Geography and Culture of the uk

Geography and Culture of the ukThe get together ground, which is also commonly referred to as nifty Britain is an island country located of the northwestern coast of the European master(prenominal)land. The unify body politic is comprised of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The capital of the UK is London which is according to Encyclopedia Britannica is is among the universes leading commercial, financial, and cultural centres. The primary langu climb on in the f entirely in realm is English, however there ar several regional languages including Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh and Irish.Brief HistoryIn the 19th century the Great Britain led the industrial revolution and was angiotensin-converting enzyme of the most powerful nations in the world. Fol littleing World War II, Britain was left essential bankrupt and was labored to dismantle the British Empire. Most of its colonies became single-handed, and many sectors of the British parsimoniousness became nat ionalized. non until the 1960 did Britain fully recover from World War II. In 1979 Margret Thatcher became Britains maiden women prime minister. She became commonly known as the Iron Lady for her political sympathies and leadership style. In the 1980 she began privatization of state-owned companies and reducing the power of trade unions.Culture fit to the Hofstede Centre website the current rankings for the United domain is as follows, Power hold 35, Individualism 89, Masculinity 66, Uncertainty avoidance 35, and Long bourn predilection 25. At a rank of 35 the United Kingdom ranks low in the power distance, reflecting that their society stresses equality and opportunity. With Individualism score of 89, it reflects that as a society they believe in the rights of an individual preferably and dally as individuals rather than members of a group or as one society. The low ranking of 35 for Uncertainty avoidance shows that as a society they argon less rule oriented, much accepti ng of ambiguity and are to a greater extent readily to accept change. They have a much they go with the flow approach. With Masculinity score of 66, this reflects a culture that favors more traditional masculine roles of control, achievement, and power. With a score of 25 the Long Term Orientation deal look more to the long term rather than the right now. It is more virtually looking more into the future and lay value in tradition and persistence.Population tally to the Central experience Agency World Factbook website the current population in the United Kingdom 63,742,977, placing it 23rd on the world country simile list. The median age is 40.4, (Males 39.2, female persons 41.6) and largest section of the population at 41% is 25-54 year olds see the succeeding(a) pie chart for age comparisons. Of the major urban areas London is the most populate at 8.615 million, Birmingham second at 2.296 million and Manchester third at 2.247 million. In regards to e urban vs. rural popula tions, the United Kingdom stands at 80% urban, 20% rural. The United Kingdom is 29th on the world comparison chart for life expectancy the total population 80.42 years (males 78.26, Female 82.69).Form of governmentThe form of government in the United Kingdom is that of a Constitutional Monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is the coping of State in the United Kingdom however her role is non that of a normal of the country she fulfils important ceremonial and formal roles with respect to Government. David Cameron is the current bloom of y come outh Minister and holds the senior minster role also considered the Head of Government and Head of the Executive Branch. Parliament is an essential part of United Kingdom government. The main roles of Parliament are legislation, debating and passing all legal philosophys, enabling the government to mature taxes and examine and challenging the work of the government. Parliament is made up of dickens foretokens, the Ho ingestion of Commons and the Ho engage of Lords, the two houses act as a check and balances system as decisions made in one house have to be approved by the other. The House of Commons is a publicly elected, the House of Lords members are found by the Queen.Role of faithAccording to the CIAs world fact book the primary religion practiced in the United Kingdom is Christianity which includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and Methodist which represents 59.5% of the population. 4.4 % set as Muslim, 1.3% Hindu, 7.2% unspecified, 2% as other and 25.7% as not having an affliction. In the United Kingdom the church servicees of England and Scotland are recognized by law as the official churches and are subject to the regulation of the law. In the Church of England the Archbishops and bishops are appointed by The Queen. A number of high Churches of England officials have appointed seats in the House of Lords. These officials have important advisory and protagonism roles regarding legislative issues affect ing the church such as abortion and euthanasia. The Church of England holds no authority in Scotland and unlike the Church of England the Church of Scotland is remove from the state.NegotiationIn negotiations you must practice patience and do not try and rush your British counterparts into a decision. Do not use a hard-sell attitude or attempt pressure tactics, as this exit only be counterproductive in your negations. When it comes to your art plans stick to the facts and do not over sell or schmooze, British executives are more concerned with the facts of the deal than the relationship. They are more concerned with the letter of the law than the spirit of law. British Executives angle to be direct and to the point, it is more about fact than feeling or emotion. They also tend to be truly reserved and will rarely show emotion good or bad, and will often downcast play dangerous situations.FinancialIn 2008 the United Kingdom was hit with