The United Kingdom Fast Facts
The British Isles consist of the two main islands of Great Britain and Ireland, and a number of much smaller islands. The United Kingdom is the name given to the Union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. England is part of Great Britain, which also includes Scotland and Wales. The UK lies between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea and is separated from continental Europe by the English Channel. The longest river is the Severn ( Wales). The highest mountain is Ben Nevis (Scotland). Geography
The UK Flag (the Union Jack) Coat of Arms National Anthem: "God Save the Queen” Scotland Flag Coat of Arms Patron Saint: St. Andrew Floral Emblem: thistle Animal: Unicorn Cloth: Tartans (unofficial) National Hero: William Wallace Wales Flag Coat of Arms Patron Saint: St. David Flower: daffodil/ leek Animal: Red Dragon Northern Ireland Flag (unofficial) Coat of Arms: none Patron Saint: St. Patrick Flower: shamrock England Flag Coat of Arms Patron Saint: St. George Flower: Red rose Animal: Lion Symbols
Politics Britain has the oldest parliamentary democracy in the world. The Queen is the Head of State. The leader of the Government is the Prime Minister. The Government is made up from the party that has the largest number of seats in the House of Commons. There are elections every five years. The Commonwealth is the name given to the countries that were in the British Empire. It includes Australia, New Zealand, Canada and some third world countries. Queen Elizabeth II is the 62 nd Monarch. Every year she officially opens Parliament. The British Parliament consists of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Lords is not elected.
London is the capital of England and the UK. It is the biggest city in Europe. London is located on the river Thames. Its population is about 7,870,000. More than 300 languages are spoken in London. There are more than 240 museums and over 100 theatres there. London was the first city in the world to build an underground. It is called the Tube. London's double-decker red buses are world famous. London was founded about 50 AD by the Romans. It became a true capital of England only in the 14 th century. The Great Fire of London destroyed two thirds of the capital in 1666. London
Cities Belfast The capital of Northern Ireland. It is a well-known cultural and industrial centre and a big port with two universities and two airports. Edinburgh The capital of Scotland. It is famous for its Old Town and New Town districts, for its University, Edinburgh С astle and popular annual festivals. Glasgow The largest city of Scotland, located on the river Clyde. Its ship building and tobacco industry are known all over the world. Cardiff The capital of Wales and the newest capital city in Europe. Tourists come here to see the medieval castle. Birmingham The second largest city after London where more than one million people live. It is a big industrial and commercial centre.
Education Primary schools: 5 to 11 years olds Secondary Schools: 12-18 years olds At the age of 16 students take the GCSE examination(General Certificate of Secondary Education). At 16 students can leave school, go onto technical college or continue studying at high school for two more years (if they want to enter university). Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest English universities recognised all over the world. All state schools are free. Comprehensive schools take pupils of all abilities (93% of all children). Grammar schools use an entrance exam. Independent schools (private or public) are fee-paying (7%). Eton and Harrow are the most famous public schools.
The Media There are two types of newspapers in Britain: broadsheets(or the quality press) and tabloids. The Times, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent and The Observer are broadsheets. The Sun, The Daily Mirror and The Daily Star are tabloids. The tabloids are less serious and include a lot of pictures and gossip. The 4 main television channels are BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4. There are also a lot of satellite and cable channels. Since October 2012 all television in the UK broadcasts in a digital format. The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) has several national radio stations plus local stations. The BBC World Service broadcast all over the world. Independent Radio is a term that covers all stations not broadcast by the BBC.
Famous people Princess Diana Worked a lot for charity. People loved her for kindness and humanity. King Alfred the Great The greatest monarch in British history famous for his social and educational reforms. Charles Darwin A world-famous naturalist, the author of the theory of evolution. The Beatles an English rock band that in the 60 th changed the face of all music forever. Florence Nightingale The founder of modern nursing who saved many lives during the Crimean War. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) a great poet and playwright. He wrote 38 plays and 154 sonnets. Admiral Horatio Nelson A national hero famous for his navel victories during the Napoleonic wars. Winston Churchill An outstanding Prime Minister and a one of the World War II leaders.
Holidays The UK has no national day holiday, but there are some public or bank holidays celebrated every year: New Year’s Day (the 1 st of January) Easter May Day ( the 1 st Monday of May) Spring Bank Holiday Summer Bank Holiday Christmas (the 25 th of December) Boxing Day (the 26 th of December) Christmas is the most popular holiday in the UK. You can see the biggest Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square in London. St.Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Guy Fawkes Day, Mothering Sunday, Father’s Day and some other holidays are also observed, but they are just popular holidays.
Tourist attractions Houses of Parliament ( Westminster Palace) It is a place where the British Parliament meet. Big Ben is the great bell in the clock tower. Stonehenge This stone prehistoric monument is the greatest Britain’s icon and the World Heritage. The Tower of London This ancient fortress was founded by William the Conqueror. It has been a palace, a prison, a zoo. Now it is a museum. The London Eye You can see this tallest Ferris Wheel in Europe on the bank of the river Thames. It was erected as a landmark for the new Millennium. Westminster Abbey It is a large Gothic church where English monarchs have been coroneted since 1066. Changing the Guard This colourful ceremony at Buckingham Palace takes place daily at 11am.
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