How Much Do You Really Know About England?

The Arsenal Football Club is one of the country's professional football teams. Of course, if you're an England fanatic, you'll know that football in the United Kingdom is soccer for those of us in the United States.

Egbert was a man who came from a higher status, with his father being the king of Kent. Egbert himself grew up to conquer areas and assert his dominance as king. His reign lasted about 37 years.

Within England alone, there are nine regions. In the United Kingdom as a whole, however, there are 12 regions. One reason for these distinct areas is that they're divided for administration.

Stonehenge is one incredible mystery still puzzling archaeologists today. From what the structure was used for to how and why the stones were placed where they are, there are so many questions to be answered. Maybe one day, all of these mysteries will finally be uncovered.

This is false. At one time, the country did have a government of its own, but that changed in 1707. At this time, England and Scotland joined under the Acts of Union 1707, which also lead to the union of the government.

The Thames River is the longest in England at 346 kilometers long. The only river that trumps it is the Severn River, which is the longest in the United Kingdom. It's quite easy to get the two confused!

If you're in England and hear the word "dodgy," you'll know it's slang for something or someone suspicious. Someone might say, "The seller I met with was a little dodgy; I'm not sure I'm going to buy from them."

If you live in England, or have ever taken a trip there, you know to expect that it will rain at one point in your trip. Typically, the city of London receives rainfall over 100 days each year.

London is home to 33 boroughs that divide the city into smaller sections. Each borough is known for different things. For example, if you go to Westminster, you're in the heart of the government. But if you travel to Kensington, then you're in for some great shopping.

Sir Isaac Newton bears the title of "Sir" before his name for a reason: He was knighted by Queen Anne. Aside from his scientific endeavors, Newton was also involved in the world of politics.

England is known for being a nation that speaks English. However, it was not always this way: In the early 1000s, French was the main spoken language in the country. This changed many years later, but French has continued to be a a lot of people's second language.

A congestion charge is used in England in certain areas which are known as "Ultra Low Emission Zones." The charge? About 12 pounds for just one day, but other payment options are also available.

The queen is the proud owner of any swan on open waters in England. Did you know that the queen also has designated conservationists who do a count of the swans she owns every year?

The London Underground was the first underground railroad system. It served as the inspiration for the underground railroads all around the world today. It's also still in operation, but connected to another system as well.

The Royal Arms of England is an emblem still used today, after being adopted in the 1200s. The Arms represent the English monarchs, who have all sported different designs throughout the years. The one thing that has remained constant is the lions that adorn the Arms.

You may be wondering why they would play to win an urn, and it's quite the story. In the 1800s, there was an urn presented to the English cricket team after their loss against Australia. Ever since, the two have been playing in the Ashes series to win it back.

One iconic piece of British culture is the intriguing red telephone booths that you see in photographs and movies. Though they're rarely used anymore, many people have adopted them and turned them into other things, like tiny libraries.

There are many ways that you can get to France, but if you live in England and own a car, the underwater tunnel is the way to go. It's called the Channel Tunnel, and it's over 23 miles long.

When you think of England, you often picture citizens drinking tea. This isn't far off from the truth, as it is definitely a big part of many people's lives. However, sales say that in recent years, it hasn't been as popular as it once was.

Everyone knows that the Beatles come from England, but Led Zeppelin is also another great band that came from the country. England has a knack for creating incredible musical acts. Why else would they call it the "British Invasion?"

While it may seem like a weird concept to those of us who live in North America, the reason that England drives on the left comes from hundreds of years ago. It was their system of defense while traveling on horseback, as their sword hand was on the right.

It's a sport that you've probably never heard of! The Annual Cheese Rolling event is an important one for many residents and has been taking place since the 1400s. It's known for being the cause of many injuries.

The Romans once occupied much of Britain, where they stayed for many years. Eventually, as others started to move in, the Romans started to move out. However, we have them to thank for much of the architecture and road systems that are in place today.

The internet was invented by a Brit. He didn't just stop there: Berners-Lee is still part of an organization that holds the internet to a certain standard, as well as other web-oriented organizations that he is passionate about.

If you're the queen, you don't need to worry about bringing a passport. It's likely everyone will know you wherever you're traveling anyway! You'd likely be traveling with your large team and luggage as well.

The Lincoln Cathedral is a beautiful landmark and piece of history in England. You might never believe it, but the building began construction in the late 1000s. It has been dethroned of its status as the tallest building in the world for quite some time now.

Lake Windermere is the largest lake in England, but did you know that there is also a lake of the same name in British Columbia? If you're ever visiting England, this is the best place to check out during the summer months.

If you've ever been to York, you might have noticed the cat statues around the city. It's no coincidence: They were all intentionally placed there over 200 years ago. Although it's not completely known why, generally the cats are thought to be there to scare rats away.

Fordwich is a town you might not have heard of. It's only got a population of around a few hundred people, and there's not too much there. It was, however, a city of great importance to the country at one time, because it was a port during the Middle Ages.

Queen Elizabeth II not only lives at Buckingham Palace, but she also works there. In addition to this home, she has other homes around the country where she stays during different times of the year.

In the United States, outlets are usually comprised of two slots and a hole that resemble a face. In England, this is much different; the outlets resemble more of an upside-down face with the hole on top. When traveling there, you'll want to remember this change in outlets and buy adapters.

Scafell Pike is 978 meters tall, and you can visit it in Lake District National Park. The name also has a lot to do with the water in the area: If you threw a rock off the edge of the mountain far enough, it would land in the lake called Wastwater at the bottom.

When someone says "Big Ben," many people think of the large tower in London. But what most people don't know is that the tower itself is not called "Big Ben"—the bell inside takes the name.

In England, if you're "knackered," you're pretty tired. Maybe you just worked a long shift at work or had a fun day filled with many activities. Either way, you're probably exhausted!

Postage stamps can be a matter of freedom in England. Although it might not seem like a big deal, it's important to respect the queen by ensuring her portrait is situated the correct way on the envelope. It's no longer a law that is really enforced.