Position in relation to neighboring countries. UK EGP Change of EGP over time in UK

Ministry of General and Vocational Education

Sverdlovsk region

State educational institution

primary vocational education

Vocational school for training trade workers

Economic-geographical

country characteristics

United Kingdom

Abstract

Executor:

Telitsyna M.M.

student of group No. 21

Supervisor:

geography teacher

Khorzova T.V.

Ekaterinburg

Introduction…………………………………………………………………….…3

1.Territory, borders, position of the country……………………………...4

2.Natural conditions and resources…………………………………………......5

3.Population…………………………………………………………….7

4. Economy and industry………………………………………...8

5.Agriculture…………………………………………………….11

6.Transport…………………………………………………………….12

7.Science and finance……………………………………………………….13

8.Recreation and tourism………………………………………………………......15

9.Environmental protection and environmental problems…………....18

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….19

Appendix 1…………………………………………………………….20

Appendix 2…………………………………………………………….21

Appendix 3…………………………………………………………….22

Appendix 4…………………………………………………………….23

Appendix 5…………………………………………………………….24

References………………………………………………………25

Introduction

I chose the topic “Economic and geographical position of Great Britain” because Great Britain is closest to me of all other countries, of course, not counting Russia. I would like to visit this country cultural places and learn more about it than my superficial knowledge.

To write an essay on this topic, you need to study four sources that fairly accurately describe the situation in Great Britain. And based on these sources, it is necessary, based on the questions posed, to show the current situation of the country and draw a conclusion about its condition.

United Kingdom (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) is an irregularly shaped archipelago with a very diverse landscape and nature. The area of ​​Great Britain is approximately 240,842 sq. km. Most of it is land, and the rest is rivers and lakes. England's area is 129,634 square meters. km., Wales - 20,637 sq. km., Scotland - 77,179 sq. km. and Northern Ireland - 13,438 sq. km. The southern tip of the island of Great Britain, the Cornwall peninsula, is located at 50° N, and the northernmost part of the Shetland archipelago is at 60° N. The length of the island of Great Britain from north to south is 966 km, and its greatest width is half that. Great Britain has a complex administrative-territorial division. It consists of 4 historical and geographical regions: England (45 counties and a special administrative unit - Greater London). Wales (8 counties); Northern Ireland(26 districts); Scotland (12 regions); independent administrative units - the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Great Britain is washed from the west by waters Atlantic Ocean, and from the east - by waters North Sea. From the south, Great Britain borders on France, its closest and most developed neighbor, which shares water borders with it. The shortest distance to the northern coast of France is the Strait of Dover, but the main communication between the states is through the English Channel, called the English Channel by the British, along the bottom of which a tunnel for high-speed transport was built at the end of the twentieth century. railway communication. Before this, communication between the two countries was carried out by water or by air. Also, the closest neighbors of Great Britain are Belgium and the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, and Norway are located much further away. Thus, the UK’s EGP is both neighboring and coastal, which is extremely beneficial for the economic development of the country, although it has some disadvantages in strategic and military terms.

The total population (according to 2008) is 61,113,205 people. Age structure: under 14 years old - 16.7%, 15-64 - 67.1%, 65 and older - 16.2%. The average age of men is 39 years, women - 41 years. The average family composition is 2 children and parents. The rural population is 11%, the rural population density is 242 people. per 1 sq. km. The total number of economically active population is 29 million people. In cities with the number of inhabitants of St. 100 thousand people Almost half of the country's population lives. The largest cities by population: London (6,803,000 people), Birmingham (935,000 people), Glasgow (654,000 people), Sheffield (500,000 people), Liverpool (450,000 people), Edinburgh (421 000 people), Manchester (398,000 people), Belfast (280,000 people). In Great Britain, the birth rate exceeds the death rate, the rapid birth rate can be seen in the table (Appendix 1) from 1976 to 2009. The country's indigenous people make up 92% of the population (2001, census), of which:

· English - 83.6%,

· Scots (mainly in Scotland) - 8.5%,

· Welsh (mainly in Wales) - 4.9%,

· Irish (mainly in Northern Ireland, Ulsterians) - 2.9%.

Immigrants and their children live mainly in conurbations Greater London, West Midlands and Merseyside. They make up about 8% of the country's population, including:

• people from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh - 3.6%,
• China - 0.4%,
• African countries - 0.8%,
• dark-skinned islanders Caribbean Sea - 1 %

The current monarch is Elizabeth II, who began her reign on February 6, 1952. Her eldest son, Prince Charles, is her heir. The Prince of Wales holds various ceremonial functions, as does the Queen's husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. In addition, there are several other members of the august family: children, grandchildren and cousins. Thus, the population is growing due to labor immigrants from countries that have recently joined the European Union, who, after the EU enlargement in May 2004, were allowed free entry to work in the UK. However, the country's birth rate still exceeds death rates, although natural increase is no longer the dominant factor in the increase in the number of Britons.

