United kingdom when was it formed

The Kingdom of England, formed in , gained the first U. In the late 13th century, King Edward I conquered the western Principality of Wales, claiming it as a territory of England.

Scotland emerged from the First and Second Wars of Scottish Independence with its sovereignty intact. Wales, meanwhile, remained a conquered territory. This tradition continues today with Charles, Prince of Wales. The late Lady Diana was also the Princess of Wales during their marriage. This was the first major political union in what would become the U. Now, he gained a second name: King James I of England.

Even though Scotland and England shared the same king, they were still two politically separate kingdoms, each with their own parliament. Over the next century, there were several failed attempts to merge them into one nation.

There were several reasons for this union, says Christopher A. One was the fact that Scotland was in debt after trying to establish a colonial empire in the Americas the same way that England, Portugal and Spain had done. Much of the north and west of the U.

This terrain was shaped in the last Ice Age, when thick glaciers covered the land. In northwest England and the Scottish Highlands are dozens of lakes, called lochs. These were left behind when the Ice Age glaciers melted. They tend to be long and narrow, and some are very deep. Legends say that a giant monster called Nessie lives in Loch Ness in Scotland.

In the s and s, people from former colonies in the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia came to the United Kingdom to work. Sports and literature are among the United Kingdom's cultural claims to fame. Soccer, rugby, cricket, boxing, and golf were all invented in Britain. And the U. Rowling, the writer of the Harry Potter books, is British. About 5, years ago, the center of the United Kingdom was covered with thick forests.

Thousands of years ago, these woodlands were cleared by ancient farmers, and today only about 10 percent of the land is forest. The United Kingdom's complex geology gives rise to a wide variety of landscapes and a range of habitats for its animal and plant life. But it is a very crowded country, and there are not many truly wild places left. The most successful wildlife species are those that can live alongside people. Great Britain's rugged mountains, like the Scottish Highlands, offer habitat that is relatively untouched by humans.

The country's 7, miles 12, kilometers of shoreline, ranging from tall cliffs to beaches to marshes, also provide homes for wildlife such as seabirds and seals. It is the largest country within the United Kingdom both by landmass and population, has taken a pivitol role in the creation of the UK, and its capital London also happens to be the capital of the UK.

It is perhaps understandable then that England is often although incorrectly used as a term to describe the whole of the UK. So there you have it! Great Britain — an island situated off the north west coast of Europe. British Isles — a collection of over 6, islands, of which Great Britain is the largest. England — a country within the UK. An introduction to the British peerage, which has evolved over the centuries into the five ranks that exist today: duke….

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