7.What do you know about the animal life of the British Isles?

Many larger animals, such as wolf, bear and the European elk are today extinct. However, some species such as red deer are protected. Other small mammals, such as rabbits, foxes, badgers, hares, hedgehogs, and stoats, are very common and the European beaver has been reintroduced in parts of Scotland. Wild boar have also been reintroduced to parts of southern England, following escapes from boar farms and illegal releases. Many rivers contain otters and seals are common on coasts. Over 200 species of bird reside permanently and another 200 migrate. Common types are the common chaffinch, common blackbird, house sparrow and common starling; all small birds. Large birds are declining in number, except for those kept for game such as pheasant, partridge, and red grouse. Fish are abundant in the rivers and lakes, in particular salmon, trout, perch and pike. Sea fish include dogfish, cod, sole, pollock and bass, as well as mussels, crab and oysters along the coast. There are more than 21,000 species of insects.

Few species of reptiles or amphibians are found in Great Britain or Ireland. Only three snakes are native to Great Britain: the common European adder, the grass snake and the smooth snake;^[52] none are native to Ireland. In general, Great Britain has slightly more variation and native wild life, with weasels, polecats, wildcats, most shrews, moles, water voles, roe deer and common toads also being absent from Ireland. This pattern is also true for birds and insects. Notable exceptions include the Kerry slug and certain species of wood lice native to Ireland but not Great Britain.

Domestic animals include the Connemara pony, Shetland pony, English Mastiff, Irish wolfhound and many varieties of cattle and sheep.

8.What mineral resources is Great Britain rich in?

Great Britain is not very rich in mineral resources, it has some deposits of coal and iron ore and vast deposits of oil and gas that were discovered in the North Sea.

Britain is a great producer of coal and steel. It builds ships and manufactures machinery, chemicals and textiles. The industries are concentrated mainly in the central part of the country and in the south. This is the so-called “ Black country “, almost completely covered with factories and mines. Here coal is mined , and nearby there is iron ore, salt and clay.

Coal is richest natural resource of Great Britain and the most important source of energy in the country. The largest coal fields are located in South Wales, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Lancashire . The coal fields are arranged in three groups: the southern, midland and the northern. The south: basin includes the South Wales, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Lancashire and some smaller fields, and the nothern basin includes the fields of Nothumberland, Cumberla, and Scotland.

Great Britain is known for it’s High-quality steel, metalware and machinery. Iron ore is the most important of minerals mined in the country. The great bulk of iron ore is produced in England. The richest ores come from Cumberland, Lancashire and Staffordshire.

There are smaller deposits of tin, copper, lead, sink, chalk and clay in the country. Britain produces significant amounts of gypsum, limestone and dolomite. Small amounts of silver and gold are found in Wales. Still Great Britain is not very rich in mineral resources and it’s economy relies now chiefly on import.