4. Economy and industry

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks sixth among leading countries in terms of overall economic activity and gross domestic product (GDP). The country's economy is highly monopolized: the 100 largest TNCs control over 50% of industrial output and foreign trade. UK industry provides 1/3 of the gross national product and accounts for 1/3 of all employees. It uses mainly imported raw materials and is increasingly focused on the foreign market. On the one hand, Great Britain is characterized by the rapid growth of modern industries using advanced production technology and labor organization, the latest equipment and advanced management methods, on the other hand, the lag of old traditional industries. The country's largest industrial monopolies are Imperial Chemical Industries, or IKI, Unilever, British Leyland and General Electric Company, which each employ 200 thousand people. The bulk of Britain's industrial enterprises are concentrated in a densely populated industrial belt, including counties from London to Lancashire and from West Yorkshire to Gloucestershire. The largest industrial areas outside this belt are South Wales, north-east England and central Scotland. In areas where old industries and traditional industries developed, they became lagging or depressed. This is most of Scotland, Northern Ireland, almost all of Wales, the extreme northeast and part of the southwest of England. The main branch of the UK mining industry is coal mining. It has been going on for three centuries. The UK ranks third in Europe in terms of coal reserves. As for the British oil refining industry, it is still dependent on imports of crude oil and petroleum products. There are 9 oil refineries in the country with a total capacity of about 90 million tons per year (the Shell oil refinery in Shell Haven with a capacity of 4.3 million tons per year closed in 1999). They are located in the Thames Estuary, at Foley near Southampton, in south Wales, on the Manchester Canal, in Teesside, Humberside and in Scotland (Grangemouth). More than 80 gas fields with proven reserves of 2 trillion have been discovered in the British North Sea. m 3 and recoverable - 0.8 trillion. m 3. Gas production from them began in the mid-60s, now 37 fields are in operation, 7 fields account for 1/2 of the production, among them Leman Bank, Brent, Morekham. Production volume for 1990–2003 increased from I to 103 billion m 3. Foreign trade gas is insignificant; in 2003, its exports amounted to 15, and imports - 8 billion m 3. Through a gas pipeline laid at the bottom of the North Sea, gas reaches the east coast of the island of Great Britain in the area of ​​Easington and Yorkshire. A major achievement of the British economy is that the entire manufacturing and consumer sectors are fully supplied with electricity. 86% of electricity is produced by thermal power plants, 12% by nuclear power plants and 2% by hydroelectric power plants. The overwhelming majority of thermal power plants operate on coal, but in recent years Some of them go to oil. The largest thermal power plants (with a capacity of more than 1 million kW) are located on the Trent River and near London. Hydroelectric power stations are usually small, they are located mainly on Scottish Highlands. Iron ore mining occurs in a relatively narrow belt that begins at Scunthorpe in Yorkshire in the north and stretches across the East Midlands to Banbury in the south. The ore here is of low quality, siliceous and contains only 33% metal. The need for iron ore is met by imports from Canada, Liberia and Mauritania. Ferrous metallurgy has developed greatly.
Today, Great Britain ranks eighth in the world in iron and steel production. The state-owned British Steel Corporation produces almost all the country's steel. There are 4 metallurgical districts preserved, of which only one is located in the center of the country: Sheffield-Rotherham, with its specialization in high-quality steel and electric steel, the rest are on the coast in ports (in South Wales - Port Talbot, Llanwern, in Humbersay de Scunthorpe , in Teesside - Redcar). Mechanical engineering, the largest branch of British industry, employs 1/4 of all those employed in the manufacturing industry. The industry accounts for 40% of conventionally pure manufacturing products. Transport engineering predominates. About 1/3 of the capital spent on the production of means of transport belongs to American companies that have established themselves in British Isles after the Second World War. There are enterprises in this industry in almost all areas and in most cities of Great Britain. Electrical engineering is one of the growing and developing industries; it ranks second among manufacturing industries in terms of the number of employees. Several very large companies dominate the electrical industry: General Electric, English Electric and Associated Electrical Industries. The UK's position in the production of turbines and electric motors is still quite strong. But electronics now occupy a dominant position. The production of computer equipment is developing most dynamically, but the main position here is occupied by American capital, and in the production of consumer electronics - Japanese capital. British firms are traditionally strong in the production of radio-electronic equipment (radars, radio transmitters) and communications equipment. Aircraft manufacturing is one of the fastest growing industries in the UK. This industry is dominated by the largest state-owned company, British Airspace. It specializes in producing a wide range of different aircraft, helicopters, spacecraft, and rockets. The helicopters are manufactured by another large company, Westland Aircraft. Almost all aircraft engine production in the country is concentrated in the hands of the nationalized Rolls-Royce company, which has factories in Derby, Bristol, Coventry, and also in Scotland. Cooperation with Western European and American companies in the production of civil and military equipment. The latest chemical industry production is also one of the fastest growing industries. About 1/3 of the products of basic chemistry are inorganic chemicals - sulfuric acid, oxides of metals and non-metals. Among the many chemical industries, the production of synthetic fibers, various types of plastics, new dyes, pharmaceutical products and detergents began to stand out on a large scale. British chemistry is based on oil and gas raw materials and specializes in a fairly limited number of chemicals. Traditional sectors of the British economy, such as the textile industry, are also developing. Among the branches of light industry, it plays a special role in the industrial development of the country, in the spread of the machine method of production throughout the world. Woolen fabrics are produced mainly in West Yorkshire, rayon production predominates in the Yorkshire town of Silsden, and cotton fabrics are produced in Lancashire, in the small textile towns north-east of Manchester. The production of woolen fabrics, products, and yarn is the oldest in the British Isles. Woolen products from British textile manufacturers are still highly valued in foreign markets. In the structure of the manufacturing industry, the paper and printing industries (13.9%), food and tobacco (13.8%) have the largest share. Over the past half century, the food industry has become one of the main areas of concentration of British capital: of the 40 corporations in the country included in the “Club 500” of the largest companies in the world, this industry is represented by a dozen, led by Unilever, Diageo and Cadbury Schweppes. Food concentrates, confectionery products, drinks (including tea, Scotch whiskey and London gin), and tobacco products are highly competitive on the world market. The placement of the largest enterprises is focused on markets, including external ones. Thus, the UK ranks sixth among countries in terms of overall economic activity, GDP and industrial production.

