Unit 4. The United Kingdom (the UK)

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

 

The official name of the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It was formed by the union of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801, but Southern Ireland broke away in 1921. The official name of the country is often abbreviated to the United Kingdom, Great Britain, Britain, England or the UK.

Its area is 244,046 square kilometers (94,201 square miles). The capital of the UK is London. The country is located in the north west of Europe. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel and the North Sea. The main rivers of the UK are the Thames, the Tees, the Tweed, the Trent. The geographical position has made the United Kingdom a commercial and maritime power,

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and it is made up of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Wales became an English principality in 1284, Scotland and England were officially joined as Great Britain in 1707. Each of the four parts of the UK consists of counties.

 

1. Answer the following question.

1. What is the official name of the country?

2. What other names are used for the name of the country?

3. How large is the UK?

4. What is the capital of the UK? What can you say about this city?

5. What are the main rivers in the country?

6. What can you say about its administrative and political system?

 

LONDON

London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. Modern London is not one city that has steadily become larger through the centuries; it is a number of cities, towns, and villages that have, during the past centuries, grown together to make one vast urban area.

London is situated upon both banks of the River Thames. It is the largest city in Britain and one of the largest in the world. Its population is about 7 million people and one more million travel in each day to work. People who work in London and live in Suburbs are called commuters. They commute by train or bus from the suburbs because it is very expensive to buy a house or a flat near the centre. In fact more and more people and firms move away from the capital.

London is a cosmopolitan, multicultural city. Every seventh londoner was born outside Britain. London dominates the life of Britain. It is a big port and most important commercial, manufacturing and cultural centre. There is little heavy industry in London, but there is a wide range of light industry in Greater London.

The City extends over an area of about 2.6 square kilometers in the heart of London. About half a million people work in the City but only less than 6,000 live here. It is the financial centre of the UK with many banks, offices and the Stock Exchange. But the City is also a market for goods of almost every kind, from all parts of the world.

The West End can be called the centre of London. Here are the historical places as well as the famous parks; Hyde Park with its Speaker’s Corner is also here. Among other parks are Kensington Gardens, St Jame’s Park. In the West End is the Buckingham Palace which is the Queen’s residence, and the Palace of Westminster which is the seat of Parliament. The best-known streets here are Whitehall, Downing Street, Fleet Street, Harley Street. The name “West End” came to be associated with wealth, luxury, and goods of high quality. It is the area of the largest department stores, cinemas and hotels. There are over 40 theatres, several concert halls, many museums including the British Museum, and the best art galleries.

It is in the West End that the University of London is centered with Bloomsbury as London’s student quarter.

 

References:

1) the City – 1) Сити (исторический центр Лондона; один из крупнейших финансовых и коммерческих центров мира) 2) перен. Английский финансовый капитал, финансовая олигархия;

2) Greater London – Большой Лондон (административно-территориальная единица, включает сам город и пригороды);

3) Stock Exchange – Лондонская фондовая биржа;

4) Speaker’s Corner – «Уголок оратора» (место в Гайд-Парке, где по воскресеньям и по субботам с импровизированной трибуны выступают ораторы на различные темы; в настоящее время превратился в одну из туристических достопримечательностей Лондона);

5) Kensington Gardens –Кенсингтон-Гарденз (большой парк в Лондоне, примыкает к Гайд Парку);

6) St. James Park – Сейн-Джеймс-Парк (расположен в центральной части Лондона);

7) Buckingham Palace – Букингемский дворец (главная королевская резиденция в Лондоне с 1837г.);

8) Whitehall – 1) Уайтхолл (улица в центральной части Лондона, на которой находятся важнейшие министерства и др. правительственные учреждения);

9) Downing Street – Даунинг-Стрит (небольшая улица в центральной части Лондона, на которой в доме № 10 находится лондонская резиденция премьер-министра);

10) Fleet Street – 1) Флит-Стрит (улица в Лондоне, на которой до 1980 г. находились редакции большинства крупнейших газет. В настоящее время большинство из них переехало в другие районы города) 2) перен. пресса и мир журналистики;

11) Harley Street – 1) Харли-Стрит (улица в Лондоне, находятся приемные ведущих частных врачей-консультантов); 2) перен. Медики, медицинский мир;

12) the British Museum – Британский музей (один из крупнейших музеев мира);

13) Bloomsbery – Блумзбери (район в центральной части Лондона, где находится Британский музей и Лондонской университет).

