United Kingdom
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Flag of the United Kingdom
Blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England)
edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick
(patron saint of Ireland), which is superimposed on the diagonal white
cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland); properly known as the
Union Flag, but commonly called the Union Jack; the design and colors
(especially the Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other
flags including other Commonwealth countries and their
constituent states or provinces, and British overseas territories.
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As the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century,
the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland played a leading role in developing parliamentary
democracy and in advancing literature and science.
At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface.
The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted
in two World Wars and the Irish republic withdraw from the union.
The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding
itself into a modern and prosperous European nation.
As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council,
a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global
approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of
its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU,
it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union for the
time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK.
The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales,
and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999,
but the latter is suspended due to wrangling over the peace process.
- CIA World Factbook.
National Flags and Symbols of Britain
National days, emblem, costume, coat of arms, motto, etc.
www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/index/symbols.htm
The British Monarchy
The work of The Queen in modern society, biographies of the Royal Family,
a history of kings and queens through the ages, background on Royal
residences and art collections, and coverage of recent Royal events.
www.royal.gov.uk/
United Kingdom - Fotw
The UK flag consists of three elements: the cross of St. George (red on white) for England,
the cross of St. Andrew (white diagonal on blue) for Scotland, and the
so-called cross of St. Patrick (red diagonal on white) for Ireland.
www.fotw.us/flags/gb.html
United Kingdom - wikipedia.org
Britain was the world's foremost power during the 19th and early 20th century,
but the economic cost of two world wars and the decline of its empire in the latter
half of the 20th century diminished its leading role in global affairs.
The UK nevertheless retains major economic, cultural,
military and political influence today and is a nuclear power,
with the second highest defence spending in the world.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom
United Kingdom - U.S. Department of State
The United Kingdom's population in 2004 surpassed 60 million--the third-largest in the European Union.
Its overall population density is one of the highest in the world.
Almost one-third of the population lives in England's prosperous and fertile southeast
and is predominantly urban and suburban--with about 7.2 million in the capital of London,
which remains the largest city in Europe. The United Kingdom's high literacy rate (99%)
is attributable to universal public education introduced for the primary level in 1870
and secondary level in 1900. Education is mandatory from ages 5 through 16.
About one-fifth of British students go on to post-secondary education.
The Church of England and the Church of Scotland are the official churches
in their respective parts of the country,
but most religions found in the world are represented in the United Kingdom.
A group of islands close to continental Europe, the British Isles have been subject to many invasions and migrations, especially from Scandinavia and the continent, including Roman occupation for several centuries. Contemporary Britons are descended mainly from the varied ethnic stocks that settled there before the 11th century. The pre-Celtic, Celtic, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and Norse influences were blended in Britain under the Normans, Scandinavian Vikings who had lived in Northern France. Although Celtic languages persist in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the predominant language is English, which is primarily a blend of Anglo-Saxon and Norman French.
www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3846.htm
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Flag of the United Kingdom