Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Regardless of the revolution we had 230-some years ago, many American travelers feel
that they “go home” to Britain. This most popular tourist destination has a strange influen-
ce and power over us. The more you know of Britain's roots, the better you'll get in touch
with your own.
Geographically, the Isle of Britain is small (about the size of Uganda or Idaho)—600 miles
long and 300 miles at its widest point (and just 75 miles at its narrowest). Similar in size
to Louisiana, England occupies the southeastern part of Britain (with about 60 percent of
its land and 80 percent of its population). England's highest mountain (Scafell Pike in the
Lake District) is 3,206 feet, a foothill by our standards. The population is a fifth that of the
United States. At its peak in the mid-1800s, Britain owned one-fifth of the world and ac-
counted for more than half the planet's industrial output. Today, the Empire is down to the
Isle of Britain itself and a few token, troublesome scraps, such as the Falklands, Gibraltar,
and Northern Ireland (though many larger nations—including Canada and Australia—still
consider themselves part of the “British Commonwealth”).
Economically, Great Britain's industrial production is about 5 percent of the world's
total. After emerging from a recession in 1992, Britain's economy enjoyed its longest peri-
od of expansion on record. But in 2008, the global economic slowdown, tight credit, and
falling home prices pushed Britain back into a recession.
Culturally, Britain is still a world leader. Her heritage, culture, and people cannot be
measured in traditional units of power. London is a major exporter of actors, movies, and
theater; of rock and classical music; and of writers, painters, and sculptors.
Ethnically, the British Isles are a mix of the descendants of the early Celtic natives
(in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Cornwall), the invading Anglo-Saxon “barbarians” who
took southeast England in the Dark Ages, and the conquering Normans of the 11th cen-
tury...not to mention more recent immigrants from around the world. Cynics call the Un-
ited Kingdom an English Empire ruled by London, whose dominant Anglo-Saxon English
(50 million) far outnumber their Celtic brothers and sisters (10 million).
Politically, Britain is ruled by the House of Commons, with some guidance from the
mostly figurehead Queen and House of Lords. Just as the United States Congress is dom-
inated by Democrats and Republicans, Britain's Parliament has traditionally been dom-
inated by two parties: left-leaning Labour and right-leaning Conservative (“Tories”). But