 

Exercises

1. Say if these statements true or false.

1. London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom.

2. London’s population is about 10 million people.

3. People who work in London and live in London are called commuters.

4. The City is situated in the heart of London.

5. The West End is the poorest part of London.

6. In the West End is the Buckingham Palace which is the Queen’s residence.

 

2. Find in the text the English equivalents to the Russian words and word combinations.

1. London is расположен upon both banks of the River Thames.

2. Its население is about 7 million people and one more million travel in each day to work.

3. They commute by train or bus from the suburbs because it is very дорого to buy a house or a квартиру neat the centre.

4. It is a big port and most important коммерческий, промышленный and культурный centre.

5. The City extends over an территорию of about 2.6 square kilometers in the heart of London.

6. Самые известные улицы here are Whitehall, Downing Street, Fleet Street, Harley Street.

 

ENGLAND

Of the four parts which make up Great Britain England is the largest, the industrial and most densely populated part of the United Kingdom. Over 48,8 million people of the population of the UK live in England.

The greatest concentrations of population are in London, Birmingham and northwest industrial cities. The coasts of England are washed by the North Sea, the Irish Sea, the English Channel and the Strait of Dover. No part of England is more than 120 kilometers from the sea. The opening of the Channel Tunnel means Britain’s railway network is now linked directly to Europe. Eurostar trains run several times a day from the centre of London to Paris and Brussels.

It is interesting to note that the sea has been important in the history of England. It was a good protection against the attacks of outside peoples. Fishing has always been an important industry, especially in the east. The sea also has a great effect on England’s climate.

There are many rivers in England. The longest and the most important is the Thames. The rivers are of great importance for communication and especially for carrying goods.

England is mostly a lowland country. There are upland regions in the north and the southwest, but the rest of England is almost flat.

Northern England, Midlands and Southern England – each part of England is different. The Lake District in Northern England with its lakes, mountains and valleys is a favourite holiday area. On either side of the Pennines the plains of Yorkshire and Lancashire stretch to the sea. In Yorkshire swift rivers flow down from the hills into valleys called “dales”.

The wool industry is centered in Leeds and Bradford, the cotton industry in Manchester, iron ore goes to the steel, heavy machinery and shipbuilding industries of Newcastle and other cities. The industries of the Midlands, with Birmingham as its chief city, produce metal goods, from motor cars and railway engines to pins and buttons. The Midland plain makes good farm land.

In Southern England are found some of the oldest British settlements and traces of ancient monuments such as Stonehenge.

 

References:

1) Yorkshire –Йоркшир (графство в Англии);

2) Lancashire –Ланкашир (графство в Англии);

3) Bradford –г. Брадфорд (крупный промышленный город);

4) Stonehenge –Стоунхендж (один из самых больших и известных в мире кромлехов; сооружен в 1900 – 1600 гг. до н.э.; состоит из огромных отдельно стоящих каменных глыб в виде круглых или квадратных оград; использовался для астрономических наблюдений и определений времен года);

5) dale – горная речка.

 

Exercises

 

1. Say if these statements true or false.

1. Of the four parts which make up Great Britain England is the smallest, the industrial and less densely populated part of the United Kingdom.

2. Fishing has always been an important industry.

3. There are no rivers in England.

4. The wool industry is centered in Leeds and Bradford.

5. The cotton industry is centered in Bradford.

6. Stonehenge is the oldest British settlement.

 

2. Find in the text the English equivalents to the Russian words and word combinations.

1. The coasts of England are омываются by the North Sea, the Irish Sea, the English Channel and the Strait of Dover.

2. Открытие of the Channel Tunnel means Britain’s railway network is now linked directly to Europe.

3. It was a good защита against the attacks of outside peoples.

4. Рыболовство has always been an important industry, especially in the востоке.

5. The rivers are of great importance for communication and especially for carrying товаров.

6. The Midland plain makes good фермерскую land.

 

SCOTLAND

Although Scotland takes up one third of the territory of the British Isles, its population is not very big. It is the most northern part of the island of Great Britain and it is not far away from the Arctic Circle.

That’s why it is not densely populated: its population is a little over 5 million people.

Scotland is divided into three regions: the Highlands, which is the most northern and the most underpopulated area with a harsh climate, the Lowlands, which is the most industrial region, with about three quarters of the population, and the Southern Uplands, with hills, which border on England.

