About England

With a population for just over 50 million England is the most populous constituent part of the UK with a land mass of over 50,000 sq miles. England was the first country to have a parliamentary democracy, however still retains a constitutional monarch in a symbolic role. The capital of England is London which is Europe's largest city with over 7.5 million inhabitants; other major cities include Manchester and Liverpool in the north and Birmingham in the Midlands.

England was united under 'The Cross of Saint George' (white with a red cross) in 928AD from regional areas previously under minor kings. St George is the patron saint of England who died in 303AD, and has been immortalized in the mythical tale of 'George and The Dragon'. The 'Act of Union' joined England with Scotland and Wales in 1707 to become the UK or United Kingdom.

England has been invaded by various nations including the French, the Romans, the Vikings, the Scots and Germanic Tribes called The Angles and The Saxons resulting in the ethnic term 'Anglo-Saxons' for English people.

England is a multi-faith country with all the major religions from across the world represented, however it is traditionally Christian and the main faith being Church of England.

England retains the UK form of currency the Pound Sterling worth around $2 or 1.5Euros.

England has many major airports the largest of which are Gatwick and Heathrow which is the busiest airport in Europe. Both are based in the south of England above the Greater London area.

Famous Englanders include: the writer Charles Dickens, the explorer Captain Cook, inventor of the web Sir Timothy Berners-Lee, inventor of the jet engine Sir Frank Whittle and ex Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.

England is one of the most stable and influential countries in Western Europe and is famous as the home of the Industrial Revolution, steam power and democracy.