Электронная книга "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland"

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Contents

Introduction

England	06
Scotland	08
Wales . . . . . . e. . . . . .	10
Nothern Ireland . . .	12

United Kingdom, island country located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe. The United Kingdom comprises the whole of the island of Great Britain—which contains England, Wales, and Scotland—as well as the northern portion of the island of Ireland. The name Britain is sometimes used to refer to the United Kingdom as a whole. The capital is London.

England

The population of England in 2019 was est•mated to be 56,286.961.

The English language spoken and written in England has a diverse range of accents and dialects. The dialect forms part Of the broader entsh English, along With other uaneties in the United

Kingdom. Terms used to refer to the Engish language spoken and written in England include: English English and Anglo-English.

London, city, capital of the United Kingdom- it is among the Oldest Of the wcHd's great cities—its history spanning nearly two mi Ilennia— and one Of the most cosmopol'tan. BV far Britain•s largest metropolis. it is also the economic. transportation, and cultural centre.

O The national flag of England, known as St George's Cross, has been England's national flag since the 13th century. A red cross acted as a symbol for many Crusaders in the 12th and 13th centuries, Since 1606 the St Georges Cross has formed part of the design of the I-Imon Flag a Pan-British flag designed bV king James l.

St George is England's patron saint and St. George's Day is on April 23.

Historically. the noble deed of St George was freeng Christian slaves. declaring himself a Christian and dying for his farth after refusing to convert- Legend states he also rescued a maiden pnncess from a dragon at Silene in Libya. leading to the Christianisation of rnuch ot her father's kingdom. St George did not become the patron saint of England until the 14th century, though St George's Dav had been celebrated since the previous century from 1222.

O The rose vs England'S national flower. A Tudor rose IS offiaallv used. s•gnifwng the unification of the warring parties of the Wars of the Roses under the Tudor dynasty. The red rose representing The

House of Lancaster, the White. the House of York. A red rose is often substituted. and for instance. in the em&ems Dithe English Golf Umon and England national rugby unvon team.

Scotland

O Scotland's population count on census dav 2011 was

O Scotland's main language by custom and usage is English, with Gaelic, Scots, British Sign Language and minority languages making up the country's other main language groups.

O Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 council areae Edinburgh is Scotland's second-most populous city and the seventh-most populous city in the United Kingdom. Recognised as the capital of Scotland since at least the 15th century, the city has long been a centre of education, particularly in the fields of medicine, Scots law, literature, philosophy, the sciences and engineering.

O The flag of Scotland is a white X-shaped cross, which represents the cross of Saint Andrew on a blue sky. It dates from the 9th century, and is the oldest national flag still in use. It now also forms part of the design of the Union Flag.

O The Patron Saint of Scotland is St Andrew (feast dav November 30). St Andrew has been the patron saint of Scotland for well over 1,000 years, with people celebrating him since IOOOAD. He was only made patron saint in 1320 when Scotland declared independence with the

Declaration of Arbroath.

oThe Scottish Thistle is the oldest recorded 'National Flower' and is probably one of the most well-known, and easily recognized symbols of Scotland.

Wales

The 2011 census showed Wales' population to be the highest in its history.

The two official languages Of

Wales are English and Welsh, English the pnrnarv official language, able to be used In all srtuaüons whereas Welsh only has official status in limited but significant situaüons as defined by legisiation. Al most the entire population of Wales is able to speak English. and around a quarter can speak Welsh. to varying levels of fluency.

The current capital of Wales is Cardiff. Histoncallv. Wales did not have a definite capital. In 1955, the Minister fbr Welsh Affairs informa'lv proclaimed Cardiff to be the capital cf Wales. Since 1964, Cardiff has been home to government offices for Wales. and since 1999 it has been the seat of the Snedd.

O The Flag OF Wales incorporates the red dragon, now a popular Welsh symbol. along with the Tudor colours of green and white. It was used by Henry Vll at the battle of Bosworth in 14E5 after which it was carried in state to St Paul's Cathedral. The red dragon was then included in the Tudor royal arms to Signitv their Welsh descent. It was officially recognised as the Welsh natanal flag in 1955.

St David 'S the Patron Saint Of Wales and St Davidß Dav is celebrated every gear on March 1st as this is thought to the day that he died in approxvnately 600AO. Saint David was Welsh bishop of

Mvnyw during the 6th century. St David performed many miracles during tus lifetime. The Saint is often depicted with the bird on his shoulder in paintings and stawved glass windows.

O The leek is the national emblem cf Wales. According to legend the patron saint Of Wales, Saint David. Ordered his Welsh soldiers to identify themselves by wearing the leek on their helmets in an ancient battle against the Saxons that took place in a leek field. It still worn on St David's Dav- The daffodil is the national flower worn on St David's Dav in Wales.

Northern Ireland

The population of Northern Ireland was over 1.89 million people in 2020.

O English is the most spoken language In Northern Ireland There are also two recogrwzed regional languages in Northern Ireland: the Irish language and the local vanety of known as Ulster Scots

O Belfast, city, district, and capital of Northern Ireland, on the River Lagan, at its entrance to Belfast Lough (inlet of the sea). It became cit" by royal charter in 1888 After the passing of the Government of Ireland Act 1920, it became the seat of the government of Northern Ireland.

O The Ulster Banner, also known as the Flag of Northern Ireland. is a heraldic banner taken from the former Coat of Arms of Northern Ireland, consisting of a red cross on a white field, upon which is a crowned six-pointed star with a red hand in the centre. ltwas the flag of the former Government of Northern Ireland and common

flag of Northern Ireland from 1953 until that government was abolished in 1972.

O The patron Saint of Northern

Ireland is St Patrick and his Saints dav is celebrated every year on March 17. St Patrick's Day iB held on what is thought to be the date on which St Patrick died. and it was originally also the celebration of the arrival of Christianity to the island. St Patrick was a fifth century missionary and bishop who did much of his spiritual work in Ireland, and eventually became the island's most well-known patron saint

O The national flower of

Northern Ireland is the Shamrock, a three-leaved plant similar to clover. An Irish tale tells of how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.

Электронная книга "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland"

07.02.2026

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учитель английского языка

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