• England is the largest of the four home nations that make up the United Kingdom.
• It is also the most populous of the four with almost 52 million inhabitants, which is roughly 90% of the total population of the UK.
• England shares land borders with Scotland, Wales, the Irish Sea, The Celtic Sea and The North Sea.
• The English Channel to the south separates England from Europe.
• Most of England comprises the central and southern part of the island of Great Britain in the North Atlantic.
• The country also includes over 100 smaller islands
• The name “England” is derived from the Old English name Engla land, which means “land of the Angles”. The Angles were one of the Germanic tribes that settled in Great Britain during the Early Middle Ages.
• The terrain in England includes farmland, valleys, a rolling countryside, some rugged coasts, sheltered beaches, plateaus, and lakes.

 

HISTORY

• There are archaeological evidences that indicate that southern England was colonized by humans long before the rest of the British Isles
• It is believed that the first people who arrived to England were hunter-gatherers, who arrived from mainland Europe around 8,000 BC.
• When the Romans invaded in AD 43, they found a highly developed, tribal-based island culture in Britain, but they had to abandon the land to protect its empire.
• The Anglo-Saxons were the next group to lay claim to the land, followed by the Vikings.
• In 1066 the Norman Conquest brought great change to England.
• In the middle ages there were difficult times, the war with France, political and religious revolts, and recurring bouts of the Black Plague took their toll on the people.
• Toward the end of the middle Ages, the Tudor family gained control of the monarchy and began a dynasty that included the much-married Henry VIII and ended with the 45-year reign of Elizabeth I.
• The Elizabethan period was a golden age.
• Over the years, England continued to expand its reach around the globe, reaching its height of power during the reign of another great queen, Victoria, who ruled for 64 prosperous years in the 19th century.

FACTS

York Minster

• England is the largest and the most populated country as compared to all the constituents of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
• It takes its name from Angles. Angles was the name of a Germanic tribes that settled in the territory during the fifth and the sixth century.
• England is the second largest economy in Europe. It is the fifth largest economy in the world. It is also the largest of the four economies of the United Kingdom. At least a hundred of Europe’s five hundred largest corporations are based in London.
• England is also home to the London Stock Exchange. The London Stock Exchange is the largest stock exchange in Europe and is the main stock exchange in the United Kingdom.
• England is one of the most populous countries in the world. It has almost three times the population of Australia and California. Its population is only three times lesser than the population of Japan.
• The English love their tea. They consume more tea per capita than any other country in the world. Their tea consumption is more than three times that of Japan and a whopping twenty two times more than America or the French.
• It was the host to the world’s first ever modern Olympic Games, and not Athens as it is popularly said. The first modern Olympic Games were in Much Wenlock in Shropshire, England in 1850. The Olympic Games in Athens were held in 1896, almost half a century later.
• The world’s oldest and largest chained library lies in the Hereford Cathedral, England.
• The Windsor castle is the oldest royal residence in the world still in use. It is also the largest. The world’s oldest public zoo was opened in London in 1828.
• The Saxons destroyed London Bridge in 1014 by using boats and ropes to tear it down. Some people wonder if this is where the idea originated for the nursery rhyme, “London Bridge”.
• In Medieval England animals were brought into court, and tried and sentenced by the judge for any mischief or damage they did
• A clever Frenchman opened London’s first hot chocolate store during the mid 1600s. By the early 1700s these chocolate stores were almost as common and popular as the coffee stores.

• Meal in a restaurant – starter £4.50, main £10.00, dessert £4.00
• Meal in a café – from £7.00
• McDonalds Meal – £4.50
• Fish N Chips – £6.00
• Movie ticket – Adult £8.00, Children £5.50
• One London Tube Journey £4.00
• Taxi One Mile – £4.20-6.20
• Backpackers could scrape by on about £50 a day – £20 on a dorm, £10 on self catering supplies, £10 on admissions, £7 on a one day travel card
• British Airways London Eye – Adult £12.50, Child £6.50
• Tower of London – Adult £14.50, Child £9.50, Family £42
• Flamingo Land Park and Zoo – Adult £17.50, Child £16.50
• New Metroland Theme Park – Adult and Child £9.90, Family 33

 

Click here to see The Economist’s Big Mac Index.  It is arguably the world’s most accurate financial indicator to be based on a fast-food item.

• In any emergency call 999 or 112 and ask for Ambulance, Fire, Police or Coast Guard when connected.
• England is a safe place to live and visit, violent crime against tourists is rare, however you should always use general common sense to ensure you keep out of trouble.
• Take care when driving on country lanes as they can become very narrow and the lesser travelled ones are often in poor condition.
• It is worth taking extra care on public transport, particularly at night, as pickpockets and drunks can be a problem.

 

Click here to see Canadian Government Travel Reports and Warnings on http://www.voyage.gc.ca/.  Travel Reports offer information on safety and security, local laws and customs, entry requirements, health conditions and other important travel issues.

