United Kingdom
GROUP 1
Map of United Kingdom
Ancient and Modern
People of United Kingdom
Ancient People
• The Britons, also known as Celtic
Britons or Ancient Britons, were Celtic
people who inhabited Great Britain from
the British Iron Age into the Middle Ages, at
which point their culture and language
diverged into the
modern Welsh, Cornish and Bretons (among
others). They spoke the Common
Brittonic language, the ancestor to the
modern Brittonic languages.
Modern People
• The First World War "reinforced the sense of Britishness" and
patriotism in the early 20th century. Through war service
(including conscription in Great Britain), "the English, Welsh,
Scots and Irish fought as British". The aftermath of the war
institutionalised British national commemoration
through Remembrance Sunday and the Poppy Appeal.
The Second World War had a similar unifying effect upon the
British people,[ however, its outcome was to recondition
Britishness on a basis of democratic values and its marked
contrast to Europeanism. Notions that the British "constituted
an Island race, and that it stood for democracy were reinforced
during the war and they were circulated in the country
through Winston Churchill's speeches, history books and
newspapers".
United Kingdom's National Costume
The English language is the most
widely spoken language in the UK.
Brief History of United Kingdom
The United Kingdom, also known as Britain or the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
is a European region with a long and storied history.
The first modern humans (Homo sapiens) arrived in
the region during the Ice Age (about 35,000 to 10,000
years ago), when the sea levels were lower and Britain
was connected to the European mainland. It is these
people who built the ancient megalithic monuments of
Stonehenge and Avebury.
Between 1,500 and 500 BCE, Celtic tribes migrated from
Central Europe and France to Britain and mixed with the
indigenous inhabitants, creating a new culture slightly
distinct from the Continental Celtic one. This came to be
known as the Bronze Age.
The Romans controlled most of present-day England and
Wales, and founded a large number of cities that still exist
today. London, York, St Albans, Bath, Exeter, Lincoln,
Leicester, Worcester, Gloucester, Chichester, Winchester,
Colchester, Manchester, Chester, and Lancaster were all
Roman towns, as were all the cities with names now ending
in -chester, -cester or -caster, which derive from the Latin
word castrum, meaning "fortification.”
Brief Overview of the History
of United Kingdom
• The United Kingdom is an island nation located in the
Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of France. It is actually a
union of four countries including England, Northern
Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
The islands that are today the United Kingdom were
invaded by the Romans in 55 BC. This brought the local
islanders into contact with the rest of Europe. After the
Roman Empire weakened, the islands were invaded by the
Saxons, the Vikings, and finally the Normans.
In the 1500s Britain began to expand its empire into much of the world.
After defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588, England became the world's
dominant sea power. Britain first grew into the Far East and India and
then to the Americas. In the early 1800s the UK defeated France in the
Napoleonic Wars and became the supreme European power.
In the 1900s, the United Kingdom became less of a dominant world power.
It continued to lose control over colonies and was weakened by World War
I. However, under the leadership of Winston Churchill, the United
Kingdom was the last western European nation to oppose Germany in
World War II and played a major role in defeating Hitler.
The United Kingdom played a major role in the history of the world,
taking a leading role in developing democracy and in advancing literature
and science. At its peak in the 19th century, the British Empire covered
over one-fourth of the surface of the earth.
CULTURE/TRADITIONS
What Is British Culture?
The culture of the United Kingdom is
rooted in the country’s long history.
British culture is complicated yet
straightforward, confusing yet
interesting. For instance, the favorite
national dish is an Indian curry and the
driving is always on the left-hand side of
the road. UK culture is heavily
influenced by elements of its countries:
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern
Ireland. As one of the world’s
superpowers and one of the oldest
sovereign nations, the UK has had a
significant influence on the cultural
practices and traditions of many
countries across the globe including the
US.
