#Great Britain State name: In Germany and Austria the state name is “Vereinigtes Königreich von Großbritannien und Nordirland” (“United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”), the British themselves refer to their country as UK (United Kingdom) or Britain. Location: Great Britain lies in the northwest of Europe. The main island is surrounded by several small islands. Surface area: 244.820 km² Population: With a population of around 63.7 million, the United Kingdom is the third most populous country in the EU. Border state/s: Ireland Capital City: London is one of the largest cities in Great Britain and therefore the capital. There are many places of interest in London, for example the Big Ben or Buckingham Palace. London is one of the largest trading centres in the world and therefore a cosmopolitan city. With around 8.3 million inhabitants, London is the most populous country in the EU. The Buckingham Palace in London is the official residence of the monarchs and the residence of Queen Elizabeth II. Another special feature: the zero meridian runs through Greenwich, a part of London. The United Kingdom is a union of 1. England: The largest sub-state of Great Britain, it consists mainly of lowlands. There lies the capital London. This state covers more than half of Great Britain. The most important rivers are the Thames and the Severn, the largest cities are London, Manchester and Liverpool. 2. Wales: This state is located in the southwest of Great Britain. In the Cambrian Mountains in the centre of Wales, the longest river in Great Britain, the Severn, rises. The highest mountain is the Snowdon. Some of Wales’ cities are Swansea, Newport, Barry. 3. Scotland: This state is located in the north of Great Britain. The state consists of three parts: Central Belt, Southern Uplands and the Highlands. In Scotland lies the highest mountain of Great Britain, the Ben Nevis. 4. Northern Ireland: The smallest state in the United Kingdom. It has about 1.8 million inhabitants. The highest mountain in Northern Ireland is the Slieve Donard, the largest cities are Belfast and Derry. Form of government: Parliamentary Monarchy Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II Head of government: Prime Minister David Cameron Currency: Pound Sterling (Pounds) and Pence National Anthem: God save the Queen area code: +44 languages: Mostly English, but also Cornish, Irish, Manx, Scottish Gaelic, Scots, Ulster Scots and Welsh. Important English words and phrases: Hello! (Hallo!) How are you? (Wie geht es dir?) Good Morning, Good Night Good Bye! (Auf Wiedersehen!) Yes (Ja) No (Nein) Longest river: Severn (354km) and Thames (346km) Highest mountain: Ben Nevis (1344m) Climate: The climate in Great Britain is humid and rather warm. In the south and east the climate is drier and warmer than in the north and west. The average rainfall in Great Britain is 900mm per year. Economy: Great Britain is the seventh largest economy in the world and the third largest in Europe; converted into an average gross domestic product per capita in Great Britain of around 29,000€. Religion: The majority of Britons are Christians. But Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism are also widespread in Britain. Traditions and culture: Typical for Great Britain are sporting competitions such as the Highland Games in Scotland. The afternoon tea is also very typical. The British are also known for reading a lot of newspapers. The Times, the Daily Telegraph and the Guardian are among the most widely read daily newspapers. Theatre and literature also have a long cultural tradition in Britain. Famous British writers and poets include Graham Greene, Joanne K. Rowling, John Milton and Dylan Thomas. Traditional British dishes include Sunday roast fish and chips and afternoon tea. Some attractions: Numerous castles, fortifications, palaces, churches, cathedrals, monasteries and country estates can be found throughout the United Kingdom. Some of the most famous attractions are: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, Tower of London and Abbey Road: Great Britain is the largest island state in Europe. Through Greenwich in London is the zero meridian. In addition, many world-famous bands such as the Beatles, Queen and Rolling Stones came from Great Britain.