• England weather is very changeable and unpredictable, but generally summers are warm and winters are cold
• Temperatures do not usually drop below 32°F (0°C) in winter, and in summer they hardly reach 90°F (32°C).
• July and August are the warmest months, although they are also the wettest.
• January and February is the coldest time of year.
• Rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, but late winter/early spring (February to March) is the driest period.
• The Lake District is England’s wettest region.

Madame Tussauds

City/Region: London

The most famous wax museum gallery in the world, with more than 400 life-sized models of stars, famous politicians, royals and sportsmen, as well as the most infamous criminals the world has known.

Admission: Online booking is €22.50 (adults) and €18.50 (children), cheaper after 5pm

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Tower of London

City/Region: London

The Tower’s history dates back to the 11th century.

The Tower of London is perhaps as famous for its traditions as its imposing structure.

The Tower is next to Tower Bridge, another famous London landmark.

Admission: €16.50 (adults), €9.50 (children under 16); concessions and discounts for advance/online booking available

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Shakespeare’s Globe

City/Region: London

Situated on the bank of the Thames, just 656ft (200m) from the site of Shakespeare’s original Globe Theater

The reconstruction took a total of 10 years to complete; at a cost of over €40 million and now houses a professional theater company responsible for regular productions of Shakespeare’s famous plays.

Admission: €10.50 (adults), €6.50 (children); concessions available. Performance tickets range from €15 to €30 (€5 standing)

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Buckingham Palace and the Queen’s Gallery

City/Region: London

No visit to London would be complete without experiencing the pomp and ceremony of the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace

Visitors can get a peek inside during the annual summer opening of the State Rooms, and see some of the Queen’s private art collection at the newly opened Queen’s Gallery.

Originally the town house of the Dukes of Buckingham, Buckingham Palace has served as the official London home of Britain’s monarchs since 1837

Admission: State Rooms: €16.50 (adults), €9.50 (children under 17 years); concessions and combined tickets available. Queens Gallery: €8.50 (adults), €€4.25 (children under 17). Advance booking advised

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St Paul’s Cathedral

City/Region: London

The great dome of St Paul’s Cathedral has been a distinctive landmark on the London skyline for centuries

Built in 1673 by Sir Christopher Wren, after the previous St Paul’s was burnt to the ground during the Great Fire of London

The crypt at St Paul’s is one of the largest in Europe, and it houses more than 200 tombs, including those of Admiral Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Wren himself

The Cathedral has hosted many significant ceremonies in London’s history, including the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill, and the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana

Admission: €10 (adults); €3.50 (children 7-16); family and group concessions available

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Leeds Castle

City/Region: London

Set atop a lake in a picturesque valley in Kent, with imposing battlements and a 500-hectare Tudor garden, Leeds Castle has been described as ‘the most beautiful castle in all the world’

Once a residence of British Queens and a playground for King Henry VIII

It has been open to the public for 25 years

Admission: €15 (adults), €9.50 (children 4-15)

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Stonehenge

City/Region: South West

Writers, adventurers, historians and conquerors have all tried to answer the question, ‘Who built Stonehenge?’

Several 20-ton stones more than 240 miles (386km), aligned with mathematical and astronomical precision

Created 5,000 years ago

Admission: €6.30 (adults), €3.20 (children)

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York Dungeons

City/Region: York

From the plague-riddled streets of 14th century York, to the Labyrinth of the Lost and its ghostly Lost Roman Legion, adventures with the legendary highwayman Dick Turpin, to the Pit of Despair, Witch Trials, and the real Viking story, visitors can certainly expect the unexpected.

Be tried and convicted in the Judgement of Sinners trials, witness hangings and marvel at the life-like waxworks on display.

The tour is not recommended for those of a nervous disposition and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Admission: €12.95 (adults); €9.95 (children).

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Drayton Manor Theme Park

City/Region: Birmingham

Loaded with more than 50 rides

Visitors can drop 177 feet (54m) from the world’s first stand up tower

Take a watery plunge in a rescue boat down a slippery 180° platform

Tackle the rapids with friends at Splash Canyon

Admission: €23 (adults), €1 (children)

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Communication Etiquette:
• Handshake is the common form of greeting
• They may seem a bit formal and/or “stiff”
• Avoid long periods of eye contact – makes people feel uncomfortable
• Status and age is a symbol of social class
– Introduce lower to higher
– Or younger to older
• They value relationships
– Friendships take longer to build – once built they are strong and will last over distance and time
• Privacy is also an important value

Business Etiquette:
• Firm handshake
– No issues over genders in the UK
– Shake upon meeting and leaving
– Maintain eye contact during greeting
– After greeting do not maintain eye contact
• Use titles and surname
• Business cards are exchanged but not formal
• Like to work with people, and businesses that they know
– Prefer to network
– Like business with long term relationship
• Senior person will do most of the speaking in the meeting
– Unless everyone is on the same level
• Meetings are very formal
– Back up claims with figures and data