What England is known for

England is located in the northwestern region of Europe in the United Kingdom. As the largest country in Great Britain, England is home to nearly 84% of the United Kingdom's population, specifically in major cities and metropolitan areas. England's official animal is a lion, while the country motto translates to "God and my right."[4] Some of the things that England is known for include Big Ben, William Shakespeare, the Beatles, red buses, telephone boxes, and Windsor Castle. There are many facts about England, one being that the Queen owns all of the dolphins in British waters. Another fact is that French was the original language that was used in England, though English is now the main language. Another relatively "fun" fact about the country is that since it is considered an island nation, it is impossible to be more than 70 miles away from the sea wherever you are in the area. London is England's state capital, and as one of the largest cities, it is more than 2,000 years old. There are other facts about England that are relatively well-known, such as the fact that the country houses several castles.[5] Currently, the United Kingdom has a population of around 68,628,973 residents, the majority of which dwell in England.[6]

A number of tourists visit England annually for the variety of attractions that the country has to offer. Some of the more popular places to visit include Cambridge University, the Eden Project, Durham Castle, York Minster, the British Museum, Soho, and Warwick Castle.[2] Other popular features are the national parks located throughout the country. Northumberland is one of the three national parks in Northern England. Known for its villages and scenery, Northumberland has moorlands, grasslands, and a fair amount of beaches along the coastline. North York Moors, another national park, has geographical features that are over 200 million years old. Lake District is the third park located in Northern England, and it is known for being an inspiration to the poet William Wordsworth. The central national parks include Yorkshire Dales and Peak District. Broads is the most eastern national park, and it is made up of 125 miles of waterways. South Downs National Park and New Forest are both filled with greenery, while Exmoor and Dartmoor have various hiking trails and riding opportunities.[3]

Geography

England, a country located in the United Kingdom, is relatively flat and has multiple rivers and lakes. Because it is partially bordered by the ocean, there are a few land formations that are affected by this. England has several forests, some of which are nationally protected. Within England are ten national parks, some being located on the northern side of the country. The two largest cities in the region are London, which is the country's capital, and Manchester. Other cities in England include Leeds, Sheffield, and Birmingham. Examples of various bodies of water include Humber, Morecambe Bay, Kielder Water, and River Severn. 

Characterized with forests, lakes, rivers, and bays, England is home to multiple species of mammals, including Reeve's muntjac, European badgers, Eurasian otters, harbor seals, water deer, sika deer, common bottlenose dolphins, and Eurasian water shrews. Birds that dwell in England are often located in the forests and national parks, though some of them live closer to the ocean or various lakes and rivers in the country. Examples of birds that live in forests are Eurasian blue tits, European goldfinches, European starlings, dunnocks, and Eurasian jays. Water birds in the country are species such as little egrets, great crested grebes, great cormorants, Eurasian coots, and grey herons. Many other types of birds also call England home, and these birds can be found in various places. Some birds, as well as a number of mammal species, are dependent on the many plants that can be found within the region. Wildflowers are relatively common, such as the red campions, common daisies, Germander speedwells, cuckoo flowers, cowslips, and purple foxgloves. There are also various kinds of ferns, ivies, and trees.[8] 

In London, the capital city of England, the weather fluctuates throughout the year. Typically, summers are short, while winters are long and cloudy. Temperatures range from a low of 39 degrees Fahrenheit and a high of 74 degrees Fahrenheit. July tends to be the hottest month of the year, followed by August and June. Meanwhile, February often holds the lowest average temperatures, though temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit are rare. London gets cloud coverage throughout the year, specifically in December. In London, the wet season usually lasts a little over eight months, typically from early February to late May. April receives the least amount of rain, though rainfall is still a possibility. Because of these factors, it has been suggested that the best time to visit London, and England in general, is from late June to early September.[7]

History

It is believed that Boxgrove Man, who came from West Sussex, was the first man to inhabit England around 500,000 BC. In 700 BC, the Celts arrived, and the Romans came to England around 55 BC and stayed until approximately AD 410. Following the Romans were kings and the Normans. Various historical events took place during these years, helping to shake England into what it is today.[9] 

In the early modern history of England, one of the first events to happen was during the Tudor period. During this time, the Renaissance reached the country through Italian courtiers. These courtiers introduced the scholarly, artistic, and educational debates. As time passed, England began to develop naval skills, and the exploration of the west increased, leading to the first English colony in the Americas, which was founded in 1585 by Walter Raleigh. More colonies would be established over time in various areas.[1] 

The Stuarts, a period that took place between 1603 and 1714, brought new opportunities both politically and agriculturally. In 1603, James VI of Scotland was crowned to be James I of England. In 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers sailed to America, which allowed them to discover new forms of agriculture. Later on, from 1642 to 1649, there was a Civil War between Republican Roundheads and Royalists. During this war, the monarchists were defeated, leading to the beheading of Charles I. The great fire of London took place in 1666.[9] 

In 1775, James Watt introduced the first steam engine. Victoria became Queen of England in 1837 at the age of 18. Another notable event in the country's history is the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, which news was spread worldwide. During World War II, England experienced multiple bombings, specifically in cities where civilians lived. In 1946, the National Health Service was established by the Labour government. Queen Elizabeth II was coronated in 1953, and in 1966, England hosted the World Cup football and won. In more recent history, a suicide bomb attack in 2005 took place the day after London won the 2012 Olympics.[9] Today, England and Wales exist as jurisdiction under the United Kingdom. There is no devolved English government, and any attempt to create a similar system was rejected.[1]