GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION
1. Is Great Britain the same as the UK? Explain the differences and give the definitions of these both terms.
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. The name United Kingdom refers to the union of what were once four separate countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland (though most of Ireland is now independent, only Northern Ireland remains part of the UK). The UK's full and official name is the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland"
2. What countries does the UK consist of? Name the main symbols of every country (a flag, a national flower, a capital and a patron saint).
The United Kingdom is made up of:
England - The capital is London; flag: The Royal Arms of England, Union Jack; flower: the Tudor rose; St George is the patron saint of England
Scotland - The capital is Edinburgh; flag: Saint Andrew's Cross or the Saltire; Royal banner; flower: the thistle, saint: St Andrew
Wales - The capital is Cardiff; flag: "The Red Dragon", Flag of Saint David; flower: the daffodil and the leek; saint: St David
Northern Ireland - The capital is Belfast; flag: Union Flag; flower: clever; saint: St Patrick
3. What are the names of the British flag (2)? When do English people use these names? Describe the national flag of the UK.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland uses as its national flag the royal banner known as the Union Flag or, popularly, Union Jack. Both names are used equally. A white- fimbriated symmetric red cross on a blue field with a white- fimbriated counterchanged saltire of red and white.
4. What water bodies are the British Isles washed by? What makes the English Channel a very dangerous place?
It is separated from the continent by the North Sea and by the English Channel, which narrows to 34 kilometers at the Straits of Dover. The North Channel, Irish Sea, St George's Channel and Celtic Sea separate the island from the island of Ireland to its west.
nature in the channel is not kind. The bottom varies enormously: The depth of water can leap from 28 to 4 feet within 10 yards. Silt and drifting sandbars build ridges overnight. Fog is almost a daily fellow- traveler. Storms turn the water to a frenzy.
5. Which two facts can prove that the British Isles are situated on the continental shelf?
Great Britain sits on the European side of the Euroasian tectonic plate and though on the surface appears separated by the channel, is in fact part of the same land mass.
6. How can you get from France to Great Britain? What do you know about the history of the Channel Tunnel?
Through the Channel tunnel, by train; by plane. The tunnel carries high-speed Eurostar passenger trains, Eurotunnel Shuttle roll-on/roll-off vehicle transport—the largest in the world—and international rail freight trains. The tunnel connects end-to-end with the LGV Nord and High Speed 1 high-speed railway lines. Ideas for a cross-Channel fixed link appeared as early as 1802, but the eventual successful project, organized by Eurotunnel, began construction only in 1988 and opened in 1994.
7. Which is the correct and official name of the country? Under what names is the country known?
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Britain, England.
8. Why do Englishmen use the saying "We have not climate, only weather"? Compare the climate in different parts of Great Britain.
The entire set of weather conditions – temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind direction and force, rainfall – is the weather. Weather in Great Britain is always changing. It may not rain very much altogether, but you can never be sure of a dry day; there can be cool (even cold) days in July and some quite warm days in January. Britain is an island country and the surrounding sea gives England a varied climate. English never know what the weather will be like from one day to the other. It can be sunny one day and rainy the next. As they have such a variable climate changing from day to day, it is difficult to predict the weather. In general they have warm summers and cool winters. Their summers are cooler than those on the continent, but the winters are milder.
England has warmer maximum and minimum temperatures throughout the year than the other areas of the UK, though Wales has milder minimums from November to February, and Northern Ireland has warmer maximums from December to February. England is also sunnier throughout the year, but unlike Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the sunniest month is July, totaling 192.8 hours. It rains on fewer days in every month throughout the year than the rest of the UK, and rainfall totals are less in every month, with the driest month of July averaging 54.1 mm (2.13 in).The climate of south-west England experiences a seasonal temperature variation, although it is less extreme than most of the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland is warmer than Scotland throughout the year. Maximum temperatures are milder than in Wales from December to April, and milder than in England from December to February, but Northern Ireland is cooler during the rest of the year. Scotland has the coolest weather of any country in the United Kingdom throughout the year (with the altitude climate varying into Cfc), with average minimum temperatures in January of −0.2 °C (31.6 °F). Scotland is also the wettest country in every month, apart from in May, June and December, when Wales is wetter.
9. What British island is famous for its St. Catherine's lighthouse and multi- coloured sandstones?
St Catherine's Lighthouse is situated at Niton Undercliffe, 5 miles from Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.
