England quick facts
- Capital: London
- State form: constitutional monarchy
- Population: 66,650,000 (2019)
- Police emergency number: 112
- Emergency ambulance: 999
- Country code: +44
- Electric voltage: 240 volts
The British are a bunch of their own: They are very polite, have a fixed time for their afternoon tea , drive on the left and are known for their black humor . All these peculiarities make them so adorable. Their eccentric nature and the exciting nightlife, between live music and pubs, are reason enough for a visit to the island. However, Great Britain is also considered a trendsetter for innovations on the European mainland and also has a lot to offer culturally.
(Engl. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland United Kingdom or abgekürtzt UK ) is the largest island country in Europe. It is made up of a union of the parts of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the surrounding British Isles . In German, the United Kingdom is often simply referred to as Great Britain or England. This is not entirely correct, however, as Great Britain actually only refers to the geographical name for the main island of the archipelago. The largest part of the country is England with an area of 130,395 square kilometers (total: 243,610 square kilometers).
With around 65.1 million inhabitants, the United Kingdom is one of the most populous countries in Europe according to Countryaah.com.
The largest cities in Great Britain include the capital London, the metropolises Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol. On the island you can admire a total of 31 UNESCO World Heritage sites , both world cultural heritage sites, world natural heritage sites and a mixed cultural and natural heritage site. UNESCO World Heritage Sites include, for example, the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and Saint Margaret’s Church, Stonehenge, Avebury and associated places of worship as well as the Tower of London.
Find out everything there is to know about the United Kingdom in our Sprachcaffe travel guide.
General information about England
Geography
The United Kingdom is a group of islands in Northern Europe with an area of 243,610 square kilometers and consists of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), Northern Ireland and approximately 800 smaller islands that surround the main island of Great Britain. The most famous archipelagos are Shetland and Orkney as well as the Isle of Wight. The only border on the mainland is found on the island of Ireland: The border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is approximately 360 kilometers long.
Time shift
Great Britain belongs to the Western European time zone ( German: WEZ or English WET , Western European Time ). In Great Britain and West Africa, the time zone is also known as Greenwich Mean Time ( GMT ). Compared to German time, England is an hour behind , so if it is 12 noon in Germany, it is 11 a.m. in England.
Climate and travel times
The UK’s climate is mostly humid, but warmer than other places at the same latitude due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. The weather is often very changeable and rainy. It rains the least on the south coast of England. In general, however, it can be said that the climate in the south and east is warmer and drier than in the north and west.
While the summer months are usually a little cooler than on the European mainland, it is usually a little milder in winter due to the island location and the influence of the Gulf Stream.
Climate table (London)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Maximum temperature | 8 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 11 |
| Minimum temperature | -1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 3 | -1 |
| Hours of sunshine | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Rainydays | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 18 | 22 | 20 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 5 |
Travel preparations for England
You have to consider this when entering the country after Brexit:
- From October 1st, 2021, you will need a passport to enter Great Britain that is valid for at least 6 months. Until then, you can enter the country with an identity card.
- The European air passenger rights no longer apply, except for flights from the EU to Great Britain or from Great Britain to the EU with a European airline. However, the UK’s new air passenger rights are similar.
- Ask your health insurance company which costs will be covered for medical care. It is recommended to take out health insurance abroad.
- The German driving license is still valid.
- There may be higher roaming charges when using the mobile Internet. However, many well-known wireless service providers are refraining from doing so and surfing the Internet will remain free even after Brexit. It is best to find out from your mobile operator before you travel.
Entry requirements
With Brexit, the entry regulations to Great Britain will also change: Citizens of EU member states only need a valid passport or identity card to enter Great Britain until September 30, 2021. From October 1st, 2021 , entry is only possible with a valid passport . A visa is not necessary for tourist purposes if you do not stay longer than 6 months.
Citizens of other nationalities may need a visa to stay in the UK. We recommend that you submit your application early as it can take a long time to process. Here you have the opportunity to find out whether you need a visa »
Currency
(English: The British pound pounds ), also known as Sterling, is probably the oldest currency in the world that is still in use. It was first mentioned in a French document in the 11th century and is therefore estimated to be around 1200 years old.
The design of the pound notes has been subject to regular change since the first banknotes in 1694. The following is currently shown on the pound notes:
Winston Churchill has been shown on the 5 pound note since September 2016. Jane Austen has been featured on the £ 10 note since September 2017. The £ 20 note currently shows a portrait of Adam Smith and the £ 50 note the faces of James Watt and Matthew Boulton.
With a currency converter you can quickly and easily convert the current exchange rate between euros and pounds.
Health care
The UK has a very good health system with adequate medical facilities and trained specialists. In 1948 Great Britain introduced the NHS (National Health Service), all people in Great Britain should receive the same medically necessary services and medical treatment should be free.
In any case, ask your health insurance company whether and which costs will be covered in an emergency. In case of doubt, it is advisable to take out health insurance abroad, which enables you to take advantage of medical care free of charge.
