England resources. UK Minerals Information

My trip to England was memorable for the natural attractions and rich natural resources of Great Britain. Even the relief in different parts countries have fundamental differences. Thus, low-lying plains predominate in the south-eastern and southern sides, and mountains in the north-western and western sides. As part of my trip, I even managed to visit the highest point in Great Britain - Mount Ben Nevis. Its height reaches as much as 1343 meters.

I was also able to find out that geographical position This country speaks of a temperate maritime climate throughout its territory. This fact has such a beneficial effect on crop production, beautiful green meadows and pastures where large, lush green grass grows. From local residents I learned that they try to protect their fields and roads as much as possible from strong winds Therefore, special protection is installed. Winter for the British can be particularly foggy, and sometimes there can be fog in the area around London for weeks.

Britain's rich natural resources

I traveled all over the country by car and therefore enjoyed it a lot deep rivers, as well as the most picturesque lakes. Although, to tell the truth, when I set off on my trip, I was sure that Great Britain would be able to amaze me with its forest expanses. But it turned out that forests now occupy only 9% of the entire territory of the country. Of course, their area used to be much larger, but now it is occupied by parks or agricultural land.

This country is rich in natural resources, and therefore has good economic development. I learned that in the UK there is a well-developed industrial sector for metallurgy extraction. There are own coal basins, the coal reserves of which amount to approximately 200 billion. tons Coal mining brings good profits throughout the country, which significantly boosts and develops the economy.

Other natural resources that the World Bank is rich in include oil and gas deposits located on the shelf North Sea. The location of these minerals only became known to the British in the mid-20th century. I also learned that Great Britain ranks second among the world's suppliers and exporters of kaolin.

The country is not dependent on electrical suppliers, since thermal power plants operate at full capacity and provide 86% of electricity to all residents. The UK has its own oil fields, a developed textile industry, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy and many other industries. In truth, I have come to the conclusion that the UK's natural resources have allowed it to accumulate a lot of budgetary funds. Of course, the favorable geographical location plays a big role. For many centuries, London has been considered the starting point for investments and global wealth. It was in this country that business began to take shape on the international terms to which we are accustomed now.

Of course, there are reasons to visit this country. By the way, going is not a problem at all. It is very beautiful here and there really is something to see.

But in addition to the gifts of nature, the British demonstrate constant development, which gives impetus to applicable scientific research. But I was also surprised that, despite such favorable climatic and geographical conditions In the country's agriculture, only 3% of the population works, which is very small. Although this may be sufficient, since the amount of agricultural products produced fully meets the needs of the population. England is also the world's largest supplier of sheep wool. In general, I came to the conclusion that natural resources provide enormous potential for the development of the country.

The main source of high-quality water for the population of lowland England has long been underground tanks. Currently, underground reservoirs supply 2/5 of all water consumed in England and Wales. In addition to natural waterways Considerable work was carried out to improve access to seaports, particularly dredging the lower Clyde and Mersey, and a wide network of canals was built, especially in England between the north Midlands and the Thames Valley. The Caledonian Canal connects Inverness and Fort William in the Great Glen, and another canal links the Firth of Clyde and the Firth of Forth in Scotland. In England, canals were built between the rivers Dee and Mersey, Mersey and Aire, Trent and Mersey, Avon (a tributary of the Severn) and Welland and the Thames and Severn.

UK soils

IN soil cover Podzolic and brown forest soils are widespread in the country, and humus-carbonate soils are found on limestones. In terms of mechanical composition, clayey and loamy soils predominate. Due to the abundance of precipitation, the soils are highly leached. In general, the soils of Great Britain have long been cultivated and produce high yields.

In the swampy coastal lowlands - marshes - and in some other flat areas of England that have undergone reclamation, podzolized brown forest soils have been preserved under natural and perennial pastures. Fertile, peaty alluvial soils are common in the drained maritime lowlands of the Fenland, as well as in the Trent Valley.

Here, more than in other regions of the country, they sow wheat, plant orchards and berry fields, and engage in intensive gardening. On the hills and cuesta ridges, thin humus-carbonate and soddy-carbonate soils are developed. In Western and northwestern regions In Great Britain, acidic brown podzolic soils predominate; grasses grow better here, and among grains - oats and barley, which determines livestock specialization. In the mountainous regions of Cornwall, the Pennines, the Circle of Lakes and Scotland, where the climate is damp and cool, soddy-podzolic soils are developed, which are easily subject to waterlogging, leading to the formation of peat bogs. It is dominated by pastures with coarse grass.

