simple>SpaceGuy32: /* People from England */

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People from England

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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox UK country
| image_flag = [[File:Flag of England.svg|x80px|border]]
| flag_alt = Vertical red cross on a white background
| image_coat = Royal Arms of England.svg
| symbol_width = x100px
| symbol_type = [[Royal Arms of England|Royal Arms]]
| national_motto =
| englishmotto =
| national_anthem = [[Proposals for a national anthem for England|Various proposed]] Predominantly ‘[[God Save the Queen]]’ {{smaller|([[God Save the Queen#Use in the United Kingdom|National anthem of the United Kingdom]])}}
| status = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Country]]
| capital = [[London]]
| religion = [[Church of England]]
| demonym = [[English people|English]]
| coordinates = {{coord|51|30|N|0|7|W|type:city|display=inline,title}}
| largest_city = London
| languages_type = National language
| languages = [[English language in England|English]]
| languages2_type = Regional languages
| languages2 = [[Cornish language|Cornish]]
| legal_jurisdiction = [[England and Wales]]
| government_type = Part of a [[constitutional monarchy]], direct government exercised by the government of the United Kingdom{{ref label|footnote_a|a}}
| monarch = [[Elizabeth II]]
| number_of_mps = 533
| legislature = [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament]]{{ref label|footnote_a|a}}
| ethnic_groups =
{{unbulleted list |item_style=white-space:nowrap;
| 79.8% [[White British]]
| 4.6% [[White Other]]
| 2.6% [[Indian people|Indian]]
| 2.3% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]]
| 2.1% [[Pakistani]]
| 1.8% [[Ethnic groups of Africa|African]]
| 1.6% [[British Asian|Asian Other]]
| 1.1% [[Caribbean people|Caribbean]]
| 1.0% [[Irish people|Irish]]
| 0.8% [[Bangladeshi]]
| 0.7% [[Chinese people|Chinese]]
| 0.6% Other
| 0.4% [[Arab]]<ref>{{cite web |title=2011 Census: KS201EW Ethnic group: local authorities in England and Wales |url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/rft-table-ks201ew.xls |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=18 April 2014}}</ref>
}}
| ethnic_groups_year = [[2011 United Kingdom Census|2011]]
| established_event1 = [[Æthelstan#King of the English|Unification of Angles, Saxons and Danes]]
| established_date1 = 12 July 927
| established_event2 = [[Acts of Union 1707|Union with Scotland]]
| established_date2 = 1 May 1707
| area_rank =
| area_sq_mi = 50301
| area_km2 = 130279
| area_footnote = <ref name=ONSCOUNTRYPROFILES>[http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-325257 Region and Country Profiles, Key Statistics and Profiles, October 2013], ONS. Retrieved 9 August 2015.</ref>
| area_label = Land
| percent_water =
| population_estimate = {{increase}} 56,286,961<ref>{{cite web |title=Population estimates for the UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – Office for National Statistics |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/annualmidyearpopulationestimates/mid2019estimates |website=www.ons.gov.uk}}</ref>
| population_estimate_rank =
| population_estimate_year = 2019
| population_census = 53,012,500<ref>{{cite web |title=2011 Census: Population and Household Estimates for England and Wales, March 2011 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/2011censuspopulationandhouseholdestimatesforenglandandwales/2012-07-16 |website=www.ons.gov.uk}}</ref>
| population_census_year = 2011
| population_density_mi2 = auto
| population_density_km2 = 432
| population_density_rank =
| pop_den_footnote = <ref name="ONS-pop-ests-June2018"/>
| GDP_PPP =
| GDP_PPP_rank =
| GDP_PPP_year =
| GDP_PPP_per_capita =
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank =
| GDP_nominal =
| GDP_nominal_rank =
| GDP_nominal_year =
| GDP_nominal_per_capita =
| GVA = £1.8 trillion (${{To USD|1.8|GBR|year=2018|round=no}}T)<ref name=GVA>{{cite web |title=Regional gross value added (income approach), UK: 1997 to 2018, December 2015 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdomesticproductgdp/bulletins/regionaleconomicactivitybygrossdomesticproductuk/1998to2018/pdf |author=Office for National Statistics |access-date=24 April 2017}}</ref>
| GVA_rank =
| GVA_year = 2018
| GVA_per_capita = £33,000 (${{To USD|33000|GBR|year=2018|round=yes}})
| Gini_year =
| Gini_change = 
| Gini = 
| Gini_ref =
| Gini_rank =
| HDI_year =
| HDI_change = 
| HDI = 
| HDI_ref =
| HDI_rank =
| patron_saint = [[Saint George]]
| cctld =
| footnote_a = {{note|footnote_a}} While England does not have its own legislative assembly, a [[Legislative grand committee]] composed of only the 533 MPs representing English constituencies can scrutinise and vote on bills going through parliament which only affect England.
}}

