The most western country. The northernmost countries in the world

Ireland is a single concept, although there is an independent Republic of Ireland (Eire) and Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK. The Republic of Ireland is a parliamentary democracy headed by a president. Northern Ireland has had a legislative assembly since 1998. The official language of the Republic of Ireland is Gaelic, followed by English and Northern Ireland- official English only. Despite the lack of unity, the Irish of both territories consider themselves a single nation.

Island of saints

The first population came to Ireland about 10-8 thousand years BC. Of course, these were tribes from Great Britain. In the 4th century BC. a new wave of population came either from Great Britain or from the continent, from which there are many monuments, pottery decorative items of the megalithic era, which are now and then found in villages throughout Ireland. The first Celts landed in Ireland during the Iron Age, that is, around the 5th century BC, and gradually settled the whole country. From them remained to this day the Gaelic language and the division of the island into four provinces, Munster in the southwest, Connacht in the west, Ulster in the north and Leinster in the east, which represent nothing more than a division of large Celtic tribes. Since that era, Ireland has retained traces of major political and religious centers such as Tara.

At that time, active trade with Britain, already romanized, began to develop. Armed Romanesque tribes never came to Ireland. Saint Patrick, the most beloved saint in Ireland, celebrated by Irish people around the world, was a former slave but became a missionary, and it was he who brought Christianity to Ireland in the same 5th century. Such is the legend, which, of course, has a grain of truth. At this time, many monasteries were formed on the territory of Ireland, which became centers of knowledge, science and the arts. Then a golden age began for Ireland, the culture of this country illuminated other European countries. Irish monks such as St. Brendan or St. Columbus, founded abbeys on the continent (in Lani, Luxay in France, for example).

In those days, Ireland was divided into numerous warring tribes and remained politically fragmented. The Vikings took advantage of this and landed on the island at the end of the 8th century. It was they who once founded the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick. In the early 9th century, King Brian Bora unified Ireland and won a historic victory over the Vikings in April 1014. He is the most revered king in the country. In 1166, the Viking king of Leicester, calling on the help of the English king Henry II, again conquered the country. However, the British quickly seized control of the territory, and Henry II himself landed on the island in 1171. Ireland divided into estates was annexed to the possessions of the English crown. English settlers settled on the island and founded the cities of Drodhela, Dundalk, Sligo. Indigenous resistance was sporadic until 1258, when the Irish kings recognized one of the kings, Brian O "Neill, as High King of Ireland. The Irish revolt ended in victory for the British. In 1315, another revolt also ended in victory for the new settlers. Despite colonization, Gaelic culture and traditions are still alive in Ireland In 1541, Ireland was granted kingdom status by King Henry III in order to consolidate the rule of the English crown on the island.

To church like a pub

Religiously, the indigenous Irish remained attached to Catholicism, while the British tried to impose Protestant reform on Ireland. Thus, the religious confrontation that became a bloody problem in Great Britain dates back to the 16th century. During the English bourgeois revolution, after the republic was established in England, Oliver Cromwell landed on the island in order to establish his influence here too. The Catholics were thrown back to the west of Shannon, all the lands of the north were in the hands of the Protestants. In Ireland, laws were passed against Catholics - the prohibition of the education of children, the carrying of weapons, possession, inheritance, agricultural work, trade, the liberal professions, the lack of the right to vote. Only a century later, in 1778-1792, most of these laws were canceled. Remained a law prohibiting Catholics from sitting in parliament.

In the second half of the 19th century, a wave of nationalism rose in Ireland. Only on the eve of World War I did England grant Ireland the status of autonomy within the United Kingdom, which had been requested for thirty years by the Irish liberals. Despite this concession, nationalist protests continue. The radical nationalist Sinn Fein party won elections in 1918 in all of Ireland except Ulster. This was followed by two years of relentless fighting, and in 1921 alone the Anglo-Irish agreement gave 26 counties in the south dominion status. In 1949, the Republic of Ireland was proclaimed, leaving the Commonwealth. Gaelic was declared the official language. Since 1973 the Republic of Ireland has been a member of the European Community.