UK Minerals

Great Britain has significant mineral reserves. It is especially rich in coal, total reserves of which - 189 billion tons, including recoverable - 45 billion tons. Its deposits are found in all economic regions countries, except three southern and Northern Ireland. The largest are concentrated in three coal basins: Yorkshire and Northumberland-Durham, located in the foothills of the Pennines, and South Wales, on the southern slope of the Welsh Mountains. Many coal basins were close to the sea coast, and coal could be easily transported. Current role coal is no longer so great, its production has decreased, the best seams have been worked out, the use of deep mines has become unprofitable.

In the 60–70s, new large energy resources were discovered on the North Sea shelf - oil and natural gas. The deposits are located off the coast of southeast England and northeast Scotland. Oil reserves – 2 billion tons, natural gas– 2 trillion. m3. Their intensive development has changed overall rating the UK's energy supply and placed it in a more advantageous position compared to its EU partners. The largest offshore fields are Fortis and Brent, and on the mainland - Witchfarm in Dorset. The main coal deposits (substantially depleted) are Yorkshire - Derby - Nottinghamshire basin in the eastern Midlands, Northumberland - Durham basin in northeast England.

The UK also has significant reserves of iron ore (reliable and probable - 4.6 billion tons). The main deposit is in the east of Northamptonshire, but, with the exception of the now mined rich Cumberland hematite ores, most of the rest are of low quality (22–33% metal). Currently, mining has ceased; the industry uses rich imported ore. As for other minerals, there is a large deposit of kaolin in Cornwall, also rock salt in Cheshire and Durham, potash in Yorkshire and in very small quantities some non-ferrous metals (including tin in the west of Cornwall). Uranium ores were found in Scotland.

Flora of Great Britain

England's vegetation is rather poor; forests occupy less than 10% of the region's territory. They are mainly preserved in river valleys and in lower parts mountain slopes. In Scotland, woodland is more common, although the region is dominated by moorland. The forests in the southern and eastern Highlands are primarily composed of oak and coniferous trees (spruce, pine and larch). In the lower mountain belt of England and Wales grow oak, elm, hornbeam, beech and ash. The upper limit of the forest reaches 500-600 m, and deciduous forests usually do not rise above 400 m.

The perennial meadows of England and Wales are home to wild pale yellow daffodils (the emblem of the Welsh), lilies, purple orchis and primroses, from which wine has long been made in English villages. Above the forest line in the mountains of England and Wales, cereal-forb meadows and heathland with juniper, blueberry and crowberry predominate. In the south of the country, evergreen Mediterranean plant species are found. Plants are vegetating all year round.

UK fauna

Many large mammals, such as bear, wild boar and Irish red deer, have long been hunted to extinction in the British Isles, and the wolf has been eradicated as a pest. Today there are only 56 species of mammals left. The red deer, the largest mammal, lives in the highlands of Cornwall and the Scottish Highlands. There are quite a few roe deer found north of Yorkshire and in the south of England. Wild goats live in mountainous areas. Small mammals include hare, rabbit, marten, otter, wild cat, a large number of partridges and wild ducks. Of the small predators, the most numerous are ermine and weasel; ferrets are found in Wales, and European wild cats and American martens are found in the mountains of Scotland.

There are many salmon and trout in the rivers and lakes of Scotland. Cod, herring, and haddock are caught in coastal waters. The fauna is almost the same as in England, with the exception of the black ferret and marten, which are not found in England. Different kinds fish are found in the waters off the British Isles: in the surface layers sea ​​waters- sable fish, herring, sprat feed in the bays and estuaries of rivers, and sardines and mackerel appear off the coast of the Kirkwall Peninsula. The most important commercial fish from distant and near waters are cod, haddock and marlan. Some cod weigh up to 20 kilograms. Also in rivers and lakes there are roach, chub, and barbel. The famous monster of Loch Ness, which could supposedly be a relict aquatic dinosaur, is most likely a fiction invented to attract tourists and various types of business.