'''England''' is a country in [[Europe]]. It is a country with over sixty cities in it. It is in a union with [[Scotland]], [[Wales]] and [[Northern Ireland]]. All four [[country|countries]] are in the [[British Isles]] and are part of the [[United Kingdom]] (UK).

Over 55 million [[wikt:people|people]] live in England (2015 estimate). This is 84% of the population of the UK.<ref name="ONS-pop-ests-June2018">{{cite web |last1=Jonathan |first1=McMullan |title=Population estimates for UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/annualmidyearpopulationestimates/latest |website=www.ons.gov.uk |publisher=Office for National Statistics |date=28 June 2018}}</ref> The [[capital city]] of England is [[London]], which is also the biggest city in the country. Other large cities in England are [[Birmingham]], [[Liverpool]], [[Manchester]] and [[Leeds]].

The English flag is a red cross on a white background. This cross is the cross of [[Saint George]], who is the [[patron saint]] of England. Some other symbols used for England are a red [[rose]] and three lions.

== Geography ==
England is the largest part of the island of [[Great Britain]], and it is also the largest [[Countries of the United Kingdom|constituent country]] of the [[United Kingdom]]. [[Scotland]] and [[Wales]] are also part of Great Britain (and the UK), Scotland to the north and Wales to the west. To the east and south, and part of the west, England is bordered by sea. [[France]] is to the south, separated by the [[English Channel]]. The [[Channel Tunnel]], (Chunnel) under the [[English Channel]], connects England to northern France (and the rest of mainland [[Europe]]). [[Ireland]] is a large island to the west, divided into [[Northern Ireland]] which is part of the United Kingdom, and the [[Republic of Ireland]].

[[London]] is the largest city and the capital. The longest river in England is the [[River Severn]]. Other large rivers are the [[River Thames|Thames]] (which runs through London), the [[River Trent|Trent]] and the [[Humber]].

In geological terms, the Pennines, known as the "backbone of England", are the oldest range of mountains in the country, originating from the end of the Paleozoic Era around 300 million years ago. Most of England's landscape consists of low hills and plains, with upland and mountainous terrain in the north and west of the country.

The English Lowlands are in the central and southern regions of the country, consisting of green rolling hills, including the Cotswold Hills, Chiltern Hills, North and South Downs; where they meet the sea they form white rock exposures such as the cliffs of Dover. This also includes relatively flat plains such as the Salisbury Plain, Somerset Levels, South Coast Plain and The Fens.

The United Kingdom is reducing [[Climate change|greenhouse gas emissions]]. It has met Kyoto Protocol target of a 12.5% reduction from 1990 levels and intends to meet the legally binding target of a 20% cut in emissions by 2010. In 2019, the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|British Parliament]] became the first national government in the world to officially declare a [[Climate change|climate emergency]].

== History ==
England was named after a [[Denmark|Germanic]] tribe called the "[[Angles]]", who settled in Central, Northern, and Eastern England in the 5th and 6th centuries. A related tribe called the "[[Saxons]]" settled in the south of England. That is why that period of English history is called "Anglo-Saxon". For most of this time, England did not exist as a united country. The [[Anglo-Saxons]] lived in many small kingdoms, which slowly united.

The countries of England, Scotland and Wales correspond to boundaries of the earlier [[Roman Britain]]. It also corresponds with language differences, since the German tribes did not reach those areas, at least in any large numbers. The English language is derived from German languages of the time, whereas the native British languages of the time were [[Celtic languages]].

