Once a year, on the second half of April, London entertains runners from all over the world. In addition to the sportive challenges, the yearly race is designated to collect donations of millions of sterling pounds for charity.
The race starts in Greenish Park, through London’s main streets and ends near Buckingham Palace. The festive atmosphere surrounds the runners as well as the spectators who encourage the runners along the course of 42 km.
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United Kingdom background and overview
Great Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface.
The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe.
A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999, but the latter is suspended due to wrangling over the peace process.
[Courtesy of The World Factbook]
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