GREAT BRITAIN

Great Britain Map

Government

Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy. The constitution exists in no one document but is a centuries-old accumulation of statutes, judicial decisions, usage, and tradition. The hereditary monarch, who must belong to the Church of England according to the Act of Settlement of 1701, is almost entirely limited to exercising ceremonial functions as the head of state.

Population Population

mid 2004-50,093,800 mid 2005-50,431,700 mid 2006-50,762,900 mid 2007-51.1 million

Capital City

London

Great Britain on world map

Average Income

Big Ben

Queen Elizabeth

monarchy

London eye The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel

situated on the banks of the River Thames, in London, England. The entire structure is 135 meters (443 ft) tall and the wheel has a diameter of 120 meters (394 ft).

British Holidays

New Years day-1 Jan 2012 Good Friday-6 April 2012 Easter Monday-9 April 2012 Early May Bank Holiday-7 May 2012 Spring Bank Holiday- Summer Bank Holiday- Last Monday in August Boxing Day, St. Stephen's Day- 26 Dec 2012

Boxing Day

Why is it Called Boxing Day: Arguments abound on the origins of the name Boxing Day.

A ‘Christmas Box’ in Britain is a name for a Christmas present. Boxing Day was a day off for servants and when they received

a ‘Christmas Box’ from the master. The servants would also go home to give ‘Christmas Boxes’ to their families.

A box to collect money for the poor was placed in Churches on Christmas day then opened the next day.

Great sailing ships when setting sail would have a sealed box containing money on board for good luck. If the voyage were a success the box was given to a priest, opened at Christmas and the contents given to the poor.

Boxing Day is a national holiday and another day to spend with family and friends and eating up the leftovers but its origins are steeped in history and tradition.

major religion is Christianity as practiced by the Church

of England

Labor Labor force: 29.7 million (2001) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture

1.4%,industry 18.2%, services 80.4% (2006 est)

Unemployment rate: 5.1% (2003 est.)

Industries in Britain

Machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, and other consumer goods.

major resource