England

Overview

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain and covers about 62% of it. England also includes more than 100 smaller islands. It shares a land border with Scotland to the north and another land border with Wales to the west. The sea surrounds England: the North Sea to the east, the English Channel to the south, the Celtic Sea to the south-west, and the Irish Sea to the west. London is the largest city and the capital.

History

The area now called England was first lived in by humans during a very old time called the Upper Paleolithic period. The country’s name comes from the Angles, a Germanic tribe who came there in the 5th and 6th centuries. England became one country in the 10th century and has had big effects on the world since the Age of Discovery, starting in the 1400s. The Kingdom of England joined with the Kingdom of Scotland in 1707 through the Acts of Union, forming the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Culture and Influence

England is where the English language began, along with the English legal system, association football, and the Anglican branch of Christianity. Many countries use England’s way of government. The Industrial Revolution started in England in the 1700s, making it the first country to become industrialised. England is home to the two oldest universities in the English-speaking world: the University of Oxford, founded in 1096, and the University of Cambridge, founded in 1209.

Geography

England’s land is mostly low hills and plains, especially in the centre and south. Higher and mountainous areas are mainly in the north and west, including Dartmoor, the Lake District, the Pennines, and the Shropshire Hills. The London metropolitan area has many people living there, making it the biggest area in the United Kingdom. Most people in England live around London, the South East, and industrial places in the Midlands, the North West, the North East, and Yorkshire.

Toponymy

See also: Toponymy of England

The name "England" comes from an old name called Englaland, which means "land of the Angles." The Angles were people from a place called Angeln in what is now Schleswig-Holstein, in Germany. They moved to the island of Great Britain a long time ago. The word "England" was first used in old writings about the history of the English people.

Over time, the name stuck and was used for the whole country. Even today, some old stories and poems use special names like Loegria or Albion when they talk about England.

History

Main article: History of England

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of English history.

Prehistory

Main article: Prehistoric Britain

The earliest known evidence of people in England is about 780,000 years old. Modern humans lived there long ago, but permanent homes only began about 6,000 years ago. After the last ice age, only large animals stayed, but humans came back about 11,000 years ago from northern Europe. Over time, sea levels rose, separating Britain from other lands. Farmers from Europe arrived around 4100 BC.

The Beaker culture brought new ways of making pots and tools around 2,500 BC. They built important stone structures like Stonehenge and Avebury. They made bronze by mixing tin and copper, and later created iron tools, which helped improve farming and weapons.

Ancient history

The Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD, bringing many new ideas and building structures like roads and baths. Native tribes tried to resist, but the Romans controlled much of the land. Later, a queen named Boudica led a rebellion but was defeated. This time brought many changes to daily life and culture.

Christianity began to spread during this period, though there is debate about exactly when it started. After the Romans left, Britain faced new challenges and changes in religion and leadership.

Middle Ages

After the Romans left, new groups from northern Europe arrived and settled in England. They brought their own languages and customs. Over time, these groups formed several small kingdoms that grew and changed. Battles and agreements shaped the land, and new leaders brought different ideas and rules.

Disputes over leadership led to big changes. One important moment was when William from Normandy became king after winning a battle in 1066. This brought new people to power and changed the language and culture of England.

Early modern period

During a time when exploration grew, England began to sail and discover new lands. Leaders made big decisions about religion, and the country expanded its influence around the world. Conflicts with other nations shaped England’s place in history.

Union with Scotland

Further information: Union of the Crowns and Treaty of Union

In 1603, the king of Scotland became the king of England, ruling both lands. This brought changes to how the countries were governed. Important books and ideas were shared, and new leaders brought different views on how things should be done.

Conflicts over power led to big struggles between leaders and the people they ruled. These fights changed the way England was governed forever. After a difficult time, new rules were made to balance power between the king and the people.

A big fire in London in 1666 destroyed much of the city, but it was rebuilt. New political groups formed, and the country grew in trade and wealth. The navy became strong, and England joined with Scotland to form a new kingdom.