5.Agriculture

In recent decades, the development of agriculture has significantly increased the scientific and technical level and productivity of which has become part of the national agro-industrial complex. The country's supply from local resources is steadily growing, and during the post-war period it has risen from 1/3 to 4/5, complete self-sufficiency has been achieved in products such as milk, there is a high supply of eggs, poultry, wheat, oats, barley, potatoes; Fruits, butter, sugar, and cheeses are imported. Under the conditions prevailing in the EU, one has to pay more for imported products compared to the possibilities of importing food from former colonies, which gives rise to constant contradictions between the UK and other EU members. UK agriculture is currently one of the most productive and mechanized in the world. The industry's employment share is 2% of total employment in the country. The total area of ​​agricultural land is 58.3 million hectares (76% of all land in the country). The structure of agricultural production is dominated by livestock farming. Dairy and meat and dairy cattle breeding, pig breeding (bacon fattening), meat sheep breeding and poultry farming are also developed. England is one of the world's largest suppliers of sheep wool. Traditionally, livestock farming is concentrated in river basins. However, livestock farming suffered great damage in 2001 due to livestock diseases - first with spongiform encephalopathy (“mad cow disease”), and then with foot-and-mouth disease. In crop production, almost 60% of arable land is occupied by perennial grasses, over 28% by grain crops (including 15% by wheat, 11% by barley); 12% - under industrial (rapeseed, sugar beets, flax) and fodder crops (including potatoes), as well as vegetable gardens and berry fields. The main agricultural regions are East Anglia and the South East. There are many orchards in the country. Agriculture enjoys great support from the state and receives subsidies from the EU budget. For products such as wheat, barley, oats and pork, production volumes exceed consumption volumes; for such as: potatoes, beef, lamb, wool, sugar and eggs - the production volume is lower than the consumption volume. Thus, many of the UK's essential products have to be imported from other countries. They import 4/5 of the butter, 2/3 of the sugar, half of the wheat and bacon, and 1/4 of the beef and veal consumed in the country.

6.Transport

Great Britain is an island state, therefore all its external transport and trade are related to maritime and by air. About 9/10 of the total cargo turnover is accounted for by sea transport, including 1/4 of cabotage. All areas of the UK, except the West Midlands, are, to one degree or another, directly connected to seaports, which serve as major transport hubs. The largest of them are London, Southampton, Liverpool, Hull and Harwich, with London and Liverpool sea ​​ports handle about half of all cargo (by value). The UK is connected to the continent by a Channel Tunnel, two railway ferries (Dover - Dunkirk and Harwich - Ostend), and numerous sea car and passenger ferries - with Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Holland and France. In domestic freight transport, road transport plays the largest role. The leading role in domestic transportation is occupied by road transport - 85% of passenger transportation and 81% of freight transportation. The UK is covered in a dense network highways. The length of asphalt roads is 406.4 thousand km. Unlike other developed countries, the UK, with its high road density, has only 4% of modern motorways, which attract 36% of traffic flows. The most intense traffic is along the London-Birmingham-Manchester-Glasgow axial motorway. London and Glasgow have underground trains. Electrification was carried out to increase competitiveness railways(1/3 lines), express trains for passengers and cargo were launched on the main routes. The government is implementing various organizational measures to modernize this type of transport. Value drops river transport. The length of waterways is 3.2 thousand km. Inland waterways (rivers and canal networks) are now used mainly for recreational purposes only. Cargo transportation is carried out mainly within the deep-water estuaries of the Mersey, Thames, Severn, and Humber. Air transport is developing rapidly. Since the 1980s air transportation of passengers and cargo has more than tripled. British Airways is a leading international airline. There are about 450 civil airports in the country - the largest of them is Heathrow. The pipeline transport network is rapidly expanding; it is connected to gas pipelines coming from the North Sea fields; the total length of pipelines is 3.9 thousand km. - up to 75% of oil reaches land via oil pipelines.