The Highlands of Scotland are among the oldest mountains in the world. They reach their highest point in Ben Nevis.

Many valleys between the hills are filled with lakes, called lochs. The best known is Loch Ness where some people think a large monster lives. The most important city here is Aberdeen which is the oil centre of Scotland.

Most of the population of Scotland is concentrated in the Lowlands. Here, on the Clyde, is Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest city. It is also an important cultural centre.

Shipbuilding is one of its most important industries; other industries are steel, heavy and light engineering and coal-mining.

One of the things that people associate with Scotland is the kilt. The kilt is a relic of the time when the clan system existed in the Highlands. Everybody in the clan had the same family name, like MacDonald or MacGregor (Mac means “son of”). The clan had its own territory and was ruled by a chieftain. Each clan had its own tartan.

The national dress for Scotsmen includes a kilt in the tartan cloth of his clan and the sporran, a pouch worn in front of the kilt.

Edinburgh has been the capital since the 15^th century. It is the cultural centre of Scotland. It is associated with the names of George Gordon Byron and Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Burns and Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes. It is also associated with the world famous Edinburgh Festival of Music and Drama. The festival was first held in 1947 and has been held annually ever since. Its emblem is a thistle.

 

References:

1) Arberdeen –г. Абердин;

2) Edinburgh Festival – Эдинбургский фестиваль (ежегодный международный музыкальный и театральный фестиваль в г. Эдинбурге в августе- сентябре. Проводится с 1947 г.);

3) the Arctic Circle – Северный полярный круг;

4) Loch Ness – озеро Лох-Несс;

5) the Clyde – р. Клайд;

6) kilt – килт, юбка шотландского горца (в складку, из шерстяной шотландки; часть шотландского костюма);

7) clan – клан (родовая община у шотландцев и ирландцев);

8) tartan – тартан (традиционный шотландский рисунок из перекрещивающихся узких и широких разноцветных полос; каждый клан имеет свой тартан);

9) thistle – чертополох (национальная эмблема Шотландии, а также эмблема Эдинбургского фестиваля).

 

Exercises

 

1. Say if these statements true or false.

1. Scotland is the most northern part of the island of Great Britain.

2. Scotland is divided into four regions.

3. There are no mountains in Scotland.

4. Aberdeen is the wool centre of Scotland.

5. Shipbuilding is one of its most important industries.

6. A thistle is the emblem of Edinburgh Festival of Music and Drama.

 

2. Find in the text the English equivalents to the Russian words and word combinations.

1. It is самая северная часть of the island of Great Britain and it is недалеко away from the Arctic Circle.

2. They reach their самой высокой точки in Ben Nevis.

3. Many долин between the hills are filled with lakes, called lochs.

4. One of the things that people associate with Scotland is the юбка шотландского горца.

5. Everybody in the clan had одинаковую family name, like MacDonald or MacGregor (Mac means “son of”).

6. Edinburgh has been the столицей since the 15^th century.

 

WALES

Wales became the part of England in 1536 by the Act of Union. Until then it had been regarded as a separate principality but a dependency of England. The population of Wales is over 3 million people. About 75 per cent of the people of Wales live in towns and urban districts.

Wales is a highland country of old, hard rocks. North Wales is a country of mountains and deep valleys; South Wales is a land of high hills and wide valleys. The pride of Wales in scenery is Snowdonia, a region of high mountains. Snowdon is the highest mountain in England and Wales.

Except for coal, mineral resources are limited, and include gold, silver, lead and copper. South Wales is more developed: coal-mining, steel production, electronics, electrical engineering can be found here.

The capital of Wales is Cardiff, the largest city of Wales. Cardiff is situated near the mouth of the Taff River. It is an important industrial city and a port. It is also an administrative and educational centre.

The second largest city in Wales is Swansea where mainly steel production can be found.

The Welsh people, especially in rural areas, are fond of folk music, singing, poetry and drama. Welsh literature is one of the oldest in Europe. There are many choirs in Wales, the standard of singing is high and the love of good music is widespread. Now there is a growing movement of revival of Welsh culture from which sprang the revival of Eisteddfod. Eisteddfod in the form of a gathering of bards occasionally been held in the 15^th, 16^th and 17^th centuries. Now Eisteddfod is a festival of Welsh culture. It includes competitions in prose, poetry and singing.

