The British Isles

The British Isles are an archipelago (a group of islands) separated from the European mainland
by the English Channel. The British Isles are often included in the region of Western Europe
when discussing political geography; however, the fact that they are separated from the mainland
of Europe by water provides them with a separate identity. The British Isles consists of two
separate, independent countries: the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.
The United Kingdom (UK) of Great Britain consists of the regions of England, Scotland, Wales,
and Northern Ireland. All four regions are now under the UK government. The Republic of
Ireland is independent of the United Kingdom and does not include Northern Ireland. The
primate city and UK capital is London, which is a financial center for Europe. The capital city of
the Republic of Ireland is Dublin.
Influenced by the Gulf Stream, the climate of the British Isles is moderate, in spite of its northern
latitude location. The UK and Ireland are located above the 50th degree of latitude, which is
farther north than the US-Canadian border. The northern latitude would normally place this
region into the type D climates, with harsher winters and more extreme seasonal temperatures.
However, the surrounding water moderates temperature, creating the moderate type C climate
that covers most of the British Isles. The Gulf Stream pulls warm water from the tropics and
circulates it north, off the coast of Europe, to moderate the temperature of Western Europe.
The Western Highlands and the Northern Lowlands dominate the islands. Scotland, Wales, and
parts of England have highland regions with short mountains and rugged terrain. The lowlands of
southern England, Ireland, and central Scotland offer agricultural opportunities. The Pennines
mountain chain runs through northern England and was the source of the coal, ores, and
waterpower that fueled the Industrial Revolution. To the east of Britain is the North Sea, which
provided an abundance of oil for energy and wealth.
Though the heritage of the British Isles is unique to this region, the geographic dynamics are
similar to Central Europe—smaller families, urbanization, industrialization, high incomes, and
involvement with economic globalization. The EU has had an enormous influence on the British
Isles. Ireland has embraced the EU’s economic connections, but the British people have been
hesitant to give full autonomy to the EU. This reluctance can be noted in the fact that the United
Kingdom kept the British pound sterling as their currency standard after the euro currency was
implemented. However, the Republic of Ireland converted to the euro currency.
The regions of the British Isles follow similar dynamics to those of other countries in Western
Europe. Though some regions are not as wealthy as others, they all demonstrate a high level of
industrialization, urbanization, and technology. These urban societies have smaller families and
higher incomes and are heavy consumers of energy, goods, and services. Just as the Industrial
Revolution attracted cheap labor, the aging workforce has enticed people from former British
colonies to migrate to the United Kingdom in search of increased employment opportunities. The
mix of immigrants with local culture creates a diverse community. London has diverse
communities with many ethnic businesses and business owners.
Devolutionary forces are active in the United Kingdom. Scotland and Wales are already
governing with their own local parliaments. Devolutionary cultural differences can be noted by
studying the different cultures found in each region. Just as the Welsh language is still alive in
Wales, Gaelic continues in Ireland and Scotland. Each region has made efforts to retain local
heritage and rally support for its own nation-state.
Northern England
Major industrial cities such as Manchester and Birmingham brought together the labor, raw
materials, and industry connections necessary to manufacture products during the Industrial
Revolution. The port city of Liverpool gave access to the world markets established by Britain's
extensive colonial empire. These colonies provided raw materials, new ideas, and cheap labor for
the new industrial factories. Raw materials such as cotton, which did not grow well in Britain,
became a major import that fueled the textile mills of the Industrial Revolution.
Industrialization caused a rural-to-urban shift in Britain. In 1800, only nine percent of the
population lived in urban areas. By 1900, about 62 percent lived in cities and towns. As of 2010,
over 90 percent of Britain’s population is composed of urban dwellers. The British colonial
empire also caused a migration pattern whereby people moved from colonies to the home
country, with the core area located in the Midlands of northern England.
Cheap immigrant labor and resources from the colonies provided the manufacturing enterprises
of wealthy British industrialists with good fortunes. Raw cotton was brought in from the colonies
of India and Egypt. Cheap labor, brought in from the Caribbean and South Asia, resulted in a
more diverse population in the industrialized northern England.
