England

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of England}}

===Landscape and rivers===
[[File:Malvern Hills - England.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Malvern Hills]] located in the English counties of [[Worcestershire]] and [[Herefordshire]]. The hills have been designated by the Countryside Agency as an [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]]. ]]
Geographically, England includes the central and southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain, plus such offshore islands as the [[Isle of Wight]] and the [[Isles of Scilly]]. It is bordered by two other countries of the United Kingdom: [[Anglo Scottish border|to the north]] by Scotland and [[Wales-England border|to the west]] by Wales.

England is closer than any other part of mainland Britain to the European continent. It is separated from [[France]] ([[Hauts-de-France]]) by a {{convert|21|mi|adj=on}}<ref name="Engchannel">{{Cite web |year=2009 |title=English Channel |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/187921/English-Channel |access-date=15 August 2009 |website=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |publisher=britannica.com}}</ref> sea gap, though the two countries are connected by the [[Channel Tunnel]] near [[Folkestone]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=http://www.eurotunnel.com/ukcP3Main/ukcCorporate/ukcAboutUs/ukm/history.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081116055538/http://www.eurotunnel.com/ukcP3Main/ukcCorporate/ukcAboutUs/ukm/history.htm |archive-date=16 November 2008 |access-date=5 September 2009 |publisher=EuroTunnel.com}}</ref> England also has shores on the [[Irish Sea]], [[North Sea]] and Atlantic Ocean.

The ports of London, [[Liverpool]], and [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]] lie on the tidal rivers [[River Thames|Thames]], [[River Mersey|Mersey]] and [[River Tyne|Tyne]] respectively. At {{convert|220|mi}}, the [[River Severn|Severn]] is the longest river flowing through England.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The River Severn |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/england/sevenwonders/west/severn-river/ |access-date=5 December 2010 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> It empties into the [[Bristol Channel]] and is notable for its [[Severn Bore]] (a [[tidal bore]]), which can reach {{convert|2|m|ft}} in height.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Severn Bore and Trent Aegir |url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/31439.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122125420/http://environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/31439.aspx |archive-date=22 November 2010 |access-date=5 December 2010 |publisher=Environment Agency}}</ref> However, the longest river entirely in England is the Thames, which is {{convert|215|mi}} in length.<ref name="Thames">{{Cite web |title=River Thames and London (England) |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-home/related-139-94056-articles-reviews/River+Thames-London+(England)/related.do |access-date=17 August 2009 |website=London Evening Standard |location=London}}{{dead link|date=October 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
[[File:Glenridding,_Cumbria,_England_-_June_2009.jpg|thumb|The village of [[Glenridding]] and [[Ullswater]] in [[Cumbria]].]]
There are many [[lakes in England]]; the largest is [[Windermere]], within the aptly named [[Lake District]].<ref name="metoffice_nw">{{Cite web |title=North West England & Isle of Man: climate |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/nw/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605003213/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/nw/ |archive-date=5 June 2011 |access-date=5 December 2010 |publisher=Met Office}}</ref> Most of England's landscape consists of low hills and plains, with upland and mountainous terrain in the north and west of the country. The northern uplands include the [[Pennines]], a chain of uplands dividing east and west, the Lake District mountains in Cumbria, and the [[Cheviot Hills]], straddling the border between England and Scotland. The highest point in England, at {{convert|978|m|ft}}, is [[Scafell Pike]] in the Lake District.<ref name="metoffice_nw" /> The [[Shropshire Hills]] are near Wales while [[Dartmoor]] and [[Exmoor]] are two upland areas in the south-west of the country. The approximate dividing line between terrain types is often indicated by the [[Tees–Exe line]].<ref>{{Cite book |url={{GBurl|id=yAgGHnENHjoC|q=tees exe line england lowland upland|p=100}} |title=World Regional Geography |date=13 March 2008 |publisher=Joseph J. Hobbs |isbn=978-0-495-38950-7 |access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref>

The Pennines, known as the "backbone of England", are the oldest range of mountains in the country, originating from the end of the [[Paleozoic Era]] around 300&nbsp;million years ago.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pennines |url=http://www.summitpost.org/area/range/220026/pennines.html |access-date=8 September 2009 |publisher=Smmit Post}}</ref> Their geological composition includes, among others, [[sandstone]] and [[limestone]], and also coal. There are [[karst]] landscapes in calcite areas such as parts of [[Yorkshire]] and [[Derbyshire]]. The Pennine landscape is high [[moorland]] in upland areas, indented by fertile valleys of the region's rivers. They contain two [[national parks in England|national parks]], the [[Yorkshire Dales]] and the [[Peak District]]. In the [[West Country]], Dartmoor and Exmoor of the Southwest Peninsula include upland moorland supported by granite.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Parks&nbsp;– About us |url=http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/aboutus |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027162402/http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/aboutus |archive-date=27 October 2010 |access-date=5 December 2010 |publisher=nationalparks.gov.uk}}</ref>

The [[English Lowlands beech forests|English Lowlands]] are in the central and southern regions of the country, consisting of green rolling hills, including the [[Cotswold Hills]], [[Chiltern Hills]], [[North Downs|North]] and [[South Downs]]; where they meet the sea they form white rock exposures such as the [[cliffs of Dover]]. This also includes relatively flat plains such as the [[Salisbury Plain]], [[Somerset Levels]], [[South Coast Plain]] and [[The Fens]].

===Climate===
{{Main|Climate of England}}

England has a [[temperate climate|temperate]] [[maritime climate]]: it is mild with temperatures not much lower than {{convert|0|°C|°F}} in winter and not much higher than {{convert|32|°C|°F}} in summer.<ref name="weather">{{Cite web |title=What is the Climate like in Britain? |url=http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/weather/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114052538/http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/weather/ |archive-date=14 January 2010 |access-date=5 September 2009 |publisher=Woodlands Kent}}</ref> The weather is damp relatively frequently and is changeable. The coldest months are January and February, the latter particularly on the [[Geography of the United Kingdom|English coast]], while July is normally the warmest month. Months with mild to warm weather are May, June, September and October.<ref name="weather" /> Rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

Important influences on the climate of England are its proximity to the [[Atlantic Ocean]], its northern [[latitude]] and the warming of the sea by the [[Gulf Stream]].<ref name="weather" /> Rainfall is higher in the west, and parts of the [[Lake District]] receive more rain than anywhere else in the country.<ref name="weather" /> Since weather records began, the highest temperature recorded was {{convert|40.3|°C|°F}} on 19 July 2022 at [[Coningsby]], [[Lincolnshire]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Record high temperatures verified |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2022/record-high-temperatures-verified |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=Met Office |language=en}}</ref> while the lowest was {{convert|−26.1|°C|°F}} on 10 January 1982 in [[Edgmond, Shropshire|Edgmond]], Shropshire.<ref>{{Cite web |title=English Climate |url=http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/location/england/#temperature |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829161614/http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/location/england/ |archive-date=29 August 2008 |publisher=MetOffice.com}}</ref>

===Nature and wildlife===
{{main|Fauna of England}}
[[File:Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), Icklesham, Sussex.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Eurasian wren]], a common bird in England<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 February 2020 |title=It's official – the Wren is our commonest bird |url=https://www.bto.org/press-releases/it%E2%80%99s-official-%E2%80%93-wren-our-commonest-bird#:~:text=In%20the%20latest%20report%20looking,million%20pairs%20across%20the%20UK. |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=BTO}}</ref>]]

The fauna of England is similar to that of other areas in the [[British Isles]] with a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate life in a diverse range of habitats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Natural History Museum |url=https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/british-wildlife.html |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref> [[National nature reserves in England]] are designated by [[Natural England]] as key places for [[wildlife]] and natural features in England. They were established to protect the most significant areas of habitat and of geological formations. NNRs are managed on behalf of the nation, many by Natural England themselves, but also by non-governmental organisations, including the members of [[The Wildlife Trusts]] partnership, the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]], and the [[Royal Society for the Protection of Birds]]. There are 229 NNRs in England covering {{Convert|939|km2|abbr=off}}. Often they contain rare species or nationally important populations of plants and animals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Natural England: Designated sites |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/ReportConditionSummary.aspx?SiteType=NNR |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825034122/https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/ReportConditionSummary.aspx?SiteType=NNR |archive-date=25 August 2021 |access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref>
.
The [[Environment Agency]] is a non-departmental public body, established in 1995 and sponsored by the [[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]] with responsibilities relating to the protection and enhancement of the environment in England.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Environment Agency |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency |access-date=3 April 2021 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> The [[Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]] is the minister responsible for environmental protection, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities in England.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – GOV.UK |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/secretary-of-state-for-environment-food-and-rural-affairs#:~:text=Current%20role%20holder-,The%20Rt%20Hon%20George%20Eustice%20MP,Affairs%20on%2013%20February%202020. |access-date=3 April 2021 |website=www.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref>[[File:Richmond Park - London - England - 02102005.jpg|thumb|[[Red deer]] in [[Richmond Park]]. The park was created by [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] in the 17th century as a [[Deer park (England)|deer park]].<ref name="Pastscape">{{PastScape|mnumber=397979|mname=Richmond Park|date=2015|access-date=3 May 2015}}</ref>]]England has a [[Oceanic climate|temperate oceanic climate]] in most areas, lacking extremes of cold or heat, but does have a few small areas of [[Subarctic climate|subarctic]] and warmer areas in [[South West England|the South West]]. Towards the [[Northern England|North of England]] the climate becomes colder and most of England's mountains and high hills are located here and have a major impact on the climate and thus the local fauna of the areas. [[Deciduous]] woodlands are common across all of England and provide a great habitat for much of England's wildlife, but these give way in northern and upland areas of England to [[coniferous]] forests (mainly plantations) which also benefit certain forms of wildlife. Some species have adapted to the expanded urban environment, particularly the [[red fox]], which is the most successful [[Urban wildlife|urban mammal]] after the [[brown rat]], and other animals such as [[common wood pigeon]], both of which thrive in urban and suburban areas.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 May 2012 |title=Mammals in Britain's cities: A spotter's guide – in pictures {{pipe}} Urban wildlife |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2012/may/17/mammals-britains-cities-spotters-guide}}</ref>

===Major conurbations===
{{See also|List of places in England}}

The [[Greater London Built-up Area]] is by far the largest urban area in England<ref name="BUA">{{Cite web |title=2011 Census – Built-up areas |url=http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/articles/747.aspx |access-date=5 February 2014 |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics|ONS]]}}</ref> and one of the busiest cities in the world. It is considered a [[global city]] and has a population larger than any other country in the United Kingdom besides England itself.<ref name="BUA" /> Other urban areas of considerable size and influence tend to be in [[northern England]] or the [[English Midlands]].<ref name="BUA" /> There are [[List of cities in the United Kingdom|50 settlements]] which have designated [[City status in the United Kingdom|city status in England]], while the wider United Kingdom has 66.

While many cities in England are quite large, such as [[Birmingham]], [[Sheffield]], [[Manchester]], [[Liverpool]], [[City of Leeds|Leeds]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]], [[City of Bradford|Bradford]], [[Nottingham]], population size is not a prerequisite for city status.<ref name="cathcities">{{Cite news |last=O'Brian |first=Harriet |date=24 November 2007 |title=The Complete Guide To: Cathedral cities in the UK |work=The Independent |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/the-complete-guide-to-cathedral-cities-in-the-uk-760201.html |url-status=dead |access-date=8 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812091322/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/the-complete-guide-to-cathedral-cities-in-the-uk-760201.html |archive-date=12 August 2009}}</ref> Traditionally the status was given to towns with [[List of cathedrals in England|diocesan cathedrals]], so there are smaller cities like [[Wells, Somerset|Wells]], [[Ely, Cambridgeshire|Ely]], [[Ripon]], [[Truro]] and [[Chichester]].
{{Largest Urban areas
| name         = Largest Urban areas
| kind         = conurbations
| country      = England
| stat_ref     = 2011 census<ref name="BUA" />
| list_by_pop  = List of urban areas in the United Kingdom
| class        = nav
| div_name     =
| div_link     = List of urban areas in the United Kingdom{{!}}Conurbation
| div_1 = Greater London Built-up Area{{!}}Greater London
| city_1 = London
| pop_1 = 9,787,426
| div_2 = Greater Manchester Built-up Area{{!}}Greater Manchester
| city_2 = Manchester
| pop_2 = 2,553,379
| div_3 = West Midlands Conurbation{{!}}West Midlands
| city_3 = Birmingham
| pop_3 = 2,440,986
| div_4 = West Yorkshire Urban Area{{!}}West Yorkshire
| city_4 = Leeds
| pop_4 = 1,777,934
| div_5 = Liverpool Urban Area{{!}}Liverpool
| city_5 = Liverpool
| pop_5 = 864,122
| img_5 =
| div_6 = South Hampshire
| city_6 = Southampton
| pop_6 = 855,569
| img_6 =
| div_7 = Tyneside
| city_7 = Newcastle upon Tyne
| pop_7 = 774,891
| img_7 =
| div_8 = Nottingham Urban Area{{!}}Nottingham
| city_8 = Nottingham
| pop_8 = 729,977
| img_8 =
| div_9 = Sheffield Urban Area{{!}}Sheffield
| city_9 = Sheffield
| pop_9 = 685,368
| img_9 =
| div_10 = Bristol Built-up Area{{!}}Bristol
| city_10 = Bristol
| pop_10 = 617,280
| img_10 =
}}