The map of England

The
British Isles are situated to the west of the continent of Europe. The British
Isles consist of two large islands-Great Britain and Ireland - and a number of
small ones. The island of Great Britain together with the small islands around
it and the north-eastern part of Ireland constitute the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland that is more often called Great Britain or just
England.

The
territory of the United Kingdom is 244,000 sq. kms with a population of 50
million.

Great
Britain is separated from the European continent by the North Sea, the English
Channel and the Straits of Dover, which is only 33 kms wide in its narrowest
part. In the west the British Isles are washed by the Atlantic Ocean.

South-eastern
Britain is a lowland country, which stretches up north to the foot of the
Pennine mountains. The Pennines, which are much the same height as the Crimean
mountains, run almost along the middle of north England. Further north are the
Highlands of Scotland. In the west are the mountains of Wales.

There
are many rivers in Britain but they are rather short. The Thames, on which
London-the capital of the United Kingdom-is situated, is Britain's most
important river. It runs east through the country's agricultural districts into
the North Sea.

Great
Britain is a highly developed industrial power. The main industrial regions are
in the north and west of the country where the main deposits of coal are to be
found. The oldest centre of heavy industry is the region of Birmingham and
Sheffield known as the Black Country. The Black Country is also the main centre
of armaments production. Two main textile regions are situated to the west and
east of the Pennines.

As
Great Britain is not very rich