United Kingdom Ireland

Author: Zhou Min, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: The United Kingdom: 243,600 square kilometers (including inland waters), England: 130,400 square kilometers, Scotland: 78,800 square kilometers, Wales: 20,800 square kilometers, Northern Ireland: 13,600 square kilometers. Located in the western part of Europe, it is an island country. Composed of the British Isles (including England, Scotland, and Wales), northeastern part of the island of Ireland, and some small islands. It overlooks the European continent across the North Sea, Dover Strait, and English Channel. Its land border is shared with the Republic of Ireland. The total length of the coastline is 11,450 kilometers. The country is divided into four parts: the southeastern plains of England, the central-western mountains, the Scottish Highlands, and the highlands and mountains of Northern Ireland. Major rivers include the Severn River (354 kilometers) and the Thames River (346 kilometers). Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland (396 square kilometers) is the largest lake in the country. It has a maritime temperate broadleaf forest climate, with mild and humid weather year-round. The highest temperature usually does not exceed 32°C, and the lowest temperature is not lower than -10°C. The average temperature is 4-7°C in January and 13-17°C in July. It is often rainy and foggy, especially in autumn and winter. The average annual precipitation is about 1,000 millimeters. The northern and western mountainous areas receive more than 2,000 millimeters of precipitation annually, while the central and eastern regions receive less than 800 millimeters. February and March are the driest months, while October to the following January are the wettest months. Ireland: Natural Geography: Area 70,282 square kilometers. Located in the central-southern part of the island of Ireland in western Europe. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west and Northern Ireland to the northeast. It overlooks Great Britain across the Irish Sea to the east. The coastline is 3,169 kilometers long. The central part consists of hills and plains, while the coastal areas are mostly highlands. The longest river is the Shannon River, about 370 kilometers long. The largest lake is Lough Corrib (168 square kilometers). It has a temperate maritime climate. Ireland is known as the "Emerald Isle."