British Isles

The British Isles are two islands off of the northwest coast of France that are the home of the United Kingdom and Ireland. The United Kingdom consists of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. England, Wales, and Scotland occupy the island of Britain, and Northern Ireland occupies the northern 1/3 of the island of Ireland. The country of Ireland comprises the southern 2/3 of the island of Ireland. The capital of the United Kingdom is London, a leading international center of finance, fashion, and culture. One of the symbols of London in Big Ben, a giant clock that is a part of The Houses of Parliament complex. Big Ben is part of St. Stephen's Tower, which also contains a 13-tonne bell that chimes with it.

The Houses of Parliament were built in the 11th century by Edward the Confessor as the Palace of Westminister. The complex contains the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and is an excellent example of Gothic Revival design. Other attractions in London include The British Museum, the Tate Modern Museum, and the Tower of London. London is part of England; England contains many other historic and cultural sites. The Salisbury Cathedral is located in the city of Salisbury, and is an excellent example of medieval crafmanship. The spire of the cathedral was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and the cathedral also contains the finest of the four original copies of the Magna Carta. Eight miles north of Salisbury is Stonehenge, a 5,000 year old stone complex that is the most famous prehistoric site in Europe. A highlight of any trip to Wales is the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, a national park located on the southwest coast of Wales. The park affords visitors an opportunity to surf, scuba dive, fish, and practice boating. Wales is known for its castles and cathedrals; St. David's Cathdral is located on the Pembrokeshire coast and is the most significatnt religious site in Wales. Scotland is known for its highlands, a region of mountains stretching across Scotland.

This areas contains beautiful castles, breathtaking lake views, and a variety of outdoor activities. This majestic part of the world also contains a wide range of beautiful flora and fauna; heather, golden eagles, foxes, and deer can all be found in these areas. Ireland is known throughout the world for its friendly people and beautiful landscape. There is no better place to experience this hospitality than in the pubs of Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. The beauty of Ireland can be found at Killarney National Park, the most visited tourist attraction in Ireland. After viewing its heather-clad mountains, glorious lakes, and beautiful castles and churches, the visitor will understand why Ireland is called the Emerald Isle.