England

England Largest nation within the United Kingdom, bounded by the North Sea (e), the English Channel (s), Wales and the Irish Sea (w), and Scotland (n); the capital is London.

Land and economy

The landscape is complex. In general, the n and w are higher and geologically older than the s and e. The chief rivers are the Severn, Thames, Trent, Ouse, Humber, and Mersey. The principal lakes include Windermere and Derwentwater in the Lake District. The s of the country has low hills and downs, while much of e England is flat fenland. The n is predominantly upland, and includes the Pennines, Cheviot Hills, and Cumbrian Mountains.

History

There are traces of Palaeolithic settlements in England. Occupied by the Celts from c.400 bc, England was later conquered by the Romans, whose rule lasted until the 5th century. Germanic tribes began arriving in the 3rd century ad, and gradually established independent kingdoms. Christianity arrived in the 6th century. In the 9th century, Alfred the Great led a united England against the Danes. The Norman Conquest (1066) brought strong central government and inaugurated the feudal system. England conquered Ireland in the late 12th century, and Wales became a principality of England in 1284. The 13th century saw the foundations of parliamentary government and the development of statute law. During the Middle Ages, England's fortunes continued to be linked with France, as English kings laid claim to French territory. The Wars of the Roses curbed the power of the English nobility. Under the Tudors, Wales was united politically with England and became a strong Protestant monarchy. The reign of Elizabeth I was one of colonial expansion. In 1603, James I merged the English and Scottish crowns. For the subsequent history of England, see United Kingdom. Area: 130,362sq km (50,333sq mi). Pop. (1997 est.) 49,752,900.