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Planet In1 Destination Europe - United Kingdom

The UK consists of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Britain has a long and chequered history from the time of the Romans right up to the present day, with the current monarch Queen Elizabeth 11. The Queen is the UK's Head of State and, as well as being a focus for national unity, she presides at ceremonial occasions, visits local communities and acts as a representative for Britain around the world. Her Majesty is also Head of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 54 independent countries. As Sovereign, she is head of the British Navy, Army and Air Force.

England, the largest country in the UK has almost 84% of the total population. This is mainly concentrated in the major cities and metropolitan areas. In contrast to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, England has no separate elected national body exclusively responsible for its central administration. Instead a number of government departments look after England's day-to-day administrative affairs. London is the capital city.

The name Scotland derives from the Scoti, a Celtic tribe who migrated to Scotland from Ireland during the 5th and 6th centuries. They merged with the Pictish tribes to form the Scottish nation and so began a long and eventful history . The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh and t he largest population centre is Glasgow .

Northern Ireland consists of six counties in the northern part of Ireland where t housands of years of history blend with some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the world. Belfast is its capital city.

Wales (Cymru in Welsh) is a mountainous country on the western side of Great Britain. Around one-quarter of the land is above 1,000 ft and in the north its highest peak, Snowdon, rises to 3,560 ft. The Welsh coastline stretches for 732 miles and consists of many bays, beaches, peninsulas and cliffs. The capital of Wales is Cardiff.

The Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey are closer to France than England and contain prehistoric standing stones, castles and beautiful scenery. They are very popular for shopping as neither island imposes the purchase tax compulsory elsewhere in Britain. The other islands are Sark, where no cars are permitted, tiny Herm with one pub and one hotel and Alderney, a bird-watcher's paradise.

London has a population of over 7 million people and is one of the world's most popular and accessible cities with a varied and exciting cosmopolitan culture. London's history stretches back almost 2000 years and the wealth of its heritage makes it a very interesting city to visit. Almost a third of London is green space or parks. It houses 151 historic buildings and ancient monuments and 33 historic gardens. The city has three world heritage sites: the Tower of London, Maritime Greenwich and Westminster Abbey. The Royal Palaces, the Beefeaters and the changing of the Guard, Madame Tussauds wax museum, St Pauls Cathedral, Tower Bridge and Trafalgar Square are just some of the visitor attractions. With over 6000 restaurants and 5000 pubs, not to mention world class hotels, museums, theatres, cinemas, golf courses, football stadiums and a myriad of other places and activities to choose from, it is no wonder that tourism plays a major part in the city's economy.

Manchester, in the midlands, once the world's major cotton-milling centre is now a f riendly and energetic home to two first division football clubs. A lively city, it is great for fashionable shopping and trendy bars and clubs.

Liverpool is a city familiar to many people the world over, as birthplace of the legendary group The Beatles. Liverpool's waterfront is a nominated World Heritage Site. The city houses the FACT center, the UK's only exhibition and performance space, specialising in film and digital art. The city will be European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Birmingham has been awarded the title 'National City of Sport', with international events featuring over 30 sports held at the National Indoor Arena and the National Exhibition Centre. Music and dance are central to the city's celebrated arts scene. The city's former bleak concrete structures are being torn down and the extensive canal network is the focus of urban renewal with recreation and cultural areas and walkways.

Edinburgh, overlooked by Edinburgh Castle, is a city where medieval lanes and elegant, sweeping terraces hold over ten centuries of history, mystery and tradition as well as being a modern and dynamic capital city, famed for terrific shopping and a thriving nightlife where festivals attract the world's leading performers.

Glasgow, a l ively and cosmopolitan city, was the European City of Culture in 1990 and the UK City of Architecture and Design in 1999 and has built a reputation as a great destination for culture, entertainment and shopping.

Cardiff is home to Cardiff Castle, and the state-of-the-art Millennium Stadium that hosted the Rugby World Cup in 1999. There are over 350 varied watering holes where visitors can sample the local brew and discuss the 'national religion' rugby. Cardiff was the busiest coal port in the world a century ago and today those docks have been transformed into a dazzling waterfront complex of restaurants and visitor attractions.

Belfast is a city of magnificent Victorian and Edwardian architecture, atmospheric pubs and old markets, with miles of docks and crane-lined quays where the magic that created Titanic still lingers. Although dramatic new development is taking place with exciting visitor attractions, first-class hotels, state-of-the-art conference centres, the city will always be famous for the warmth of its people and its rich cultural heritage.

Britain has a wealth of natural and historical heritage to explore, from Stratford-on Avon, birthplace of Shakespeare to its many castles, palaces, gardens, historic houses, forests, cathedrals, national parks, historic towns and ancient ruins. This, combined with its cosmopolitan cities offering a myriad of arts and cultural attractions make the UK a must for visitors.