Physical geography of The UK

England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain) together with Northern Ireland form the country officially known as “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland” or simply the United Kingdom.

Great Britain is situated in the British Isles. The British Isles is the general name for the major island, Ireland, the Hebrides, the Orkneys, the Shetlands and many others. The only land border is led between Northern Ireland and the Irish republic because the United Kingdom is surrounded by sea. To the south of England, and between the United Kingdom and France, is the English Channel. The North Sea lies to the east. To the west of Wales and northern England is the Irish Sea, while western Scotland and the northwestern coast of Northern Ireland face the Atlantic Ocean.

England occupies the middle and southern part of the British isles. The Isle of Wight and the Scilly Isles lie near the south coast. Besides the already mentioned islands, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are also parts of England.
Wales is a largely mountainous country bounded on the north and west by the Irish Sea and on the south by the Bristol Channel. In the east it has its land boundary with England. Wales is famous for its long rivers, big lakes and high hills in the north of the country.

Scotland consists of the northern part and the Hebrides, Orkneys and the Shetlands. It is more than half as big as England. Scotland is a wonderful country – full of traditions, colour and romance – and it retains its own character and way of life.
Northern Ireland (known also as Ulster) takes up the north-eastern part of the Irish island. Ireland had long been connected to Britain but the Irish Republic became independent in 1922 and Northern Ireland remained a part of Great Britain.

Northern Ireland consists mainly of low flats and hills. The largest freshwater lake of the United Kingdom is Lough Neagh, situated in the centre of Northern Ireland. The main rivers are the Bann, Erne, and Foyle.

Great Britain can physically be divided into Lowland Britain in the south and east and Highland Britain in the north and west.
The mountain ranges are massifs extending about two thirds of the length of the British Isles. At most they reach medium height. The mountain chains are old geologically. They have mostly changed into extensive hilly plateaus. These are cut through by river valleys.

The most mountainous area of Great Britain is Scotland. The Glen-Moor valley divides the North Scottish Highlands to the Caledonian Mountains and the Grampians with frequent lakes. The highest British mountain is Ben Nevis – it measures 1343 m.
The northern mountain region includes the north-south Pennine Range, which peaks at Cross Fell (893 m), and England`s highest point, Scafell Pike (978 m), in the Cubrian Mountains of the Lake District.
Most of Wales is occupied by the Cambrian Mountains. The highest point of Wales is found in Snowdonia, it calls Snowdon (1085 m).

The lowland areas occupy the main part of the major island`s southern half. Only the eastern part of England is really flat. The territory is more articulated in the south and south-east.
The lowlands in the Midlands are cut through by river valleys. The lowlands are more suitable for the production of agricultural crops and the soil is more fertile.

The rivers are very important for the whole land. Among the most important rivers is the Thames, which flows into the North Sea. The Severn empties into Bristol Bay, the Trent is a tributary of the Humber. The Humber and the Mersey empty into the North Sea. The Clyde has its mouth in the Firth of Clyde bay and the Forth empties into the Firth of Forth bay.
The biggest river in Great Britain is the Thames. Its length is 336 km. It is navigable as far as the capital of Great Britain-London.
The longest river is the Severn. Its length is 338 km. Other important rivers include the Tay and the Tweed.

The greatest number of lakes can be found in Northern Scotland and in the Lake District. Many tourists visit Windermere Lake. The largest lakes are, however, in Northern Ireland: Lough Neagh – 296 km², Lough Erne – 123 km². From the Scottish lakes the most famous are Loch Lomond and, especially, Loch Ness.

Great Britain has a dense network of canals, which are important for freight transport – for example the Manchester Ship canal.

The climate of Great Britain is determined by the circulation of air masses. The sea influences the temperature regime favourably during winter, easterly winds may bring cold, dry weather, and in a negative way during the summer. Winter temperatures are higher and summer temperatures are lower.