The English kingdoms fought both the Scots, who were also uniting into one kingdom, and [[Danelaw|Danish invaders]]. The Danes formed their own large region in the Northeast of England called [[Danelaw]]. Many villages and towns in this area (particularly in [[Yorkshire]] and [[Lincolnshire]]) have Danish names, and use some Danish-based words. At one time [[Wessex]] (in the West of England) was the only English kingdom left. After many battles, King [[Alfred the Great]] of Wessex became king of the whole of England. The old kingdoms ([[Mercia]], [[Northumbria]], etc.) became provinces, called "Earldoms" and each governed by an [[Earl]]. By [[AD]] 927 Alfred's grandson [[Athelstan]] was the king of all of England not controlled by the Danes.
War with the Danes continued and from 1016 to 1042. The king of Denmark (Knut or [[Canute]]), died in 1035, and then his sons ruled England.

When King [[Edward the Confessor]] died, [[Harold Godwinson]] (the Earl of Wessex) became king. [[William the Conqueror]], Duke of [[Normandy]] (today part of northern France), said that Harold had promised to make William the king. He invaded England and fought King Harold at the [[Battle of Hastings]] in 1066. William won, and became king of England.<ref>Bartlett, Robert 1999. ''England under the Norman and Angevin kings, 1075–1225''. Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|0-19-925101-0}}</ref>

The kings of England spoke French for the next 300 years.<ref>Crouch, David 2006. ''Normans: the history of a dynasty''. Hambledon Continuum. {{ISBN|978-1-85285-595-6}}</ref> England took over the country of [[Wales]] in the 13th century. There were many wars, often against [[France]] and [[Scotland]].

For several centuries the religion of England was [[Roman Catholicism]]. The bishops (church leaders) of England and all their churches obeyed the Pope and the church in [[Rome]]. During the [[Protestant Reformation]] many did not agree with this. In the 1530s, the Pope told King [[Henry VIII]] that he could not divorce his wife. King Henry VIII created the [[Church of England]] (a "[[Protestant]]" church) partly so that he could divorce his wife. He made Protestantism the [[State religion|official church]] in England. For the next 200 years, there was struggle over whether the King (or Queen) of England should be "Roman Catholic" or "Protestant".

Queen [[Elizabeth I]] was Henry's second daughter. She was a powerful queen who ruled for more than 40 years. When Queen Elizabeth I died, she had no children, and in 1603 [[James VI of Scotland]] (the son of [[Mary, Queen of Scots]]) became King [[James I of England]]. He called his two countries "Great Britain", but they were still separate countries with their own [[parliament]]s and laws, even though they were in [[personal union]]. They shared the same [[monarch]].
[[File:Charles I by Daniel Mytens.jpg|thumb|Portrait of Charles I of England]]
James' son, [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] and the English Parliament fought each other in the [[English Civil War]] ([[Scotland]] and [[Ireland]] were involved as well, but the story is complicated!). Oliver Cromwell became leader of the Parliamentary Army (the "Roundheads") and defeated the Royalist Army (the "Cavaliers"). King Charles was beheaded in 1649 and [[Oliver Cromwell]] became [[dictator]] ("Lord Protector"). When Cromwell died, his son Richard was not strong enough to rule, and [[Charles II of England|Charles II]], the son of Charles I, was invited to come to England and be king in 1660.

When King Charles II died, his brother James II was the next king. A lot of people did not like James because he was [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholic]]. [[William III of England|William of Orange]] was invited to invade England.<ref>Colley, Linda 1992. ''Britons: forging the nation, 1701–1837''. Yale University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-300-05737-9}}</ref> He was the ruler of part of the [[Netherlands]] and husband of Mary, the daughter of King James. Many people welcomed William because he was a [[Protestant]]. James left the country without a fight and Parliament asked William and Mary to become King and Queen together. When [[Mary II of England]] died, William ruled alone. Queen Mary's [[Anne of Great Britain|sister Anne]] became the next queen. While she was queen, England and Scotland were officially joined as one country. This was called the [[Acts of Union 1707]]. It also merged their separate parliaments. The parliament in London now included Scottish [[Member of Parliament|Members of Parliament]] ("MPs"), and was called the [[Parliament of Great Britain]].

After this, the history of England becomes the history of [[Great Britain]] and [[United Kingdom]].