Transport in the UK therefore plays an important role in domestic freight and passenger transport. So the Channel Tunnel with two railway ferries transports 60-80% of the total population per day.

7.Science and finance

Great Britain's contribution to the treasury of world science, primarily to the development of natural and technical sciences. Among the outstanding scientists - physicists, chemists, biologists: I. Newton, R. Boyle, R. Hooke, J. Joule, M. Faraday, J. Maxwell, C. Darwin, Cavendish, E. Rutherford. The works of British philosophers, sociologists, historians, and economists became world famous: R. Bacon, T. More, Fr. Bacon, T. Hobbes, I. Bentham, W. Petty, A. Smith, D. Ricardo, J. Mill, R. Owen, T. R. Malthus, A. Marshall, J. M. Keynes, B. Russell. More than 70 British scientists have been awarded Nobel Prizes. The UK accounts for approximately 4.5% of global spending on science and 8% of all scientific publications. The importance of science in the UK can be seen in the changes that have taken place in education. Technical schools and colleges, as well as graduate programs at other institutions, are seeking to increase the number of professional scientific workers. Schools work closely with industry. The Manchester Research Council brings together university scientists and members of the Chamber of Commerce. Industrially important research is being carried out at the University of Sheffield in the field of glass technology, and in Cheshire in the use of radio telescopes. In the UK there are more than 200 scientific institutions and organizations publishing more than 400 scientific periodicals. As for libraries, let's name the main ones. The British Museum Library in London (more than 10 million volumes), the Cambridge University Library (more than 3.5 million volumes), the Bodleian Library in Oxford (more than 4.5 million volumes), and the Scottish National Library in Edinburgh (more than 4 million volumes), Welsh National Library in Aberystwyth (more than 2 million volumes). Copies of all published books are sent, in accordance with the law, to the British Museum for copyright purposes, as well as to other libraries if requests for these publications are received from them. The largest libraries are located at the universities of London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrews, Queen's (in Belfast), John Ryland (in Manchester), the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum. Important collections of special editions are held in the Patent Office, India House, the Public Record Office, the Royal Geographical Society, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Royal College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music, the Arts Council, the National Book League, the National Archives, the Royal botanical garden, Institute modern history(Wiener Library) and the National Library for the Blind. There are about 500 state library boards, with more than 40,000 branches and lending more than 400 million books a year. Delivery of books using specially equipped vehicles is becoming increasingly popular in remote areas. Book collections are being supplemented a large number video and audio materials. UK companies have reduced their R&D (Research and Development) spending. According to this indicator, the UK ranks fifth among the seven leading industrialized countries. In the field of high technology, British firms are ahead of Japanese and German companies, but behind the United States and France. This situation is caused not only by a decrease in the level of development funding from the companies themselves, but also by a decrease in support from the state. The Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Finance are developing a joint policy to increase investment in R&D and to optimize the process of introducing research results into all sectors of the country's economy. The participation of the Ministry of Finance underscores the attention the government is paying to solving this problem. The two ministries are leading working groups involved in restructuring the organization and financing of British R&D. The Treasury Chief Treasurer is sponsoring a group led by a director of British Biotech. The group studies R&D financing in high-tech companies, and, in particular, financing of the initial stage of development. The Department of Trade and Industry sponsors the Tech-Stars group to overcome barriers to the development of small and medium-sized firms in the high technology field. The Minister of Science heads the working group on issues of inventive activity and the implementation of inventions in industry. The Investment Working Group is chaired by Lord Hollick and is looking at the constraints to investment in R&D. All groups include representatives from banking, joint ventures, and manufacturing and service firms. Thus, scientific and technical programs have been developed and are being implemented aimed at solving pressing problems of industry and society, which include: creating a promising vehicle future; reduction of pollution levels major cities countries; creation of promising materials for industry; genetic and environmental balance of human health; integrated approach to aging problems. And the role of science in Great Britain is very significant.

8.Recreation and tourism

For most visits to the UK, a multiple-entry visitor visa is issued, valid for 6 months. In some cases, a visitor visa may be issued for a single visit. Russian citizens, thanks to a concession under the UK Immigration Rules, may not receive transit visa and get out transit zone airport if your stay in the UK is no more than 24 hours. In cooking, the British are as committed to tradition as in many other things. For centuries, the English day begins with a traditional breakfast: scrambled eggs with fried bacon, fried tomatoes, mushrooms, sausages and black pudding. Nowadays, oatmeal and corn flakes are more often served. After breakfast, tea and toast with orange marmalade will be waiting for you. Lunch, or second breakfast, is served at half past one, followed by tea or a light lunch at 5 o'clock and dinner at 7. Snacks and sandwiches are very popular - triangular sandwiches have already become one of the many English traditions. Puree soups and broths are common first courses, but they are rarely served and are not an integral part of the daily meal. Spices and herbs are used very rarely. The British eat a lot of meat: beef, veal, lamb, pork. It is baked whole, rare, or cut into steaks and fried in a frying pan. The meat is always served with gravy, baked vegetables (usually potatoes) and pickles. Of the intoxicating drinks, beer is especially popular - black ale and porter, and draft beer is especially valued, as well as whiskey, gin, brandy, rum, and port. Placements in the UK are divided into three types:

• Hotel – a hotel that provides full accommodation services;
• B&B and Inn - guest accommodation providing the necessary service for bed and breakfast;
• Motel - budget or roadside hotels, informal accommodation options with a very limited range of services. are managed by private entrepreneurs and have limited opportunities for businessmen.

