David Beckham, The BBC, The Royal Family, James Bond, Big Ben, Fish & Chips…Welcome to Blighty, England! England is separated into 48 counties with a population of around 56 million. For comparison’s sake, it’s 2.
5 times less populated than Japan and three times smaller in size. England is part of the UK, an island nation in North-Western Europe, with Wales to the west, Scotland to the North, and just across the Irish Sea to the West, Northern Ireland. London is the capital city and home to around 9 million.
With its most famous landmarks - The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, The London Eye, The British Museum & London Bridge, the capital attracts around 40 million visitors each year (pre-Covid). Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state, of not only England but all of the UK and an additional 15 countries of the Commonwealth…Phew, that’s one busy lady! She is one of the most iconic symbols in England (along with her famous corgi doggies, woof woof!
) and rightly so, as she is also the longest living and reigning monarch (70 years) in British history …good going Queenie! While the Queen remains head of state, the Prime Minister is the head of government and is officially in power for five years. The country has long been known for its divide in political beliefs.
Many famous inventions originated in England - the steam engine, the electric motor, the chocolate bar, cement, the toothbrush, the light bulb, and the World Wide Web. Along with the likes of William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Florence Nightingale, and Henry VIII, the country is steeped in a history of tradition and culture. Tea is easily the most famous tradition in England, drunk at any time of day, in any kind of social interaction, and as a remedy for all kinds of illnesses.
If Brits aren’t boiling the kettle for a ‘cuppa’ (cup of tea), they are heading down to their local pub for a beer, to play snooker or darts, watch live sports, catch up with friends or take part in the weekly quiz! Football is the nation’s most popular sport, and the Premier League is the world’s most-watched football league (much to the annoyance of wives all over! ).
Rugby, cricket, boxing, horse racing, and tennis follow close behind and Wimbledon holds the title of the oldest tennis tournament in the world. England’s national animal, the Lion, is often used as a symbol of sports teams with its fighting character and bravery. The Rose is the national flower and is a symbol of peace.
One thing the English are not particularly famous for is their cuisine. Fish & chips, a roast beef lunch, or bangers and mash (that’s sausages and mashed potato) are standard English dishes. Accompanied, of course, by a lovely cuppa’ tea!
That’s your lot folks, so as the English would say “Cheerio for now! ”.
