UK Introduction
An Introduction to the UK
England has history coursing through its veins, from the narrow streets cobbled with stone to the canals snaking up and down the country. Few countries can boast such a rich past, and there are few countries in the world that haven't been touched by England... No country has shaped the world more.
England, the land of hope and glory, was the heart of the British Empire for centuries before it gave independence back, and its legacy still remains strong today. Culture, as well as the love of tea, spread throughout the world, and even though England's powers are waning it still remains a loved and respected country.
There are so many things to see and do in England, such as exploring all that London has to offer from the Tower of London to the London Dungeons; visiting England's best beaches along the west coast whilst eating fish and chips; walking through the ancient streets of York learning about the history of England; taking on the locals at surfing in Cornwall; enjoying the underground music scene in Manchester; or evening relaxing in a Roman bath in Bath...
London has been England's heartbeat for thousands of years. It is a high-tempo city with a million and one things to do. The nightlife is amazing, but there is a big emphasis on cafes, restaurants, live music, museums and much much more.
London is hosting the 2012 Olympic Games and the city is already buzzing with excitement. Expect to see a huge influx of people into the capital for the world's biggest athletics event.
Mini-London's seem to be springing up all over the country, with Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle being hugely popular. They can match London's hedonistic lifestyle... just...
Wherever you are, you're never more than few miles from a ruined castle, an ancient manor or a pub. And villages. There are thousands of little villages dotted around the country with nothing more than a few houses and a place to get a drink.
Some of the world's most popular sports were created in England, such as cricket, football, golf, rugby and tennis. In fact, the English even claim the invented sport in general, and they love that fact. However, despite inventing sport as we know it, they aren't very good at it. They have only won the football world cup once, back in 1966, and the rugby world cup once in 2003. They're working on it though... apparently.
England is hugely popular with Australians, Kiwis and South Africans due to the working holiday visa programme. You can visit London and get really confused as to which country you're in - there are quite a few southern hemisphere communities and a cockney accent is a thing of the past.
Still, if so many tourists are visiting England then they must be doing something right. So come on over, have a cuppa and see what the country is all about...
