Figure 1.--England is the southern part of the island of Britain. Most of the islnd is a short distance from the sea. And for much of its history, its fortunes have been affected by the sea. Here English boys, like countless boys before them, look out to the North Sea from the Yorkhire port of Whitby (1950s). Photographer: John Tindale.

England is the largest country in the United Kingdom by both area and population. England also occupies about two-thirds of the central and southern parts of the island of Great Britain. This is imprtant becvuse it is the most profuctive agricultural land and juntil the 19th century, agriculture was the priamry economic sector. The Pennines mountain range covers the central and northern parts of the country, extending from the north of Birmingham into the Cheviot Hills on the boundary between England and Scotland. The beautiful Lake District is located in England's far northwestern corner and here we find Scafell Pike (978 m) the highest point in the country. Moving south, the terraine of central and southern England is rolling hills with undulating lowlands. There are manyh flat plains (The Fens, Salisbury Plain, South Coast Plain, and the Somerset Levels). These areas think s to the terraine, climate, and abundunt rain fall are highly productive agriculatural lands. The rich farming areas over time attracted invaders, includung the Celts, Anglo-Saxons (Germanic tribes), Vikings, and ultimately the Normans). England had important natural resoiurces, tin (important for Bronze) in Corwall. But even more importantly coal. Much of the coal was in ales whicvh the English monarchy gained control over. And some iron. This is part of the reason that it was England that launched the Industrial Revolution, but hardly the only reason because many countries have coal and iron resources. Southeastern England is notable for white chalk cliffs of Dover and moch of Dorset County. The Dover chalk cliffs match similar chalk cliffs accross the Channel in France testifying to the fact that England was once connected to the Continent. The English Channel coastline is lined by sandy beaches. The Channel that sepatates England and the Continent, at least in modern times, is surely the country's most vital geographic feature. Far southwestern England (Cornwall) feature rugged cliffs and jagged rocks with front the country's only open Atlantic Ocean coastline. Because of England's island geography, rivers are relatively small and not very long. As a result they have not played as an importnt role in the country's geography and history as many countries. The best known English river is the Thames, primarily because it flows by London and connects it to the sea. Other important rivers include the Eden, Great Ouse Mersey, Severn, Swale, Trent, Tweed, Tyne, and Welland. The reivers were extendd by canals before the coming of the railways. Lake Windermere in the Lake District is the country's largest lake.

Created: 6:59 PM 4/20/2022
Last updated: 6:59 PM 4/20/2022