1. Geographical position of the uk and its significance.

The British islands are situated on the continental shelf off the north-west coast of Europe, comprise a group of over 5000 islands. The British islands are divided into 2 countries: the UK of GB and the northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. The total area is 323 sq.km, whereas that of the UK is 244 sq. km. from south to north (from land’s end to John O’Groats) the island stretches for 900 km. It has as much as 120 km of sea coasts. Separated from the continent by the English Channel and the North Sea. The English Channel in its widest part is 220 km wide, in the narrowest – 32 km. in 1994 the channel tunnel b/n Folkstone (Br) and Calais (Fr) began to operate (only 35 minutes). The advantageous geographical position of GB created favorable conditions for the development of shipping, trade and economy as a whole. The present population is 60 million=> problems with land use, road construction and city sprawl, preservation of the environment.  UK’s surrounding waters, islands and coastline.

The British islands apart from 2 largest islands of GB and Ireland Include:

1. The Hebrides (the Inner and Outer Hebrides separated by the sea of Hebrides and the Little Minch). The main occupation: farming, fishing.

2. The Orkney islands (1000 islands). The main occupation: dairy and poultry production. Population: 20, 000 residents.

3. The Shetland Islands (100 km north from the Orkneys). Population: 18, 000. The main occupation: herring-fishing, export wool lace.

4. The Isle of Man. Population: 50,000. The main occupation: farming, fishing, tourist trade (Douglas – tourist resort). Notable for Manx parliament of middle ages.

5. The Anglesey. (separated from the Wales by the Menai Strait). Notable for the longest place name in GB. Population: 52,000. The main occupation: local industries and tourism rather than farming, fishing. Has a nuclear power plant at Wylfa.

6. The Isle of Wight (in the English Channel, separated from the mainland by the Solent). Notable for the most important tourist resort, an annual sailing and yachting regatta in August (among the many races - Britannia Cup the most known).

7. The islands of Scilly. The main occupation: resort area.

8. The Channel Islands=the Isles Normandes (chief – Jersey, Guernsey). Population: 130,000. The main occupation: farming, export of potatoes, flowers, +wool lace. Official languages: Eng/Fr.

The coastline is intended, there are many bays, harbors, peninsulas. (8,000 km long). The western coasts of Scotland and Wales are very much intended => economic advantage: the possibility to establish ports in these inlets, to keep ship safe, and gave them ace s deep into the country. The east coast is less lofty, frequently flooded, but there are the major inlets:

• the estuary of the Thames,

• The Wash,

• The Humber,

• the fifth of the Forth.

The strait of Dover (chalk ridge comes right up to the sea, when approaching the Br coast by boat U can see white cliffs of Dover=> Greeks called Br “Albion”, the Romans called it “whiteland”).

2.The relief of the British Isles: mountains, peaks; plains and lowlands.

ENGLAND

The Pennine range = “the backbone of England”. It stretches for 250 km long. The highest point is Cross fell 893m. Forms natural barrier b/n industrial areas of Lancashire and Yorkshire. Rainfall is abundant => area is used as water storage.

The Cheviot Hill. The highest point is the Cheviot 816 m. Notable for sheep-breeding.

The Cumbrian Mountains. Notable for Lake District. The main occupation: sheep-breeding. Lake District due to abundant rainfall – is the wettest area of the Br Isles.

The south-west: moor lands, fertile river valleys => agricultural area.

The westernmost point is Land’s end.

The most southerly point is Lizard Point.

WALES

It’s the country of hills and mountains deeply cut by river valleys.

The Cambrian Mountains. The highest peak – the Showdown 1085m. The most densely populated. The language of Celtic language survived here. Economy based on coalmining is in decline.

SCOTLAND

May be divided into 3 regions:

• The highlands (the lofties summit on the Bt Isles - Ben Nevis) notable for lake Loch Ness. 15% of population due to severe climat.

• The central lowlands = the midland Valley. 80% of population due to fertile soil, temperate climate, best harbors, oil peplines. Edinburg - capital.

• The southern uplands

NOTHERN IRELAND

Politically divided into Nothern Ireland(Belfast) and Irish repullic(Dublin)

• Antrim mountains

The Sperrin mountains and the Mourne mountains.

by boat U can see white cliffs of Dover=> Greeks called Br “Albion”, the Romans called it “whiteland”).

Major British Rivers, lakes and waterways.

There is fairly wide network of rivers, short in length, but navigable especially during high tides. The mild maritime climate keeps them free of ice throughout the year. A vast network of canals now is used for recreation. The Severn - the largest, flows into Bristol Channel. The Thames + the Trent flows into The North Sea. The river Shannon - the longest flows into The Irish sea

The largest lake in the BG – Loch lomond. The largest lake in the BR Isles – Lough neagh.