British Isles

BRITISH ISLES British Isles • Republic of Ireland • United Kingdom – Northern Ireland – Scotland – England – Wales BRITAIN’S PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY • Mostly Highlands – Low mountains • 4400’ at highest – Ben Nevis, Scot. • Tourism – Lake District, Eng – Grass-covered • Sheep & Cattle BRITAIN’S PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY • Lowlands – S.E. England – Main UK agri. region – Farmers - 2% of UK labor force • Subsidies & Tariffs – UK imports 60% of its food • Expensive food BRITAIN’S NORTH-SOUTH DIVIDE • Core-Periphery Pattern • South of England – Around London – Core • Economic/Political Power – Top Universities Oxford University Cambridge University BRITAIN’S NORTH-SOUTH DIVIDE • N. England, Scot, Wales – Periphery – Poorer… LONDON • On Thames River – Founded 2000 years ago – Best place to cross river • Bridge... • Location... – Close to mainland Europe... London • Population… – Ethnic Minorities • South Asians… • West Indians… • West Africans… • Transportation – Subway (“Tube”) – “Congestion Charging” London • Culture – Theatre*** – British Museum British Industrial Development • UK - top industrial power in 1700s, 1800s • 3 Reasons • Industrial Revolution began in Britain – 1700s – British Inventions • James Watt’s steam engine • Railroads • Abundant British Coal – Newcastle – South Wales • Resources from British colonies Birmingham • Midlands District • 2nd Largest City… • Manufacturing – Steel – Nearby Coal & Iron Ore Mines • UK Industrial Decline after WW II – WW II Damage – Depletion of Domestic Resources – New Foreign Competition – Loss of Colonies (and Resources) Lancashire District • Cotton Textile Industry – Top UK Export in 1800s – Imported Cotton • Liverpool – Seaport... – Emigrants… – Manchester • Textile Mills • Rural-Urban Migration Liverpool-Manchester • Industrial Decline, 1960 -1990 – Shipyards, Factories… • Unemployment – Football (Soccer) • Manchester United – Cities are cleaner… Liverpool • Music-Tourism – Beatles… WALES • Rugged • Welsh Language… – 20% of pop… • South – Severe Ind. Decline SCOTLAND • Lowlands – Glasgow to Edinburgh EDINBURGH • Scotland’s Capital • Scottish Parliament – Some Autonomy – 2014 Referendum • “Most Desirable City in UK” Aberdeen, Scotland • Center of UK Oil/Nat Gas Ind. – From North Sea – 1960s Discoveries • UK = #2 oil producer in Eur… – Gasoline in UK = $7/gallon (2015) SCOTLAND • Scottish Highlands in North – Remote – Scottish Cultural Survival Scotland • Scots Gaelic – “Loch” – “Glen” – 1% of Scots pop. (2001) – > 50% of pop. in Outer Hebrides Northern Ireland • “Ulster” • Celtic (Gaelic) Natives – Catholic • 1600 – English Seized Land • Protestant Immigrants from… – Loyal to the Crown (Britain) – Merchants & Landlords • Catholic/Protestant Separation Northern Ireland - Religious Division Northern Ireland: 50% Protestant . Loyal to U.K. Mural in Belfast Northern Ireland - 45% Catholic . High Unemployment . Want one Ireland . Irish Republican Army (IRA)… Belfast • Shipbuilding – Titanic • Political Violence… Republic of Ireland • “Emerald Isle” – Green Landscape – Rainy and Cool Ireland Ireland - 95% Catholic • St. Patrick Ireland’s History • English banned: • Conquered by England, 1600s – Irish Language, Books – Subjugation of Irish – Irish Music – Illegal for Irish to Buy Land – Catholic Mass Potato Famine, 1840s • Other Crops Exported • Western Ireland barely repopulated Ireland’s History • War with Britain – 1921 Independence – Catholic South = Independent Ireland – Protestant North = Remained in UK Dublin • 30% of Ire. Pop. • Location… Ireland’s Economy • Poor Economy until 1980s • Ag. = 8% of labor force • “Celtic Tiger” 1980s-2007 • Tourism – Irish-Americans… – Beautiful Landscape • Cliffs of Moher .

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