In addition to the star rating, hotels can be assigned specific names. MetroHotel (metro hotel). Does not offer hot meals to guests, but must be within walking distance from catering establishments. CountryHouseHotel (country home hotel). The hotel should have a small park or garden - secluded and quiet. SmallHotel (mini-hotel). The maximum number of rooms is 20. Typically, such hotels are managed by private entrepreneurs and have limited opportunities for businessmen. The main attractions of England and the whole of Great Britain are located, of course, in London, where, for example, in the City area tradition and modernity are combined. And also in the capital of Scotland - Edinburgh. Big Ben ( Appendix 1) - This is a huge clock that stands on the tower of St. Stephen. This clock, located on the tower of the United Kingdom Parliament, is recognized by its sound and heard throughout the world because its chime is broadcast hourly on BBC radio. Tourists are not allowed to enter Big Ben; you can get to the very top of the ninety-six-meter tower via a very narrow spiral staircase. After going through all three hundred and thirty-four steps, you can get to a small open area, this is where the legendary bell is located. Big Ben is one bell. It is more than two meters high and has a diameter of three meters. British Museum(Appendix 2) - British Library, reading room The British Museum, which is a huge cylindrical room. All the walls of this room are lined with books. Buckingham Palace (Appendix 3) - Buckingham Palace is located opposite the gilded marble monument to Queen Victoria opposite Pall Mall. If the Queen is in the palace, then the royal flag flies on the roof of the palace. At the request of the Queen's ancestor, King George IV, the palace was built according to the architectural design of John Nash. The cost of construction reached seven hundred pounds due to the mass of excesses of this kind, such as, for example, five hundred veined marble blocks from Carrara Edinburgh Castle (Appendix 4) Edinburgh Castle is located in the very center of the city, so it is visible from everywhere. None of the passing tourists can pass by. Because the castle is enormous. But besides entertainment, it attracts with its age and historical significance. Stonehenge. A gigantic structure in the center of Europe - Stonehenge - is a stone mystery. In general, Stonehenge is gigantic structure, which includes 82 five-ton megaliths, 30 stone blocks weighing 25 tons and 5 huge trilithons weighing 50 tons. The stone blocks are stacked in the form of arches pointing to the cardinal directions. Until recently, scientists believed that this structure was erected in 3100 BC by the tribes of the British Isles for the purpose of observing the Sun and Moon. But recently this idea has been revised. London parks- this is a special attraction, which is a green spot in the very center of the city, covering an area of ​​more than three hundred hectares. The huge size of the parks and their length create the illusion of an untouched natural landscape, creating an environment that contrasts with the super-urban landscape of the city. The importance of parks for restoring the atmosphere of central London is enormous, which is why they are called the “lungs of London”. Museum of Z. Freud. Sigmunda Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, lived in this house with her family since 1938 after fleeing the Nazi regime in Austria. Until 1982, Freud’s youngest daughter, also a psychoanalyst, lived here. Now it houses both a museum and a research center. Tower of London. In a book dedicated to the nine-hundredth anniversary of the Tower, the Duke of Edinburgh wrote: “During its history, the Tower of London has been a fortress, a palace, a repository of royal jewels, an arsenal, a mint, a prison, an observatory, a zoo, and a place attracting tourists." Ferris wheel(LondonEye) is the world's largest Ferris wheel. Such a gift to Londoners and guests of the city was made by 2000. The Ferris wheel has 32 cabins, each of which can accommodate 25 people; a full rotation of the wheel takes half an hour. The construction of the huge Ferris wheel was financed by British Airways. From a height of one hundred thirty-five meters there is a wonderful view of London; in favorable weather you can see the city and its surroundings within a radius of forty kilometers. Cathedral saint Pavel- this is the residence of the Bishop of London, as well as spiritual center City. Architect Sir Christopher Wren monitored the progress of construction of the cathedral from the windows of his house, which was located on the opposite bank of the river. From there he could see the work at the top of Ludgate Hill. The construction of this masterpiece lasted for thirty-five years. Sherlock Holmes House built in 1815. The British government declared it an architectural and historical monument second category. From 1860 to 1934, the house was a private property and a boarding house, but with the acquisition of the building by the International Society, it became the home of Sherlock Holmes. Windsor Palace- this castle, which is visible from Windsor Park, was considered very romantic by great people. To his left - Round tower. The architect Geoffrey Whiteville was awarded a knighthood for his creation in 1828. Westminster Abbey – its beauty was carefully created by different generations of royals, starting with Edward the Confessor, who ascended the throne in 1040. It is a pity that the church he built was consecrated only in 1065, when the king became weak and could not attend the consecration ceremony. On next year On Christmas Day, the coronation of William the Conqueror took place in the church. Thus, in Great Britain, tradition and modernity have been combined, traditions in cooking, religion and cultural values, and modernity in education, the upbringing of younger generations and social development.

