UnitED KinGDoM537
PeoPle
The United Kingdom is densely populated, with most
of the people living in urban areas, particularly in the
southeast of england. Almost 16 percent of the total
population of the country lives in london. The southeast
is also the most prosperous area. other parts of the
country are less crowded. For example, the Highlands in
Scotland have fewer inhabitants today than 200 years ago.NorTHerN eNglANd
The north of england has traditionally been the most
heavily industrialized part of the United Kingdom. during
the Industrial revolution of the 19th century, factories and
mills made goods for export to a British empire that covered
half the world. Today, the industrial cities of the north
remain, but many of the factories stand empty because
manufacturing is more profitable in other parts of the world.
Northern england is also famous for its natural beauty; in the
northwest is a rugged, mountainous region called the lake
district. Here, deep lakes separate steep hills that rise to
a height of more than 3,200 ft (975 m). The lake district
attracts many visitors and tourists.SHeTlANd ANd orKNey
To the northeast of Scotland, two
groups of islands form Britain’s
northernmost outposts. orkney
and Shetland comprise about
170 islands in all, but only the
larger islands are inhabited.
The landscape is bleak and
there are few trees. The land
is too poor to make farming
profitable, and the traditional
local industry is fishing. The
islands are also famous for their
handknitted woolen clothes:
Fair Isle has given its name to
a distinctive knitting pattern.JerSey ANd gUerNSey
The Channel Islands of Jersey and guernsey are closer to
France than they are to Britain. The French coast is just
15 miles (24 km) away from Jersey, the largest island. Close
to Jersey and guernsey are some smaller islands that are
also part of the Channel Islands group. All of the islands
have a mild climate, so one of the principal occupations
is the growing of vegetables. The warm weather and ample
sunshine also attract vacationers who swell the islands’
usual population of 163,000 in the summer months.ISle oF MAN
The Isle of Man is part of the
United Kingdom, but enjoys
a certain amount of
independence. The Manx
people, as islanders are
called, have their own
government, the Tynwald,
which makes many
decisions about how the
island is run. There is also
a Manx language, though it
is now used only for formal
ceremonies. For a long period
in its history, the Isle of Man was
independent; between 1405 and 1765, the
island was a kingdom separate from england.The United
Kingdom has
many fishing ports,
like this one in Scotland.“Mad Sunday”
motorcyclist
on the Isle
of ManThousands of
colorful flowers
are used to
decorate floats
for Jersey’s
“Battle of the
Flowers” festival.FISHINg INdUSTry
The waters of the northeast Atlantic are among
the world’s richest fishing grounds. However, eU
regulations, designed to reduce catches and conserve
fish stocks, are causing widespread discontent
among fishermen.US_537_United_Kingdom_2.indd 537 27/01/16 2:39 pm