Physical and Geographical features of the uk of gb and Northern Ireland.The English Channel

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland comprises the 4 countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In addition there are “ Dependences” of the crown. Such as Gibraltar, Hong-Hong (which was handed back to China in 1997), several islands and groups of islands in the Atlantic, Carribian, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Britain is one of the 12 members of the European Community.

The main areas of high land are in Scotland, Wales and Cumbria. In the centre of England there is a range of hills, called the Pennines, which are also known as the “back bone of England”.

The highest mountains are in Scotland and Wales: Ben Nevis is 1843 m and Snowdon is 1085 m. The longest rivers are the Severn (354 km.) and the river Thames (346km.).

The climate is generally mild, but wet. Prevailing winds are south-westerly and the current weather is mainly influenced by the Atlantic.

The weather is the object of frequent changes. Mostly there are few extremes in temperature level. English seldom have 32 above 0 or 20 below 0.

The currency(валюта) in the country is a pound, which consisted of 100 pence.

The anthem(гимн) is based on a 17^th century song. The British national anthem was established as such in 1745, making it the oldest in the world.

The flag of the UK, known as the Union Jack is made up of three crosses, devoted to the memory of three patrons(покровители): St. George(England), St. Andrew (Scotland), St. Patrick (Ireland), St. David (Wales).

Since 1837 the royal coat-of-arm(герб) has depicted a shield(щит) with the three England lions, The Scotish lions, the Irish harp(арфа), surrounded by the Ribbon of the “order of the Garter”(орден подвязки)” Order of the Garter” was established in 1348 by Edward the third.

The shield is supported by an English Lion and the Scotish Unicorn(единорог), standing on a field with the emblems of England( the rose). Scotland (the thistle-чертополох) and Ireland (the shamrock-клевер). Below there is a royal motto(девиз).

The English language developed from Anglo-Saxons (англы, саксы, юты, фризы). In the tenth century they formed one nation. It is a Germanic language. However all the invading people, particularly the Norman French, influenced the English language and you can find many words – French in origin.

Nowadays all Welsh, Scottish and Irish people speak English (even if they speak their own language as well). All the countries have their own special accents and dialects, and the people are easily recognized as soon as they speak. Occasionally, people of the 4 countries experience difficulty in understand rapid speech because of various, different accents.

A southern England accent is accepted as traditionally normal and usually is being taught to foreigners.

National emblems of gb and Northern Ireland

If to stop on the national emblems used – it must be noted – the rose (the emblem of England) comes first.

The red rose was the emblem of the Lancastrians, the white rose that of the Yorkists – the 2 rival Houses for the English throne in the Wars of the Roses (1455-1485). The war ended by the marriage of Henry VII. He Lancastrian, with Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Edward IV, the Yorkist.

The red rose has since become the national emblem of England.

The Thistle is the national emblem of Scotland why was the preference given to that Romely plant? Old papers say that in ancient times The Scandinavian people once landed somewhere on the eastcoast of Scotland. The invaders had the mission to settle in the country. Meanwhile, the Scots assembled with their arms and made their stations behind the river Tay, the largest in Scotland. As they arrived late in the day, weary and tired after a long march, they rested not expecting the enemy to intrude before the next day.

The Scandinavians seeing no guards, procting the camp, crossed the river Tay, intending to take the Scots by surprize and slaughter them in their sleep. Thus, they took off their shoes, to make the least noise possible. But one of them stepped on a thistle. The pain was to sharp that it made him cry. The alarm was given in the Scots’ camp. They won, they thanked God and the little Thistle for help, that had come so timely and unexpectedly and made it the national emblem.

The Leek is the national emblem of Wales Welshmen all over the world celebrate St. David’s day wearing either leaks or daffodils. It is said that St. David had lived many years, feeding on broad and wild leek. The daffodil is also associated with St. David’s Day, due to the belief that it blossoms on that day. It bacame an alternative to the Leek in the present century, because some thought the leek vulgar. (St. David’s Day is held on the I-st of March).

The Shamrock. What the red rose is to Englishmen and the Leek or daffodil to the Welsh, the little shamrock is to the Irish. All Ireland weas shamrocks on St. Patrick’s Day (March, the 17-th). St. Patrick used the shamrock, a small white clover with 3 leaves on the Stem as an illustration of the mystery of birth.

Shortly after the formation of the Irish Guards in 1902 the custom of presenting the national emblem to the new regiment on St. Patrick’s Day began. Special ceremony is Wetting the Shamrock, thus, expressing love, and loyalty to the patron.

The National Flag – the Union Jack. Combination of three crosses – St. George’s cross – England, red cross on a white ground; the cross of St. Andrew for Scotland – white diagonal cross on a blue ground; the cross of St. Patrick for Ireland – red diagonal on a white ground. First introduced in 1606, had 2 crosses, union of England and Scotland (James I), 1801 – St. Patrick added.

National Emblems. Rose for England, thistle for Scotland, daffodil (leek) for Wales, shamrock (wild sorrel, red hand) for Ireland. Crown, scepter, sword of state, orb.

Monogram ER – Elizabeth Royal. In the centre of the emblem is situated a heraldic shield, divided into 4 parts. Left upper part & right lower part symbolize England (3 gold leopards on a red ground). Right upper part – Scottish emblem (a red lion on a gold ground). Left lower part – Irish emblem (yellow harp on a blue ground). Around the shield – garter. The shield is held by two Royal Beasts the Lion with the crown in the left, the Unicorn in the right. Under them a blue ribbon with words “Dieu et mon droit” (God & my right) – Richard I. In the background – rose (England), thistle (Scotland), trefoil (Ireland), leek (Wales).

The National Anthem – God Save the Queen (King). Adopted after the War with Napoleon.

The Royal Beasts. The Lion of England, the Unicorn of Scotland, the Red Dragon of Wales, the Grey Hound of Richmond, the White Horse of Hanover, the Griffin of Edward III, the Falcon of the Plantagenets.

The system of titles and honours. Twice a year (at the New Year and on the Queen’s official birthday – the Queen’s birthday honours) – solemn ceremony. 3000 honours are given annually – the majority the Order of the British Empire, most on PM’s advice, a few in the Queen’s personal gift.

The Order of the Garter (since Edward III 14th cent.) – 24 people at once, the Queen is a sovereign of the Order of the Garter, blue ribbon, Prince Charles, + foreign, e.g. the King of Spain. The Order of the Thistle – 16 knights, green ribbon. The Order of Merit (1902) – 24 people. Royal Victorian Order (1896) – who have directly served the Royal Family. The Order of the Bath (1725) – ceremonial ablutions, crimson ribbon. The Order of the British Empire: 5 degrees – member of the British Empire (MBE), officer (OBE), commander (CBE), knight commander (KBE) or dame commander (DBE), knight/dame grand cross (GBE). Lists are made by members of the public. Remain commoners, no special privileges, titles are not hereditary. Highest honour – peerage, historically hereditary, and since 1959 life peerage.

The 5 grades – Duke / Duchess (Your Grace), Marquis / Marchioness (My Lord), Earl / Countess (-“-), Viscount / Viscountess, Baron / Baroness. Connected with person’s occupation. On formal dresses – strawberry leaves, a coronet consisting of 8 strawberry leaves, 4 silver falls and 4 strawberry leaves for a marquis. Peers can disclaim their title, to get the right to sit in the HC – the title falls into abeyance, means title waits until this person dies and his son accepts it. The elder sons of peers have courtesy title, one degree lower than their fathers’. Duke can deprive his son inheritance, but no right to deprive of the title.