10. Which two British Islands are the Crown dependency? What do you know about these islands?
The Crown Dependencies are British possessions of the Crown, as opposed to overseas territories of the United Kingdom. They comprise the Channel Island Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey in the English Channel.
The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet possessions. The Bailiwick of Guernsey also administers some aspects of two nearby crown dependencies (Alderney and Sark), and the island of Brecqhou. Although its defense is the responsibility of the United Kingdom, the Bailiwick of Guernsey is not part of the UK; and while it participates in the Common Travel Area, it is not part of the European Union. The Bailiwick of Guernsey is included (along with the Bailiwick of Jersey) in the grouping known as the Channel Islands.
Jersey is a self-governing parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with its own financial, legal and judicial systems. The island of Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands. Although the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey are often referred to collectively as 'the Channel Islands', they are not a constitutional or political unit. Jersey has a separate relationship to the British Crown from the other Crown Dependencies of Guernsey and the Isle of Man.[9] It is not part of the United Kingdom,[10] and has an international identity separate from that of the UK but the United Kingdom is constitutionally responsible for the defence of Jersey. Jersey is not a part of the European Union but has a special relationship with it, being treated as part of the European Community for the purposes of free trade in goods.
11. What mineral resources can you find in the UK? Where are they situated?
Many types of industrial minerals are found in the United Kingdom. The most common industrial minerals are sand, gravel, and cement used in construction products and road building. With 80 quarries, Tarmac is the United Kingdom’s largest producer of crushed rock, sand, and gravel. There are many slate mines in the United Kingdom producing slate that is used for building and architectural purposes. The largest slate mine is the Delabole Slate Mine, located on the North Coast of Cornwall near Delabole. Slate quarries are located throughout England, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom also has an abundance of specialized minerals such as China clay, used in fine china and porcelain, and Fuller’s earth, an absorbent mineral used for spill containment and cleaning supplies.
12. What do you know about the fauna of Great Britain (name some species of animals, birds and fish typical for the UK).
The largest wild mammals that remain in Britain today are predominantly members of the deer family. The red deer is the largest native mammal species, and is common throughout England, Scotland and Ireland. The other indigenous species is the roe deer. The common fallow deer is in fact not native to Britain, having been brought over from France by the Normans in the late 11th century. It has become well established. The Sika deer is another small species of deer which is not indigenous, originating from Japan. It is widespread and expanding in Scotland from west to east, with a strong population in Peeblesshire. Bands of Sika exist across the north and south of England though the species is absent in Wales. There are also several species of insectivore found in Britain. The hedgehog is probably the most widely known as it is a regular visitor to urban gardens. In the absence of the locally extinct wolf and brown bear the largest carnivores are the red fox, the adaptability and opportunism of which has allowed it to proliferate in the urban environment, and the Scottish wildcat whose elusiveness has caused some confusion over population numbers, and is believed to be highly endangered. Various species of seal and dolphin are found seasonally on British shores and coastlines, along with harbour porpoises, orcas, and many other sea mammals. There is a wealth of birdlife in Britain, 583 species in total, of which 258 breed on the island or remain during winter. Because of its mild winters for its latitude, Great Britain hosts important numbers of many wintering species, particularly ducks, geese and swans. Other well known bird species include the golden eagle, grey heron, robin, kingfisher, pigeon, sparrow, pheasant, partridge, and various species of crow, finch, gull, auk, grouse, owl and falcon.
1. Is Great Britain the same as the UK? Explain the differences and give the definitions of these both terms.
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. The name United Kingdom refers to the union of what were once four separate countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland (though most of Ireland is now independent, only Northern Ireland remains part of the UK). The UK's full and official name is the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland"
2. What countries does the UK consist of? Name the main symbols of every country (a flag, a national flower, a capital and a patron saint).
The United Kingdom is made up of:
England - The capital is London; flag: The Royal Arms of England, Union Jack; flower: the Tudor rose; St George is the patron saint of England
Scotland - The capital is Edinburgh; flag: Saint Andrew's Cross or the Saltire; Royal banner; flower: the thistle, saint: St Andrew
Wales - The capital is Cardiff; flag: "The Red Dragon", Flag of Saint David; flower: the daffodil and the leek; saint: St David
Northern Ireland - The capital is Belfast; flag: Union Flag; flower: clever; saint: St Patrick
3. What are the names of the British flag (2)? When do English people use these names? Describe the national flag of the UK.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland uses as its national flag the royal banner known as the Union Flag or, popularly, Union Jack. Both names are used equally. A white- fimbriated symmetric red cross on a blue field with a white- fimbriated counterchanged saltire of red and white.
