The British landscape is divided between two types of terrain: lowland and hiland. The lowland areas are mainly to hte south of the country, but these culminate in the high peaks of the White Cliffs of Dover. The highlands are concentraded in the northen areas: northen Scotland and northen perts of wales and England. Britain is an extraordinary mix of highland and lowland, with hills, valleys , streams, lakes, rivers and mountains.
Mountains
The Highlands is a mountain region in the north of Scotland that covers more than half the area of the country. There are two major mountain rangers in the region:
the North Western Highlands and further couth, the Grampian Mountains. As deep valley, Glen Mor (Gaelic for great valley) separeted the two ranges. The highest peak in the UK, Ben Nevis, is situated in the Grampians.
The Cheviot Hills form the boredr between England and Scotland.
The Cumbrain Mountains include the Lake District, which is famous for its many beautiful lakes and also several spectacular peaks, such as Scaful Pike, which is 978 m.
The Pennines stretch along the north of England, beginning as far north as Caristle and reaching down as far as Birmingham. They are also known as 'the backbone of England'.
The Cambrian Mountains cover most of Wles and they include Wales'highest peak, Moun Snowdown at 1,085 m.
Aonach Mor and Ben Nevis, Scotland
Rivers and lakes
there are several rivers in Britain, and none of them are very long. The Severn (354 km) -which flows into the Bristol chennel- is the longest: compare this to the Po at 652 km.
As Britain is an island, rivers are very important ad often connect major cities and trading places. The most famous river in Britain is the Thames (338 km). This runs through London and connects London to Windsor and Oxfor. Other important rivers are based in industrial areas: the Mersey with Liverpool on its banks, the Wye in wales and the Clyde and Forth in Scotland -the latter being fundamental for the supply of hydroelectric power in the region.
A view of Gramsmere lake on a sunny day
Britain isfamous for its lakes. Loch ness os perhaps the most famous one, with its legend of the Loch Ness monster. However, there are several other lakes or 'lochs', as they are known in Scotland; another well-known one is Loch Lomond. Close to the Scottish border, in the Cumbrian Hills, is the Lake District. With its sixteen lakes, it inspired the romantic poets of the nineteenth centur. today, it is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the United Kingdom. However, the largest lake in the UK is Lough Neagh (390 sq km), which is situated in the Northen Ireland.
Seas
The North Sea, separates the UnitedKingdom from Norway.
Oil was discovered under the North Sea in 1962. The English Channel is also important as it separates Britain from mainland Europe. In 1994 the Channel Tunnel was constructed, so now Britain is connected through its rail system to the major European cities. The Irish Sea to the west divides Britain from Ireland. On its west coast, Britain is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.