The people of the Republic of Ireland are considered some of the most ardent Catholics. However, they were also affected by dechristinization, like most of Europe. Irish people are less likely to attend Mass, and mixed marriages between Catholics and Protestants are increasingly common. Interestingly, 22% of Irish people find it important to go to church, but 35% think it is just as important to go to a pub at least once a week. Actually, here you can plunge into the life of a real Irishman - you can listen to music, play billiards, read a newspaper, talk about politics, watch a rugby match ...

Homeland of real whiskey?

In terms of language, the Irish speak Gaelic, but not all and not very well. However, tourists will notice that inscriptions in Ireland are found in two languages. However, everyone speaks English, and you will not be spoken to in Gali. You will not hear that in Ireland the parliament, the prime minister, the government, the police are called in English. This is a kind of self-determination. But since over the course of many centuries the elite, and then the simple layers of the population, gradually got used to and accepted English language, Ireland cannot refuse it today. In 1922, when Ireland gained independence, almost no one spoke Gaelic, however it was declared official language, his teaching became compulsory in schools. The learning process was difficult because the alphabet was not like English. Only in 1960 was the Latin alphabet adopted. There are different dialects of Gaelic in different parts of Ireland. Irish ministers speak English, including the Minister of Culture, who nonetheless promotes development national language through the establishment of many programs and projects.

The Scots produce whiskey and the Irish produce whiskey. For an ordinary person, there is no difference. In fact, Scotch whiskey differs from Irish whiskey in the number of distillations. Connoisseurs and connoisseurs say that Irish whiskey is softer, more subtle and more pleasant. For them, there is also no doubt that the birthplace of whiskey is Ireland. Every Irishman will tell you so. According to legend, the invention of whiskey dates back to the time of the Druids, who usually prepared a magic drink, the so-called "water of life", which relieved the heartache of the Irish hero Cushlein. Other legends say that in the 5th century Saint Patrick brought from the Holy Land a certain machine, with the help of which it was possible to obtain a drink of extreme purity by heating certain liquids. Thus, the distillation method was born. Saint Patrick allegedly handed over the distillation apparatus to the monks, who prepared barley beer from the purest water and barley. They started using the machine and got whiskey. Over the centuries, small stills became very popular in Ireland, with each farm having its own distillation apparatus. Only in the 18th century did Irish whiskey receive official recognition, then John Jameson in Dublin created the first distillation production in the country. Today, lovers of this drink, in particular the most famous James Jameson whiskey, make pilgrimages to two places in Ireland - Bowstreet in Dublin, where the Jameson distillery is located, which has become a whiskey museum, and Middleton in County Cork, where visitors can see one of the oldest distilleries, which became the world's only "conservatory" of whiskey.

You can travel around Ireland all year round, but it is better to come here in spring or autumn to avoid the influx of tourists. The air temperature fluctuates between 14 ° C and 16 ° C, which, however, will not prevent you from fully enjoying the magnificent landscapes, ancient estates and abbeys. In addition, many cultural events take place at this time. For example, from June to the end of September, Monkstown, in County Dublin, hosts an evening of traditional Irish music every evening. From October 27 to 30, the great masters of Irish and world jazz gather in Cork, official concerts are held in halls and improvised on the streets of the city.

Megaliths and landscapes

In July, the Galway Arts Festival lasts for two weeks, with film screenings, theater performances, music and dance concerts, and literary evenings. From May to the end of July in Wicklow, one of the most beautiful corners of Ireland, the Garden Festival opens - whole gardens of roses, magnificent fountains surrounded by fantastic flower beds. For nature lovers, Mount Usher Gardens invites you to see a real Eden with thousands of plant species planted along the banks of a small river with suspension bridges. The National Garden Center in Keelquad features 20 types of gardens from the simplest to the most sophisticated.

