Regional Geography and Economic Landscape of the UK

1.4 London: The Heart of the United Kingdom

London covers 1,580 km² and has a population of around 8.2 million. It is the center for important institutions such as the Government, Parliament, Legal institutions, the Monarchy, business, banking, transport networks, and media. Its origins include the City of London and the City of Westminster (including the Abbey). The city is divided into the West End and the East End. As a cosmopolitan city, it features great cultural and racial variety and is a popular tourist destination.

1.5 Southern England and East Anglia

The South East

The South East is a densely populated area around London, including the Home Counties and the Commuter Belt. It is a dynamic economic region involving trade, services, and high-tech manufacturing, with a relatively high employment rate in recent decades. Key areas include Kent, the Downs, and the South East coast.

The South West and East Anglia

The South West (the West Country) is famous for its popular image of rural countryside. East Anglia is characterized by extensive areas of flat land.

1.6 The Midlands: Industry and Nature

West Midlands

The West Midlands sometimes has negative associations due to the industrial areas of Birmingham, Coventry, and the Black Country. The Black Country is an area north and west of Birmingham and south and east of Wolverhampton. During the Industrial Revolution, it became one of the most industrialized parts of Britain with coal mines, coking iron foundries, and steel mills producing a high level of air pollution.

Beauty Spots and Staffordshire

The region features notable beauty spots like the Cotswold Hills, Malvern Hills, Leamington Spa, and Stratford-upon-Avon. It also includes Staffordshire and the Potteries.

1.7 Northern England and the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution began here in the 1760s, supported by large deposits of coal and iron on either side of the Pennine Mountains. Major industrial centers include:

• Manchester: Cotton
• Liverpool: Shipbuilding
• Leeds and Bradford: Woollen goods
• Sheffield: Steel goods
• Newcastle: Shipbuilding

However, industrial decline occurred in the second half of the 20th century, leading to high levels of unemployment, economic migration, and the North-South divide.

1.8 Scotland: Regions and Resources

Southern Uplands and Central Lowlands

The Southern Uplands feature hill ranges and sheep farming. The Central Lowlands cover 1/5 of the total area but house 3/4 of the total population. Major cities include Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.

Highlands and Islands

This area covers 1/2 of the total area but has a sparse population. It is known for the importance of tourism, fishing, and Whisky production.

1.9 Wales: Landscape and Heritage

South Wales

South Wales contains 2/3 of the total population. Major cities include Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport. The region is known for its valleys and the decline of coal mining and the steel industry.

Central and North Wales

These areas are largely mountainous and include Snowdonia National Park. The Welsh language is spoken by over 20% of the total population, highlighted by the success of the annual Eisteddfod festival.

1.10 Northern Ireland: The Six Counties

Known as Ulster, it consists of six counties. It is a land of glens, lakes, and a rugged coastline, including the Giant’s Causeway. There is an emphasis on agriculture, alongside historical linen production and shipbuilding.