expression of approval for them is "Not bad", so they can look a little pompous and prim. They do not show their feelings, but still they are sociable people, whose sense of humor and love for the absurd is balanced by their coldness. They have a strange habit of making fun of their surroundings without showing disrespect. Their jokes about religion or royalty often puzzle foreigners. The UK is a very densely populated country. There are 940 inhabitants per square mile of the area, which exceeds the figures for all European countries except Holland. But it is also a land of incredible beauty that the British guard and maintain. Everywhere you can see neat hedges, neat flower beds and lawns as smooth as pool tables. The British love gardens, but they do not neglect wildlife. They love to roam the fields or spank in rubber boots through streams and swamps, or birdwatching. Some still hunt foxes, others protest fiercely against this cruel sport.
The weather in the UK is a topic for daily jokes and discussions. Some foreigners imagine that this country is constantly shrouded in mist. But this has not been the case since city dwellers have switched to new types of fuel. However, the weather in the UK is very changeable: rain and sun can replace each other in a matter of minutes. But at least it adds an element of surprise.
Great Britain is a country where art flourishes. It is true that the artist, writer or philosopher is not valued by the English public in the same way that they are, for example, in France. However, today's London has become home to the world's most important, new and progressive artists, designers and writers. Sales of books and tickets for theater performances and concerts are incredibly high. The UK publishes up to 50,000 new books a year, and about a quarter of this number are new circulations of classic editions. The passion for classical music developed during the Second World War and continues to grow to this day, so that even the smallest town has its own musical society, performing Bach or Handel. The London theater is considered one of the best in Europe. In the provinces, hundreds of small theaters attract a large number of spectators. Despite the constant changes in society, the British retain many special traditions. AT summer time on the field near the village you can see the cricket game in full swing. This is a very slow and static game that may seem boring to the observer, but in fact it is full of various tricks and features. In village pubs, people often play darts, less often checkers or chess. British society, although troubled by doubt and uncertainty, and constantly forced to solve key social problems, is definitely not in decline, and is not even fading away. However, it is deeply concerned and seriously discusses many of the traditional foundations of society. There is something unpredictable, inexplicable in the British. Where did this nation get the strength to sink the Spanish armada? Definitely not due to the huge numbers economic resources or disciplined society. Perhaps in the souls of this people, united by a common goal, there is something that sociologists cannot understand. The British are a wonderful people, and their quirks, social "distancing" and left-hand traffic are an integral part of our world. Without Britain, the world would be poorer.
British overseas territories
British Overseas Territories, British Overseas Territories (BOT English) - dependent on Great Britain public entities. located in different parts Sveta. All of them are under the control Foreign Office .
The UK is located in the northwest of Europe. It consists of the island of Great Britain, on which England, Scotland and Wales are located, and part of the island of Ireland, which is occupied by Northern Ireland. The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are dominions of the United Kingdom, but are not part of it. It is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the west and north, the North Sea in the east. In the south it is separated from the mainland by the English Channel.
The name of the country comes from the English Great Britain. Britain - by the ethnonym of the Briton tribe.
Population
59648 thousand people
Administrative division
It consists of four historical regions (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), which are administratively divided into numerous counties. England: 39 counties, 6 metropolitan counties and a special administrative unit - Greater London (administrative center - London). Wales: 8 counties (administrative center - Cardiff). Scotland: 12 regions and 186 islands (administrative center - Edinburgh). Northern Ireland: 26 districts (administrative center - Belfast). The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands have a special status.
Form of government
A constitutional monarchy.
head of state
The monarch is the supreme bearer of executive power, the head of the judiciary, the supreme commander in chief. Supreme legislative body. Bicameral Parliament consisting of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Elected for a term of 5 years. Supreme executive body. Council of Ministers.
Big cities
Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Belfast.
Official language
English, in Wales - English and Welsh.
Religion
47% - Anglicans, 16% - Catholics.
Ethnic composition
81.5% - English, 9.6% - Scots, 2.4% - Irish, 1.9% - Welsh.
Currency
Pound sterling = 100 pence.
Climate
Great Britain is called the country of fogs and rains. The climate of the country varies depending on the region. In England, the climate is mild and humid, due to the relative warmth of the seas surrounding it. The average annual temperature is about + 11 °C in the south and + 9 °C in the northeast. Scotland is the coldest region in the UK. In the mountains in the north there is snow from November to April-May. The climate of Wales and Northern Ireland is mild and humid. The average annual temperature in Northern Ireland is +10°C. The most abundant precipitation in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the mountains of England and Wales (1000-1500 mm per year). The least rainfall is in southeast England (600-750 mm per year).
Flora
The vegetation of England is rather poor, forests occupy less than 4% of the territory, most often there are oak, birch, pine. In Scotland, forests are more common, although moorland dominates the region. Mostly in the forests in the south and east grow oak and coniferous trees- spruce, pine and larch. In Wales, the forests are mostly deciduous - ash, oak. Coniferous trees are common in mountainous regions.
Deer, fox, rabbit, hare, badger live in England. Among the birds - partridge, dove, raven. Reptiles, of which there are only 4 species in all the British Isles, are rare in England. The rivers are mostly inhabited by salmon and trout. For Scotland, the most characteristic deer, roe deer, hare, rabbit, marten, otter and wild cat. Of the birds, partridges and wild ducks predominate. There are also many salmon and trout in the rivers and lakes of Scotland. Cod, herring, haddock are caught in coastal waters. In Wales, the fauna is practically the same as in England, with the exception of the black polecat and pine marten, which are absent in England.
