Living in the UK
The country
The longest distance on the mainland of the UK is from John O'Groats on the North coast of Scotland to Land's End in the South-West corner of England, is about 870 miles (approximately 1,400 km).
There are many variations in culture and language in the different parts of the United Kingdom. This is seen in differences in architecture, in some local customs, in types of food, and especially in language. The English language has many accents and dialects. These are a clear indication of regional differences in the UK. Well-known dialects in England are Geordie (Tyneside), Scouse (Liverpool) and Cockney (London). Many other languages in addition to English are spoken in the UK, especially in multicultural cities.
In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, people speak different varieties and dialects of English. In Wales, too, an increasing number of people speak Welsh, which is taught in schools and universities. In Scotland Gaelic is spoken in some parts of the Highlands and Islands and in Northern Ireland a few people speak Irish Gaelic. Some of the dialects of English spoken in Scotland show the influence of the old Scottish language, Scots. One of the dialects spoken in Northern Ireland is called Ulster Scots.
In 2005 the population of the UK was just under 60 million people. 84% of those lived in England, 8% Scotland, 5% Wales and 3% in Northern Ireland.
The population has grown by 7.7% since 1971 and growth has been faster in more recent years. Although the general population in the UK has increased in the last 20 years, in some areas such as North-East and North-West of England there has been a decline.
Festivals
Throughout the year there are festivals of art, music and culture, such as the Notting Hill Carnival in West London and the Edinburgh Festival. Customs and traditions from various religions, such as Eid ul-Fitr (Muslim), Diwali (Hindu) and Hanukkah (Jewish) are widely recognised in the UK. Children learn about these at school. The main Christian festivals are Christmas and Easter. There are also celebrations of non-religious traditions such as New Year.
Bank Holidays
Bank Holidays for the whole of the UK
New Year's Day (1 January)
Good Friday (the Friday before Easter Sunday)
Easter Monday (the Monday after Easter Sunday)
Early May Bank Holiday (the first Monday in May)
Spring Bank Holiday (the last Monday in May)
Summer Bank Holiday (the last Monday in August, except in Scotland where it is the first Monday in August)
Christmas Day (25 December)
Boxing Day (26 December)
Northern Ireland has the following 2 addition Bank Holidays:
St Patrick's Day (17 March)
Battle of the Boyne/Orangemen's Day (12 July)
Scotland officially has 2 additional Bank Holidays:
The day after New Year's Day (2 January)
St Andrew's Day (30 November)
UK Bank Holidays are virtually ignored in Scotland in favour of local holidays which vary from place to place, with the exception of Easter, Christmas and New Year. In addition where a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is moved to the following Monday.
Traditions
Mother's Day
The Sunday three weeks before Easter is a day when children send cards or buy gifts for their mothers. Easter is also an important Christian festival.
Hallowe'en
31 October, is a very ancient festival. Young people will often dress up in frightening costumes to play 'trick or treat'.
Guy Fawkes Night
5 November, is an occasion when people in Great Britain set off fireworks at home or in special displays. The origin of this celebration was an event in 1605, when a group of Catholics led by Guy Fawkes failed in their plan to kill the Protestant king with a bomb in the Houses of Parliament.
Rememberance Day
11 November, commemorates those who died fighting in World War 1, World War 2 and other wars. Many people wear poppies (a red flower) in memory of those who died. At 11 a.m. there is a two-minute silence.
Sport
Sport of all kinds play an important part in many people's lives. Football, tennis, rugby and cricket are very popular sports in the UK. There are no United Kingdom teams for football and rugby. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own teams. Important sporting events include, the Grand National horse race, the Football Association (FA) cup final (and equivalents in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales), the Open golf championship and the Wimbledon tennis tournament.
The country
The longest distance on the mainland of the UK is from John O'Groats on the North coast of Scotland to Land's End in the South-West corner of England, is about 870 miles (approximately 1,400 km).
There are many variations in culture and language in the different parts of the United Kingdom. This is seen in differences in architecture, in some local customs, in types of food, and especially in language. The English language has many accents and dialects. These are a clear indication of regional differences in the UK. Well-known dialects in England are Geordie (Tyneside), Scouse (Liverpool) and Cockney (London). Many other languages in addition to English are spoken in the UK, especially in multicultural cities.
In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, people speak different varieties and dialects of English. In Wales, too, an increasing number of people speak Welsh, which is taught in schools and universities. In Scotland Gaelic is spoken in some parts of the Highlands and Islands and in Northern Ireland a few people speak Irish Gaelic. Some of the dialects of English spoken in Scotland show the influence of the old Scottish language, Scots. One of the dialects spoken in Northern Ireland is called Ulster Scots.
In 2005 the population of the UK was just under 60 million people. 84% of those lived in England, 8% Scotland, 5% Wales and 3% in Northern Ireland.
The population has grown by 7.7% since 1971 and growth has been faster in more recent years. Although the general population in the UK has increased in the last 20 years, in some areas such as North-East and North-West of England there has been a decline.
Festivals
Throughout the year there are festivals of art, music and culture, such as the Notting Hill Carnival in West London and the Edinburgh Festival. Customs and traditions from various religions, such as Eid ul-Fitr (Muslim), Diwali (Hindu) and Hanukkah (Jewish) are widely recognised in the UK. Children learn about these at school. The main Christian festivals are Christmas and Easter. There are also celebrations of non-religious traditions such as New Year.
Bank Holidays
Bank Holidays for the whole of the UK
New Year's Day (1 January)
Good Friday (the Friday before Easter Sunday)
Easter Monday (the Monday after Easter Sunday)
Early May Bank Holiday (the first Monday in May)
Spring Bank Holiday (the last Monday in May)
Summer Bank Holiday (the last Monday in August, except in Scotland where it is the first Monday in August)
Christmas Day (25 December)
Boxing Day (26 December)
Northern Ireland has the following 2 addition Bank Holidays:
St Patrick's Day (17 March)
Battle of the Boyne/Orangemen's Day (12 July)
Scotland officially has 2 additional Bank Holidays:
The day after New Year's Day (2 January)
St Andrew's Day (30 November)
UK Bank Holidays are virtually ignored in Scotland in favour of local holidays which vary from place to place, with the exception of Easter, Christmas and New Year. In addition where a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is moved to the following Monday.
Traditions
Mother's Day
The Sunday three weeks before Easter is a day when children send cards or buy gifts for their mothers. Easter is also an important Christian festival.
Hallowe'en
31 October, is a very ancient festival. Young people will often dress up in frightening costumes to play 'trick or treat'.
Guy Fawkes Night
5 November, is an occasion when people in Great Britain set off fireworks at home or in special displays. The origin of this celebration was an event in 1605, when a group of Catholics led by Guy Fawkes failed in their plan to kill the Protestant king with a bomb in the Houses of Parliament.
Rememberance Day
11 November, commemorates those who died fighting in World War 1, World War 2 and other wars. Many people wear poppies (a red flower) in memory of those who died. At 11 a.m. there is a two-minute silence.
Sport
Sport of all kinds play an important part in many people's lives. Football, tennis, rugby and cricket are very popular sports in the UK. There are no United Kingdom teams for football and rugby. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own teams. Important sporting events include, the Grand National horse race, the Football Association (FA) cup final (and equivalents in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales), the Open golf championship and the Wimbledon tennis tournament.
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