Late modern and contemporary periods

England played a big role in shaping the world through inventions and trade. The Industrial Revolution brought huge changes, with factories and new ways of living. Cities grew as people moved for work, and new ideas changed how people thought about their country and the world.

England faced big wars in the early 1900s, which brought sadness and change. After the wars, the country worked to rebuild and adapt. New technologies and ways of living emerged, and England continued to evolve as part of a larger united kingdom.

Governance

Main article: Politics of England

Main article: English law

Main article: Subdivisions of England

See also: Regions of England, Combined authority, Counties of England, and Districts of England

England is part of the United Kingdom. The UK is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. Since 1707, England has not had its own separate government. It is governed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Other parts of the UK have their own governments, but England does not.

England's laws are made by judges in courts. They use past decisions as guides. The highest court is the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. This court was created in 2009. England is divided into different areas for local government. These include counties and districts. Some areas have their own local councils to help make decisions for their communities.

Geography

Main article: Geography of England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It covers most of the southern and central parts of the island of Great Britain. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west. England is surrounded by the sea on all other sides, including the North Sea, the English Channel, and the Irish Sea.

England has many rivers and lakes. The longest river is the Thames, which flows through London. The land has low hills and flat areas, with some higher, mountainous parts in the north and west. The highest point in England is Scafell Pike. The weather in England is usually mild but can change often, with rain during the year.

Main article: Climate of England

Main article: Fauna of England

The biggest city in England is London, which is one of the busiest cities in the world. Other large cities include Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds. Some smaller towns are also called cities if they have special buildings called cathedrals.

Economy

Main article: Economy of England

England has a big and busy economy, one of the largest in the world. It has many different industries, such as technology, science, and financial services. London is an important place for money and business with many big companies.

England is famous for its progress in science and technology. Many well-known inventors and scientists are from England, and the country leads in areas like computers, medicine, and building things. England has good roads, trains, and airports to connect its cities and towns. The country is also trying to use cleaner energy, like wind power, to help take care of the environment.

Healthcare

Main article: Healthcare in England

The National Health Service (NHS) is the public healthcare system in England. It began on 5 July 1948 and is paid for mostly by taxes and National Insurance money. The NHS gives most health services for free, but some people pay for things like eye tests, dental care, and medicine.

The government looks after the NHS through a group called the Department of Health. It spends lots of money each year to help the NHS work well. People in England usually live longer than many other places, with men living about 77.5 years and women about 81.7 years on average.

Demography

Main article: Demographics of England

England has more than 56 million people, making it the busiest country in the United Kingdom. It is home to 84% of the United Kingdom's population. If England were its own country, it would be the 26th largest by population.

The people of England are part of the larger group known as British people. Many people from England live in other parts of the world, especially in the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. Since the late 1990s, many have also moved to Spain. Because of England's strong economy, especially in South East England, many people from other parts of the United Kingdom have moved there. There has also been movement from Ireland. Today, most people in England have European backgrounds. Many people also have family roots in places like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Smaller groups come from China, Arab countries, and Africa and the Caribbean.

English is the main language spoken in England. It began in what is now England and is used all over the world. Almost everyone in England speaks English well. Some people also speak other languages at home, like Punjabi or Urdu. Recently, Polish has become common as well. In schools, children often learn a second language such as French, Spanish, or German.

In terms of religion, the most common one in England is Christianity. The Church of England is the official church. There are also people who follow Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. Some people do not follow any religion at all. There are also small groups who practice other beliefs.

Education

Main article: Education in England

England has a good system to help children learn from a young age. Kids start school around age 3 and go to primary school until they are about 11. After that, they go to secondary school until they are 16. All state schools teach important subjects like reading, writing, math, science, history, and art.

Students usually take tests called GCSEs when they finish their school years. After that, they can choose to keep learning in further education schools or colleges. They might take exams called A-levels to help them get into university. England has many universities, including famous ones like the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. Most of these universities are public, meaning anyone can go if they meet the rules.

