Britain reached the zenith of its economic and political power at the end of the 19th century. Since World War II the United Kingdom's greatest export has been the English language now spoken in every corner of the world.

I A few historical landmarks

1 From the origins to the Battle of Hastings (1066)

Continuous human habitation in Britain dates to around 12,000 years ago, at the end of the last glacial period.

The Roman invasions of the 1st ­century BC (Before Christ) brought ­Britain into contact with the continent.

The end of Roman rule in Britain enabled the Anglo-Saxons (peoples of Germanic origins) to settle in Britain. Raids by the Vikings were frequent (about 800 AD) and the Norsemen took control of large parts of what is now England.

2 Anglo-Norman / Tudor / Stuart Britain

In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, invaded England, defeating the Saxon King, Harold II, at the Battle of Hastings.

During the reign of Henry VIII (1509-1547) the Church of England became independent from the Roman Catholic Church.

Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) made England into a great maritime power. She had her cousin Mary Stuart executed in 1587.

A Civil War broke out in 1642. The Cavaliers (the King's supporters) were defeated by the Roundheads under the command of Cromwell. King Charles I was executed in 1649. Cromwell's Republic lasted until 1660, when Charles II was restored.

3 Georgian-Victorian Britain

In 1707, England and Scotland were joined by the Act of Union. In the 18th century the British Empire extended all over the world. The Industrial Revolution started in the second part of the 18th century. It made Britain the most powerful industrial country in the world.

Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901) was marked by the prosperity and the expansion of the Empire. It also saw the growth of a democratic system of government.

4 Modern Britain

Britain entered World War I when Germany invaded Belgium in 1914. Thanks to the British fleet (la flotte britannique) the vital communications of the allies were maintained.

Britain entered World War II in 1939. Winston Churchill led Britain through most of the war.

George VI was succeeded by Elizabeth II in 1952.

Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990.

She was a controversial figurehead of conservative ideology during her time in office.

The UK ratified the Maastricht treaty in 1993 but chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union (la zone euro).

Mrs Theresa May, who has been the Leader of the Conservative Party became the Prime Minister on the 13th July 2016 following the resignation of David Cameron.

II Leading figures

Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) : Her reign was long and popular. The defeat of the Spanish armada (1588) brought her much support. She re-established the Protestant church in England. During her reign, England became the most powerful country in the world.

Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) : A physicist and mathematician, he is most famous for his law of gravitation. His book on physics, Principia, contains information on nearly all of the essential concepts of physics.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) : He was a prolific and highly influential 19th century author. His literary success began with the 1836 serial publication of The Pickwick Papers. He also wrote such acclaimed works as Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Hard Times and Great Expectations. He lectured and performed extensively, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.

Winston Churchill (1874-1965) : He is best known for standing up to the Germans in World War II. His speeches proved an important rallying cry for a country which stood alone through the difficult years of 1940 and 1941. He served as Conservative Prime Minister twice. Churchill was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953.