 

References:

1) Swansea – Суонси (второй по величине и значению город юго-восточной части Уэльса, порт и промышленный центр);

2) Snowdonia – Сноудония (Национальный парк в живописном горном районе на севере Уэльса);

3) Snowdon – гора Сноудон;

4) the Taff River – р. Тафф;

5) Eisteddfod – айстедодвод, состязание бардов (фестиваль валлийских певцов, музыкантов и поэтов; проводится ежегодно в Уэльсе).

 

Exercises

 

1. Say if these statements true or false.

1. The population of Wales is over 3 million people.

2. There are no mountains in Wales.

3. Wales is rich in mineral resources.

4. The capital of Wales is Swansea.

5. Cardiff is an important industrial city and a port.

6. The Welsh people, especially in rural areas, are fond of folk music, singing, poetry and drama.

 

2. Find in the text the English equivalents to the Russian words and word combinations.

1. Until then it had been рассматривался as a separate principality but a dependency of England.

2. Except for coal, mineral resources are limited, and include золото, серебро, свинец and цинк.

3. Cardiff is расположен near the mouth of the Taff River.

4. The second largest city in Wales is Swansea where mainly производство стали can be found.

5. The Welsh people, especially in rural areas, увлекаются of folk music, пением, poetry and drama.

6. It includes соревнования in prose, poetry and singing.

 

NOTHERN IRELAND

 

Northern Ireland is the smallest component of the United Kingdom. It occupies the northeast of the island of Ireland, only one-sixth of its territory. North Ireland contains six of the nine counties of the historic province of Ulster and that is why the name Ulster is sometimes used as equivalent to Northern Ireland. Its capital city is Belfast.

If one asks the Irishman away from home what he misses most about Ireland, he will probably tell you “the greenness”. Irish poets put it in a different way when they call Ireland “the Emerald Isle”. Is the grass really greener in Ireland? The fact is that the winds usually blow in from the Atlantic Ocean and make the air and soil warm and damp. Grass grows well in such a climate and it makes the island look so beautiful.

There are low hills and peaks of rocks in the northwest, while the northeast sector of island is a plateau. The Mourne Mountains in the southeast slope down to Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the British Isles. The rivers of Ireland are short, but deep. The largest river is the Shannon.

The population of Northern Ireland is over 1.5 million people. 53 per cent of the total population lives in urban areas. The whole economy of Northern Ireland is closely integrated with that of Great Britain. It has its roots in three basic industries – agriculture, textiles and shipbuilding. The largest industry is agriculture conducted for the most part on small family farms. It occupies about 72 per cent of the land area.

Belfast, the capital of Northern Irelands is the leading industrial centre and a large port. Its chief industries are the production of linen and other textiles, clothing, shipbuilding, engineering.

In Ireland the national musical instrument is the harp.

 

References:

1) Ulster – Ольстер (историческая область на севере о-ва Ирландия; большая ее часть после раскола страны в 1921 году была включена в качестве автономной провинции в состав Соединенного Королевства как Северная Ирландия);

2) the Emerald Isle – Изумрудный остров (так называют Ирландию из-за ярко-зеленого цвета растительности, особенно травы);

3) the Mourne Mountains – гора Морн;

4) Lough Neagh – озеро Лох-Ней;

5) the Shannon – р. Шеннон.

 

Exercises

1. Say if these statements true or false.

1. Northern Ireland is the largest component of the United Kingdom.

2. Irish poets call Ireland “the Emerald Isle” because there are a lot of forests.

3. Lough Neagh is the largest lake in the British Isles.

4. The rivers of Ireland are long and deep.

5. Belfast’s industries are the production of linen and other textiles, clothing, shipbuilding, engineering.

 

2. Find in the text the English equivalents to the Russian words and word combinations.

1. Northern Ireland содержит six of the nine counties of the historic province of Ulster and that is why the название Ulster is sometimes used as equivalent to Northern Ireland.

2. If one asks the ирландца away from home what he скучает most about Ireland, he will возможно tell you “the greenness”.

3. The largest industry is сельское хозяйство conducted for the most part on small family farms.

4. Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland is the главный промышленный centre and a large port.

5. Its главные industries are the production of linen and other textiles, clothing, кораблестроение, engineering.

6. In Ireland the national музыкальный instrument is the harp.