Let's name a few completely unique places a must-see in Ireland is Croagh Patrick, ten kilometers from Westport. This sacred mountain Ireland. According to legend, Saint Patrick spent 40 days and 40 nights on her gray stones in prayers without food or water. He allegedly died there, but his soul soars to this day in those parts. Barefoot travelers from different parts of the country pay tribute to him on the last Sunday of July. According to legend, in Glendapough, 50 km south of Dublin, called the Valley of Lakes, Saint Kevin founded one of the first Christian churches in Ireland in 570. The cathedral with a tower and a large 3.5-meter cross testifies to the piety in which many generations of this town were brought up. Despite the influence of time, the conquests of the Vikings, the destruction did not affect this unique monument. The city itself retains the atmosphere of epic times, especially in autumn, when yellowed trees are reflected in two surrounding lakes.

160 km south-west of Dublin is the Rock of Cashel, which offers a breathtaking view - villages, hills, green fields. In the 5th century, the Irish kings chose this place for their coronation. In the XIII century, a cathedral was built here, from which only ruins and a round tower 30 m high remained. This corner is shrouded in legends. The most famous one says that in 450 here St. Patrick unsuccessfully stuck a cross right in the leg of a young Irish king. He thought it was a rite of passage and silently endured the pain. Other interesting place- Inishmore Island. Landing on it, you will discover wild landscapes and ancient Christian settlements. In the western part of the island you will find a small chapel dating back to the 9th-12th centuries, preserved in its original state. If you walk around the island at night, you will be surprised by the statues of the Immaculate Virgin on the rocks, illuminated by the glitter of many candles.

Excursions around the cities of Ireland are interesting, but we advise you to get away from the noise and civilization and take unconventional, but very exciting walks - on foot, along the rivers by boat or by horse. Then you will feel like you are in an archaeological and historical museum under open air... North of Dublin in Knowth you can see the tombs of the Mesolithic era (3200 BC) - burial mounds, the entrance to which thanks to archaeological site has been open to visitors for two years.

8 km from Limerick in Low Gur you will find archaeological sites, dolmens, stone circles shrouded in fog, there are also small houses around the lake, a quiet but mysterious atmosphere. Also, 8 km from Dublin Wicklow way, the landscapes are very wild and untouched - winding rivers that arose during the Ice Age, granite mountains. To the north of Ulster, you can walk to the Giant's Causeway, that is, along the Giants' Road. Basalt columns in the form of polygons (there are 37,000 of them here, each about 10 meters high), which once emerged from the sea, make the landscape look like a moon The columns are so close to each other that it seems as if they are glued together and they stand so level and exactly that one might think that they were built by a man.The coastal cliffs are like an amphitheater. It is best to look at the columns from afar, from the ruins of Dunluce Castle abandoned by its owners back in the 17th century.The Giants' Causeway leads to the port of Spaniacoh extreme point land. This place is famous for the fact that here long before the Titanic, in 1588, the Spanish ship Girona with 1300 people on board was wrecked. They were wealthy lords traveling with their families. Their treasures still rest on the seabed, only a part has been discovered and exhibited in museums in Belfast and Ulster. Most were swallowed up forever by the abyss.

Lovers fishing in Ireland are also waiting wonderful places... The best way is to charter a boat and sail on the Shannon River, the longest and widest in the whole of Great Britain (350 km long). This way you will discover central Ireland. More than one eel can be caught at Lake Lough Neagh. Shannon connected the north, south, east and west of the island since ancient times. The coastal landscape is varied - lakes, forests, ancient castles, temples and monasteries. You will sail through the history of the island - Birr Castle with its gardens surrounded by magnolias, apples and cherries, Clonfert with its cathedral founded in the 6th century by Saint Brendan, a true masterpiece of Romanesque art, the ruins of a church in Kilconnel, forts Falkland and Elisa, a castle in Athlone, passed from hand to hand by the English and Irish countless times, is the cathedral at Clonmacnoise, one of the largest ancient monastic settlements in Ireland, founded in the 6th century. Rare species of birds live in quiet backwaters along the banks of the Shannon River.

