Fun facts about the UK

Everyone knows the UK, at least geographical wise. It’s my beloved country that I wish I could return to, but can’t because of Covid. In any case, seeing as I miss it so much, I figured: why not make a post with fun facts? We all know I love fun facts just as much as the UK. Okay, that’s a lie. I love the UK way more 😉

United Kingdom, Great Britain or Britain?

The UK stands for United Kingdom, a country that include four separate countries on the British isles: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Great Britain is the name for three nations on the main isle: England, Scotland and Wales. Britain is used only for including the mainland countries England and Wales.

Location and time zone

The UK is located mainly on two large islands in the Atlantic Ocean. No location in the UK is further away from the sea than 125 km/77 miles. The UK lies on the prime meridian which marks the Greenwich meridian time zone (GMT)

Largest, longest, highest, biggest

The largest country of the UK is England, the smallest being Northern Ireland. The UK has the third longest coastline in Europe: 12.430 km/7723 miles. The highest mountain is the Ben Nevis in Scotland: 1345 m/4412 ft. The largest lake is Lough Neagh, found in Northern Ireland. Though, the largest freshwater lake (by volume) is Loch Ness. The longest river is not the Thames no. It’s the river Severn: 354 km/220 miles. The biggest airport on the European continent? That’s London Heathrow. And the town with the longest name in the world? That’s Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. The town is known as Llanfairpwllgwyngyll or simply Llanfair PG.

London

London’s Shard skyscraper is the tallest building on the European continent: 310 m/1,015 ft. in height.

Edinburgh

Scotland’s capitcal city is known for its castle and the Royal mile. The International Fringe Festival in the city attracts more than 250 000 visitors every year.

Windsor

This town in Southern England is also known for its castle, which is a royal residence built in the 11th century. It’s the largest inhabited castle in the world.

Stonehenge

It’s known as the oldest monument in the world, dating back over 3000 years. These huge rocks are older than the Pyramids in fact.

Loch Ness

Scotland is known for the Loch Ness monster. Though there’s no proof that Nessie actually exists. Did you know that ‘loch’ is Scottish and means lake?

Cardiff

Wales’ capital city is often referred to as the ‘City of Arcades’ and has the most indoor shopping centres in the UK. Though the Welsh city has more to offer: many historic houses and castles that are worth a visit. 

Belfast

Northern Ireland’s main business center is located on the banks of the Lagan River. The city has one of the biggest ports of the UK. It once had the biggest shipyard in the world where the RMS Titanic was built in 1912. At the Titanic Belfast you can learn about the story of the ship and its voyage.

Queen Elizabeth II

She’s born on April 21st in 1926, being the longest reigning monarch in the world. She has been on the throne for 60+ years (almost 70). She ascended the throne after her father King George VI died in 1952.

William Shakespeare

Born in 1564, died in 1616 was the world’s biggest playwright. His works Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and Hamlet are known by people from all over the world. His Globe theatre in London is a place to experience a play or learn about them.

Florence Nightingale

Born in 1820, died in 1920 was an English social reformer who opened the first school for professional nursing in 1860. She helped spreading medical knowledge. She worked and trained nurses in the Crimean War.

Postage stamps

The UK was the first to use postage stamps. In 1840, the first stamps show a portrait of Queen Victoria. The first postage stamp was called Penny Black; as it was worth one penny and was black.

Love, Deem ❤

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Twitch

Image source: Pexels

Advertisement