As the information-age developed, the industrial centers of northern England gave way to a post-
industrialized southern England. The North’s heavy industries experienced a decline in demand.
Factories closed, production became automated, and unemployment increased.
The transition from the Industrial Revolution to a postindustrial society turned northern
England into the Rust Belt of the British Isles. The port of Liverpool has been updated with
modern and automated systems that do not require the high level of manual labor that was
necessary during earlier industrial times. Rail service connects Liverpool with London, which is
connected to Paris through a tunnel under the English Channel called the Chunnel.
The postindustrial economic activities have shifted the focus of employment away from manual
labor to the service sector of information. Many places have looked to tourism to boost their
economic situation. Northern England has many attractive physical environments that have been
developed into major tourist attractions. The Lake District of northern England is a noted
vacation destination, and short mountains and scenic landscapes attracted a number of England’s
writers.
The city of Blackpool on the Irish Sea, just north of Liverpool, is a major vacation destination for
the English. The dales and moors of northern England, complemented by the short Pennines,
provide a sharp contrast to the urban metropolitan landscapes of London and southern England.
Southern England
Anchored by the primate city of London, southern England also is home to the universities of
Oxford and Cambridge. This is Great Britain’s most affluent region and is a center of
postindustrial activity. Located on the Thames River, London is a central player in the world
economic markets. Southern England also houses about one-third of the UK population.
With immigration from the former colonies, this region is also becoming more diverse. This is an
urbanized region, where the cost of living, transportation, and housing is high. For example, the
price of gasoline in the United Kingdom might be two or three times that in the United States.
Many city dwellers use public transportation because of the high cost of owning a vehicle.
England is the most populous region of the United Kingdom with a density of about 1000 people
per square mile. About one-half of the population increase is because of immigration. The UK
population is declining as a result of smaller family sizes and a growing number of senior
citizens. This trend is common in countries in stage 5 of the index of economic development.
England's population is becoming more diverse as Immigrants from many parts of the world
have targeted England as their new home. Many are from former British colonies in Asia and
Africa. Islam is the fastest growing religion, even though Muslims make up less than 10 percent
of the total population. London has a growing Sikh community as well. London is not only the
primate city and capital of the United Kingdom; it is the largest administrative municipality in
the entire EU. Only Paris has a larger metropolitan area.
London is a global center that holds prominence in world markets and the globalization process.
About one-fifth of Europe’s largest corporations have their headquarters in London.
The city’s cultural influence is felt around the world in the fashion industry, media,
entertainment, and the arts. London is an international city that has a powerful draw for tourists.
The core economic region of Europe is anchored by London’s international recognition.
Southern England is also home to Great Britain’s seat of government. The UK government is
considered a constitutional monarchy with a king or queen as head of state. The parliament is the
official legislative body with a prime minister as head of government. The parliament has two
bodies: the House of Commons, whose members are elected, and the House of Lords, whose
members are appointed for life. As head of state, the monarch is mainly a figurehead with little
actual political power. A number of dependencies remain under the British Crown as far as
sovereignty is concerned. Small islands such as Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man, and various
islands in the Caribbean and Atlantic and Pacific Oceans remain under the British government
for administrative, economic, and defense purposes.
Wales
A highland region to the west of England, Wales has a Celtic heritage where the Welsh language
and stories of coal mining can still be heard. However, the English language has become more
dominant and tourism has replaced coal mining as the main economic activity. The decline in the
use of coal depressed the economy but did not depress the culture and heritage of the Welsh
people. The largest city and capital of Wales is Cardiff. In the early 20th century, the port of
Cardiff handled the largest amount of coal in the world. The decline in coal mining has reduced
the shipping activity in the port of Cardiff in the 21st century.
Devolution is currently happening in Wales. Welsh nationalism prompted the declaration of a
separate parliament in the capital of Cardiff. The break with London provided local autonomy,
but Wales is still reliant on the United Kingdom in national and foreign affairs.
Many of the young people in Wales emigrate to find work because of the depressed economy.
Emigration has caused a leveling off of population growth, and the number of people who speak
Welsh has diminished.