The northernmost countries in the world are not ice sheets stretching to the horizon. These are not uninhabited plains of snow on which polar bears frolic. They are as beautiful as exotic countries south. They have their own beauty, sometimes harsh and cold, but just as attractive and colorful.

Northern states of Europe

Northern Europe is old Scandinavian mountains, these are coniferous forests, picturesquely spread out on the slopes of inaccessible precipices and fjords. This is a romantic nature with a harsh character, which has remained untouched by the invasion of human civilization.

Iceland is the most fantastic country in the globe with the most unique and amazing nature... Nowhere in the world can you find such a cluster of geysers, volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, lava fields and cliffs. The volcanic plateau, on which the territory of the country is located, is "strewn" mountain peaks, the slopes of which abruptly break off at the coast of the ocean.

Snow-white mists envelop Iceland in a veil, like the finest downy shawl. northern Lights paints the horizon with a riot of colors. Here is the largest geyser, which every 10 minutes emits steam to a height of 60 meters. And the waterfall of the Gods, located nearby, throws down cascades of turquoise water.

Finland

The fairytale land of the Snow Queen, Santa Claus, reindeer soaring into the sky on Christmas night. This is the world of white nights and amazing northern lights. This blue Lakes with a mirror-like surface and fast rivers carrying streams of water among intricately twisted banks. Here the forests are emerald green, and the air is transparent and shiny.

Finland is a country of 180 thousand lakes and forests, covering 1/3 of the entire area.

Norway

Norway is the land of the midnight sun. Kingdom, a third of which is located in the Arctic Circle. From May to July, the sun shines in the sky, preventing the night twilight from taking over. This is the land of fairy tales and legends. Everything here is filled with magic. The huge Seine of trolls, which are believed to live in these places, reaches a height of 850 meters, opening a stunning view from the top.

The country's territory is a huge stone block of the Scandinavian Peninsula formed millions of years ago. She goes up to Atlantic Ocean reaching a height of 2452 meters.

This is one of the countries in the world in which women have the right to receive the priesthood. The country is ruled by the prime minister, who makes all decisions only in accordance with the will of the king.

The northernmost country of the new world - Canada

The main asset of the country is its lakes, which number up to 4 million. They occupy 8% of the entire territory. Rocky Mountains rise up to 3 thousand meters up, and the plains, like roads, pave the way to the tundra and the Arctic coast.

Canada is Niagara Falls, which is beautiful in all seasons. This is exotic with adventure, fishing and hunting. These are wild flowers that "rush" to show their beauty in this harsh climate. This is the never setting sun in summer and eternal ice breathing frosty freshness.

Here in the summer it happens up to +40, and in the winter it happened up to minus 60. Dwarf trees "intertwine" with moss, lichen and amazing beauty wild flowers. Here grows the symbol of Canada - the sugar maple, the leaf of which adorns the country's flag.

It was here that canoes and kayaks, matches, kerosene and zippers for clothing were born. Here you can admire the 7-ton monument, which was installed for an ax. The people worship beavers, which, along with the maple leaf, are a symbol of the country.

Group sex is officially allowed here, but it is forbidden to watch striptease while drinking alcohol while watching. Transport drivers do not give change for the ride. Therefore, it is better for thrifty passengers to stock up on trifles in advance. Those who wish to write to Santa Claus should know his code - H0H 0H0.

But the primacy, as always, belongs to Russia. Foreigners associate it with bears, a hat with earflaps and endless snowy expanses.

