If you’ve never been to the United Kingdom, you should go sometime. Between old and new, big and small, there is a lot to see and do. In the eyes of some people, the UK is something of a bridge between North America and Europe. It’s slightly more European than Canada, but a bit more North American than Germany. Why would we say this? Well, the British speak English for one (go figure!). This means that the cultural gap is a bit smaller. They prefer cars more than their mainland European counterparts. London has been compared to New York City on more than one occasion. In fact, from foreign policy to consumer behavior, the UK really does in many ways form a bridge between the Old World and the New. But if you’re just going their as a tourist, what can you expect? Well, there’s obviously London. That will take a lot of your time. Then there is Stonehenge (a bit of a tourist trap), a million quaint little villages, and obviously, the Scottish Highlands. Whatever you’re looking for, the UK is sure to surprise you. There’s more to this island than meets the eye. These are 25 barely believable trivia about the United Kingdom!
Featured Image: pixabay
The Queen is the legal owner of 1/6 of the Earth's land area
Source: dw.de, Image: wikipedia Accents in the United Kingdom change noticeably about every 40 km (25 miles)
Source: bbc, Image: wikipedia All horses in the UK must have a horse passport (donkeys and mules too)
Source: dailymail, Image: wikipedia During the 16th century, a law forbade wife beatings after 9pm...but only because it disturbed the neighbors
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia Although all British passports are issued in her name, Queen Elizabeth doesn't actually own a passport. Furthermore she is history's most widely traveled head of state (she's been queen for a while)
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia American eggs are illegal in the UK because they have been washed. British eggs are illegal in the US because they have not been washed.
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia The average British car remains parked for 96% of its lifetime
Source: bbc, Image: wikipedia There is a service based in Essex that allows you to "rent mourners" for funerals
Source: rentamourner.co.uk, Image: pixabay Centenarians (people over 100 years old) are the fastest growing demographic in the country
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia Economists have credited Kate Middleton with boosting the British economy by 1 billion pounds in 2012
Source: washingtonpost, Image: wikipedia Remember how we said that Queen Elizabeth has been ruling for a long time? Well, she's actually been ruling longer than any other monarch in British history. On 9 September 2015 she surpassed Queen Victoria to claim the title
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy these 25 things that you must do if you ever visit England.
A flight between Westray and Papa Westray (two islands) is the shortest flight in the world at 47 seconds
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia The oldest house in the country is 6,000 years old and its stone furniture is still intact!
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia Portugal and the United Kingdom are the longest standing allies in the world. Their alliance was last ratified in 1386.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia The Royal Navy has been known to use Britney Spears songs to frighten off Somali pirates
Source: bbc, Image: wikipedia The United Kingdom is the only country that is not required to name itself on postage stamps
Source: spiegel.de, Image: wikipedia At its height, the British Empire covered as much surface area as the moon.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia Of all countries that celebrate independence day, most of them (58) are celebrating independence from the United Kingdom
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia The King of Norway is the 73rd person in line to inherit the throne of England
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia You can never be more than 70 miles from the water in the UK
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia If you turn 100 in the United Kingdom, the Queen sends you a personalized letter
Source: bbc, Image: wikipedia Britain doesn't have a written constitution
Source: bbc, Image: wikipedia 30% of London's population was born outside of the United Kingdom
Source: bbc, Image: wikipedia Until 1832, Oxford and Cambridge were the only universities in England
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia In 1814, a beer wave (388,000 gallons) swept through the streets of London when a vat ruptured.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia Lists Going Viral Right Now
