Great Britain. Geographical Position and Natural Features.

Map   Questions.

Great Britain is a large capitalist state, the exploiter of a number of colonies and dependencies.
Geographical Position. The United Kingdom of Great Bri­tain and Northern Ireland comprises the Island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the Island of Ireland (on the other, greater part of this island is situated the Free State of Ireland) and a num­ber of adjacent islands. This chain of islands and islets lies on the continental shelf of the European peninsula surrounded by the shal­low waters of the sea. They were separated from the continent as the result of a gradual sinking of the land.

The coastline of Great Britain is deeply indented and contains numerous gulfs and bays which serve as convenient ports. The insular position of Great Britain, close to the economically deve­loped countries of Europe and in the very centre of trade routes, is favourable for shipping and ocean commerce. This position, moreover, safeguards "it from invasion. In the course of the last nine centuries not a hostile foot has stepped on British soil.
Natural Features. In the south-east lies a lowland crossed in places by low chains of chalk hills (called the Downs) and by the full-bodied Thames, the most important inland water-way of the country. In the south-west, the two mountainous peninsulas, Cornwall and Wales, extend into the sea. The ancient and much-denuded Pennines stretch across the centre of Great Britain in a southern to northern direction. The still more ancient Highlands of Northern Scotland, or Northern Highlands, rise in the north, the highest peak being 1,343 metres. Fields of good coking coal are found at the foot of the mountains, and close by, deposits of low-grade iron ore. High-grade iron is imported.
Great Britain has a maritime climate with heavy rain, most pronounced along the western coast facing the Atlantic Ocean, where the warm North Atlantic Drift Current flows.
'British winters are mild: in the north-west the average January temperature is about 5°C above zero, in the south-east 4°C. Rivers do not freeze in winter. Summers, however, are cool and rainy: in the north-west the July temperature is 14°C above zero, in the south-east 17°C.
Strong westerly ocean winds driving overhanging clouds swiftly before them across the sky, cold drizzles that never stop—such is the normal weather in Western England. In the east, farther from the ocean, the weather is not so wet, and sunny days are more fre­quent. Winters are a little colder here, but summers are wanner. Fogs occur often, especially in autumn and winter, and are so dense at times that street traffic and navigation are stopped.
In this climate grass grows well. Great Britain is famed for its juicy meadows that remain green almost all through the year. The upland areas are occupied by moors covered with heather where sheep are grazed. The forests have been almost completely felled and substituted by artificial parks surrounding the old mansions of the English lords.
The seas around Great Britain are rich in fish (especially the North Sea). Fishing, therefore, is the main occupation of the coastal inhabitants.
Questions and Assignments.
1.  Explain the advantages of Great Britain's geographical po­
sition. Are these advantages affected by the modern level of mili­
tary   technique?
2.  Compare the climate of Great Britain with that of your neighK
bourhood.
3.  Use the map in your Atlas to mark and name on the outline
map the seas and straits off the British coast, the islands and
peninsulas, the mountains and rivers. Mark the mineral deposits
of the country.