The northernmost state in the world is Russia

The North of Russia can be safely compared to a huge museum, which stretches for thousands of kilometers in the open air. Architecture and unique architectural monuments are surrounded by amazing nature. Silvery snow shimmers under the rays of the sun. The harsh nature gives in summer the delicate beauty of flowers and a riot of green plains. The northern lights sparkling in the night sky are mesmerizing with their beauty. The North of Russia is a world of contrasts, a world of light and warmth, cold and peace.

The age-old trees of the taiga hide their secrets, protecting nature from human interference. For all the time of its existence, no one has managed to walk along all its corners and paths. Only from a bird's eye view you can understand how huge and majestic it is.

The Mountain of the Dead in the northern Urals keeps the mysteries of the horror that grips people who have entered its territory. People die here for unknown reasons and planes crash, flying over its top. This anomalous zone who is trying to protect something that a person should not know.

The Prayer Triangle attracts tourists like a magnet. Here you can see huge black shapes appearing out of nowhere. Luminous balls and incomprehensible figures that demonstrate some unprecedented power to curious onlookers. Here is a different world, a different time, which flows according to its own laws. You can come here and talk to yourself in order to understand your desires and cleanse your soul.

Rastess is a strange village where gold miners once lived. It has been empty for decades. Until now, it remains a mystery where all people disappeared. The things were left untouched, there were even bowls of food on the tables. It seems that the wave of time has carried home, taking the hard workers into a world where gold lies at your feet and you don't have to get it by sweating your brow.

Russia is not a country of cold weather and polar bears. This is a huge mystery, the soul of which is trying to unravel not only the scientists of the world, but all of humanity. ...
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Western Europe- a region that includes mainly the states of the Germans and Celts. One of the most developed economic regions of the planet. The beginning of the formation Western Europe considered the collapse of the Roman Empire, dividing it into Eastern and Western.

List of Western European countries: Austria, Belgium, Andorra, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland and France. The last notable changes to the map of Western Europe took place around the 11th century, it is not for nothing that this part is considered the "old world". The states of Western Europe are divided into four groups (large, medium, small and dwarf states).

The territory of Western Europe is home to about 296 million people. And of these, about 20 million foreign workers, Western Europe is a kind of immigration hotbed of the world. The population of Western Europe belongs to the Indo-European language family, the Romance and Germanic group.

The largest country in Western Europe is France, its area is 549.2 thousand km2, while it is also the richest and oldest country in this part of Europe.

Western Europe is a region that ranks first in terms of small-scale economic and industrial production, export of goods, reserves of gold and currency, and development international tourism... A distinctive feature of Western Europe is the high level of development of integration processes. The development of Western Europe as a region is determined by the contribution of all countries in the region, but mainly the most developed ones - France, Germany, and Great Britain.

Cultural heritage of Western Europe, it is a world storehouse of unusually beautiful and famous works of art. In the history of Western Culture, you can trace many cultural events that have remained in the memory of the whole world, as well as thousands of names of famous artists, musicians, sculptors associated with the countries of Western Europe.

To the most the most beautiful cities Western Europe includes: Paris, Amsterdam, London. They attract millions of curious tourists every year. Tourist revenues of Western countries fill a large niche in the country's budget.

Western countries are the most developed region of our planet. We associate this world with rich and beautiful states and flourishing capitalism.

History of Western Europe

There are different opinions regarding the theory of the origin of European civilization. According to one theory, it was founded by the ancient Greeks. However, within the framework of another concept, its emergence is attributed to the XV-XVI centuries, the times of the so-called "large geographical discoveries", the birth of capitalism and the reformation.

Western European civilization has gone through many stages of development, has undergone a change in moral principles and aspirations. Today it is one of the most developed regions of our planet.

"Classics of the genre"

The "classic" list of Western countries includes 4 groups of states: large, medium, small and dwarf. This territory is home to almost 300 million people. 20 million of them are immigrants who came to work.

Most of these states are now members of the European Union. It ranks first in small-scale economic and industrial production. The high level of economic development makes Western countries financially secure.

In addition, Western Europe is famous for richest culture... Many talented writers, artists and musicians, whose names are known all over the world, were born here.

