One of the largest states in Europe is the United Kingdom, which was formed after the unification of England and Scotland. It occupies an island of the same name, part of the island of Ireland, and many small islands. All together - the British Isles.
Most of the land was used for pasture (46%), they also engaged in agriculture (25% of the territory), there is also a small area covered by forest (10%). A little more than half of the UK is England.
A little less than a third is Scotland. If the first consists of lowlands, the second is spread over 800 islands. The remaining territory is Wales, a mountainous country. The longest rivers in the UK are not so long, because and the territory itself is insignificant - 243.809 km², but they have their own interesting history.
List
- 10. Nin, 148 km
- 9. Tweed, 155 km
- 8. Clyde, 172 km
- 7. Spey, 172 km
- 6. Tey, 188 km
- 5. Wye, 215 km
- 4. Great Uz, 230 km
- 3. Trent, 297 km
- 2. Thames, 346 km
- 1. Severn, 354 km
10. Nin, 148 km
It originates from 3 sources, all located in Northamptonshire. It is still not known exactly why she got such a name. There is speculation that this is a Celtic word. The river once gave the name to Nene College, a college of higher education, founded in 1975. It was later renamed the University of Northampton.
On the river Ning commercial navigation is almost absent, but sometimes private vessels go along it.
9. Tweed, 155 km
It is the border of England and Scotland. She is called not only "Tweed", but also "Tweed". Its source is located near the village of Twidsmuir, among the hills. In the end, it flows into the North Sea. It is considered the richest salmon river in the UK.
There are many cities on this river. Here you can also admire Walter Scott's estate. In 1811, he bought 100 acres of land on the banks of the Tweed River and began to build a mansion there. He named it Abbotsford, in memory of the ford through Tweed, which was located nearby. On his estate, he moved a collection of furniture, weapons and belongings, as well as his library. In 1824, construction was completed, and since 1826 the writer lived in his mansion. Now there is a museum.
8. Clyde, 172 km
The river is located in the south of Scotland. Its source is on the slopes of the South Scottish Upland, and ends near the Firth of Clyde. It was connected by canals to the North Sea.
River Clyde became shipping. The main activity of the local population was shipbuilding. More than 300 companies were engaged in this, but the most famous was Scotts, which created more than 25 thousand vessels. Soon this area became the center of shipbuilding in the UK, both prestigious ocean liners and warships appeared on the shipyards of the river.
Clyde also had its own yacht clubs. The first yacht was also built by Scotts in 1803. But after the war, the number of orders for the production of ships decreased significantly, and by the 1960s, shipbuilding had become an unprofitable occupation.
The Clyde River is known to fishing enthusiasts, here you can catch trout. The fishing season begins on March 15 and ends on September 30. Another attraction of the river is the city of Glasgow, one of the largest in the country.
7. Spey, 172 km
Located in Scotland, is the fastest in this country. Once engaged in shipbuilding, using wood from the surrounding forests. On the Sing commercial fishing for trout and salmon.
Near the river there are many distilleries that use its water to produce local whiskey. This region is called Speyside, it produces a lot more whiskey than in other areas.
6. Tey, 188 km
River Tei considered the longest in Scotland. Its source is in the mountains of Ben-Lui, it flows into the North Sea. It forms the Loch Tay Lake, which stretches for 24 km.
The bridge across the Tay River is widely known. The first bridge was designed by Thomas Bauch, it was made of cast iron, it had a lattice structure. But then I had to change the project a bit. In 1878, when construction was completed, it became the longest bridge in the world.
But a year later, due to severe tornadoes, the central spans of the bridge collapsed, all 75 people who were at that moment in the passing train died. The catastrophe caused the widest resonance; it occurred due to the fact that the construction of the bridge was not designed for the impact of strong winds. Bauch could not survive the incident and died in 1880 from a heart attack.
In parallel with the old bridge, a new one was built, which was opened in 1887. Tey is one of the UK's richest salmon rivers.
5. Wye, 215 km
It flows on the border of Wales and England. The source of the river is in the mountains of Plinlimon, it flows into the Severen. There are many cities on the shores. Its waters are considered clean, so there are a lot of fish, especially salmon.
Earlier Wye was one of the richest salmon rivers in Britain, but gradually its number decreased. The river is suitable for outdoor activities. Fans of fishing and canoeing gather here.
4. Great Uz, 230 km
River Great Ouz It begins in the central part of England, near the village of Woppenham, and ends at the North Sea. Often she is simply called "Uz". Most likely, the name came from the Celtic word Udso-s, which translates as "water" or "slow flow».
But in the district there are many other small rivers, which are also called "Uz". To distinguish them and this large river, the prefix "Great", Which is translated from English means"big". In the lower reaches, locals call it “Old West River».
3. Trent, 297 km
It starts at the Peninsky Mountains, ends in the North Sea. The name comes from Celtic words and means in translation "severe flood". There are beautiful views around the river. Its valley is rich in gravel.
Also a river Trent famous for its archaeological sites. Finding them in a river valley is not so easy, they are under a layer of earth. There are unique prehistoric ritual constructions and Roman settlements. Scientists will find out exactly where to dig, according to the marks on cultivated crops that can only be seen from the air.
If there was an ancient pit or canal, a thick soil level allows you to get more nutrients, plants develop better. When a building or other elevation is located under a layer of soil, crops grow worse. But the excavations themselves have not yet been funded, when will it be possible to raise money, we will learn a lot about the history of Trent.
2. Thames, 346 km
Starts at the Cotswold Hills, ends at the North Sea. Thames shipping throughout. The name of the river comes from the Celtic word, which is supposedly translated as "dark».
Once the roads in London were bad, so most residents preferred to move along the Thames. The boatmen invited the people, offering to take them to the other side or up, down the river. Gradually, living with the Thames became fashionable and prestigious; palaces of members of the royal family were built here.
Until now, the most favorite entertainment of Londoners and tourists is river boat trips with stops at famous attractions, as well as walks along the National Trail along the river. So you can explore Richmond Park, the famous Royal Botanic Gardens, the Parliament and Big Ben buildings, etc.
1. Severn, 354 km
It starts in Wales, and at the end it flows into the Gulf of Bristol. The name of the river is supposedly Celtic in origin, but the meaning of this word is not clear. There is a legend that it came from the name of the nymph Sabrina, who drowned in this river.
Severen rarely covered with ice, as the temperature here in winter is not lower than 0-3 ° C. If heavy rains begin, water can rise up to 12 m, due to such floods, thousands of people are left without electricity and drinking water.