UK in the 21st century

• UK Physical Characteristics


  • Most mountains are located in the north and west, such as Wales and Scotland
  • These areas have few roads and settlements but beautiful scenery
  • South and east of the UK is flat with a few hilly areas
  • These areas are suited for settlements, roads and railways
• Sparsely populated


  Few settlements
• Densely populated


  Many settlements
• Rivers flow from mountainous areas down to the sea
• UK Rainfall Patterns


  • Highest rainfall is in the north and west where average rainfall is 2500mm
  • Lowest rainfall is in the south and east with average rainfall of 500 - 625mm
• UK Relief Rainfall


  1. Prevailing wind blowing from the southwest

  2. Air carrying moisture reaches upland areas and is forced up to produce relief rainfall

  3. The other side of the upland area has little moisture, this is called the rain shadow
• Problems of water stress in the UK


  • Most rainfall occurs in North & West but least rainfall in South & East
  • South & East UK have High demands
  • Demands involve domestic, industrial & agricultural uses
• Solutions to water stress in the UK


  • Water can be transferred from the wetter west to drier east by pipelines or rivers
  • Construct new reservoirs in the east to capture/store more water
  • Greater water conservation
• UK Population Distribution


  • Much of Northern Scotland is sparse due to a mountainous landscape and difficult climate
  • Rest of the UK has high population because of the gentle hills, moderate climate and good transport routes
  • Population is concentrated around the South East of England, in cities such as London, due to attractions of employment, shops and entertainment
• Land use in the UK


  • Arable farmland dominates because of the warm, sunny and dry climate
  • UK mountain areas (Scotland) have rough pastures and moorlands
  • Coniferous woodland are found in northern England, Wales and Scotland
  • Grasslands are found in the west, ideal for cattle and sheep
• Land use percentages in the UK


  • Grasses 52%
  • Arable 20%
  • Urban 14%
  • Forest 12%
  • Water 1%
  • Other 1%
• Urban areas are growing due to population growth
• UK Population


  • The UK population is 65 million and still rising, predicted to reach 70 million by 2030
  • Natural increase - the difference between deaths and births
  • Net migration - the difference between immigration to the UK and emigration from the UK
  • Life expectancy - the average age someone will live up to
• Population pyramid


  Useful to help plan for the future
• Factors affecting population density


  • Moderate climate
  • Remote and poor communications
  • Opportunities for work
  • A presence of raw materials
  • Steep and mountainous
  • Fertile and suitable for farming
  • Poor quality of soil
  • Plentiful supplies of water
  • Flat land for farming
• Problems and Reasons for UK Housing Shortage


  • The UK population is rising and therefore more houses are needed
  • UK needs to build 240,000 homes a year, but only half that are built
  • House prices are rising and becoming too expensive
  • Planning permission for new houses leads to local opposition
  • Green belt areas prevents urban areas becoming bigger
  • The price of lands keeps rising due to demand
• Demographic Transition Model (DTM)


  • Stage 1: Birth rates high and death rates fluctuates
  • Stage 2: Birth rate high but death rate is falling rapidly. Natural change increases
  • Stage 3: Birth rate and death rate falling rapidly. Natural change is rapid
  • Stage 4: Birth rate and death rate is low and fluctuating. Little Natural changes
  • Stage 5: Birth rate is falling and death rate is rising slightly. Natural change falls
• Ethnic Diversity in the UK


  • 13% of the population in the UK where born in another country
  • In London, this value is about 37%
  • The change was driven by an increase in white non-British, Black African and Asian people
• UK Ageing Population


  • Around 18% of the population are over 65
  • The distribution of older people is high in coastal areas, especially in east and south-west England
  • Large number of people were born after the WW2 and are now moving into old age - Baby boomers
  • Improved healthcare and new treatments to prolong life
  • Greater awareness of the benefits of a good diet and exercise
• Effects of UK Ageing Population


  • Healthcare cost are very high and will increase with an increasing ageing population
  • Shortage of places in care homes, many of which are becoming increasingly expensive
  • Many older people join clubs and spend on travel therefore helping to boast the economy - the grey pound
• Responses to UK Ageing Population


