Land & people
Area: 244,820 sq km
Population: 60.27 million (July 2004 est.)
Capital: London
Languages: English, Welsh, Gaelic Scotland
Per capita GDD: $27,700 (2003 est.)
Situated off the northwestern coast of the European mainland, the United Kingdom — consisting England, Wales, and Scotland, and Northern Ireland — is twice the size of New York State. England, in the southeast part of the British Isles, is separated from Scotland on the north by the granite Cheviot Hills; from them the Pennine Chain of High Lands extends south through the centre of England, reaching its highest point in the Lake District in the northwest.
To the west along the border of Wales — a land of steep mountains and valleys — are the Cambrian Mountains, while the Cotswolds, a range of hills in Gloucestershire, extend into the surrounding shires.
Major rivers flowing into the North Sea are the Thames, Humber, Tees, and Tyne. In the west are the Severn and Wye, which empty into the Bristol Channel and are navigable, as are the Mersey and Ribble.
Besides London, other large cities include Glasgow, Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Leeds, Bristol, Manchester, Bradford, Swansea, and Cardiff.
Useful addresses
• British Embassy, P.B. No. 248, Abu Dhabi. Tel: 02-6101100; Fax: 02-6101586
• British Embassy (Consular General), P.B. No. 65, Dubai. Tel: 04-3094444; Fax: 04-3094301
• British Council, P.B. No. 1636, Dubai. Tel: 04-3370109; Fax: 04-3370703
Passports/visas
Visitors need a valid passport. EU citizens do not need a visa to enter the country. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are allowed to stay six months without a visa. Further information on entry requirements may be obtained from your nearest British embassy or consulate.
Cash/credit cards
Travellers’ cheques, preferably in pounds sterling, are widely accepted in the country. The bureaus at the international airports will not levy huge commissions and fees. Cash points (ATMs), are common in the UK, linked to major credit cards as well as the Cirrus, Maestro and Plus cash networks.
When to go
The best months to visit the country are from April to September, when most places of interest are open. It is advisable to avoid July and August, as they are the busiest months.
Getting there
London’s Heathrow and Gatwick are the two international airports for transcontinental flights, though some also fly direct to Manchester and Birmingham.
All the major and many minor English airports are served by numerous continental European and Irish flights. Most of the world’s major airlines serve London. Heathrow Airport is accessible by bus, London Underground (Piccadilly line), and the Heathrow Express.
The Channel Tunnel has made travel between England and continental Europe faster, more pleasant and less tiring, with two different services: Eurostar (Le Shuttle) for walk-on passengers, and Eurotunnel for people with vehicles.
You can get to England from mainland Europe via ferry, and comfortable trains.
Tipping
Most restaurants include a service charge on the bill. If it is not applied, leave a tip of at least 10 per cent. Taxi drivers expect a tip of about 10 per cent, especially in London.
Take your pick
Getting around England is pretty easy, if occasionally unpredictable, in the larger cities under the strain of peak hours. Budget airlines fly domestically, and trains trail some picturesque routes the length of England.
Coaches and buses operate throughout the country, coaches being more expensive and a little faster. Black cabs are also an option; minicabs are cheaper. In England, long-distance express buses are usually called coaches, and in towns there are separate bus and coach stations.
It is advisable to double-check at a Tourist Information Centre before planning your day's activities around a bus.
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