The United Kingdom was formed in 1800, when the [[Irish Parliament]] merged with the British one. later on, many in Ireland fought against this merger. The result was the separation of the [[Republic of Ireland]]. This is not the whole island of Ireland. The rest of the island, [[Northern Ireland]], is now the only part of Ireland still in the UK. England is the only country of UK not to have its own government, Parliament or Assembly, but is governed by [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]. Seats in Parliament are decided by the number of electors in the various parts of the UK.

== Achievements ==
England has been central to many aspects of the modern world. [[Global]] exploration and [[trade]], the [[British Empire]], modern [[science]], modern [[agriculture]], [[railways]], the [[industrial revolution|Industrial Revolution]], the development of modern representative [[democracy]]... In all these developments England was deeply involved. In some of them, such as the Industrial Revolution, England was the place that modern developments first occurred.

[[The Royal Society]] is a [[society]] for [[science]] and scientists. It was founded in 1660 by [[Charles II of England|Charles II]]. It is the oldest society of its kind still in existence.

== Language ==
{{main|English language}}

The English [[language]] is a [[West Germanic language]] spoken in many [[country|countries]] around the world. With around 380 million native speakers, it is the second most spoken [[List of languages|language in the world]], as a native language. As many as a billion people speak it as a second language. English is an influence on, and has been influenced by, many different languages.

[[William Shakespeare]] was an [[English people|English]] [[playwright]]. He wrote plays in the late 16th century. Some of his plays were ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' and ''[[Macbeth]]''. In the 19th century, [[Jane Austen]] and [[Charles Dickens]] were novelists. Twentieth century writers include the science fiction novelist [[H.G. Wells]] and [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]. The children's fantasy ''[[Harry Potter]]'' series was written by [[J.K. Rowling]]. [[Aldous Huxley]] was also from the United Kingdom.

English language literature is written by authors from many countries. Eight people from the United Kingdom have won the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]].

== Climate ==
All of [[Great Britain]] has an [[oceanic climate]]. There can be a temperature difference of 5{{ndash}}10'''°'''c between the north and the south (the north is generally colder), and there is often snow in the north before there is in the south.

The prevailing [[wind]] for most of the year is from the [[Atlantic]], to the west of England. Therefore, there is more rain on the western side of the country. The east is colder and drier than the west. The country usually has a mild climate because the [[Gulf Stream]] to the western side is warm water. The climate is warmer than it was 200 years ago, and now ice and snow are rare in the southern part of the country. Occasionally, air from the [[Arctic Circle]] comes down the eastern side of the country and the temperature can drop below 0oC.

== Politics ==
[[File:Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom.svg|thumb|254x254px|Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom]]
As part of the United Kingdom, the basic political system in England is a [[constitutional monarchy]] and [[parliamentary system]]. It has a [[monarch]] (meaning a king or queen is the head of that country). The head of state is [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]], who is officially the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In the [[House of Commons]] which is the lower house of the British Parliament based at the [[Palace of Westminster]], there are 532 Members of Parliament (MPs) for constituencies in England, out of the 650 total.

The English people are represented by members of [[Parliament]], not ruled by monarchs. After the [[English Civil War]], [[Oliver Cromwell]] became Lord Protector, and the monarchy was disbanded. Although the monarchy was restored after his death, the Crown slowly became the secondary power, and Parliament the first. Members of Parliament (called [[Member of parliament|MPs]]) were elected, but until the early twentieth century, only men who owned property could vote. In the nineteenth century, more people were given [[suffrage]]. But in 1928, all men and women got the vote: this is called universal suffrage. Parliament is in [[Westminster]] in London, but it has power over the whole of the United Kingdom.

Almost all members of Parliament belong to [[Political party|political parties]]. The biggest parties are the [[Conservative Party]], [[Labour Party]], [[Liberal Democrats]] and [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party.]] Members of the same party agree to act and vote more or less together. A party with more than half the seats (a majority) forms the government; the leader of the party becomes the [[Prime Minister]], who then appoints other ministers. Because the government has a majority in Parliament, it can normally control what laws are passed.

== Economy ==
England's economy is one of the largest and most dynamic in the world, with an average GDP per capita of £28,100 or $36,000.

Usually regarded as a mixed market economy, it has adopted many free market principles, yet maintains an advanced [[Welfare state|social welfare infrastructure]]. The official currency in England is the [[pound sterling]], whose ISO 4217 code is GBP. [[Tax|Taxation in England]] is quite competitive when compared to much of the rest of Europe – as of 2014 the basic rate of personal tax is 20% on taxable income up to £31,865 above the personal tax-free allowance (normally £10,000), and 40% on any additional earnings above that amount.

