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England
is looking forward into the new century while trying to forget
many of the developments of the previous 100 years. That period
witnessed the fall of the empire, the loss of the trading
base and the nation's inability to adjust to a diminished
role in the modern world - from colonial empire to member
of the EC. But while the Family may have taken a right Royal
battering, many of the other august institutions at the cornerstone
of British life have muddled their way through with a stiff
upper lip and a strong sense of protocol.
The notion of England as a gentle, fabled land freeze-framed
sometime in the 1930s, when community life revolved around
the post office, the country pub and the local vicarage. The
country is now better known for vibrant cities with great
nightlife and attractions, contrasted with green and pleasant
countryside and national parks. After five years of Tony Blair's
Labour government, 'new' Britain is a country with a fresh
and cuddly Royal family and an alternative aristocracy of
media stars like Victoria and David Beckham to capture the
ire and adoration of the masses. Still, a country that gives
a wig-wearing ex-junkie balladeer a knighthood must be doing
something right.
Area: 129,720 sq km (50,085 sq mi)
Population: 51 million
Capital city: London
People: Anglo-Saxons, Scots, Welsh, Irish, West Indians, Pakistanis,
Indians
Language: English
Religion: Church of England, Methodist, Baptist, Catholic,
Muslim, Hindu and Sikh
Government: Parliamentary Democracy
Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II
Prime Minister: Tony Blair
GDP: US$1254 billion
GDP per head: US$22,800
Annual growth: 1.7%
Inflation: 2.7%
Major industries: Banking and finance, steel, transport equipment,
oil and gas, coal, tourism
Major trading partners: EU (Germany, France, Netherlands,
Ireland) & USA
Member of EU: yes
Euro zone participant: no
England
Flight from UK
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