The gray seal is found off the islands and coastal cliffs of Cornwall and Wales, while the common seal prefers the coasts of Scotland, the eastern coast of Northern Ireland and the surrounding islands.

More than 200 species of birds can be seen in England, more than half of which come from other countries. The British Isles are home to 130 bird species, including many songbirds. Many species are able to adapt to changing conditions, and it is believed that there are more birds in suburban gardens than in any forest. The most common species are sparrows, finches, starlings, crows, kingfishers, robins, and tits. The national symbol of England is the red-breasted robin. Millions of birds migrate along the coast of Great Britain from south to north and back.

North-west of the coast continental Europe, in the British Isles, is a country that is traditionally called Great Britain after the largest island. England is the name given to the historical part of the state.

Geography

The British Isles are the largest archipelago located in Europe. It consists of two large islands (Ireland and Great Britain) and five thousand small ones. The British archipelago is separated from Denmark and Sweden by the shallow North Sea, and from France by narrow straits Pas de Calais, as well as the English Channel. The heavily indented coastline has total length more than a hundred kilometers.

Due to the numerous fjords and bays on the island, it is impossible to find a point that would be more than 120 km away from the seas and straits. This is the geography of Great Britain in general terms.

Relief

The entire territory of England can be conditionally divided into two parts. The first of these is High Britain. It is located in the west and north of the country. At the same time, the relief features and mineral resources of Great Britain in this area have their own characteristic features.

The fact is that on the territory of High Britain there are stable ancient In general, the relief consists of hills, dissected by less common lowlands.

Low Britain is located in the east and south. It has a hilly terrain, on which there are several mountainous areas and small hills, which are based on younger folded rocks.

Minerals

The British Isles does not currently boast much diversity natural resources. The mineral resources of Great Britain, briefly listed, are natural gas and oil, coal and kaolin, fluorite and tin ores, potassium salts and celestine, non-metallic Construction Materials and refractory clays, and ores of zinc, copper, iron, lead, arterite, and barite.

Coal

The total reserves of this amount to about one hundred and ninety billion tons, and they are available throughout the entire area of ​​the state. Most big catch is carried out in basins located on the south-eastern slope (Yorkshire field), in the north-east of Penny (Northumblend), as well as on the southern slope of the Cambrian Mountains (South Wales field).

Smaller amounts of coal are available in Scotland. Here the deposits are located in a chain from western to eastern point Lowlands of Scotland. Small seams of coal are found on the Kimberlain Peninsula and in the south-eastern region of England. It is worth saying that in the past, Great Britain was the world's largest coal exporting country.

Oil and gas

The UK's mineral resources are not only mined on land. Gas and oil fields in the 60s of the twentieth century. were also discovered on the shelf of the North Sea washing the British archipelago. These natural resources are mined off the south-eastern coast of England and north-east of Scotland. The British sector contains about one third of all offshore oil reserves. This is forty-five billion tons, which is two percent on a global scale. Production is carried out at fifty fields, the largest of which are Fortis and Brent.

Already in the 90s of the 20th century. the volume of oil obtained from these fields amounted to 130 million tons. Almost half of them are exported to the Netherlands, the USA and Germany. According to independent experts, the UK will not lose its status as a major oil producer in the 21st century.

Gas is produced on the shelf located in the North Sea. Currently, 37 deposits have been discovered here. Half of the total production comes from seven of them. The energy resource also exported by the country.

Other natural resources

Great Britain's mineral resources are also represented. However, the deposits of these resources in the country are severely depleted. The deposits are of sedimentary type and belong to sediments Jurassic period. The largest deposits are basins located in Cumberland, Scunthorpe and Northamptonshire.

Minerals in Great Britain are also represented by tin ores. In terms of the volume of their reserves, the country ranks first among Western European countries. The deposits are located on the Cornwall peninsula. Placers of tin ores are also found in offshore areas of the north coast of Cornwall.

Great Britain's mineral resources include lead-zinc and copper ores, but their reserves in the country are extremely limited.

The UK ranks fourth in the list in terms of fluorite reserves. Deposits of this mineral are represented by metasomatic deposits and veins in Carboniferous limestones. They are found in counties Durham and Derbyshire, as well as in the North and South Pennines.

