00Unit One Britain Passage One The Britain Economy Britain lies off ...

00Unit One Britain Passage One The Britain Economy Britain lies off the northwest coast of mainlnd Europe. It comprises four different nations, i.e., England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, united into one state. So its full name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The central government is in London, but Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each has its own separate assemblies for internal affairs. Most of Britain is lowlying, fertile land, with hills and mountains in the west and north. Although it has a relatively small land area, it has a population of nearly 60 million people, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world. It has a temperate climate, rarely exceeding 30℃ or falling below 5℃, and rainfall is fairly well distributed throughout the year. The Worlds Largest Empire 　　Towards the end of the 19th century, the British economy was the dominant economy in the world. The British Empire “on which the sun never sets” covered one quarter of the globe, and British merchant ships, together with the fleets of the Royal Navy, outnumbered all other shipping on the seas. A half of all the worlds coal and steel was dug from its soil, a half of all cotton was spun on its giant looms, and one manufactured item in three was made in its workshops and factories. The small group of islands off the northwest coast of Europe appeared to have taken over the world. The Industrial Revolution 　　The Industrial Revolution happened first in Britain between about 1760 and 1830. At that time, Britain was rich in the raw materials of industry, coal and iron ore. Its population benefited from a wellwatered, fertile land. The political and social conditions were stable, since the nation was protected by its island status, and this same geography encouraged a nation of seafarers and travelers. Once under way, the Industrial Revolution created its own needs. Massproduced goods needed to be sold, and so markets had to be opened up and raw material sources protected. This required more ships both to carry the goods and to protect them from attacking by jealous rivals. International diplomacy aimed at assuring the markets, and this would frequently mean colonizing the regions that formed the markets.

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