homework encyclopedia

FIND OUT MORE. Age of Empire 422–423 • Energy Resources 60–61 • Farming 66 • International Organizations 434

People and Places^251

4 NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND

Northern towns like Newcastle and Manchester have been transformed

by wealthy investors turning industrial buildings into businesses and

homes. This has created vibrant, lively cities in which to live and work.

HOW HAS THE DECLINE IN NORTH SEA

OIL AFFECTED JOBS IN SCOTLAND?

After rich reserves of oil and natural gas were found

under the North Sea in the 1960s, the energy industry

boosted the Scottish economy by creating work on oil

rigs and in refineries. With reserves now running

low, employment is in decline. However,

developing industries such as

petrochemicals, electronics,

and textiles are creating

new jobs.

WHY DO SO MANY TOURISTS COME HERE?

Over 23 million tourists visit the British Isles each

year, attracted by their history and heritage. Visitors

flock to the medieval cities of Oxford and Cambridge,

the Roman city of Bath, Shakespeare’s home town of

Stratford-upon-Avon, and the beautiful scenery of

Ireland, Wales, and the Scottish Highlands. Royal

palaces and traditions are also a major attraction.

HIGHLAND GAMES, SCOTLAND 3

Scotsmen in traditional tartan kilts

participate here in a “tug of war”. Scotland

has a strong sense of national identity,

which is kept alive by customs such as these

Highland Games. Scottish kilts are pleated

skirts made of the special tartan that

belongs to each family “clan” or tribe.

2 SCOTTISH LOCH

The spectacular scenery of the Scottish Highlands attracts

many tourists to the north of the country. Beautiful

lochs, empty hills, and romantic castles make up

for the region’s cool, damp summers and

long, harsh winters.

4 WELSH FARM

The cool, wet climate and hilly

landscape of Wales make it

unsuitable for growing crops.

Instead, sheep are reared on

remote farms throughout the

country, and Welsh lamb,

fattened on the lush pasture,

is highly prized.

HOW DO THE WELSH CELEBRATE

THEIR CULTURAL HERITAGE?

Welsh people celebrate their ancient culture in annual

arts festivals called eisteddfods, where poets,

dramatists, performers, and choirs compete with each

other. The Welsh are renowned for their singing, and

male-voice choirs can be found in factories, villages,

and towns. The country’s national sport is rugby, and

the Welsh team now play in the Millennium Stadium,

which opened in Cardiff in 1999.

IRELAND

Capital city: Dublin

Area: 70,282 sq km

(27,135 sq miles)

Population: 4.4 million

Official languages: Irish, English

Major religion: Roman Catholic

Currency: Euro

UNITED KINGDOM

Capital city: London

Area: 244,820 sq km

(94,525 sq miles)

Population: 61.4 million

Official language: English

Major religions: Anglican and

Roman Catholic

Currency: Pound sterling

BRITISH ISLES