Following is the briefest of outlines to the country. It is not meant to be an exhaustive or comprehensive covereage of the country- but just a mere taster. Our VCIG covers more detail along with references, follow-up links and resources.

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN

The United Kindom of Great Britain consists of the four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Each country is very different in terms of geography, people, landscape, fauna, flora and of course their own language!

England is one of the four countries that make up the UK. It has the largest land mass of the four countries (50,346 sq miles / 130,395 sq km). It also hosts the capital - London in the south-east of the country.

Scotland lies to the north (the top third of the island). It's capital is Edinburgh, but the largest city lies just a few miles to the west - Glasgow. Scotland boasts some 800 islands -all teaming with sea life.

Wales lies to the west of the British Isles. It borders England and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea. The capital lies on the south coast of Wales - Cardiff.

Northern Ireland is separated from the UK mainland by the Irish sea. It has the smallest land mass of the four countries - just 14,160 square kilometres (5,470 sq miles). It has its own Parliament.