Wales and England share a common Protestant Christian religion.
Wales is turning to tourism as a means of economic income. The scenic landscape of the
highland region with its many castles provides a pleasant experience for tourists.
Scotland
United with England in 1707, Scotland has integrated into the United Kingdom while keeping its
separate heritage and culture. Scotland has strong centripetal forces uniting the Scottish people,
including victories over the British by Scottish clans lead by William Wallace in 1297 and
Robert the Bruce in 1314. These events within Scotland have created a devolutionary split with
the UK parliament.
In the quest to become a nation-state, in 1997 Scotland received permission to create its own
parliament to govern local affairs. Though Scotland would like to separate into an independent
state, they do not wish to isolate themselves from the EU or greater Europe. This contradiction in
which local states want self-rule but also want to remain within the larger regional community
for economic and national security is common. The phrase “separate within the Union” is
surfacing in Europe with stronger voices. For now, Scotland remains under the British Crown
and shares a Protestant Christian heritage with the UK.
The Scottish Highlands provide for livestock production, and the central Scottish Lowlands are
favorable for agriculture. The North Sea has extensive oil resources. With resources such as
these, Scotland is in a position to gain wealth and support its small population of about five
million people. As an early export product, scotch whiskey has profited many whiskey marketers
and has become the largest export product of Scotland. Scotland benefited and gained wealth
during the Industrial Revolution. As a part of an island, early shipbuilding produced ships that
brought about trade and development that coincided with European colonialism. Postindustrial
activities have become a focus of the current economy. High-tech computer industries have
concentrated in Silicon Glen, an information-age industrial sector that lies between Scotland’s
largest city, Glasgow, and its capital of Edinburgh. With natural resources and postindustrial
opportunities, Scotland is in a good position to compete in the global economic community.
Scottish banking firms reach around the globe through their investment holdings. Scotland
attracts a healthy tourism market with its Highlands and many castles. Kilts and bagpipes are a
part of Scottish history and often distinguish themselves as a part of the region’s heritage. The
game of golf originated in Scotland and is still popular today.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is a place in which strong cultural forces often erupt into violence. Officially
part of the United Kingdom, this small region with about 1.7 million people has developed a
unique set of cultural problems. Most people consider religious differences to be the main
problem in Northern Ireland. People of Irish heritage are predominately Roman Catholic, and
those of Scottish and English heritages are usually Protestant Christians.
The core of the cultural problems in Northern Ireland is actually based on political affiliations.
Most of the population in the region is not Irish. About 55 percent of the population is of Scottish
or English descent, with only about 45 percent of Irish descent. The real problem centers on the
governing of Ireland. The Irish would like to see Northern Ireland join with the Republic of
Ireland, which received its independence from the British in 1921.
The Irish do not want to be under the UK parliament with the Queen of England as head of state.
They want total independence from the United Kingdom. The non-Irish population does not
want to be a part of the Republic of Ireland and its Irish parliament and would rather remain
under the British Crown. The people of Scottish descent would prefer total independence from
all outside forces. English people want to remain with the UK parliament. The troubles of
Northern Ireland have diminished its economic and employment opportunities. Underground
paramilitary groups such as the Irish Republican Army (IRA) have heightened tensions between
the two groups for decades, with car bombings and other terrorist acts. As the younger
generation seeks more opportunities and advantages, the issues that separate the two sides could
diminish. The hatred that has been built up over the years could be eased with each new
generation if centripetal forces work to bridge the differences and unite the social fabric. If the
killing and hatred are passed down to successive generations, it will only take longer to recover.
In 1998, after a series of terrorist acts that were condemned on all sides, a movement took place
to create the Northern Ireland Assembly with members of both sides of the division.
Obstacles continue to surface to disrupt this calming process, but there is hope that in the future
solutions can work toward producing a lasting peace. The devolutionary forces active in Wales
and Scotland may act to create a more separate Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Assembly
was only one step. Progress in Northern Ireland is an uphill battle with high unemployment, a
poor resource base, and few economic opportunities. Only by working together will Northern
Ireland become a stable, peaceful part of the British Isles.
