The United Kingdom: The Empire on which The Sun Never Sets

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a sovereign state in Europe. Lying off the north-western coast of the European mainland, it includes the island of Great Britain—a term also applied loosely to refer to the whole country—the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that shares a land border with another state—the Republic of Ireland. Apart from this land border, the UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the North Sea to its east, the English Channel to its south and the Celtic Sea to its south-southwest. The Irish Sea lies between Great Britain and Ireland. With an area of 93,800 square miles (243,000 km2), the UK is the 80th-largest sovereign state in the world and the 11th-largest in Europe. It is also is the 22nd-most populous country, with an estimated 64.5 million inhabitants.

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of governance. Its capital city is London, an important global city and financial centre with an urban population of 10,310,000, the fourth-largest in Europe and second-largest in the European Union. The current monarch—since 6 February 1952—is Queen Elizabeth II. The UK consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The latter three have devolved administrations, each with varying powers, based in their capitals, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast, respectively. The nearby Isle of Man, Bailiwick of Guernsey and Bailiwick of Jersey are not part of the United Kingdom, being Crown dependencies with the British Government responsible for defence and international representation.

The relationships among the countries of the United Kingdom have changed over time. Wales was annexed by the Kingdom of England under the Acts of Union of 1536 and 1542. A treaty between England and Scotland resulted in 1707 in a unified Kingdom of Great Britain, which merged in 1801 with the Kingdom of Ireland to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. In 1922, five-sixths of Ireland seceded from the country, leaving the present formulation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The UK has fourteen Overseas Territories. These are the remnants of the British Empire which, at its height in the 1920s, encompassed almost a quarter of the world's land mass and was the largest empire in history. British influence can be observed in the language, culture, and legal systems of many of its former colonies.

The terms "UK" and "Great Britain" are not interchangeable: the United Kingdom includes Northern Ireland, while Great Britain does not. The currency is Great British Pound.

Some interesting facts are:
1. The Queen of the UK is the legal owner of one-sixth of the Earth's land surface.

2. In the U.K., it is legal for kids over 5 years old to drink alcohol at home or on other private premises.

3. In the UK, all horses, ponies and donkeys must have a horse passport.

4. In the 16th century, a London law forbade wife beating after 9:00 P.M., but only because the noise disturbed people's sleep.

5. On Sept. 9, 2015, Queen Elizabeth II will become the longest-reigning UK monarch ever, surpassing Queen Victoria.

6. The oldest house in the UK is nearly 6000 years old and has stone furniture that is still intact.

7. The "keep calm and carry on" slogan was originally dreamt up as a way of preserving morale in the event of a Nazi invasion of Britain.

8. British Pennies are used to adjust the time in London's Big Ben clock tower.

9. The UK is the only country not required to name itself on its postage stamps.

10. 51% of Britons have never had a one-night stand.

11. In the UK, you can never be more than 70 miles away from the sea.

For more facts visit:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/united-kingdom
http://confessedtravelholic.com/2012/08/69-fun-facts-about-the-uk.html
http://www.anglotopia.net/british-history/infographic-50-interesting-facts-united-kingdom/

Some beautiful places are:

For tourism details visit:
http://www.visitbritain.com/en/IN/

Sorry Note:
Sorry for the inconvenience. I have been busy since last few months. I didn't get time to write this blog, but from now onward I will keep posting on every Sunday. Wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Thank You!

Andorra: Tourism & Tobacco

Andorra, officially the Principality of Andorra, also called the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra, is a sovereign landlocked microstate in Southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. Created under a charter in A.D. 988, the present Principality was formed in A.D. 1278. It is known as a principality as it is a monarchy headed by two Co-Princes – the Spanish/Roman Catholic Bishop of Urgell and the President of France.

Andorra is the sixth-smallest nation in Europe, having an area of 468 km2 (181 sq mi) and a population of approximately 85,000. Its capital Andorra la Vella is the highest capital city in Europe, at an elevation of 1,023 metres (3,356 ft) above sea level. The official language is Catalan, although Spanish, Portuguese, and French are also commonly spoken.

Andorra's tourism services an estimated 10.2 million visitors annually. It is not a member of the European Union, but the euro is the de facto currency. It has been a member of the United Nations since 1993. The currency is Euro (€)(EUR).

