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  Flag: The United Kingdom (UK) is a political union between the island of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and Northern Ireland. Until 1921 the Union consisted only of England, Scotland and Wales and the Union Jack was the flag of the U.K. It represents the flages of the three nations. Many people consider the U.K., Great Britain and England one and the same and are not aware of the distinct nations within the Union.The true flag of England is the flag of St. George, shown top right.
 History: England was once the world's most powerful nations and the world's greatest economy. This was during the time of the British Empire when it rules over one quarter of the earth's surface and over half of the world's population. The British Empire really got started in the early 1600's with the colonisation of Northern America and the Caribbean and reached a peak during the Victorian Era (1800's). The massive wealth generated from trade helped fuel the rapid industrial development of England and the rest of the U.K. (known as the industrial revolution). It also helped fund the massive private and municipal building projects that have left a distinctive mark on the older cities of England.
 Culture: Following the two work wars of the 20th Century, the United Kingdom found itself in rapid decline as the British Empire crumbled as more and more countries fought and won their independance. Many of the smaller countries remained associated with England via the British Commonwealth and it was to this that England would turn to help rebuild the nation. The late 1950's and early 1960's saw England in a state of boom with full employment and a shortage of people of working age. An open invatation was made to the Commonwealth for workers to travel (often for free or even paid) to the United Kingdom to work. A great many of these immigrant workers remained adding to the "melting pot" that is multi-cultural Britain. Many cities have their own "Chinatowns" ( Manchester to right).
 Tourism: The UK tourist industry accounts for about 7% of the total employment in the UK. The vast majority of the tourism is made up of domestic tourists but the number of foriegn visitors to England increases every year. Most foriegn visitors come from elsewhere within Europe and just over 15% from the USA. The most popular attractions are historic and "Royal Family" related but in recent years "Industrial Tourism" has seen a marked increase (Birmingham markets itself as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution!). Fashion & style related tourism is also on the increase with many music related attractions , fantastic fashion boutiques & designer shops and wicked cafes and nightclubs availble in most cities.
 Royal Family: The Royal Family of Great Britain and all things related to the Queen of England remain THE most popular tourist attraction in England. The British royal Family currently consists of Her Majesty The Queen, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, HRH The Duke of York, TRH The Earl abd Countess of Wessex, HRH The Princess Royal, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Kent and HRH Princess Alexandra.
There are many more people within the British Royal family including many in the list of extended members for a complete list and further information visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Royal_Family
 Sport: For many in England the most important year in sporting history was 1966 when the England Football team won the World Cup. Football (Soccer) is the national sport of England (and it's birthplace). However England is also the birthplace of Rugby (an adapted form of football/soccer more akin to American football). Tennis is also extremely popular with the tournament held at Wimbledon being one of the most important and historic competitions (tennis was created in Scotland and NOT England as many assume). England is also heavily associated with cricket and athletics (and golf in Scotland). But footbal/soccer reigns supreme.
 POP Culture: Ever since the 1960's, and the explosion of the Beatles on the world, England has produced some of the finest and most successful musicians in the world. Heavily influenced by their brothers over the water (USA) the british artists developed their own style and beat and then landed it on their doorstep to almost instantaneous success [Pop stars remain, to this day, a main part of the English popular culture]. However, subsequent "pop invasions" including the "Cool Britannia" wave of the 1990's have failed to match the hysteria created during the 1960's. World famous bands/artists include: The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison), Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, The Who, The Police & Sting, David Bowie, Sex Pistols, Oasis and a great many more.
 England; Green and Pleasant Land : A great many visitors to England expect their "green and pleasant land" this is due to the temperate climate. However the landscape of england varies greatly from region to region. Kent is often call "the garden of England" and it is here that you find the countryside of rolling green hills. The land varies from the flat areas such as The Fens to mountaneous regions such as the Pennines. The coast of England ranges from the sandy beaches of seaside resorts such as Blackpool and Brighton to the areas of sea cliffs such as the white cliffs of Dover and the raggedy bays and outcrops of Devon and Cornwall.
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