Rivers and lakes
The main rivers of England are the Thames, the Severn, the Tyne. The main rivers of Scotland are the Clyde, the Tay, the Force, the Tweed, the Dee and the Spey. Among the numerous lakes, the legendary Loch Ness, Loch Tay, Loch Catherine stand out. The main rivers of Wales are the Dee, Usk, Teifi. The largest lake is Bala. The main rivers of Northern Ireland are the Foyle, the Upper Ban and the Lower Ban. Loch Neagh is the largest lake in the British Isles.
Attractions
Megalithic complex Stonehenge, church in Bargon, castle of the XII century. in Inverness, Glasgow Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle and Church, Cardiff Castle, Shakespeare House Museum in Stratford, Oxford and Cambridge Universities, in London - British museum, Tower Castle (the jewels of the royal crown are stored here), Westminster Abbey (the place of the coronation of British kings) with Poets' Corner, the Houses of Parliament, the Big Ben clock tower, Buckingham Palace, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Hyde Park with Speakers' Corner and much more other. Nelson's Column rises in Trafalgar Square. An interesting "square mile of sin" - the Soho area.
Useful information for tourists
Shops are usually open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 17.30, although many of the department stores are open until 18.00, and on Wednesdays or Thursdays - until 19.00-20.00. Large stores can also receive customers on Sundays, but only during any six hours from 10.00 to 18.00. In smaller towns and villages, shops often close for half a day after lunch once a week, as well as for an hour-long lunch break. Hotels in many cases have a special service charge, usually 10-12%. Where this fee is not included in the bill, the employees and maids serving you are usually given a tip of 10-15% of the bill. Service is included in the bills of some restaurants. Where it is not taken into account, a tip of 10-15% of the bill is accepted. Porters receive 50-75 pence per suitcase, taxi drivers - 10-15% of the fare. One of the peculiarities of the UK that you may encounter is that until now in most hotels the water taps above the wash basin are not equipped with a faucet. The English do not wash running water, but they collect a full washbasin of water, use it, then lower it. On the day of departure, you must vacate the room before 12.00. If there is a lot of time left before the departure of the plane, things can be left in the hotel's storage room. In England, good manners are very important, the ability to stay at the table, so you need to follow the basic rules of the ritual of eating. Never put your hands on the table, keep them on your knees. Cutlery is not removed from the plates, as knife stands are not used in England. Do not shift the cutlery from one hand to the other, the knife must always be in right hand, fork - in the left. Since various vegetables are served at the same time as meat dishes, you should proceed as follows: you put vegetables on a small piece of meat with a knife; learn to hold them there with the back of a fork without piercing them. If you dare to prick at least one pea on a fork, then you will be considered ill-mannered. Don't kiss ladies' hands or say compliments in public like "What a dress you have on!" or “How delicious this cake is!” - they are regarded as a big indelicacy. It is not allowed to have separate conversations at the table. Everyone should listen to whoever is speaking and, in turn, speak loudly enough to be heard by those present. Remember that the British have their own lifestyle, and they, like no other nation, sacredly honor traditions and customs. Going to Great Britain - the country of fogs - we advise you not to forget that the British weather is unpredictable! Winters are usually quite mild, with temperatures rarely reaching below zero. From March to May, the days can be both sunny and windy, with rain. In June-August the temperature can reach +30°C or more, but during the day, as a rule, it stays somewhere between +20-25°C. It rains 180 days a year in London, and the wettest cities are Liverpool and Manchester.
2.GeneraleconomiccharacteristicGreat Britain
The UK economy is the 8th largest economy in the world in terms of GDP in purchasing power parity as of 2010 (in the CIA rating, the UK is 9th, minus the European Union, which is not a country). The economic territory of the United Kingdom includes: Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the geographical area over which the authority of the Government of the United Kingdom extends, over which people, goods, services and capital are able to move freely); all kinds of free zones, including bonded warehouses and establishments under the customs authority of the United Kingdom; the national airspace, territorial waters and continental shelf of the United Kingdom. It does not include offshore islands, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man that are not part of the United Kingdom or members of the EU.
The definition of economic territory also includes: territories of enclaves throughout the world (embassies, military bases, research stations, information or immigration services, emergency departments accredited by the British government in accordance with relevant legislation); but excludes any other enclave areas (eg parts of the geographic territory of the United Kingdom such as US embassies and military bases).
The UK is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the EU, the G7, the G8, the G20, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization and the UN. Nominal GDP, recalculated at purchasing power parity as of April 11, 2011, is 2.126 trillion US dollars.
In the XVIII century. Great Britain was the first country in the world to begin industrialization, and for most of the 19th century. Played an important role in the global economy. However, at the end of the XIX century. the chances of the USA (after the Second Industrial Revolution) and the German Empire as candidates for the role of the leader of the world economy are increasing more and more. Despite the victory, the costs of fighting in both the First and Second World Wars led to a further weakening of the economic position of Great Britain, and by 1945 Great Britain was supplanted by the United States as the main player in the world economy. However, the UK is currently important place in the global economy.
Currently, the UK is one of the most globalized countries in the world. London is the largest financial center in the world, comparable to New York City, and has the highest GDP of any city in Europe. In December 2010, the UK ranked third in terms of both exports and imports of investments. The UK aerospace industry is the second or third largest industry, depending on how it is calculated. The pharmaceutical industry plays an important role in the country's economy and ranks the UK third in the world in terms of the share of pharmaceutical R&D spending (after the US and Japan) . The country's economy is heavily dependent on and driven by the North Sea oil and gas reserves, estimated in 2007 at £250 billion. The UK ranks fourth in the world and first in Europe in the 17th Ease of Doing Business Index (a classification of countries according to various parameters that affect the rules for doing business, as well as the protection of property, compiled by the World Bank).
