What?: The islands of Britain and Ireland are the two main British Isles
Where?: Located across the English Channel from France, Britain controls the main sea routes between Europe and America.
Who?: The British Isles are inhabited by two main groups the Irish in Ireland (the smaller of the two islands) who are mainly Catholic and the British (made up of the English, Scottish and the Welsh) who are mainly Protestant.
Historical Importance: Britain was the westernmost province of the Roman Empire, it becomes important with the 1500’s as Europe awakens and begins to explore the lands across the ocean. Britain’s location and its combination of resources make it the 1st country in the world to industrialize providing great wealth and power to the British throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.
Geography:
1) Located aside the shipping routes of Europe.
2) Many natural harbors with access to local rivers and canals.
3) Resources such as Wool, iron and coal.
Important Britons in History: Winston Churchill, Adam Smith, James Watt, Lloyd George & Neville Chamberlain.
Related Terms: 1) Industrial Revolution, 2) Imperialism, 3) World War I