9.Environmental protection and environmental issues

As of today last stage A three-year project to create a database is under implementation building materials. The project is supported by 24 trade organizations involved in the production and supply of building materials, and is aimed at improving their quality, service life and checking how well they meet the principles of energy saving, environmental protection and human health. Recent sociological studies show about 70% of respondents believe that the state of the environment in their living quarters requires improvement. That's why the Building Institute is set to issue guidelines for construction firms on how they can improve the quality of their buildings and their environmental compliance. To encourage construction firms to take part in this important cause, the institute plans to publish a book, "Environment. Competition. Profit", which will include data on all firms that are serious about protecting the environment. The UK is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions . According to its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, the country has already reduced emissions by 12.5% ​​compared to 1990 and plans to reach 20% in 2010. It is planned that by 2015, 33% of household waste will be recycled or used as fertilizer. Between 1999 and 2000, recycling of household waste increased from 8.8% to 10.3%. The UK has ratified the following international agreements: “on environmental protection”, “on air pollution” (nitrogen oxides, sulfur, organic compounds), “on the protection of the natural environment of Antarctica”, “on the conservation of marine resources of Antarctica”. Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity Treaty, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol on Desertification, Hazardous Waste, Maritime Convention, Test Ban nuclear weapons, “about the protection of whales” and others. Thus, by signing the above treaties and agreements, Great Britain seeks to reduce and partially eliminate the environmental problem.

Conclusion

This essay was written using four sources, having studied which I can conclude that Great Britain is now a highly developed state, one of the leading world powers. In terms of industrial production, it ranks fifth in the world after the USA, Japan, Germany and France. But this is not done yet. In Britain, minerals are being mined and new methods of extracting them are being developed. Thanks to the fact that Britain is island state, it remains one of the largest maritime powers today. Thanks to its Economic geographical location, there are still development options in the UK. This country can only develop and improve its position in the world.

Appendix 1

1-1976; 2-1998; 3-2004; 4-2005; 5-2007; 6-2009

Appendix 2

Appendix 3

Appendix 4

Appendix 5

References:

1.Internet "Great Soviet Encyclopedia". Editor-in-Chief S.I. Vavilov. State scientific publishing house "Big Soviet Encyclopedia". Volume No. 7. 1951.2.Internet Directory “Countries of the World”. 1976. Moscow. Publishing house of political literature. 3. Internet Encyclopedia for children. "Avanta+". Volume 13. “Countries. Peoples. Civilizations". 1999.

Soviet encyclopedic dictionary. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia
1979.- p.204.

; 1°46` east longitude and 8°00` west longitude.

Great Britain is an island state; consists of the island of Great Britain and the northeastern part of the island of Ireland (they are separated by the narrow North Channel), as well as smaller islands (the most significant of them are Anglesey, White, Orkney, Hebrides, Shetland). Great Britain includes the internally autonomous Isle of Man in the Irish Sea and the Channel Islands, located in the English Channel off the coast of France. (as they usually call and) are washed by the waters of the North Sea. They are separated from mainland Europe only by the narrow straits of Pas de Calais (in the UK - the Strait of Dover) and the English Channel (English Channel). Great Britain is connected by a 48 km long tunnel, of which 37 km passes under. Coastline- 12,429 km - heavily indented, replete with bays and bays - convenient parking lots for sea ​​vessels. Most large bays- Bristol, Cardigan, Solway Firth, Firth of Clyde, Moray Firth, Firth of Forth, Wash. The UK shares a land border with the Irish Republic; its length is 360 km.

Much of the UK is characterized by rugged terrain. It predominates in the north and west. In the northern part of the island, mountains rise from 840 to 1300 m above sea level (the highest high peak- Ben Nevis - 1340 m). The North Scottish Highlands are separated from the South Scottish Highlands by the Lowlands, less than 100 km wide. Mountain ranges cover almost the entire western part of the island, especially Wales and Cornwall. Middle part Northern England is occupied by the Pennines, which separate the Lancashire Lowlands in the west from the Yorkshire Lowlands in the east. The southern half of Great Britain is composed of plains separated by hills and highlands.

The UK has significant reserves. Among them are oil, natural gas, coal, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, copper, silica. Offshore oil reserves are estimated at 1,430 million tons; most are located in, to the east and north-east of and to the east of Shetland and Orkney; the largest offshore fields are Fortis and Brent, on the mainland - Witchfarm in Dorset. Reserves reach 1,710 billion m3, the main deposits are located in the North Sea off the east coast of England. The main (significantly developed) are Yorkshire - Derby - Nottinghamshire basin in the eastern Midlands, Northumberland - Durham basin in northeast England.

The UK's soil cover is quite varied. Brown forest, podzolic soils predominate. Carbonate, alluvial, acidic soils, and peat bogs are widespread.