the Financial Crisis. In December 2008 t he FTSE ampere-second had its largest annual drop in 24 years closing 31.1% from January 2008. The FTSE hundred is the top 100 companies listed on the London Stock Exchange with the highest merchandise capitalization. The unemployment pose increased from 5.1% in February 2008 to 7.2% by February 2009. In 2009 the Bank of England lower interest outranks to 1.5%, which was the lowest level ever recorded. The Office for calculate Responsibility was established in 2010 was established in 2010 to provide and independent analyses of the UKs public finances following the financial crisis of 2008.In January 2014 the external Monetary Fund (IMF) upgraded the UK GDP forecast from 1.9% previously forecasted to 2.4% for 2014, and forecasted UK result by 2.2% for 2015. This upgrade was the largest forecast that of any other economy by the IMF. In March of 2014 the Office for Budget Responsibility(OBR) reported that consumer spending was the main number one wood for growth in 2013 and ind icated the housing market is showing signs of growth. The OBR is forecasting 2.7 growth in 2014, and 2.3% for 2015.In a recent interview on CCTV the States Robin Harding, the U.S. economist editor for the Final Times reported that the UK economy is just about half way back to where it was just prior(prenominal) to the UK financial crisis.According to Nation Master in 2012 the United Kingdom was 2nd of 172 reported counties with a deficit of $10.09 trillion dollars. Exports 10th of 189 countries with $473 million dollars. GDP 7th of 144 countries, $2.44 trillion dollars and GDP per capita 21st of 183 for $35,046.59 per capita.The unemployment rate is gradually decreasing. According to the Office for National Statistics in its April 16, 2014 Statistical publicize the first quarter unemployment rate for 2014 was 6.9%, down from 2013 fourth quarter of 7.1% and down from the previous year of 7.9%.Doing trafficIndex of economic freedom p95According to the World Bank Group, Doing Busi ness website, out of 189 economies the United Kingdom shortly is ranked 10th, up fro 11th in 2013 on the Ease of Doing Business. The Gross National Income(GNI) per capita in 2014 is $38,250. United Kingdom is classified as a High-Income group. In the category of starting a pipeline the United Kingdom ranks 28th overall with the add up number of days to tape the business being 12 days with an approx cost of $108. When obtain reflection/building permits the UK ranks 27th with the average number of days being 88 days with an approx cost of $26,939. In the category of purchasing/register lieu the UK ranks 10th overall with approx fees ranging from $10,000 $20,000. In regards to exportinging/importing the UK ranks 16th overall, with the average number of days being 8 days. With a cost of export $1,005 and import $1,050 per container to and from the US. The UK ranks 14th overall for Taxes, with a total tax rate of 34% of total profit.Communication and apparel expectationsIn regard s to business frock conservative dress is very important in the United Kingdom. men typically wear dark blue, antique or black business suits, solid or pin stripe. Dress shirts should be solid one-sided and with no pockets, collared of course. Ties are a must, solid color or with a pattern but never striped, striped ties typically signify you are a member of the British Army. Laced dress shoes and socks should be the same color as your suit. Women typically wear business suit with pants or skirts. Women should avoid loud colors and stick with the more conservative colors like the men going with dark blue, gray or black. If wearing a skirt, panty hose should be worn-out in neural or solid color, avoiding patterns or mesh eccentric person hosiery. Makeup and jewelry should be kept at a minimum.When accost a holdhake is standard in business. However not all women shake hands, it is always best to observe your surroundings and follow suit. block making too much physical contac t, in the United Kingdom touching others in public is deemed inappropriate. When speaking to other avoid placing your hands in your pockets, it is considered rude. However avoid excessive hand gestures when speaking. Business cards are often exchanged never place a business card in your back pants pocket. As a meeting planner always have an agenda ready and available for all, and a summary of meeting notes should be provided to all attendees. When address and individual as Mr., Ms. or Miss and last name unless you are given permission to use their first name. If an individual has an honorary title always use the title when addressing them.TaboosAs in the United States its not verboten however in general it is best to refrain from certain topics such as politics, religion and income. The English are very modest and tend not to discuss their achievements. Avoid asking any personal questions, up to now a question as simple as what a people does for work is deemed to personal. A pe ace sign with the palm veneer out is fine however making the V for Victory with your palm facing you is considered an offensive gesture.Referenceshttp//www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/615557/United-Kingdom 5/26/14Culture http//geert-hofstede.com/united-kingdom.htmlReligions https//www.cia.gov/ subroutine library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.htmluk 5/26/14Economics http//www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/united-kingdom 5/27/14Population https//www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uk.html 5/29/14Finance Harding interview http//youtu.be/5galHHe5MBE -6/1/14Financial ONS http//www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_357545.pdf -6/1/14Google Unemployment www.google.com/q=uk+unemployemtn+data -6/1/14Financial http//budgetresponsibility.org.uk/economic-fiscal-outlook-march-2014/ -6/1/14NationMaster Debt http//www.nationmaster.com/country-info/profiles/United-Kingdom/ delivery -6/1/14