The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The UK is an extremely diverse and progressive nation with a strong culture of social integration and tolerance. This is nowhere as prominent as in London, where the cultural events, museums, parks, galleries, pubs and restaurants are difficult to match in any other capital. Liverpool is the European capital of culture for the year 2008, whilst neighbouring Manchester has continues to innovate and modernise its industrial past to turn itself into an ideal convention destination. Glasgow has recently won the bid to host 2014 Commonwealth Games, having resulted in heavy investment in the infrastructure and facilities. Other major cities such as Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Cardiff easily compete in terms of offering modern venues and services upon which a successful event or congress is dependent. From country houses to castles, villages and countryside, thatched cottages and traditional pubs, whisky and haggis in the highlands, the diversity of Britain, along with its facilities and accessibility, help guarantee that your events are a success.