England

England is the largest, most industrial and most densely populated part of the United Kingdom.

The coasts of England are washed by the North Sea, the Irish Sea, St.Georges Channel, the English Channel and the Strait of Dover, Cornwall being the only part in direct contact with the Atlantic Ocean.

The longest river wholly in England is the Thames (210 mi). It rises in the Costwolds and flows at first eastwards and then turns south through the Chiltern hills and then through London to the North Sea. The Severn is considered to be longer than the Thames. Other important rivers are The Tyne and the Wear which rise in the eastern Pennines, the Weaver, the Mersey, the Ribble, the Lune and the Eden which rise in the western Pennines. All these rivers and some smaller rivers are of great importance for communication and especially for carrying freight. The smaller rivers were made navigable with the help of locks.

The coastal scenery of England is quite varied. Most of the south coast consists of high cliffs. The chalk cliffs of Dover, Beachy Head and Dorset are particularly well-known. The finest cliff scenery of England is to be foundin Devon and Cornwall. Lancashire is famous for its wide beaches where the tides are unusually high for an open coast. These beaches are most o0ften of sand. The enclosed nature of the Irish Sea prevents the occurrence of big waves.