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What To Know Before Visiting The United Kingdom



The United Kingdom encompasses the countries of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. It is considered a sovereign nation located within Europe. Water surrounds the UK. The Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel, the Celtic Sea and the North Sea. The Irish Sea also lies between Ireland and Great Britain. The UK has 93,800 square miles making it the 80th largest sovereign country in the world. It is the 11th largest country in Europe. Currently, part of the European Union, the UK also ranks 21st in population within Europe with more than 64.5 million people. The capital of the UK is London, located within England. The nation is governed by a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary system. This network of nations is a complicated system.

 

The Government Of The UK

 

Over the centuries, the relationships have changed between the member countries of the UK. Under the Actions of Union, the Kingdom of England annexed Wales in 1536. In 1707, Scotland and England joined to become the Kingdom of Great Britain.  This new country became the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland when it merged with the Kingdom of Ireland in 1801. The individual countries of Wales, Scotland and Ireland, have administrations with various levels of powers. These administrations are based in the capital cities of Cardiff, Belfast, and  Edinburgh. In addition to the primary countries, the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Isle of Man, and the Bailiwick of Jersey are dependencies of the Crown of England. The British government is responsible for the international representation and defense of these dependencies. This complicated network does make it easy to move around within the UK, even if you are from another country.


Visiting The UK

 

This is a country of many contrasts. It has a complex and rich history, with each of the four home nations contributing to its history. Each country does tend to have its etiquette and customs. It can benefit a traveler to have some idea of each of these as they travel around the UK. However, even if a traveler does not know all the intricate culture and etiquette rules, most individuals within the UK are quite forgiving. Even so, it is still a good idea to learn what you can.

 

Language And Talking

 

Most individuals within the UK are not loud when out in public. When riding the London Underground, for example, people do not tend to hold loud conversations. While locals will probably not be offended, it will make you stand out as a tourist. On most public transportation, the conversation is quiet and it is perfectly proper to try and engage in conversation with others. You can also ask about places to eat or things to do. If someone is reading the paper or listening to music, you should not interrupt them.

 

As you travel around the UK, you will likely hear many different languages, especially when you visit a city. The accents will also vary across the country. Locals in various areas will speak with different accents. Also, each city has its accent. It can sometimes be difficult to understand these local accents, even to other residents of the UK. If you do not understand someone, simply ask them to repeat themselves, but to speak more slowly. You should also be prepared to hear bad language in some areas, such as in the pubs or on the street. Phobic or racist language is not appreciated and seldom tolerated anywhere within the UK.

 

Enjoying The Various Cultures

 

Cultures vary across the country. Every major city will have a music hall, theater, and great museums and visitors should make an effort to experience all of these attractions. One of the best ways to get a feel for the "real" UK is to visit a pub. These are considered the social heart of a community. When visiting a local pub, be careful not to discuss religion or politics, especially in Northern Ireland. It is also a good idea not to get into a discussion about Fox hunting anywhere.

 

There are many reasons to visit the beautiful country of the United Kingdom. There are great attractions to visit and it is a joy getting to know the locals. Plan a visit soon and have a very good time.