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United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a union of four constituent countries: Wales, England and Scotland which together make up the island of Great Britain situated in the northwest of the European continent, and Northern Ireland, the northeastern part of the neighboring island of Ireland. The British weather is characteristic of a mild climate with plenty of precipitation all year around, i.e. it rains a lot.
United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The sovereign of the UK is Queen Elizabeth II, while Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister, acts as the head of state. The United Kingdom, albeit it lost the majority of its former colonies in the course of the 20th century, still plays one of the leading roles in world's political, economic and cultural activity. It is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO and a member of the European Union, but it holds its own economic independence and uses its own currency.
But why travel Britain? This short answer won't do this place justice, but here goes...
Many have argued that London isn't just the UK's capital, but the capital of the world. When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life, said Dr Johnson, and if you are traveling in Britain, you mustn't by any circumstance bypass this amazing city. But it is not just the multi-colored, multi-cultural London that can take your breath away in Britain - if you catch a sunny day in many of the England's -shires, the greenness of the grass will nurture your senses; the blossom of heather on the Scottish moor will make you appreciate Braveheart even more; the characteristic mythology of Ireland will start your imagination; the old Welsh castles will satisfy your history crave.
There is a general opinion that British food is not exactly a gastronomic sensation, but although the majority of tourists wouldn't find pleasure in a yorkshire pudding or a haggis, that doesn't mean that Britain offers nothing for the satisfaction of your palate - Britain is home of some of the best restaurants in the world. The Brits are big on beer, but the vine selection wouldn't disappoint even a picky enologist.
When it comes to leisure, the Brits enjoy nature and outdoor activities, but the national obsession is definitively invested in sports. Football represents the British sport par excellence, while other national sports, like cricket, rugby, golf, tennis and horse racing surely don't lack audiences. Some of these sports can provide great exercise even if you're traveling - take up golfing in Scotland, try horse riding or hiking in one of the national parks. If you're not the sporty type, check out numerous museums and historic sites or party all night in larger cities, concerts or festivals that take place in all parts of Britain all year round.
There's so much to do in Britain.. But a warning: take your umbrella or suffer the consequences!