Culture

Main article: Culture of England

Further information: English Renaissance

Architecture

Many ancient stone monuments were built long ago; well-known examples include Stonehenge, Devil's Arrows, Rudston Monolith and Castlerigg. With the Romans came buildings like basilicas, baths, amphitheaters, triumphal arches, villas, Roman temples, Roman roads, Roman forts, stockades and aqueducts. The Romans founded cities and towns such as London, Bath, York, Chester and St Albans. A famous example is Hadrian's Wall stretching across northern England.

Early medieval buildings were simple wooden structures with thatched roofs. Church buildings ranged from a mix of styles. After the Norman conquest in 1066, many castles were built; famous ones include the Tower of London, Warwick Castle, Durham Castle and Windsor Castle.

During a later time, many famous medieval cathedrals were built. The Tudor style followed, known for its arches. Later, a new style appeared, led by architect Christopher Wren.

Georgian architecture brought a refined, simple style, with the Royal Crescent at Bath as a prime example. The Victorian era saw the rise of industrial buildings. Since the 1930s, modern forms have appeared.

Gardens

Landscape gardening, developed by Capability Brown, set an international trend for gardens. These gardens included lakes, rolling lawns, groves of trees, and structures to create an ideal scene.

By the late 1700s, the garden style was being copied in places like Pavlovsk, Saint Petersburg and influenced public parks worldwide. Today, groups protect many gardens and parks. A yearly event is one of the world's largest gardening events.

Folklore

English folklore has developed over many centuries. Common folkloric beings include pixies, giants, elves, bogeymen, trolls, goblins and dwarves. Famous legends include tales of Offa of Angel and Wayland the Smith, and stories of Robin Hood and his Merry Men from Sherwood.

During a certain time, tales entered English folklore, leading to stories with characters like King Arthur, Camelot, Excalibur, Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table. People still celebrate an event to remember a failed plot.

Cuisine

Since earlier times, food has been known for its simplicity and use of natural ingredients. Traditional dishes include the Sunday roast with roasted meat, Yorkshire pudding and gravy, fish and chips, and the full English breakfast. Other popular foods are meat pies like steak and kidney pie and the Cornish pasty.

Common sausages include bangers and mash and toad in the hole. Lancashire hotpot is a well-known stew. Popular cheeses are Cheddar, Red Leicester, Wensleydale, Double Gloucester and Blue Stilton. Many dishes have been created. Traditional desserts include apple pie and spotted dick, often served with custard. Common drinks are tea, coffee, wine, ciders and English beers.

Visual arts

The earliest known examples are prehistoric rock and cave art pieces, found in places like North Yorkshire, Northumberland and Cumbria. With the Romans came statues, busts, glasswork and mosaics. During the Early Middle Ages, sculpted crosses, ivories, manuscript painting and gold and enamel jewellery were popular.

The Tudor era saw prominent artists in portrait painting. Under the Stuarts, Continental artists were influential. The 18th century saw the founding of the Royal Academy.

In the 19th century, two artists were major landscape artists. A group revived styles. In the 20th century, a leading figure was in British sculpture and modernism.

Literature, poetry, and philosophy

Early authors wrote in Latin. Old English literature includes the epic poem Beowulf and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, along with Christian writings. After the Norman conquest, Latin remained among the educated, and Anglo-Norman literature developed.

Middle English literature emerged with Geoffrey Chaucer, author of The Canterbury Tales, along with others. Philosophers were major figures in the Middle Ages. Julian of Norwich wrote Revelations of Divine Love.

With a certain period, literature in a new language appeared. William Shakespeare, with works like Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night's Dream, remains one of the most celebrated authors. Other authors include Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser, Philip Sydney, Thomas Kyd, John Donne, and Ben Jonson.

Philosophers of a certain time included John Locke, Thomas Paine, Samuel Johnson and Jeremy Bentham. The poet Alexander Pope was well regarded. England played a key role with figures like Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, John Keats, Mary Shelley, Percy Bysshe Shelley, William Blake and William Wordsworth.