British Cuisine
• British cuisine has a particular set of cooking traditions
that are associated with the constituent countries of
the UK. A few centuries ago this cuisine comprised
mostly of dishes crafted from local ingredients and
served with simple sauces to enhance the flavor. The
growth and the expansion of the British Empire in India
brought the Indian food traditions of strong spices and
herbs. Curry is now a national favorite having been
brought into the country by Indian migrants. Although
the cooking traditions and styles have primarily
remained the same, over the years the food and drink
in the UK has changed as a result of the growth of
commercial eateries. People have less time to cook as
they spend more time at work and school.
Art and Literature
• The appreciation of art in Britain is evidenced by its many art
galleries and the legendary works of famous artists like John
Constable and William Blake. Art has remained part of British
culture and comprises of works in different artistic movements.
The UK has a rich history in the literature which was inherited
from the literary traditions of its constituent countries. There
are literary pieces written in Celtic languages and Old English.
Over the centuries, Britain has produced renowned writers
including William Shakespeare, Geoffrey Chaucer, John Milton,
J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowlin. The works of William
Shakespeare, specifically Romeo and Juliet, have been read by
millions of people across the globe and as of 2017 it had been
translated into at least 100 languages. J.K. Rowling is one of
UK’s most prolific writers of the 21st century with her Harry
Potter series sold over half a billion copies, ranking as the best-
selling book series of all time. The Hobbit and the Lord of the
Rings both written by J.R.R. Tolkien are also UK literary works
that rank among the top 10 bestselling books in the world. They
have since been adapted into award-winning films.
Theatre and Music
• Since its formation, the UK has retained a vibrant tradition of
theatre most of which was inherited from Scotland and
England. The Theatre Royal in Westminster is one of the oldest
theatres in Europe with its roots going far back into the mid-
17th century. Over the course of the 18th century, there was
an increased interest in sentimental comedy and domestic
tragedy both of which replaced the provocative restoration
comedy of the time. Italian opera also became quite popular
during this time. Music plays a crucial role in Britain’s pop
culture and is a major export of the UK valued at around $1.86
billion. The UK also pioneered several types of electronic
dance music such as dubstep, trip-hop, and drum and bass. The
UK has produced some world-renowned musicians like the
Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and Adele who have all had an
immense influence on both the British and global music scenes.
Sports and Leisure
• The United Kingdom has played an essential role
in the inception, growth, and development of
some of the world’s most popular sports such as
football, golf, rugby, and tennis. The English
Premier League is one of the world’s most-
viewed sports tournaments drawing viewership
of more than 160 million people from more than
200 countries across the globe. This viewership
is only rivaled by tournaments such as the FIFA
World Cup. The UK has four national football
teams owing to its four constituent countries.
Religion
• The UK was founded as a Christian country with the Anglican
Church being the main denomination. Anglican churches are
still the largest group in each of the four countries except in
Scotland. UK Christians predominantly subscribe to
Protestantism as opposed to Roman Catholicism which is the
second largest group in the country. The royal family is a
member of the Church of England which is the mother church
of the global Anglican Communion. The monarch holds supreme
governance of the church although the Archbishop of
Canterbury is the most senior cleric of the institution. Britain
is, however, becoming less and less of a Christian country with
the numbers of people who consistently attend church service
on Sunday diminishing with time. Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam
have large followership in the UK. The UK hosts the largest
population of Indians outside India and also has the fifth-largest
community of Jews in the world. British Jews number are about
300,000 today.
Fashion
• Fashion in Britain has undergone a massive transformation
over the years. The outfits won traditionally, even as
recently as the Victorian era are significantly different from
today’s fashion attire. Historically, fashion was conservative
and restrictive. This scenario has changed over the years.
Similar to today’s fashion, traditional English fashion had
variations based on the season with the summer seeing men
wearing breeches that were generally tight and fastened
below the knee. Formal occasions demanded specified dress
codes to be adhered to by everybody especially the royals
and nobles. London is today the fashion capital of the UK.
The city is home to some of the world’s most renowned
fashion brands including Roland Mouret, Self Portrait, Paul
Smith, Christopher Kane, and many others. The domestic
value of the fashion industry in the UK is estimated to be
around $88 billion.