  • Government pension bonds to encourage older people to save money for the future
  • Pensioners receive support in care, transport and heating allowance to make life more comfortable
  • Allowing more immigration will provide the demand needed of a younger workforce needed for the economy
• UK's Changing Economy


  • The last few decades, heavy manufacturing industries have declined due to competition from aboard
  • Now the UK is moving into the service industry such as finances, technology and media
• Political Changes in the UK Economy


  1. Between 1997-2007, the UK economy grew strongly & unemployment decreased. This was due to increase investment in education & technology

  2. In 2008 the UK entered a recession and unemployment increased. Recession ended in 2009, creating a strong focus for decreasing the national debt occurred in 2010 elections
• UK Employment Sector


  • The quaternary industry has increased, whilst secondary has decreased
  • Number of people employed in primary and tertiary industry has stayed the steady
  • Big increase in professional and technical jobs
  • Employment in manufacturing has decreased the most due to cheap labour abroad
• UK Working Hours


  • In 2011 the average number of hours worked in the UK was 42.7, the 3rd highest figure within the EU
  • Fathers now work fewer hours to look after children
  • Number of mothers in fulltime work has increased
• UK's Core Economic Hubs


  • Belfast Titanic Quarter - Film studio, offices and education based on the old shipyard
  • Aberdeen - Centre for the North Sea oil and gas industry, now developing as a research and development hub
  • Salford - Media industry including BBC and ITV. Manufacturing of chemicals
  • Silicon Glen - High-tech industries based in key Scottish cities. They focus on electronics and software
  • Bristol - Creative and digital industries. Key services such as law and finance
  • Silicon Fen - High tech research hubs associated with Cambridge University
• Harwell Campus, Oxford


  • Centred on Oxford University, the Harwell Campus is 20 mins from Oxford, Heathrow 30 mins and 1 hour from London
  • One of the UK's most important locations for scientific research and technological industries
  • 1500 high technology companies from small start ups to Unilever
  • 43,000 tech jobs
  • New road networks
  • New space telescope developed at the Rutherford Appleton laboratory
  • Oxford Instruments specialises in the production of high-tech tools. It has brought considerable wealth to the region and to the UK
  • Immunocore is the world's leading T cell receptor (TCR) company developing biological drugs to treat cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases, brings prestige
• The UK's Role in the World


  • NATO - A group of 28 countries who work militarily and politically to resolve conflict as a last resort
  • UN - Made up of 193 member states with the aim of maintaining peace and resolving issues. UK is part of the Security Council
  • G7 - Involves seven of the wealthiest western countries to discuss relevant issues and come to economic agreements
• The UK in Resolving Conflict in Ukraine


  • Ukraine is in Eastern Europe, bordering Russia
  • In 2013, many Ukrainians were displeased with their government becoming closer to Russia
  • In 2014, the Russian president took control of Crimea and supported Russian separatists
  • The UK, as part of NATO, sent troops and the RAF to neighbouring countries
  • In 2015, the UK gave £15 million in aid to Ukraine as well as military support
  • The UK, as part of the G7, imposed sanctions on Russian banks and trade
• Multicultural UK


  • Many ethic minorities moving here from India, Pakistan, Caribbean and parts of Africa
  • These groups have shared there culture and have influenced the UK in many ways
• Ways Multicultural UK has been influenced


  • Fashion - Many shops sell traditional clothing, and other cultures have started to wear them too
  • Media - Ethnic minorities have influenced music (i.e. dubstep) and television (i.e. Bollywood)
  • Food - Food that has originated from other countries have become very established (i.e. Balti Triangle curry)
• UK Media Exports


  • The UK exports many different types of media products such as films, TV and music and books
  • Exporting media is key to the UK economy as it employs 1.7 million people and generates £17 billion
  • Example: Harry Potter sold 400 million copies to 200 territories
• UK's Media's influences


  • Most exports are in English, meaning it develops other's understanding of our language
  • Many people around the world copy fashion & styles seen in UK media
  • Can attract people to visit the UK
• UK Migration , Case study Boston, Lincolnshire