United Kingdom
Noelle Lindsay 4/27/15 Per. 6
United Kingdom Political Map
United Kingdom Physical Map
Weather/Climate
Culture
Holidays and Traditions: Many of the holidays Americans celebrate, are also celebrated here such as Christmas and Easter. Some different holidays include Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Night), Remembrance Sunday, and St. George's Day. Guy Fawkes Night, more commonly known as Bonfire Night is a way to remember the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in which a group of Catholics plotted to blow up the Houses of Parliament, as they did not like the way they were being treated. Remembrance Sunday is similar to the US's Memorial Day and Veterans Day. It honors the men and women who were killed during World War I, World War II, and other major wars. Many services are held at war memorials, cemeteries, and churches around the UK. It is officially celebrated on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, or the Armistice, which signaled the end of World War I. St. George's Day is the church festival of St. George. It is considered England's national day and it is celebrated with festivals and wearing roses on jackets.
Religion: The UK's official religion is Christianity, however Scotland's official Church is the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Other prominent religions include Roman Catholicism and Methodism.
Sightseeing/Activities
Big Ben is the Great Bell of the clock tower at the northernmost end of the Palace of Westminster in London.
Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress on the Castle Rock in Scotland. This castle has been home to many Scottish monarchs including Queen Margaret, Mary Queen of Scots, and James VI. Shortly after James VI was born, in the 1600s, the castle was converted into a military base. Currently, the castle is Scotland's main tourist attraction, and an important part of the Edinburgh World Heritage Site.
Buckingham Palace is the workplace and London residence of the monarchy of the UK since 1837. It holds many banquets, receptions, lunches, dinners, and Royal Garden Parties. The beautiful architecture and lavish furnishings make it one of the UK's most popular landmarks.
Big Ben
Edinburgh Castle
Buckingham Palace
Current Information
Government: Her Majesty's Government, the form of government used in the UK, is led by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister appoints all other ministers in the government. The current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is David Cameron.
Economy: The UK has a free economy that is rapidly increasing. The UK has the 5th-largest national economy with a GDP per capita of 41, 787 (USD).
Major Exports: The UK is a major exporter of crude petroleum, an astonishing 5.8% of the nation's exports. Scotland has large exports of salmon and whiskey. Renowned chefs all over the world import Scotland's prized beef and lamb. Northern Ireland exports mainly textiles and machinery.
Her Majesty's Government Logo
Example of British Pounds
David Cameron
Food
Scones, a popular UK snack and dessert, are commonly eaten with tea or coffee.
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cold butter
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk, divided
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
Directions:
- In bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In bowl, whisk eggs and 3/4 cup milk; add to dry ingredients just until moistened. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; gently knead in the blueberries.
- Divide dough in half. Pat each portion into 8 inch circle; cut each into eight wedges. Place on greased baking sheets. Brush with remaining milk. Bake at 375º for 15-20 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Serve warm.
- Makes 16 scones.
Transportation and Lodging/Weeklong Vacation
Day 1: Arrive in London, landing at the London City Airport. Check into The Nadler Kensington for $164 a night. Visit Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Watch the changing of the guards.
Day 2: Visit St. Paul's Cathedral, a beautiful Anglican cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of London, and sitting on the highest point in London ($12 for child, $27 for adult) . After, eat lunch out at a cafe and then go to the British Museum, exhibiting important historical artifacts such as the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and Ancient Egyptian mummies (Free).
Day 3: Go shopping in London, stopping at Harrods Department Store, Westfield London, and one-of-a-kind shopping districts such as Dover Street Market.
Day 4: Check out of The Nadler Kensington and get up early to drive up to Oxford for the day. Check into the Galaxie Hotel for one night ($139). Visit the famous filming location of Harry Potter and take a cruise on the Themes ($28). Briefly visit Oxford's many historic colleges.
Day 5: Check out of the Galaxie Hotel. At dawn, get up and drive up to Edinburgh. Once in Edinburgh, check into the Edinburgh City Hotel for $102.50 a night. Visit a famous spot, the Royal Yacht Brittania, the former home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family for forty years. Eat there, at The Shore, for dinner.
Day 6: Visit Edinburgh Castle and Arthur's Seat, a hill fort complete with wildlife, volcanic geology, and scenic walks.
Day 7: Visit Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh's oldest neighborhood lined with unique shops, historical monuments, and pubs.
Day 8: Check out of Edinburgh City Hotel and drive back down to the London City Airport to catch the flight back to Chicago.
Total:
Works Cited
Works Cited
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"You’ll be able to see not just what crimes have been committed on your street, but what action the police have taken. The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, n.d. Web. 13 May 2015. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/8621560/David-Cameron-We-are-creating-a-new-era-of-transparency.html>."