The British Isles Northern Europe Western Europe Mediterranean Europe Baltic States Central Europe The Balkans Eastern Europe

Two Islands:  Britain  Ireland Two Nations:  United Kingdom  Ireland United Kingdom:  England  Scotland*  Wales  Northern Ireland  Isle of Man*

Climate Marine West Coast: Humid, moist Climate that is moderated by warm ocean currents

Historical Geography Pagan tribes were settled in the British Isles prior to the Roman arrival in the 1st century BCE. Romans remained for about 5 centuries (remnants include Hadrians Wall). Angles and Saxons settled as the Romans departed, followed by Nordic tribes (Vikings) in the 9th century, who plundered the Christian churches in the area. England gets its name from the Angles or Engles, which were Germanic tribes from the Mainland. Ireland was less affected by the AngloSaxons and Nordic tribes Ireland retained its Gaelic heritage. Most Irish were converted to Roman Catholicism in the 5th and 6th centuries (recall St. Patrick)

The Channel Tunnel “Chunnel”  Connects the U.K. with France  Opened: May 6, 1994  Trains carry people and cars  Crosses the English Channel  50.4 kilometers long

British Empire  Grew in strength during the Middle Ages  World Conquests: to the Americas, Africa, South Asia (India), SE Asia, Australia, South Pacific.  The British built colonies in every part of the world.  Empire declined in the 20th century, after World War II.  Colonies too expensive to maintain  Colonies demanded independence

Modern Great Britain  Capital City: London  Major Cities: Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds, Edinburgh, Sheffield, Manchester  Currency: Pound Sterling(£)  Government: Constitutional Monarchy  Governing Assembly: Parliament  Main Religion: Christian/Protestant– Anglican  Economy: 5 th largest in the world

Ireland  Capital City: Dublin  Major Cities: Cork, Galway  Currency: Euro(€)  Religion: Christian/Roman Catholic  Historic Events: Irish Potato Famine ( ) Over 1 million died Over 1 million emigrated to other countries Irish Home Rule (1921) Independence

Scotland Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain, Shares a border with England to the south & is bounded by the North Sea Vote for independence failed in 2014 Population: million (2011) Capital: Edinburgh National animal: Unicorn Official language: Scottish English Plaid: Pattern and colors represents a clan/family

Wales  Population: 3.064,456  Capital: Cardiff  National animal: Welsh Dragon  Official languages: Welsh, English  A country that is part of the United Kingdom.  Known for its rugged coastline, distinctive language and Celtic culture.

Isle of Man The Isle of Man is a self-governing British Crown Dependency. Small island located between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland No plans to become independent Population: 80,058 Capital: Douglas Language: Manx, English

REVIEW QUIZ E1 Write the best answers to the following questions. Use your notes for help.

REVIEW QUIZ E1 1 The United Kingdom’s currency is: (include the symbol)

REVIEW QUIZ E1 2 The best example of a push factor in today’s notes is:

REVIEW QUIZ E1 3 In Scotland, Plaid represents what?

REVIEW QUIZ E1 4 Name the National Animal of Scotland:

REVIEW QUIZ E1 5 Identify two reasons the British Empire declined after World War II?