Some interesting facts are:
1. Andorra does not have its own army therefore Spain and France defend it with their own militaries.

2. CALDEA is a large thermal spa complex located in Escaldes that provides every type of pampering treatment under the sun. It features multiple baths at different temperatures, a sauna, steam room, and hydro bar. The complex is housed in a modern building just a short walk from the center of Andorra La Vella.

3. The country of Andorra boasts of a 100% literacy rate.

4. Andorra is a duty free zone and that makes it a country free of restrictions in terms of duties. However, you will have to follow the restrictions imposed by France or Spain, if you’re leaving from either of the two countries.

5. Casa de la Val, popularly known as the ancient seat of the government is one of Andorra’s most popular tourist destinations. Apart from the ‘ancient seat of the government’, an historic 12th-century church boasts of its fair share of visitors.

6. Andorra is ranked fourth in the world when it comes to human life expectancy. The expected life span of a person in Andorra is 82 years of age.

7. By law the male head of each family in Andorra is required to own a gun in case of attack or emergency.

8. Out of each year Andorra commonly receives 300 days of sunshine.

9. The culture of Andorra is Catalan. The famous folk dances include contrapàs and marratxa.

10. Our Lady of Meritxell Day is the important national holiday in Andorra. It is celebrated annually on 8 September.

For more facts visit:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/andorra
http://everything-everywhere.com/2011/06/30/8-things-you-might-not-have-known-about-andorra/

Some beautiful places are:

For tourism details visit: +AndorraWorld +Andorra Resorts +Andorra Natural Area (Wissahickon Environmental Center)

http://visitandorra.com/en/

#LetsNailedTheWorld

Malta: The Most Concentrated Historical Areas In The World

Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a Southern European island country comprising an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia, and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya. The country covers just over 316 km2 (122 sq mi), with a population of just under 450,000 (despite an extensive emigration program since the Second World War), making it one of the world's smallest and most densely populated countries. The capital of Malta is Valletta, which at 0.8 km2, is the smallest national capital in the European Union. Malta has two official languages: Maltese and English.

Malta's location has historically given it great strategic importance as a naval base, and a succession of powers, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, French and British, have ruled the islands.

Malta was awarded the George Cross by King George VI in 1942, for the country's bravery in the Second World War. The George Cross continues to appear on Malta's national flag. Under the Malta Independence Act, passed by the British Parliament in 1964, Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom, as an independent sovereign Commonwealth realm, with Queen Elizabeth II as its Head of State, officially known from 1964 to 1974 as Queen Elizabeth of Malta, within the Commonwealth of Nations. The country became a republic in 1974, and although no longer a Commonwealth realm, remains a current member state of the Commonwealth of Nations. Malta was admitted to the United Nations in 1964 and to the European Union in 2004; in 2008, it became part of the Eurozone. The largest city is Birkirkara. The currency is Euro (€)(EUR).

Some interesting facts are:
1. Calypso Cave is said to be the cave that Homer wrote about in The Odyssey. The cave itself isn't all that great, but the views of the nearby beach are.

2. Mdina, the nation's old, walled capital, only allows cars of residents on its roads.

3. Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground necropolis, was excavated around 2,500 B.C.

4. Comino, the smallest of the islands, is virtually uninhabited--save one hotel--and is carless. Blue Lagoon is its biggest attraction.

5. There are more than a few sunken WWII ships along the coastline.

6. Valletta, its current capital, is one of the most concentrated historical areas in the world, according to UNESCO.

7. San Blas Bay is a red sand beach on the northeast coast of Gozo.

8. Azure Window is Gozo's naturally flat-topped rock, which you can't walk on, but you can bathe nearby.

9. Hagar Qim, which dates back some 5,000 years, is the best preserved ancient limestone temple on Malta.

10. Maltese fishing boats are painted in bright colours. Also painted on them are a pair of eyes on each side at the front, a tradition which goes back to ancient Phoenician times. These are the Eyes of Osiris which are said to protect the fishing boats from evil spirits.

For more facts visit:
http://www.momondo.com/inspiration/11-surprising-things-about-visit-malta/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/things-to-do

Some beautiful places are:

For tourism details visit:
http://www.visitmalta.com/

#LetsNailedTheWorld