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Although being a relatively small country, England has held sway over
almost every continent of the world at some time in history. This not only led
to the spread of the English people all over the world, but also to the influx
of other nations to this relatively small European island. As surrounding

nations, and those further afield, arrived in their droves in search of money,
power and better prospects, the English nation became a varied one.
Languages, cultures and religions converged. Today, the population is one of

ever-increasing diversity. This continues to draw people from all over the
world; both as a holiday destination and as a home. The long history of
England is evident by the many castles, forts, bridges and monuments
erected in memory of long-ago events and people. These alone give this

country an aura of historical resonance.
The country is fairly flat, but the expanses of lush, green vegetation,
narrow roads, and stone houses certainly grant it a quaint beauty all its own.

The coastal regions are well populated and promise stunning vistas.
London is the capital city of England. This city is an ever-bustling
me’tropolis that has successfully combined modern a’me[i]nities with quaint

[kweint] historical charm. The old buildings and awesome tourist attractions
lend it an old-fashioned air, despite the thousands of locals rushing to and fro
as they carry on their everyday routine.

Scotland borders England to the north and Wales forms much of the
western border. This makes England ideally situated to be the base from
which visitors explore the remainder of the United Kingdom. There are many
rivers and lakes in this fertile land. The tidal (залежні від припливу) rivers

(Thames, Mersey [mз:zi] and Tyne) are the most significant in terms of their
continued functionality and the ports on their banks. The Lake District is
where most of the English lakes are situated.

Governance. England is ruled by a monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who
uses a parliament to manage the country. A Prime Minister is elected from
the leading party and exercises his authority in cooperation with the Queen.
The English culture is somewhat different to other nations, even those

closely surrounding it. The cuisine [kwi’zi:n] is simple, using fresh
ingredients of a high standard and avoiding strong herbs and spices. Many
dishes hail from a time of farming or battle, when food supplies were usually

grown at home and supplies were limited. As the origin of the English
language, England has presented the world with many of the best known
authors, playwrights and poets of all time. Well known examples are

William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. Folklore is another popular

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