Language
• The English language was first spoken in early medieval
years in England. It is currently the official language of
the UK with roughly 95% of the population speaking as
monolingual. English has had 1,400 years of
development from its West Germanic roots to its
current form. This language has drawn influence from
Latin and French as well as Norse. It is not only the
dominant language in Britain but is also the third most-
spoken language in the world after Chinese Mandarin
and Spanish and the most widespread language in the
world. The individual countries of the UK also have
frameworks that seek to promote their indigenous
languages such as Welsh in Wales and Gaelic in
Scotland.
CULTURES AND TRADITIONS
Religion in Great Britain Major celebrations in
(2011 census)[1][2][3] the UK calendar
Christianity (59.5%) include: Christmas Day
No religion (25.7%) (25th December),
Islam (4.4%) Boxing Day (26th
Hinduism (1.3%) December), New Year’s
Sikhism (0.7%) Day, Good Friday,
Judaism (0.4%) Easter Sunday, the
Buddhism (0.4%) Queen’s Birthday on
Other religions (0.4%) the second Saturday in
Not stated (7.2%) June.
Even if British food has not got an exceptional
reputation in the world, there are some
traditional foods in the United Kingdom and
traditional British beers. The English breakfast
and fish and chips are the most iconic dishes in
the UK.
Traditional British foods typically centre
around the concept of ‘meat and two veg’,
which means in essence that the dish will
contain a type of meat (usually beef, pork,
lamb or chicken), two types of vegetable
(typically root vegetables) and potatoes.
COMMUNICATIVE GESTURES
The British are hardly famous for using their body much
during communication. Many of their gestures are
borrowed from other places and/ or widely used in other
countries, but none of them are universal and there are a
few which are very rare outside the UK.
Tapping your nose gesture/ Need to know gesture
Touching wood gesture/ Knocking on wood gesture
Crossing your fingers gestures
Cross your heart gesture
Time out gesture
Thumbs down gesture
DO’S AND DON’TS IN UK
Do’s:
- Do cover your mouth with your hand when yawning or coughing.
- Do bring a gift for the host and hostess when being entertained at
someone’s home. A bottle of wine, bunch of flowers or chocolates are
all acceptable.
- Do eat with fork in the left hand and the knife in the right. The
British pay much attention to good table manners.
- Do wait until your host starts eating or indicates you should do so if
you are a guest. It is impolite to start eating before everyone has
been served unless your host says that you do not need to wait.
- When you are first introduced to someone, shake their right hand
with your own right hand.- Do be punctuating. British people place
considerable value on punctuality.
- Do stand in line if there is a queue, and wait patiently for your turn.
‘Queue jumping’ is frowned upon.
- Do give a 10-15% tip if it is not included in the bill. Gratuity is
usually included in restaurant bills.
- Do say “Excuse Me” if someone is blocking your way and you
would like them to move out of your way.
- Do stand on the right-hand side of an escalator so that others can
pass over from left-hand side.
Don’ts:
- Do not use first names, unless you are asked to. Use last names
with appropriate courtesy titles such as ”Mr”, ”Mrs”, ”Ms” or
academic or professional title.
- In the UK, the V-sign with the palm facing inward is extremely
rude.- Do not talk loudly in public.
- Do not throw any rubbish or cigarette puffs on the floor in the
street or anywhere.
- Do not stare. Privacy is highly regarded in the UK. It is impolite
to stare at anyone in public.
- Do not chew with your mouth open. No one wants to see food
being chewed or hearing it being chomped on. It is impolite to
have your elbows on the table while you are eating.
- Do not reach over someone’s plate for something, ask for the item to be
passed. Do not take food from your neighbours’ plate. Never pick food out of
your teeth with your fingernails.
- Do not ever eat off a knife when having a meal, nor lick or put your knife in
your mouth.
- Do not ask personal or intimate questions such as “How much do you earn?”
“How much do you weigh?” or “Why aren’t you married? Respect others
privacy.