The Republic of Ireland
The whole island of Ireland was under British control for centuries. In 1921, independence was
gained from the British for all but Northern Ireland. This bitterly fought conflict has become well
entrenched in Irish culture and literature. As an independent country separate from the United
Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland has become a part of the global economic community.
Because the climate is type C, there is adequate rainfall for crops and vegetation, and the green
landscape gives it the title, “The Emerald Isle.” The island has few other natural resources. There
are trees but no large forest reserves for commercial exploitation. Peat, which is an early version
of coal, is cut from the bogs and burned as fuel.
Ireland is not a large country. It is just a bit larger than the US state of West Virginia, with a
population of about four million. There are no tall mountain ranges in Ireland. The soils are
traditionally rocky with few nutrients. Before colonial times, traditional food crops included
turnips and rutabagas. When the potato was imported from the Americas, it was well received in
Ireland. The potato plant grew well and replaced traditional root crops as the main food source.
In the early 1800s, the population of the whole of Ireland (including what is now Northern
Ireland) was as high as eight million. Starting in the 1840s, blight and rot destroyed much of the
potato crop year after year, causing a serious famine in Ireland. More than one million people
died, and another two million people left the island. The potato famine caused losses such as that
of the Black Death, which had ravaged Europe centuries earlier.
The history of the Black Death may have led to the term Black Irish, which referred to people
who fled Ireland during the potato famine and immigrated to the United States. They were often
regarded as lower-class citizens and were discriminated against. Well-established
Irish families having immigrated to the United States before the 1840s, were not considered
Black Irish and assimilated into mainstream American society more easily.
The lack of natural resources and the lack of opportunities and advantages held back the
Republic of Ireland from developing a strong economy. It was not until the 1990's that
conditions improved. With the creation of the EU and advancements in communication,
Ireland became an ideal location for expanding North American corporations. The attractive
elements included a mild climate, a similar English language, an educated workforce, and a low
cost of living.
Many high-tech computer firms, communication companies, and automated industries
established their base of operations in Ireland—Dublin in particular. Because Ireland was a
member of the EU, it was a convenient location between the United States and the
European mainland. Business boomed in the 1990s, and incomes and the cost of living rose.
Tourism also has become a growing sector of the economy. The economic growth in Ireland
earned it the title Celtic Tiger to indicate its growing economic power.
The rapidly expanding economic conditions of the 1990s have not extended into the 21st
century. Since 2007, the global depression has taken its toll on the Irish economy. Starting in
2008, the country witnessed a sharp increase in unemployment that coincided with serious
banking scandals. Various banks have been targeted for bailout funds from the government, and
the economy witnessed a sharp decline. Property values plummeted, and protesters staged
demonstrations in the streets demanding the government address the economic situation.
Tourism has helped the situation by highlighting the Emerald Isle’s mild climate and green
countryside. Cities such as Dublin are working with the growing pains of recovery in the
economic recession. Unemployment remains a concern, as well as declining economic
opportunities. Overall, Ireland is working to reposition itself for future economic growth. The
country wants to maintain itself as an important link in the EU’s relationship with the United
States. Ireland is bracing itself for a sluggish economic road ahead.
Key Takeaways
 Western Europe can be divided into a number of smaller geographic regions, including
northern Europe, southern Europe, Central Europe, and the British Isles.
 The differences in climate, terrain, and natural resources provide for a diversity of
economic activities that influence cultural development within the European community.
 The countries of Western Europe have high standards of living compared with world
standards.
 The southern countries of Portugal, Greece, and southern Italy are more agrarian and
have been struggling economically since the global recession began in 2007.
 The British Isles comprise the two independent countries of Great Britain and the
Republic of Ireland.
 Great Britain is made up of five geographical regions, with Wales and Scotland having
more autonomy to govern local affairs.
 Since World War II, the many states of Western Europe have been evolving into a more
integrated realm.
 Each nation has worked to develop its economy to take advantage of its physical
geography and its cultural history and heritage.
 Devolutionary forces remain strong in many areas to counterbalance the forces of
supranationalism.

Vocabulary Terms