United Kingdom Overview
By Lynne Christen
The country of the United Kingdom is comprised of the island of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain includes England, Scotland and Wales, autonomous regions of the union, not technically considered separate countries.
Confused yet? Geography gets more complicated. Although occupying the northeastern corner of the country of Ireland, Northern Ireland is actually part of the United Kingdom, not Ireland.
Citizenship is touchy too. Residents of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland don’t appreciate being referred to as Brits or English. They are Welsh, Scottish and Irish living in the United Kingdom along with the English.
The United Kingdom offers delightful travel diversity. England is a global center of government, finance, history, culture and finance. From history to hip, London ranks as one of the world’s most popular destinations. Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol and Brighton are other leading cities in England and mysterious Stonehenge tops many must-see travel lists.
Scotland boasts being the “birthplace of golf” and avid duffers head for world-famous golf resorts around Edinburgh and Glasgow. Scotland is also known for scenic highlands and misty moors, vast varieties of Scottish whiskey and Nessie, the legendary Loch Ness monster.
And, fact and fantasy merge amid Northern Ireland’s stunning landscapes and in the historic cities of Belfast and Londonderry. Go!