The economy of England is the largest part of the UK's economy, which has the 18th highest GDP PPP per capita in the world. England is a leader in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors and in key technical industries, particularly aerospace, the arms industry, and the manufacturing side of the software industry. London, home to the London Stock Exchange, the United Kingdom's main stock exchange and the largest in Europe, is England's [[Finance|financial centre]], with 100 of Europe's 500 largest corporations being based there. London is the largest financial centre in Europe, and as of 2014 is the second largest in the world. Manchester is the largest financial and professional services sector outside London and is the mid tier private equity capital of Europe as well as one of the growing technology hubs of Europe.

== Education ==
State [[Primary school|primary schools]] and [[Secondary school|secondary schools]] exist. These consist of academy schools, grammar schools, foundation schools, faith schools, free schools, studio schools and city technology academies. The most common specialist schools are performing arts schools, science schools, maths schools and technology schools. Independent public or prep schools also exist. [[Eton College]] and [[Harrow School]] are the best known independent schools.

The [[Curriculum|National Curriculum]] was introduced in 1988, to give pupils a broad and balanced curriculum. The school curriculum aims to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils. Its purpose is to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. Learning generally covers English literature, English language, maths, science, art and design, religious studies, geography, history, citizenship, computing, design and technology, drama, ancient and modern foreign languages, business studies, food technology, music and physical education.

Many prominent people who have reached the top in their fields have been products of English higher education. The two oldest and most prestigious universities are [[Oxford]] and [[Cambridge]]. [[Imperial College]], [[University College London]] and [[Manchester University]] are also highly rated by independent lists. There are now about a hundred universities.

== Transport ==
Road traffic in the United Kingdom drives on the left hand side of the road (unlike the Americas and most of Europe), and the driver steers from the right hand side of the vehicle. The road network on the island of [[Great Britain]] is extensive, with most local and rural roads having evolved from Roman and Medieval times.

The system of [[rail transport]] was invented in England, so it has the oldest [[railway]] network in the world. It was built mostly during the Victorian era. The [[British Rail]] network is part privatised, with privately owned train operating companies providing service along particular lines or regions, whilst the tracks, signals and stations are owned by a Government controlled company called Network Rail. The system of underground railways in London, known as the [[London Underground|Tube]], has been copied by many other cities around the globe.

England is home to the largest airport and is one of the most important international [[Airline hub|hubs]] in the world.

== Media ==
The [[BBC]] is an [[organisation]] in the United Kingdom. It broadcasts in the United Kingdom and other [[Country|countries]] on [[television]], [[radio]] and the [[Internet]]. The BBC also sells its programmes to other broadcasting companies around world. The organisation is run by a group of twelve [[Governor|governors]] who have been given the job by [[Elizabeth II|the Queen]], on the advice of [[government]] [[Minister (government)|ministers]]. The BBC is established under a [[royal charter]], which allows the BBC to broadcast.

== English culture ==
See [[English literature]],
[[English Heritage]],
[[Aldeburgh Festival|Aldeburgh Festival,]]
[[The Royal Society]]

English culture can be compared with [[Northern Europe|Northern European]] countries, in the way that it is considered a bad thing to show off, as opposed to the [[United States|US]], where this is more acceptable. Humour, tradition and good manners are characteristics commonly associated with being English.

=== Sport ===
The English [[football]] team won the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] in 1966. They came close in Italy 1990, closely losing in the semi-final against West Germany on penalties. In the [[World Cup 2006|2006 World Cup]] they got to the quarter finals, then lost to Portugal after penalty kicks. In the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]], they came close again only to be knocked out in the semi-final, losing 2-1 to Croatia.