In response to changes, writers sought a balance. Philosophers continued certain ideas. Victorian authors include Charles Dickens, the Brontë sisters, Jane Austen, George Eliot, Rudyard Kipling, Thomas Hardy, H. G. Wells and Lewis Carroll. Later novelists include George Orwell, D. H. Lawrence, Virginia Woolf, C. S. Lewis, Enid Blyton, Aldous Huxley, Agatha Christie, Terry Pratchett, J. R. R. Tolkien, and J. K. Rowling.

Performing arts

The traditional folk music of England is centuries old and has influenced many genres, including sea shanties, jigs, hornpipes and dance music. Ballads featuring Robin Hood, printed in the 16th century, are important artifacts. Collections preserve many songs. Well-known songs include Greensleeves, Pastime with Good Company, Maggie May and Spanish Ladies. Many nursery rhymes come from England. Traditional English Christmas carols include "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", "The First Noel", "I Saw Three Ships" and "_God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen".

Early English composers include Thomas Tallis and William Byrd, followed by Henry Purcell from the Baroque period and Thomas Arne, known for Rule, Britannia!. German-born George Frideric Handel became a national icon, creating famous works like The Messiah, Solomon, Water Music, and Music for the Royal Fireworks.

Classical music gained attention in the 18th century with a certain event. The English Musical Renaissance in the late 19th and early 20th century saw composers like Edward Elgar, Benjamin Britten, Frederick Delius, Gustav Holst, and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Present-day composers include Michael Nyman, known for The Piano, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose musicals have achieved worldwide success.

In popular music, many English bands and solo artists are among the most influential musicians globally. Acts such as the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Elton John, Queen, Rod Stewart, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones and Def Leppard are top-selling artists. England has origins in or strong ties to many music genres.

Large outdoor music festivals in summer and autumn are popular. England was at the forefront of a certain movement from the late 1980s. A certain festival is celebrated by a certain community and is the largest open-air Asian festival in Europe. After a certain event, it is the second-largest street festival in the UK.

The most prominent opera house in England is the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden. The Proms is a major annual cultural event. The Royal Ballet is one of the world's leading classical ballet companies. The Royal Academy of Music is the oldest conservatoire in the UK. England has many major orchestras.

Other forms of entertainment that originated in England include the circus and the pantomime.

Cinema

England has greatly influenced cinema, producing some of the greatest actors, directors and films. Directors like Alfred Hitchcock and David Lean are critically acclaimed. Hitchcock's The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog (1926) helped shape the thriller genre.

Major film studios in England include Pinewood, Elstree and Shepperton. Some of the most commercially successful films come from England, including two of the highest-grossing film franchises. Ealing Studios in London claims to be the oldest continuously working film studio in the world. The London Symphony Orchestra first performed film music in 1935.

The BFI Top 100 British films includes Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979). English producers are active in international co-productions and English talent appears regularly in American films. The UK film council named certain directors the five most commercially successful English directors since 2001. Other contemporary directors include certain people. Current actors include certain people. Acclaimed for motion capture work, certain person opened certain studios in London in 2011. The visual effects company certain place in London has created some of the most acclaimed special effects in modern film. Many successful Hollywood films are based on English people, stories or events. The 'English Cycle' of Disney animated films includes Alice in Wonderland, The Jungle Book and Winnie the Pooh.

Sites and institutions

English Heritage manages historic sites, artifacts and environments in England, sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The National Trust focuses on landscapes and country houses. 17 of the 25 United Kingdom UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in England, including Hadrian's Wall, Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites, the Tower of London, the Jurassic Coast, Saltaire, Ironbridge Gorge, Blenheim Palace and the Lake District.

London's British Museum holds over seven million objects. The British Library in London is the national library, holding over 150 million items. The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square has over 2,300 paintings. The Tate galleries hold British and international modern art and host the Turner Prize.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport oversees cultural property and heritage. A blue plaque, the oldest historical marker scheme in the world, commemorates famous people or events in England. In 2011, there were around 1,600 museums in England, most of which are free to enter. London is one of the world's most visited cities.