Hematite Fluorite

Mineral Pictures UK

Articles on the topic

• Devonshire emerald
  In 1831 Don Pedro, former emperor Brazil, presented the sixth Duke of Devonshire with a magnificent emerald crystal

News

• 16.09.2018
  Employees of the University of Plymouth conducted a study, as a result of which they put forward a new version formation of the British Isles. Previously it was believed that their merger occurred with the participation of two continents - Laurentia and Avalonia. Mineralogical analysis of rock samples taken by researchers in the counties of Devon and Cornwall showed that three microcontinents participated in the formation of the British Isles.
  
  
• 20.12.2017
  In 2017, the total sales of Christie's and Sotheby's auction houses exceeded one billion dollars. At the same time, the share jewelry, sold through Christie's were almost five hundred and fifty-seven million dollars, and through Sotheby's - more than five hundred and fifty-one million. IN this year Christie managed to achieve nine auction records thanks to the sale of rare diamonds, precious stones and unique jewelry at the highest possible price. Sotheby's auction house also achieved a record high prices when selling jewelry with exceptional diamonds.
  
  
• 21.08.2017
  For the first time in six years, work on shale gas has resumed in the UK. This is the Preston New Road project, located in Lancashire. By the end of 2017, it is planned to drill the first two exploration wells. A total of four structures will be built on the site to clarify its reserves and prospects for development.
  
  
• 19.04.2017
  The English jewelry house Jefferies of London created one of the most expensive Easter eggs in the world. The cost of the jewelry, encrusted with more than nine hundred D-color diamonds, is about two hundred sixty-eight thousand dollars. This Easter souvenir can not only become a memorable gift, but also be used as a decoration worn around the neck like a medallion. main idea designer is expressed in the name of the souvenir. Memories Egg is a jewel that represents togetherness and love and symbolizes life.
  
  
• 18.04.2017
  Scientists involved in the study Atlantic Ocean As part of the British National Oceanographic Expedition, they discovered an underwater deposit with a high concentration of tellurium five hundred kilometers from the Canary Islands. The reserves of the discovered site also contain other valuable minerals: gold, silver, nickel, copper and lead.
  
  
• 07.03.2017
  One of the most unusual jewelry collections includes jewelry created by the famous British jeweler Theo Fennell: the main motive for the flight of designer imagination in them was fairy tales. Each ring in this series is not just a piece of jewelry, but a miniature embodiment of a magical story, captured by a talented craftsman in precious materials and emphasizing the individuality of its owner.
  
  
• 10.02.2017
  Shell is preparing to begin mothballing a major Brent oil and gas field in the North Sea. On this moment the company is holding two months of public hearings on the issue. In addition, she prepared and submitted to the UK Department of Energy and Industrial Strategy a corresponding program for closing the project.
  
  
• 10.02.2017
  February 6, 2017 marked sixty-five years since Elizabeth II ascended to the British throne. This date was marked by a new photograph of the Queen in a sapphire set given to her by her father George VI and the release of eight versions of commemorative coins, the most expensive of which collectors can purchase for fifty thousand pounds.
  
  
• 08.02.2017
  Knowledge in English nowadays gives a person a lot additional features when choosing a good, well-paid job. It will also help in communicating with representatives of other countries.
  
  
• 31.01.2017
  Royal Dutch Shell is selling its North Sea assets to Chrysaor. The transaction amount is three billion eight hundred million dollars. It's about about the shares of the Anglo-Dutch company in ten oil and gas blocks. Last year, production levels in these areas were about one hundred fifteen thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day. The proceeds from the deal will be invested by Shell in the purchase of the British gas company BG Group.
  
  

General information

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or Great Britain is a sovereign state located off the north-eastern coast of continental Europe. It occupies the island of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), one sixth of the island of Ireland (Northern Ireland), as well as many nearby small islands. The main territory of the country is located between 49°N. and 59°N. (Shetland Islands are located near 61°N latitude) and 8°W longitude. and 2°E. Greenwich Observatory, located in southeast London, is the starting point geographical longitudes, the prime meridian passes through it.

