Introduction
England is one of the most visiting countries on the globe, attracting tourists by historical heritage and traditions, picturesque lands, and the latest achievements in all fields of human activity. However, no matter how much time travelers may spend in England, it will still not be enough to comprehend this wonderful country. This paper aims at describing England’s geography and great sites worth visiting and famous sports games that originated in this state, including football, tennis, and cricket. The paper will also portray the economic and industrial condition of England and provide facts about its GDP and financial sector.
Geography and Great Sites
England has varied geography mostly comprising different hilly and flat lowland areas and mountains in North and West. Low hills stretch across much of the country, interspersed with low-lying lands and plains. The Highland Zone includes the Pennine Mountain Range, the mountains of the Lake District, and the Cumbrian Mountains (Meyer). Although some mountains peak at over 900 meters above sea level, most of them are relatively easily accessible with numerous roads along low watersheds and wide passes (Meyer). Besides, due to the newest uplifts occurring in several stages, the mountains were fragmented into many massifs and acquired a specific mosaic structure with aligned surfaces at different heights.
England also possesses a rich variety of inland waterways, that is, rivers. The River Severn is the longest river in the United Kingdom, which originates in Wales, passes through England, and flows into the North Sea. Nevertheless, England’s longest river is the Thames, the length of which equals 346 kilometers (Meyer). Additionally, England is rife with lakes, mainly located in the Lake District and distinguished by remarkable picturesqueness.
Among the most prominent sites, tourists should see Stonehenge, the Tower of London, and Leeds Castle. Stonehenge is one of the best-known places, which carries historical and cultural significance for the entire civilization. This prehistoric stone monument arranged in a circle is located on Salisbury Plain, in Wiltshire. Despite its unknown origin, it is assumed that Stonehenge was constructed for religious and civil purposes. The Tower of London, also known as the Tower, is an ancient royal fortress, the grounds and buildings of which historically served as a political prison and a royal palace, arsenal, and mint simultaneously. Initially built by William the Conqueror, Leeds Castle was later converted into a palace of the royal family of King Henry VIII, due to which it preserved its historical aesthetic and appeal (Meyer). Besides, the fortress has been constructed on three islands that exude from a beautiful artificial lake
Sports
Undeniably, English people a highly sporting nation who established many popular team and individual sports, including football, tennis, and cricket. For instance, despite that games with balls can be traced back to ancient times, the contemporary football rules were formed in English public schools from the 19th century when the first professional clubs were established (The BBC). The English Premier League is currently famous by many outstanding clubs, such as Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Everton, which draws an enormous global audience. Many UK teams compete in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League, the world’s most prestigious football competition.
Cricket, a slightly complicated game of balls, bats, and wickets, which sometimes may last to five days, was also originated in England. The first evident reference concerning the sport emerged in Guilford’s court testimony in 1597, and international matches were first conducted in the late 1800s (The BBC). It is worth noting that the Men’s Cricket World Cup was launched in 1975, two years later than the Women’s (The BBC). The best-known competition is the Ashes, a series of matches played between Australia and England.
Tennis, initially known as lawn tennis, is the English most significant individual sport in terms of viewing audiences and registered players. The origins of the game date back to the twelfth century, but its modern form evolved in England in the late 19th century when, in 1872, Leamington Spa, the first tennis club, was founded (British Council). The oldest and most famous tennis tournament in Britain is the Wimbledon Championships that take place every year at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London.
Economy
England is a highly industrialized country, producing textiles, clothing, chemical products, automobiles, locomotives, ships, and aircraft, which primarily come from the City of London. Main industries also include computers, microelectronics, pharmaceuticals, and paper and glass products. Approximately one-fifth of workers in England are employed in manufacturing (Thomas and Kellner). The financial sector has played an increasingly considerable part in English economic development, and London is one of the global largest financial centers. According to the Office for National Statistics, as of 2018, gross domestic product (GDP) accounts for $2.5 trillion with almost 1.5 percent growth (Office for National Statistics). The British pound sterling, England’s official currency, is one of the leading and most stable currencies in the world. Insurance companies, banks, future and commodity exchanges are significantly concentrated in the City of London, the primary of which is the central bank of the UK and the Bank of England.
Conclusion
In summary, the paper has described England’s geography, great sites, and famous sports games that originated in this state, including football, tennis, and cricket. England has a varied geography, mostly comprising different hilly and flat lowland areas and mountains in North and West, such as Pennine Mountain Range and the Cumbrian Mountains. In addition, many popular team and individual sports, including football, tennis, and cricket, were born in this country. Finally, England’s economy is intensely and comprehensively developed, manufacturing different goods and highly technological equipment, devices, and machines.
Work Cited
Meyer, Amelia. “Geography.” England Forever, 2013.
Meyer, Amelia. “Famous Castles.” England Forever, 2013, Web.
“Regional Economic Activity by Gross Domestic Product, UK: 1998 to 2018.” Office for National Statistic.
“7 amazing sports invented in The UK.” The BBC, 2020.
“Sport in the UK.” British Council, 2020. Web.
Thomas, William Harford, and Kellner, Peter. “England.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019.