Notes on British Physical Geography

Overview of British Physical Geography

• Geographical Location

  • UK is an island nation in Western Europe.

  • Lies between latitudes 49°N and 59°N and longitudes 8°W to 2°E.

  • Approximately 1,000 km long from north to south.

• Surrounding Water Bodies

  • Bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.

  • Separated from France by the English Channel (35 km away).

  • The Channel Tunnel links the UK with France beneath the Channel.

  • Northern Ireland shares a 360 km international land boundary with the Republic of Ireland.

• Seas Bordered by the UK

  • South: English Channel

  • East: North Sea

  • West: Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean

Topography

• • Scotland is the most mountainous region with Ben Nevis as the highest peak (1,343 m).

  • Valuing lowland areas between Grampians and Southern Uplands, home to major cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, and three-quarters of the population.

  • Wales also has a mountainous landscape.

  • England features the Pennine Range (224 km) with the highest peak at 895 m.

  • Dimensions of Great Britain

    • Just under 1,000 km long and 500 km wide at the widest point.

  • Mountainous Areas

  • Much of the southern and eastern regions consist of level landscapes and hills.

• Rivers

  • Major rivers are relatively short; longest are the Severn and the Thames.

  • Important for inland transport, particularly for bulk goods like coal, iron ore, and steel.

• Landscape Characteristics

  • Lacks towering mountains and large rivers but offers diverse scenery.

  • Notable changes in scenery over short distances, suggesting that a journey of 100 miles (160 km) could feel longer.

Weather and Climate

• General Climate

  • Mild and temperate climate with changeable weather.

  • Prevailing south-westerly winds bring warm air from the Atlantic.

  • Temperatures rarely exceed 32°C or drop below -10°C.

• Rainfall Patterns

  • Misconception that Britain is constantly rainy; London experiences rainfall similar to other major European cities.

  • Rainfall increases from east to west across the country.

• Seasonal Characteristics

  • Winters are mild; snow is not common in lower areas, while higher areas see regular snowfall.

  • The eastern parts generally experience slightly colder winters.

  • Southern regions are usually warmer and sunnier during summer.

• Public Perception of Weather

  • Changeable weather contributes to Britain’s poor climate reputation.

  • British people often discuss the weather due to its unpredictability.

  • Rare weather extremes can disrupt normal activities (e.g., snow halting transport, heatwaves causing significant concern).