Great Britain is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. The minimum distance to Europe is 35 km. The country is separated from France by the English Channel and Pas de Calais. Northern Ireland shares a 360 km land border with the Republic of Ireland. A tunnel has been built between the UK and France under the Pas de Calais Strait. Great Britain, which includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and a number of nearby small islands, has an area of ​​243,610 square meters. km. The area of ​​England is the most big country within the UK - 130,410 sq. km, the area of ​​Scotland is 78,772 sq. km. Wales and Northern Ireland are significantly smaller in area - 20,758 sq. km and 13,843 sq. km respectively.

Great Britain has significant mineral reserves. It is especially rich in coal, the total reserves of which are 189 billion tons, including recoverable reserves - 45 billion tons. Its deposits are found in all economic regions of the country, except for the three southern and Northern Ireland. The largest are concentrated in three coal basins: Yorkshire and Northumberland-Durham, located in the foothills of the Pennines, and South Wales, on the southern slope of the Welsh Mountains. Many coal basins were close to the sea coast, and coal could be easily transported. Currently, the role of hard coal is no longer so great, its production has decreased, the best seams have been exhausted, and the use of deep mines has become unprofitable.

In the 60-70s, new large energy resources were discovered on the North Sea shelf - oil and natural gas. The deposits are located off the coast of southeast England and northeast Scotland. Oil reserves - 2 billion tons, natural gas - 2 trillion. m3. Their intensive development has changed the overall assessment of the UK's energy supply and placed it in a more favorable position compared to its EU partners. The largest offshore fields are Fortis and Brent, and on the mainland - Witchfarm in Dorset. The main coal deposits (substantially depleted) are Yorkshire - Derby - Nottinghamshire basin in the eastern Midlands, Northumberland - Durham basin in northeast England.

The UK also has significant reserves of iron ore (reliable and probable - 4.6 billion tons). The main deposit is in the east of Northamptonshire, but, with the exception of the now mined rich Cumberland hematite ores, most of the rest are of low quality (22-33% metal). Currently, mining has ceased; the industry uses rich imported ore. As for other minerals, there is a large deposit of kaolin in Cornwall, also rock salt in Cheshire and Durham, potash in Yorkshire and in very small quantities some non-ferrous metals (including tin in the west of Cornwall). Uranium ores were found in Scotland.

Great Britain has a variety of landforms: mountainous terrain predominates in the north and west, and lowland - in the east. Highest point country - Mount Ben Nevis (1343 m) is located in mountainous Scotland. The Pennine Ridge has the greatest extent, stretching from north to south. Extensive rolling plain occupies the southeast and center of the country, and the flattest lowland, the Fenland, surrounds the Wash. In Scotland, the Lowlands stretch between the Northern and Southern Highlands.

The climate of Great Britain is temperate, oceanic, very humid with mild winters and cool summers. The British Isles are characterized by frequent fog and strong winds. The moderate oceanic climate and the influence of the warm North Atlantic Current create favorable conditions for development Agriculture(in the southwest, plants grow all year round). High soil cultivation is important factor increasing crop yields.

In the British climate, rivers are full of water. The largest are the Thames, Severn, Trent, and Mersey.

The importance of river estuaries that extend far into the land, as well as the overall great ruggedness, is very important coastline. This allowed the creation of many ports. Rivers as a source of energy are used only in the highlands of Scotland and North Wales.

In general, the country does not have significant mineral reserves, with the exception of fuel and energy. Coal reserves are estimated at 190–200 billion tons. Total and recoverable reserves amount to about 50 billion tons (first place in Western Europe). The main deposits are located in the Lowlands of Scotland.

In the 60s, oil deposits were discovered on the North Sea shelf; proven reserves are estimated at 2.4 billion tons, which is approximately 35% of the oil reserves of the entire North Sea shelf (2% of world reserves). About 50 deposits have been found, the largest of which are Brent and Fortis, together accounting for 33% of the total production.

Discovered in the western North Sea in 1959 large deposits natural gas. In 1965, 70 km. east of Clinthorpes was started industrial production gas Its total reserves are estimated at 1.2 trillion. cube m. Currently, 37 out of 60 natural gas fields are being developed.

Great Britain also has other mineral resources. Iron ores, for the most part phosphorous, low quality

Great Britain has minor reserves of tin in Cornwall, lead-zinc ores in Wales and uranium ores in Scotland.

Kaolin is mined in Cornwall; rock salt– in Cheshire and Durham; potassium salts - in Yorkshire. (I was asked this too, so I did it and they gave me a 5)