The United Kingdom Britain lies off the north-

west coast of Europe across the English

Channel. It consists of two large

islands (Great Britain and Ireland) and about 5,000

smaller ones. Its neighbours are Ireland

to west and France to south-east.

FLAGO British national flag is

sometimes called Union Jack. O It symbolizes the Union of

England, Scotland and Ireland. O It dates back from 1801.O Each country has its cross in

the flag:O England has St. George´s

Cross / white oblong and red cross /,

O Scotland has St. Andrew´s Cross / blue with white diagonal /

O Ireland has St. Patrick´s Cross / white with red diagonal /.

The System of Government

O Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy with the Queen as the head of state.

O The supreme law-making body in the country is Parliament.

O It consists of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Geography O England is mostly rolling land, rising to the Uplands of southern Scotland.

O The Highlands of Scotland are the highest mountains in Britain with the highest mountain Ben Nevis( 1,342m ).

O The longest rivers are the Severn and the Thames.

Climate

O British Isles have milder climate due to the Gulf Stream which comes from the Gulf of Mexico to Western Europe.

PopulationO British society is of

mixed multiracial and multicultural nature.

O In Britain we can find the following ethnic groups – English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Ulster and others.

O The majority of people speak English.

National EconomyO The main industries are

steel, metals, vehicles, shipbuilding, shipping, banking, textiles, electronics, aircraft, machinery and distilling.

O The main agricultural products are grains, sugar, beet, fruit and vegetables.

O Britain´s natural riches are mainly coal, tin, oil, gas.