What is the population of Britain?
As at mid 2004 it was 59,834,300
See the Population Density page for more statistics.
How many people live in London?
In the year 2000, London had a population of 7.4 million people. Britain's second biggest city is Birmingham, with a population of almost 1 million people.
What products does Britain export?
Machinery and transport, manufactured goods and chemicals are Britain's largest export earners. Oil and medicines are also widely exported.
What are 'bank' holidays?
Public holidays are known as 'bank' holidays in Britain, so called because these are days when banks are legally closed. Most bank holidays are on Mondays to allow people to enjoy a long weekend.
There are six bank holidays in England and Wales, nine in Scotland and seven in Northern Ireland.
What are Britain's national flowers?
The English national flower is the rose. In Scotland the national flower is the thistle, in Wales it is the daffodil. The national flower of Northern Ireland is the shamrock.
What is the most popular food in Britain?
Curry! Although fish and chips are still very popular. At Christmas time, roast turkey is usually served for Christmas dinner.
Why do the British like drinking tea?
Tea is far more popular than coffee in Britain. By 1750 tea had become the most popular drink in Britain after the Dutch first brought tea to Europe in about 1610. Throughout the homes, tea-shops and hotels of Britain, the custom of tea-time remains and is a feature of any cricket match or summer fete.
Why is Big Ben so called?
Big Ben is actually the name of the bell within the tower at the top of the Houses of Parliament. It was named after Sir Benjamin Hall who was the Chief Commissioner of Works at the time when Big Ben was made in 1856.
How old is the tube?
The tube, or more officially, the London Underground, was the world's first urban underground railway. It began operating in 1863 and now takes 3 million people every day around London on its 408km of track!
How many people speak English in the world?
Recent estimates suggest that 375 million people speak English as their first language and another 375 million as their second language.
Why is English spoken with different accents?
Every region of Britain has its own way of pronouncing words and sentences. Differences arose from the time when English was spoken in a variety of different forms during the middle ages. Regional accents have persisted and changed over the centuries.
What age do children go to school in Britain?
School normally starts at the age of 5 (4 in Northern Ireland) and until the age of 16. Many children attend nursery schools (kindergarten) before starting school. Children first attend infants school, then at age 7 they move to junior school and then to secondary school at age 11 (12 in Scotland).
What is the oldest university in Britain?
The University of Oxford was the first university in Britain and was established in the 12th century.
What was the Magna Carta?
The Magna Carta is Britain's best known constitutional document. In the year 1215 King John was forced to make concessions to barons. These were put in the Magna Carta (meaning 'Great Charter') and shows the rights of the community against the Crown. The Magna Carta became part of English law and established the important principle that the King or Queen is not above the law.
Why does the Queen have two birthdays?
The Queen was actually born on the 21st April, but has long been customary to celebrate the Queen or King's birthday on a day during the summer. Since 1805, the King or Queen's 'official' birthday has been on the second Saturday in June.
What are the words to the British National Anthem?
The National Anthem originated in a patriotic song first performed in 1745. The words are:
God save our gracious Queen!
Long live our noble Queen!
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the Queen!
What are Britain's Overseas Territories?
Overseas Territories keep a connection with Britain because the people that live there wish to. They have a lot of responsibility for conducting their own affairs. Governors or commissioners are appointed by the Crown and retain responsibility for external affairs, defence and, usually, internal security and public service.
They include:
- Anguilla,
- Bermuda,
- British Virgin Islands,
- British Antarctic Territory,
- British Indian Ocean Territory,
- Cayman Islands,
- Falkland Islands,
- Gibraltar,
- Montserrat,
- Pitcairn Islands,
- South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands
- St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
- Turks & Caicos Islands
What is the Commonwealth?
The Commonwealth has 53 members in it, including New Zealand. There are people of many races and religions but they all have a shared heritage, based on English as a common language and similar educational, judicial and legal systems. More information on the Commonwealth is available here.
When are Britain's National Days?
Each country within the UK has its own national day. England's national day is St. George's Day and is celebrated on 23rd April. The Welsh national day is St David's day which is celebrated on 1st March and the Scottish national day is St. Andrew's day which is celebrated on 30th November.
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