- Do not spit. Spitting in the street is considered very bad manner.
INTERESTING FACTS
- The United Kingdom is also the 8th largest economy in terms
of purchasing power parity, and they contribute greatly to the
world's economy.
- The sports soccer, rugby, golf, boxing, and cricket were all
invented in the United Kingdom.
- There are more chickens in England than there are humans.
- The official name for the United Kingdom is the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
- English is the official language of the United Kingdom.
However, there are several regional languages that are
recognized, including Welsh, Irish, Cornish, and and Scottish
Gaelic.
- It is legal for children over 5 to consume alcohol at home or in
other private areas in the United Kingdom.
- In the UK, you can rent mourners to fill your funeral. The
service is referred to as “Rent a Mourner” service.
- The UK was the first country to allow for the creation of
babies using DNA of three people
- In the UK, the Queen sends personalized birthday cards to
those celebrating their 100th birthday every year.
- The British drink over 163 million cups of tea daily, about 20
times the number of cups consumed by Americans.
BEST PLACES TO VISIT
IN UNITED KINGDOM!
1. LONDON
For those interested in learning more about the UK's rich history, one of the
top things to do in London is visit the Tower of London. Located beside the
spectacular Tower Bridge on the banks of the River Thames, this former
palace and prison includes highlights such as the iconic 1,000-year-old White
Tower, with its fascinating displays of armor and weaponry, and the Jewel
House, home to the Crown Jewels.
Fans of Britain's Royal Family will want to head to Buckingham Palace,
London's Royal home since Queen Victoria's reign. Here, you can enjoy the
colorful pomp of the Changing of the Guard or even take a tour of the
Palace's State Rooms (be sure to book in advance as they're only open for a
few weeks each year).
The city's Whitehall Road area is another must, where you'll find Big Ben and
the Parliament Buildings, as well as Westminster Abbey, scene of many a
royal wedding. Another area to visit in London is South Kensington, home to
the city's best museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the
Natural History Museum, as well as the famous Harrods department store.
Also check out Trafalgar Square, home to iconicNelson's Column and the
National Portrait Gallery.
2. Edinburgh: Scotland's Capital
One of Scotland's most
attractive cities, the
capital city of Edinburgh
is also one of the UK's
most visited destinations.
Popular for its many well-
preserved historic
buildings, Edinburgh is
perhaps best known as
the home of the majestic
Edinburgh Castle.
3. Roman-Era Bath
Although one of the UK's
smaller cities, Bath
more than makes up for
its diminutive size with
a multitude of things to
see and do. Named
after its famous Roman
Baths, this beautiful
city has been luring
visitors to its healing
waters for more than
2,000 years.
4. Ancient Stonehenge and
Medieval Salisbury
One of the planet's oldest
World Heritage Sites,
Stonehenge has been a place
of pilgrimage for more than
4,500 years. It was believed
to have been erected as a
place of worship, but these
days, the crowds consist of
tourists drawn by the sheer
scale of this magnificent
monument to mankind's
ingenuity.
5. Idyllic England: The Cotswolds
and Lake District
Covering almost 1,287
square kilometers of
pristine countryside, the
beautiful Cotswolds is
undoubtedly one of the
most photographed corners
of the UK. Located an easy
day trip west of London and
close to the popular tourist
attractions of Bath and
Bristol.
6. Medieval York and its Minster
One of northern England's
most popular tourist
destinations, the medieval
city of York, long the
ecclesiastical capital of
the Church of England,
boasts one of the country's
most magnificent
cathedrals. The country's
largest medieval church.
7. The University Towns of
Cambridge & Oxford
The UK has long been a center of
learning, with two of its most
famous university towns also
ranking highly as tourist
destinations. An easy commute
north of London-and just 128
kilometers apart-Cambridge and
Oxford have for centuries been
rivals for the title as the
country's top academic
establishment, a rivalry
celebrated during the famous
rowing event, The Boat Race,
which takes place each spring on
the River Thames.
