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.
May 3rd 2008Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Snowdonia First visit to Wales to climb Snowdon (our second of the UK 3 peaks, after completing Scafell pike last September). Weather was a bit rough but we were determined to do it after not being able to com ... 5 photos[full story]
February 25th 2008Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Snowdonia Over the weekend I traveled to Snowdonia with the Aber Expeditions Club. Snowdonia is a region of north Wales and home to the tallest mountain in all of England and Wales, Snowdon. Coming in at 1,08 ... 2 photos[full story]
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