Lying off the north-west of Europe, there are two large Islands and over 5ooo smaller ones. They are known as the British Isles. The two largest are Great Britain and Ireland. The United Kingdom occupies most of the territory of the British Isles.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandENGLAND Scotland Wales Northern Irelan Northern Ireland

The flag of the United Kingdom, known as the Union Jack, Is made up of three crosses.

The national flag of England is white with red upright cross of St George, the patron saint of England. The national symbol of England is rose, the national colour is white.

England is a very beautiful country with picturesque landscapes and magnificent old castles. Thousands of tourists come to England to enjoy its views.

England is mostly a lowland country, the mountains are in the north and southwest. The Lake District in Northern England with its lakes, mountains and valleys is a favourite holiday area.

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

London is the capital of England and of the United Kingdom, its political, cultural and economic centre. Built by the Romans, today it is one of the most wonderful and modern cities of the world.

London dominates the life of Britain. Situated upon both sides of the Thames, it is a big port, and most important commercial, financial and manufacturing city.

The West End of London is a historical centre. The Queens residence – Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the British Parliament are also in the West End.

TRAFALGAR SQUARE THE NATIONAL GALLERY

MADAME TUSSAUDS MUSEUM LONDON EYE

THE TOWER BRIDGE THE TOWER OF LONDON

LONDON IS WORTH SEEING IN ALL WEATHER

Scotland takes the northern part of the territory of Great Britain and is not densely populated. Thistle – a symbol of Scotland. St Andrews cross

Scotland had been an independent state and was joined into the United Kingdom in 1707, after a long struggle for its independence.

Scotland is divided into three parts: the Highlands, the Lowlands, the Southern Uplands. The nature of Scotland is very diverse. The winters in the Highlands are very harsh, the majority of population lives in the Lowlands.

The Highlands of Scotland are among the oldest mountains in the world. In the valleys between the hills there are beautiful lakes, called lochs. Loch Ness is the most famous, where some people think a large monster lives.

One of the things that people associate with Scotland is kilt. The kilt is a relic of the time when the clan system existed in the Highlands. Each clan had its own tartan. Today tartan has become very fashionable again.

Shipbuilding and sheep-breeding are the main industries in Scotland.

Edinburg has been the capital since the 15th century. Edinburgh is the cultural centre of Scotland.

The fortified castles of Edinburgh were the centre of Scotlands resistance to its enemies.

Glasgow is Scotlands biggest city.

Some originally Scottish things are well-known and appreciated all over the world.

Wales is another constituent of the UK. It became part of England in 1536 by the Act of Union. The Welsh call their country Cymru, a word which has the same root as comrade (friend).

Wales has its own flag called the Welsh dragon. Yellow daffodil is a symbol of Wales.

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.

Cliffs in South Wales form a steep coast line. The pride of the Welsh is scenery in Snowdonia, a region of high mountains. Snowdon is the highest mountain.

Wales is a country of castles. Some of them were built more than 900 years ago.

The capital of Wales is Cardiff, its largest city. Its an important industrial city and a large port.

Northern Ireland is the smallest component of the United Kingdom. It occupies the northeast of the island of Ireland, only one-sixth of its territorry. The national symbol of Northern Ireland is shamrock.

Ireland is often called the green island. The poets put it in a different way - they call it the Emerald Isle.

Ireland is a very mysterious country. А lot of legends are connected with the Giants Causeway, a mass of stone columns standing very near together.

Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland is the leading industrial centre and port