What makes the Western countries of the world different?

Western Europe is distinguished by the following factors:

1. Language. Almost all Western Europeans use Romance and Germanic language groups. The most common among them is English. It is home to 400 million people. At the same time, the group of non-Germanic languages ​​(Czech, Slovak, Hungarian) underwent a strong Germanization at one time.

2. Latin alphabet. All the indigenous people of the Western countries of the world and their former colonies use the Latin alphabet, which arose in the 7th century BC. e.

3. The most widespread are Catholicism and Protestantism. A large percentage of atheists. Catholicism in the 10th century was finally formed as a separate branch of Orthodoxy. In the 16th century, when Catholics began to abuse their own religion, Protestantism was formed as a protest.

In the geographical concept, the countries of Western Europe include:

• France;
• Germany;
• Luxembourg;
• Great Britain;
• Belgium;
• Netherlands;
• Liechtenstein;
• Monaco;
• Ireland;
• Switzerland;
• Austria.

That is, states located in Central and Northern Europe are also classified as Western. This list can also include Norway, Denmark, Greece, Finland, Portugal, Iceland, Cyprus, Malta. These countries are members of the European Union.

In addition, the Western states are often called the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South Korea and AYUR, as indicated above. Why is such an abundance of countries called Western Europe?

Western civilization is ...

Western civilization is a collection of cultural, political and economic factors. It is characterized by constant development, the movement of a person forward. It is distinguished by democracy, market-oriented production, private property relations.

The West is characterized by wealthy states, cultural wealth, and constantly developing infrastructure. Here they know firsthand what freedom, decent wages, and a high standard of living are.

Economy of leading Western countries

The most developed civilization in the world in the field of economics. Western Europe, which includes 25 countries, occupies special place in the world economy. It all started with the signing of the Rome Treaty establishing the European Economic Community in 1957. This treaty marked an active economic development these countries.

All modern countries of Western Europe have the same type of economic system. Their total share in total GDP (this indicator indicates the average market value of the country's final goods and services) is 24%. And in the world population - 7%.

The main economic power comes from the four Western countries, a list of which we will consider below. They account for 70% of the gross product. These are large states in terms of area, with large quantity residents.

Germany is the leader in the top four. The share of GDP per capita is $ 47,774. The German economy is the largest in Europe. It is the largest exporter of machinery, transport and household equipment, chemicals.

Great Britain is mainly engaged in the service sector (3/4 of the population) - banking and business services, insurance, etc. The share of industry is constantly decreasing. At the moment it is represented by two industries - mining and manufacturing. Agriculture accounts for only 1% of GDP.

France (the name of the Western country means "land of the Franks") is next in the four leaders. It is also dominated by the service sector, the oil and gas industry, and transport.

Italy is also in the four, but today the country is increasingly plunging into a crisis, and it is not known whether it will be able to maintain its position. Experts call it the weakest link in the Eurozone, due to its demographic and economic weight. If Italy defaults, it could bring down the entire global economic system.

Who else?

The rest of the countries belong to the group of small industrial ones. Their share of GDP is:

1.20% - Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands.

2. 8% - Austria, Greece, Finland, Denmark, Norway.

3.2% - Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Cyprus, Republic of Malta.

Economy Western states develops unevenly, irregularly. Europe has gone through 3 crises. Today, the countries of Western Europe are characterized by a crisis of old industries - ferrous metallurgy, coal and textile industries.

There is a great scientific and technical potential. States are investing huge amounts of money in the development of science (up to 2% of GDP). Less than the United States (about 16%), but more than Japan.

Today Europe is the leader in the construction of nuclear power plants, the manufacture of medicines, in some types of mechanical engineering and communications technology.

The share of agriculture reaches 8%. At the same time, the number of people involved in it has sharply decreased in recent years, but the number of manufactured products has increased. The leading European countries producing agricultural products are Germany, France and the United Kingdom.