Géographie et iles britanniques
Theme 1: social geography of the British Isles
Fundamental starting point > Britain’s island position > fundamental importance of the sea in British history:
In terms of:
> climate: temperate (average 8°C – 11°C) and rainy, but with some variations. In the NW: 3,810mm – 4 5081mm; in the SW: 550mm
> economy: > fishing ports (Scotland, Humberside, east coast) > exportation > shipbuilding (Hull, Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow, Belfast) > seaside resorts (Blackpool in the north, Brighton in the south
> politics: no invasion since 1066 (Normans under William the Conqueror) > sense of isolation (“us against them”, especially after 1940 “Battle of Britain”) > sceptical attitude towards the “continent” (cf. EEC) + sense of continuity and tradition, preserved in many quaint customs and rituals and symbolized by the Monarchy.
Latitude: a long narrow country (960 kms by 480). The N at same level as Moscow (60°), the S at same level as N..France (51.5°), but a temperate climate because of sea and Gulf Stream (a warm current flowing up from the Atlantic along the west coast (palm trees in Torquay, tropical vegetation at Inverewe on Scottish w. coast)
Relief: basic feature > rolling hills. Two mountain ranges: N. Wales (“the valleys” with Snowdown at 1,085 m) and the Highlands of Scotland (Ben Nevis at 1,342 m). Range of hills in north England: the Pennines, between Manchester and Leeds. A number of scenic areas: the Lake District in NW England, Yorkshire dales, the peak district. Some flat areas n the SW: the moors (e.g. Dartmoor).
Population
(i) Distribution. 61.38m in 2008 (England: 51.44, Scotland: 5.7m; Wales: 2.99m, N.I.: 1.78m) = same as France but for half the surface area (314,944 sq kms to 551,602) > 383/sq kms = highest in Europe after Belgium, Holland and Germany. 80% live in cities, 50% in 8 conurbations: London (6.7m), Birmigham (1m), Glasgow (689,000), Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield,