UK physical landscapes

• The UK's main upland and lowland areas tend to be in the North and West of the country. These areas (e.g. the Scottish Highlands and Northern Wales) are formed of hard, igneous (e.g. granite) and metamorphic (e.g. slate and schist) rocks that are resistant to erosion.
• The UK's main lowland areas to the South and East are formed of softer, sedimentary rocks (e.g. chalk and clays) that erode more easily.
• Most cities are in lowland areas and often on the UK's main rivers - such as London on the Thames, Liverpool on the Mersey and Cardiff on the Severn Estuary.