Media

The BBC, founded in 1922, is the UK's publicly funded broadcasting corporation and the oldest and largest in the world. It operates TV and radio stations in the UK and abroad, funded by the television licence. The BBC World Service is an international broadcaster in over 40 languages.

London leads the media sector in England, with national newspapers and TV and radio based there, though Manchester is also a key media center. The UK publishing sector has a turnover of around £20 billion and employs about 167,000 people. National newspapers from England include The Times, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph and the Financial Times.

Magazines and journals from England with worldwide circulation include Nature, New Scientist, The Spectator, Prospect, NME and The Economist. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for media and broadcasting in England.

Sport

England has a strong sports history and developed many popular sports in the 19th century, including association football, cricket, rugby union, rugby league, tennis, boxing, badminton, squash, rounders, hockey, snooker, billiards, darts, table tennis, bowls, netball, thoroughbred horseracing, greyhound racing and fox hunting. England also helped develop golf, sailing and Formula One.

Football is the most popular sport. The England national football team, based at Wembley Stadium, played Scotland in the first international football match in 1872. England hosted and won the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Sheffield F.C., founded in 1857, is the world's oldest football club. The England women's national football team won the UEFA Women's Euro 2022, hosted by England.

Cricket likely developed in the early medieval period among farming and metalworking communities in the Weald. The England cricket team competes with Wales. A major rivalry is The Ashes series between England and Australia, played since 1882. Lord's Cricket Ground in London is often called the "Mecca of Cricket". After winning the 2019 Cricket World Cup, England became the first country to win World Cups in football, rugby union, and cricket.

William Penny Brookes helped organize the modern Olympic Games. London has hosted the Summer Olympic Games three times: in 1908, 1948, and 2012. England competes in the Commonwealth Games, held every four years. Sport England is the governing body for sports funding and strategy.

Rugby union began at Rugby School in Warwickshire in the early 19th century. The top club league is the English Premiership. England's Red Roses won the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup. Rugby league started in Huddersfield in 1895. Since 2008, the England national rugby league team has been a full test nation, replacing the Great Britain national rugby league team. Club sides play in Super League, the modern form of the Rugby Football League Championship. Rugby League is most popular in northern counties like Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cumbria.

Golf is prominent in England, partly due to ties with Scotland. Professional tours for men and women include the PGA and the European Tour. The world's oldest golf tournament, The Open Championship, is played in both England and Scotland. The Ryder Cup, a biennial competition, is named after English businessman Samuel Ryder.

Tennis was created in Birmingham in the late 19th century, and the Wimbledon Championships is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is considered the most prestigious. Wimbledon is a major event in the English cultural calendar.

In boxing, under the Marquess of Queensberry Rules, England has produced many world champions across weight divisions recognized internationally.

The thoroughbred horse breed, originating in 17th and 18th-century England, is best known for horse racing. The National Hunt race Grand National is held annually at Aintree Racecourse in early April and is the most watched horse race in the UK. Red Rum is the most successful horse in the race's history.

The 1950 British Grand Prix at Silverstone was the first race in the newly created Formula One World Championship. England has built some of the most advanced racing cars, and many racing companies base operations there. England also has a strong heritage in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, producing several world champions.

Darts is a popular sport in England, both professionally and as a traditional pub game. Another popular pub game is snooker, and England has produced several world champions.

The English enjoy competitive sailing, founding and winning many international tournaments, including the match race, regattas, and the America's Cup.

National symbols

Main article: National symbols of England

The St George's Cross has been the national flag of England since the 13th century. It shows a red cross and is linked to Saint George, who is England's patron saint. The flag is also part of the Union Flag, which represents the whole United Kingdom.

Other important symbols of England include the Tudor rose, which combines red and white roses to show peace, and the three lions on the Royal Arms of England. England celebrates its National Day on April 23, called Saint George's Day, to honor its patron saint. While the United Kingdom uses God Save the King as its anthem, songs like Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory are often used for England at special events.