What parts is the UK divided into? Territorial structure of Great Britain Administrative unit of England
Each country in the United Kingdom has its own system of administrative and geographical divisions, which often date back to pre-Great Britain. Accordingly, "there is no standard level of administrative division linking the whole of Great Britain". Until the 19th century, there were practically no changes in the old divisions, but then a constant evolution of roles and functions began. However, these changes were not universal, and the further transfer of opportunities to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland means that they are unlikely to be universal in the future.
The organization of local government in England is very complex, with the distribution of functions depending on local orders. The legislative framework for the English government is set by the Parliament and the government of Great Britain, as England does not have its own parliament. The highest level of division of England is made up of nine government regions or government regions of the European Union. One region, Greater London, has had its own elected assembly and mayor since 2000 after supporting the issue in a referendum in 1998. Other regions were supposed to get their own regional assemblies as well, but the idea was stopped by North East England's rejection of one in a referendum in 2004. Below the regional level is either a county council and then district councils, or unitary councils, while London has its own system of 32 London boroughs. The members of the council are chosen by the majority system.
The Scottish local government is divided based on 32 areas of Scotland with a wide variation in size and population among them. The cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee are separate areas, as is the Highlands, which comprises a third of Scotland but has a population of just over 200,000. Local government rights are administered by elected deputies, who now number 1,222 and receive part-time salaries. Elections are held under the system of a single non-transferable vote and select three or four deputies, who then choose a chairman who chairs the meetings and speaks on behalf of the entire region.
The Welsh government is organized into 22 unitary entities including Cardiff, Swansea and Newport, each of which is a separate entity. Elections are held every 4 years according to the majoritarian system. Northern Ireland has been divided into 26 districts since 1973. Their rights are limited to service functions such as garbage collection, pet control, and park maintenance. On March 13, 2008, a decision was made to create 11 new districts and replace the existing system. The next local elections were canceled until 2011 to organize a new system.
The UK is one of the most densely populated and highly urbanized countries in the world. On average, per 1 sq. km. Its area accounts for 230 people. However, the distribution of the population across the country is very uneven. The main part of the inhabitants of Great Britain is concentrated in England, which has the most convenient geographical position, favorable natural conditions and has played a leading economic role throughout the history of the British Isles. Here the average density increases to 356 people per 1 sq. km. km. Within England itself, the main industrial belt of the country, stretched along the London-Liverpool axis, is most densely populated: half of the entire population of Great Britain lives in this belt. The most sparsely populated areas are in Scotland with its harsh natural conditions and less developed economy compared to other parts of the country. For 1 sq. km. It has an average population of 86, with the population concentrated mainly on the coasts, in the valleys and lowlands (especially around Glasgow and Edinburgh), while some highland areas are virtually deserted.
By the end of the XIX century. 3/4 of the population of Great Britain lived in cities, and the predominant type of population was already large conurbations. Since the beginning of the twentieth century. there is an intensive migration of rural residents to cities, where almost 4/5 of the country's population now lives. Drawing a line between urban and rural settlements in a highly urbanized country like the UK is difficult. Many villages have become the "bedrooms" of nearby towns, with villagers commuting daily to the towns for work.
There are about a thousand cities in the UK. Half of the country's urban population is concentrated in seven conurbations. One of them - Central Clydesgard (1.7 million people) - are located in Scotland, and the rest in England. These are Tynesad, which is home to 0.8 million people, West Midlands (2.4 million), South East Lancashire (2.3 million), West Yorkshire (1.7 million), Mersnside (1.3 million) and Greater London (7 million). Over 1/10 of city dwellers live in cities with a population of more than 200,000 people each, of which Sheffield and Edinburgh each have more than half a million inhabitants. 75 cities with a population of 50 to 100 thousand people belong to the average in the UK. Five conurbations and half of all large and medium-sized cities in the country are concentrated in an industrial belt along the London-Liverpool axis, which is partly called the metropolis.
One of the consequences of the development of conurbations and especially their central cities is an exorbitantly high population density. In this regard, measures are being taken to relieve them: part of the excess population is moving to the suburbs or to new expanding medium-sized cities.
In the "hierarchy" of British cities, London undoubtedly occupies a leading position as the capital, the main political and cultural center of the country, one of its largest industrial centers, the largest seaport and the leading city of the most important economic region of Great Britain - Southern England. In addition to London, many "capital" functions are performed by 10 more cities in Great Britain: Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast as the capitals of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively; Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds and Bradford, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool as central conurbation cities and regional centres. In addition, over 150 cities, in terms of the number of inhabitants and the role they play in the life of nearby territories, are higher than the main mass of cities. These cities are called "City", all the rest - "town".
There are few countries in the world in which seaside cities occupy such an important place as in Great Britain, in which 44 out of 100 large cities are seaside. London arose primarily as a seaport for trade with continental European states; through Gul (Hull), trade with the countries of the Baltic Sea basin has long been carried out; Bristol and Liverpool served as "gateways to the New World. Seaside resort towns are located near large industrial centers: Brighton and Margate - near London, Blackknul - at the Lankshire coal basin, Scarborough - on the coast of Yorkshire. All the initial development gravitated towards the sea. all specialized apartments and already further - housing.