The climate of Great Britain is temperate, humid, and oceanic. Thanks to the North Atlantic Current and warm winds blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean, the UK tends to have mild winters. But these also explain the cloudy weather, frequent rains, etc. The average temperature in January is 3-7°C, in July 11 - 17°C, the amount of annual precipitation is 550-800 mm in the southeast, 3000 mm in the mountainous western and northern regions. The most precipitation falls from October to January, the least - in February-March.

Great Britain has a large number of rivers and lakes. The most - Severn (328 km) - originates in the mountains of Wales and flows into Bristol Bay (west coast). The Lancashire Lowlands are crossed by the Mersey, which flows into Liverpool Bay. Main river east coast - Thames (336 km) - flows through the most densely populated areas of south-eastern England. The Lowlands of Scotland are also rich in rivers. The longest of them is the Clyde (157 km), originating in the South Scottish Highlands and flowing into the Firth of Clyde (west coast), and the Forth, flowing into the Firth of Forth (east coast). There are many lakes in the north of the country. The largest is Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland - 396 km2. The deepest is Loch Morir in the North Scottish Highlands (310 m).

The flora of Great Britain is diverse - 9% of the territory. Broad-leaved forests predominate - oak, beech, birch. There are many coniferous forests in Scotland - spruce and larch. Heather heaths are widespread. In the south of the country there are evergreen plant species. Plants grow all year round.

There are about 30 thousand species of animals in Great Britain. These include foxes, hares, red squirrels, otters, black rats, mink, reptiles and amphibians. Of the 200 bird species, the most common are sparrows, finches, starlings, crows, kingfishers, robins, and tits. In rivers and coastal sea ​​waters There are numerous species of fish - cod, haddock, whiting, herring, salmon, trout.

State structure

Great Britain is a parliamentary monarchy. Formally, the country is ruled by a monarch (since 1952 - Queen Elizabeth II), but in fact the highest legislative body is parliament, which includes the queen, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons is a national assembly, elected every five years. House of Lords - aristocrats, princes of the blood, hereditary peers.

Position in relation to neighboring countries

The country is located in the British Isles off the northwestern coast of continental Europe, traditionally called (by name largest island) Great Britain, and by the name of the historical part - England. Officially, it is called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Great Britain is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the north and west sides. Through the vastness of this ocean this country"neighbors" Iceland to the north.

From the east, the shores of “Foggy Albion” are washed by the waters of the North Sea. The neighboring countries on this side are Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium.

The closest neighboring country is France. It borders Great Britain with south side and is separated from the coast of the United Kingdom by the English Channel.

In the west, Great Britain is separated from the main part of Ireland by the Irish Sea and St. George's Channel.

A country's position in relation to neighboring countries is often referred to as This is a rather complex and multifaceted category. This will be discussed in this article. What are the characteristics of the economic and geographical position of the leading states of Eurasia - Japan, Great Britain, France? And how profitable is it?

The country's position in relation to neighboring countries

The countries of our planet differ significantly from each other. And not just in size, population or cultural characteristics. There are other factors that largely determine the well-being of the state. Thus, some countries have extensive access to the ocean, while others are closed within the continent. Some states are located at the intersection of important transcontinental transport routes, which gives them enormous benefits in the form of profit from the transit of goods by other entities of the world economy. All these factors can be attributed to the concept discussed in this article.

So, the position of the country in relation to neighboring countries is called the economic-geographical position of the state (abbreviated as EGP). However, this is a very narrow interpretation of the concept. EGP is a very complex and multifaceted geographical category. In a broad sense, EGL is the position of a country (as well as a city or region) relative to those geographical objects that may have an impact (positive or negative) on its economic development.

EGP can be central, peripheral, deep or peripheral. It can be assessed at the global or regional level.

At characteristics of the EGP of a particular state, many factors must be taken into account. This:

• availability of access to the sea (the World Ocean);
• number of neighboring countries;
• marketing opportunities for your products;
• the presence of large fuel and raw material bases;
• position relative to important transport routes, etc.

Interestingly, some countries successfully take advantage of their geographic location. Other states have not yet learned this art. The Soviet geographer Nikolai Baransky was the first to seriously study the theoretical aspects of the concept of EGP.

The situation in relation to neighboring countries is often also called However, in this case we are talking exclusively about political factors, the nature of the relations of a particular state with its neighbors, and the like.

Characteristics of the EGP of France

France is one of largest countries in Europe. It includes Corsica, as well as a number of small islands in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, France owns overseas departments and territories almost all over the world.

France's position in relation to neighboring countries can be described as advantageous. It borders eight states. France maintains good neighborly and close relations with each of them.

The country is located in Western Europe and has access to Mediterranean Sea in the south and to the Atlantic in the west and northwest. The coastline within the state is indented by numerous bays, convenient for the entry of large international ships.

Characteristics of Japan's EGP

Japan is an archipelago country in East Asia, which consists of six thousand islands of various sizes. From the east, the territory of the state is washed by the Pacific Ocean, from the west - by the waters of three seas, which separate it from the “Mainland”.

