Background: Great Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999, but the latter is suspended due to bickering over the peace process.
April 30th 2008Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Llangollen So much for loosing a couple of kilo before I left home; we went to the bakery to get some rolls for a healthy lunch and came out with Cornish pasties, Oggies (puff pastry meat pasties) and some cakes ... [full story]
April 29th 2008Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Llangollen We're staying in Llangollen another night, it's just so pretty. We took a one mile walk up to an old monks abbey, Valle Crucis Abbey, from the 1200's. Half of it has fallen down from a fire but there ... 11 photos[full story]
February 11th 2008Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Llangollen Today we headed of for Llangollen (pronounced clangoclen - or thereabouts!!) Once again the Navgirl decided to give Mark's driving a test. We went on a few small roads instead of the major highways. ... 5 photos[full story]
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