Much faster than other cities, in the last two centuries, the largest industrial centers grew near coal and iron ore deposits: Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Belfast, Middleborough, etc. The developing industry required more and more workers, and working quarters, hastily built up by speculators , were often slums from the start. Houses for workers were built according to a single standard. Most often, these are monotonous "terraces" - rows of houses of the same type standing back to back. The monotony of workers' quarters in industrial cities is broken only by the huge sooty buildings of factories and plants, warehouses and gas distribution stations. The railway here, as a rule, goes to the very center of the city and serves as its "skeleton". The old quarters of industrial cities are overgrown with new buildings, in which the industrial zone is separated from the residential area.
Until very recently, all cities in the UK grew mainly in breadth, as low-rise buildings are cheaper and more in line with the tastes and traditions of the British. Until now, some are still reluctant to settle in apartment buildings, as this means living without their own, even a tiny, garden. Cities are expanding their territory more and more due to the growth of suburbs, absorbing already scarce land resources. Only in the last decade, multi-storey apartment buildings began to appear in British cities, but housing in them is very expensive. Therefore, most Britons continue to live in old houses, many of which were built in the last century. The acute housing crisis, accompanied by rising rents, is one of the country's most serious social and economic problems.
In the UK, there are mainly two types of rural settlements. In the low-lying eastern part of England, the population lives predominantly in villages. The forms of villages are varied: more often a star-shaped plan, less often an ordinary, street layout.
Everywhere there are many medium-sized farms on which farming is carried out without the use of hired labor. Small-scale farming is concentrated mainly in Scotland and Wales. The densest network of villages is in North East Yorkshire, where they are often within 2.5 km of each other. The density of rural and semi-rural settlements is exceptionally high in the main industrial belt of the country and around the conurbations of Tynsad and Clydeside. Here, the settlements inhabited by workers employed in the industrial enterprises of conurbations are interspersed with villages, hamlets and individual farms.
The UK is divided into four parts: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. And in each of these parts you will find something unique and different from each other. Despite the fact that it's all one country, each part of the UK has its own history and interesting places to visit. What is each of these parts of Great Britain separately.
England
In the north it borders with Scotland, in the west with Wales and is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, in the south it is separated from the mainland by the English Channel, and in the east it is washed by the North Sea. England itself is divided into several areas where you can find a diverse landscape and attractions.
South East England. Known for its multiple gardens. For centuries, the best designers and gardeners came here, who were attracted by the fertile soil and temperate climate. If you want to enjoy the silence and please the eye with amazing beauty, this area is worth a visit. 
South West England. Here, like nowhere else, you can enjoy seafood dishes. This region is immersed in sun, sea and colors of flowers and lush green fields. To fully enjoy the beauty of this region, you cannot do without a car. Hire a classic English car and drive along romantic roads from posh counties to fishing villages. 
Central England. Heart and soul of the Kingdom. Here, as many centuries ago, you can find wooden houses, driving along country roads past flowering apple orchards and grazing cows. It's like time stops here. This region is famous for its restaurants, pubs and teahouses, and the list is huge. Also visit market towns where you can spend hours looking for antiques or enjoying works of art.
East Central England. The East Midlands are the names of the central counties of England. This part simply breathes history, monuments and solemn events that have been held here since the time of the Roman Empire, majestic castles and houses of English aristocrats - you will find everything here. Don't forget to visit the legendary Sherwood Forest, where the mighty oak that served as a refuge for Robin Hood still stands. Deciding where to start the list of visits to castles and houses in this part is very difficult ... 
East England. This part of England is simply immersed in all mental and non-mental types of gardens, ranging from strict and majestic to the most romantic. All towns and villages are in full bloom with different colors. Many places have a direct connection with the Royal Family. Here you can go on a guided tour, or you can go on your own, go to an Elizabethan reception, listen to an open-air concert, or just stop and enjoy the scent of roses. 
Northern England. This area will give you the freedom that only a road can give, the ability to choose your paths, to stop where you want and where you like. Discover all the wealth of Northern England, and she will reward you in full. There is no shortage of attractions that are worthy of your attention. Something grandiose and charming, something romantic, majestic and luxurious, and something even whimsical. 
Scotland
Located in the north of the UK. This part will not leave anyone indifferent: high mountains and blue lakes, strong whiskey and plaid skirts, the sounds of bagpipes and the elusive "Nessie". Here you can enjoy traditional Scottish cuisine and try one of the most famous traditional haggis dishes - lamb tripe stuffed with oatmeal and offal with bacon and salad. As well as dessert - oatmeal fried with whiskey. Visit the most famous places in Scotland - Loch Ness, and, of course, numerous castles. In Scotland, you can enjoy wildlife and active hiking.
Wales
Located in the western part of the UK. Land of amazing landscapes and majestic castles. There are more castles for every kilometer than in the whole world. Want to plunge into the past and history from the time of King Edward I, who conquered Wales in the 13th century. The coast of Wales is made up of rocky coves and limestone cliffs, which are popular with climbers and water sports enthusiasts. It is no exaggeration to say that every town and every village in Wales is worthy of your visit. 
Northern Ireland
Located in the northeastern part of the island of Ireland. One of the most picturesque corners of the UK, ideal for lovers of a quiet holiday among the old villages. In addition, you can learn English here, because this area is famous for its high language teaching and as a student center. In Northern Ireland, you can walk and enjoy beautiful views and national parks, while visiting the sights of this part of the UK.
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