Japan's position in relation to neighboring countries can generally be considered favorable. Thanks to its location at the junction largest continent and the largest ocean on the planet, the country received many opportunities to establish international contacts and market its products.

Japan was frankly unlucky with natural resources and relief. About 80% of its territory is not suitable for economic development and construction of residential buildings (due to mountainous landscapes). In addition, the country has virtually no mineral resources.

UK EGP assessment

Great Britain is in many ways reminiscent of this country. This country is also located on, however, not on the eastern, but on the western edge of Eurasia.

Great Britain is washed by the waters of the Atlantic and two seas - the North and Irish. It is separated from the mainland by the 35-kilometer English Channel. It shares a land border with only one country - Ireland.

Thanks to its geographical location, England received the unofficial status of the “sea queen of Europe” several centuries ago. The relief and natural and climatic conditions also contribute to the development of the country's economy.

Conclusion

The term EGP refers to the position of a country in relation to neighboring countries. It can be central, deep or peripheral, advantageous or disadvantageous. In addition, not all states effectively use their geographical location.

Area - 244.8 thousand km2. Population - 60.4 million people

Constitutional monarchy is a unitary state with autonomous entities (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands). Capital -. London

EGP

Great Britain is an island state in the northeastern part. Atlantic Ocean, from the mainland. Europe is separated by a strait. English Channel. Except the island. Great Britain, it includes the north-eastern part of the island. Ireland and a number of small islands. In the west the state borders with. Ireland, which was a colony for more than 700 years. UK her. The closest neighbors on the mainland are... France and Belgium Great Britain is a member. EU,. NATO and other integration associations, which contributes to the development of pan-European cooperation.

Great Britain is a central state. Commonwealth - a political and economic union of countries and territories that were previously part of. British. Empire (49 states and territories) included. The Commonwealth includes 14 states, among them such highly developed ones as. Canada,. Australia,. New. Zealand*.

Location. Great Britain on the islands promotes the development of maritime transport and access to international maritime trade routes. A tunnel built at the narrowest point of the strait. The English Channel connects. Great Britain with the mainland. This improves it significantly. EGGP.

Population

The country ranks second in terms of population European countries after. Germany. For. Great Britain has long been characterized by low natural population growth, which today amounts to more than 1 per 1,000 people per year. For several years there was even a slight decline in the state's population. Now in. The population of Great Britain is growing slowly due to insignificant natural growth and the influx of foreigners. Low birth rate against the backdrop of a significant average life expectancy (78 years) leads to the aging process of the nation.

The national composition of the population is motley. More than 80% are English, about 4% are Welsh, 2% are Irish, about 5.2% are Scots and over 4% come from other countries. Commonwealth, etc. Since the mid-20th century, about. 30 thousand immigrants from Ukraine. Residents by religion. Great Britain belongs to three faiths: the British and Welsh are supporters of the Protestant Church of England; Irish are Catholics; The Scots are Protestants (Presbyterians).

Placed population. Great Britain's territory is uneven. The average population density is about 240 people per 1 km2. The highest population density in. England (350 people per 1 km2), the smallest in. Scotland and India (more than 100 people per 1 km2). More than 90% of the population lives in cities. For. Great Britain is characterized by large agglomerations with a population of over 1 million people, in which a third of the urban population lives. They, together with smaller agglomerations (about 30 in all), form. English megalopolis with population. ZO million people. Bridge-millionaire two -. London (7.6 million people) and. Birmingham. In terms of the way of life, the countryside is not much different from the countryside.

In the employment structure of the population, about 80% are employed in the service sector, 19% in industry and 1% in agriculture. There is unemployment in the country, on average reaching 5.5% annually.

Natural conditions and resources

. Island. UK is rich in coal resources, whose reserves are currently very depleted. The largest coal basins -. Yorkshire, Newcastle (northern England) etc. Welsh. Oil and gas reserves are significant (North Sea shelf). B. British sector. The North Sea contains significant deposits of oil and natural gas. The UK is the only G7 European country that fully meets its needs with its own oil and gas.

The nadra islands contain small reserves of iron ore in the central coastal parts of the state, lead-zinc and tin ores on the peninsula. Cornwall (southwest UK). In the central parts. England has deposits of table and potassium salts.

The state is relatively rich in water resources (the humid climate contributes to the full flow of rivers). Only in the central one. England is facing a shortage water resources. Insignificant hydro resources are concentrated on rivers. Sh. Scotland and. Wales.

Forest reserves in the country are insignificant. Only 10% of its territory is covered with forests and only 15% of the wood demand is covered from its own resources

The country is dominated by flat terrain. Significant areas are occupied by old destroyed mountains (Cambrian, Peninsky), which do not have a significant impact on the nature of the development of the territory

The climate of the country is temperate maritime with mild winters, cool summer. It promotes the cultivation of all temperate zone crops. On west coast The island receives 2000 mm of precipitation, and on the eastern island - 600 mm of precipitation per river.

The UK has limited resources of agricultural land. The soils of the state are quite fertile (brown forest, podzolic), but require a significant amount of mineral and organic fertilizers

In the north. Scotland has a large lake district characterized by significant recreational resources