[[English people]] invented:
* [[Football]]
* [[Rugby football]]
* [[Cricket]]
* [[Billiards]] and [[snooker]]
* [[Lawn tennis]]
* [[Rounders]]
* [[Rowing]]
* [[Darts]]
*[[Hockey]]

Origin partly in England:
* [[Real tennis]]

== People from England ==
There are many well known English people. Here are just a few of them:
* [[Geoffrey Chaucer]] (1343–1400), poet
* [[William Shakespeare]] (1564–1616), playwright, poet
* Sir [[Christopher Wren]] (1632–1723), architect
* Sir [[Isaac Newton]] (1642–1727), mathematician and [[physicist]]
* [[King Henry VIII]], founder of the [[Church of England]]
* [[John Wesley]], founder of the [[Methodism|Methodist Church]]
* [[Joseph Mallord William Turner]] (1775–1851), landscape and marine artist
* [[John Constable]] (1776–1837), landscape painter
* [[Jane Austen]] (1775–1817), novelist, ''[[Pride and Prejudice]]''
* [[William Wordsworth]] (1770–1850), poet
* [[Michael Faraday]] (1791–1867), discoverer of [[electromagnetism]]
* [[Charles Dickens]] (1812–1870), writer
* [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]] (1806–1859), [[engineer]]
* [[Charles Darwin]] (1809–1882), biologist, [[natural selection]] and ''[[The Origin of Species]]''
* [[J.J. Thomson]] (1856–1940), [[physicist]]
* [[Howard Carter]] (1874–1939), [[archaeologist]] (Egypt)
* Sir [[Winston Churchill]] (1874–1965), twice [[Prime Minister]], led country during [[World War II]]
* [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] (1892–1973), author and scholar, ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''
* [[Francis Crick]] (1916–2004), co-discovery of the structure of [[DNA]]
* Sir [[Tim Berners-Lee]], inventor of the [[World Wide Web]]
* [[The Beatles]], musical group: (1962{{ndash}}1970)
* [[Led Zeppelin]], rock band
* [[The Rolling Stones]], rock band
* [[Diana, Princess of Wales]] (1961–1997)
* [[Margaret Thatcher]] (1925–2013), [[Prime Minister]] 1979–1990
* Sir [[Stanley Matthews]] (1915–2000), footballer, 1956 [[Ballon d'Or]] winner
* [[Bobby Moore]] (1941–1993), footballer, captain of the England team that won the [[1966 FIFA World Cup]].
* Sir [[Bobby Charlton]], footballer, [[1966 Ballon d'Or|1966]] [[Ballon d'Or]] winner
* [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]], snooker player
* [[Mo Farah]], athlete
* [[Lewis Hamilton]], Formula 1 driver and world champion 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
* [[Amy Winehouse]] (1983–2011), singer
* [[J.K. Rowling]], author
* [[Stephen Hawking]] (1942-2018), theoretical [[physicist]]

== Divisions ==
[[File:Somerset Flag.svg|thumb|297x297px|Flag of the English county of Somerset. This symbol is said to have been worn by Arthur during the first joust of Lancelot and Arthur]]

England is divided into 48 ceremonial [[County|counties]], which are also known as geographic counties. The counties of England are areas used for different purposes, which include administrative, geographical, cultural and political demarcation. The original county structure has its origins in the Middle Ages.
The historic counties of [[Yorkshire]], [[Cumberland County|Cumberland]], [[Westmorland]], [[Huntingdonshire]] and [[Middlesex]] are the five defunct ceremonial counties which were historically counties.

With their abolition as ceremonial counties, Yorkshire is divided for that purpose into the East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, Cumberland and Westmorland were combined with a former exclave of [[Lancashire]] to form [[Cumbria]], [[Huntingdonshire]] merged into [[Cambridgeshire]], and the vast majority of [[Middlesex]] became part of [[Greater London]].

There is no well-established series of official symbols or flags covering all the counties. From 1889 the newly-created county councils could apply to the College of Arms for coats of arms. A recent series of flags, with varying levels of official adoption, have been established in many of the counties by competition or public poll. County days are a recent innovation in some areas. There are seventeen first-class county cricket teams that are based on historical English counties.

Twelve of the 51 cities in England are in metropolitan counties and their city councils are single-tier metropolitan district councils. Outside the metropolitan counties eleven cities are unitary authorities, and fifteen have ordinary district councils, which are subordinate to their local county council.

==Related pages==
* [[Shire]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Other websites ==
{{commonscat|England}}
* [http://www.enjoyengland.com The website for tourism in England]
* [http://www.direct.gov.uk The British Government website]

{{United Kingdom constituents and affiliations}}

[[Category:England| ]]

England - Revision history

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