A History Of Britain For The Visitor
By Derek Smiley

Over many centuries its character has been formed most importantly by its geographic location. Hence its status as one of the largest islands! It's has never been successfully totally invaded. Even the Romans could not take Scotland and had to build a wall known as Hadrians wall to keep them out.

The roman invasions in AD 43 lasted 350 years, however the britons in built independence borne by island living quickly estinguished the roman influece, although many of their advances such as Roman roads still exist today. This independence of the Brits is also shown by its breaking away from the catholic church in the 16th century.

Today the very chracter of the British is seen by its almost comical participation in the European union. They are still opposed to the Euro currency and still insist on driving on the left hand side of the road.

After fighting two world wars the British were very relunctant to cooperate with the French on a channel tunnel. After all wasnt it this that we fought the war for. i.e. to keep the foreigners out!

Yes the British do have their quirkyness, even not been very famous for its culinery skills it has still claimed the crown for making tea! Which in all fairness the continenetals do respect and never challenge! After all, all it needs is to boil some water! Although regarded as rather aloof, they do understand freedom and are the mother of democracy. Their heritage is unbelievable.

From horse racing, i.e. the grand national to its very strange Morris dancers. The wonderful parks and Royal family. The Royal family probably epitimises the british best. Where most countries got rid of theirs, by guillotine and other forms of execution, the British somehow still kept theirs.

The reason for this is their culture of playing the game and the balance of justice. A great example of this was when a Italian prisoner of war was accused of murdering a local Brit. it was widely felt a partisan jury would find him guilty, but no, the verdict was a very stong not guilty, showing the inbuilt fair play of the British.

Although a small island, the diversity of its geography is quiite amazing. From the flat lands of East Anglia, where by the way Cambridge and its famous universites lay. To the great lakes of Windermere to the unbelieble mountains of Scotalnd Ireland and Wales.

Hopefully if you are visiting the UK (United Kingdom) you will be able to visit the diverse cities, with its multi cultural and great shopping. Harrods its a must if you are visiting London. We Brits are great sports fan, inventing Football (soccer) Rugby and of course cricket.

Getting back to the great British menu. Britain's most popular food has got to be fish and chips. Fish and chip shops first made an appearance at the end of the 19th century and since then have been a firm favourite throughout the United Kingdom.

The dish is simplicity itself: fish (usually cod, haddock or plaice) is dipped in a batter made from flour, eggs and water and then deep fried in hot fat. Chips are made from thick batons of potato and deep fried. Fish and chips are served over the counter wrapped in paper, and traditionalists prefer to eat them straight out of the paper because they taste better that way, before the EU it would be newspaper. Thats the rebelliousness and quirkness of the Brits!

Derek is British and proud of it. A history of Great Britain can be explored by taking educational student tours. its a great way of finding out about its true history and character.

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