4. What water bodies are the British Isles washed by? What makes the English Channel a very dangerous place?
It is separated from the continent by the North Sea and by the English Channel, which narrows to 34 kilometers at the Straits of Dover. The North Channel, Irish Sea, St George's Channel and Celtic Sea separate the island from the island of Ireland to its west.
nature in the channel is not kind. The bottom varies enormously: The depth of water can leap from 28 to 4 feet within 10 yards. Silt and drifting sandbars build ridges overnight. Fog is almost a daily fellow- traveler. Storms turn the water to a frenzy.
5. Which two facts can prove that the British Isles are situated on the continental shelf?
Great Britain sits on the European side of the Euroasian tectonic plate and though on the surface appears separated by the channel, is in fact part of the same land mass.
6. How can you get from France to Great Britain? What do you know about the history of the Channel Tunnel?
Through the Channel tunnel, by train; by plane. The tunnel carries high-speed Eurostar passenger trains, Eurotunnel Shuttle roll-on/roll-off vehicle transport—the largest in the world—and international rail freight trains. The tunnel connects end-to-end with the LGV Nord and High Speed 1 high-speed railway lines. Ideas for a cross-Channel fixed link appeared as early as 1802, but the eventual successful project, organized by Eurotunnel, began construction only in 1988 and opened in 1994.
7. Which is the correct and official name of the country? Under what names is the country known?
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Britain, England.
8. Why do Englishmen use the saying "We have not climate, only weather"? Compare the climate in different parts of Great Britain.
The entire set of weather conditions – temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind direction and force, rainfall – is the weather. Weather in Great Britain is always changing. It may not rain very much altogether, but you can never be sure of a dry day; there can be cool (even cold) days in July and some quite warm days in January. Britain is an island country and the surrounding sea gives England a varied climate. English never know what the weather will be like from one day to the other. It can be sunny one day and rainy the next. As they have such a variable climate changing from day to day, it is difficult to predict the weather. In general they have warm summers and cool winters. Their summers are cooler than those on the continent, but the winters are milder.
England has warmer maximum and minimum temperatures throughout the year than the other areas of the UK, though Wales has milder minimums from November to February, and Northern Ireland has warmer maximums from December to February. England is also sunnier throughout the year, but unlike Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the sunniest month is July, totaling 192.8 hours. It rains on fewer days in every month throughout the year than the rest of the UK, and rainfall totals are less in every month, with the driest month of July averaging 54.1 mm (2.13 in).The climate of south-west England experiences a seasonal temperature variation, although it is less extreme than most of the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland is warmer than Scotland throughout the year. Maximum temperatures are milder than in Wales from December to April, and milder than in England from December to February, but Northern Ireland is cooler during the rest of the year. Scotland has the coolest weather of any country in the United Kingdom throughout the year (with the altitude climate varying into Cfc), with average minimum temperatures in January of −0.2 °C (31.6 °F). Scotland is also the wettest country in every month, apart from in May, June and December, when Wales is wetter.
9. What British island is famous for its St. Catherine's lighthouse and multi- coloured sandstones?
St Catherine's Lighthouse is situated at Niton Undercliffe, 5 miles from Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.
10. Which two British Islands are the Crown dependency? What do you know about these islands?
The Crown Dependencies are British possessions of the Crown, as opposed to overseas territories of the United Kingdom. They comprise the Channel Island Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey in the English Channel.
The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet possessions. The Bailiwick of Guernsey also administers some aspects of two nearby crown dependencies (Alderney and Sark), and the island of Brecqhou. Although its defense is the responsibility of the United Kingdom, the Bailiwick of Guernsey is not part of the UK; and while it participates in the Common Travel Area, it is not part of the European Union. The Bailiwick of Guernsey is included (along with the Bailiwick of Jersey) in the grouping known as the Channel Islands.
Jersey is a self-governing parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with its own financial, legal and judicial systems. The island of Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands. Although the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey are often referred to collectively as 'the Channel Islands', they are not a constitutional or political unit. Jersey has a separate relationship to the British Crown from the other Crown Dependencies of Guernsey and the Isle of Man.[9] It is not part of the United Kingdom,[10] and has an international identity separate from that of the UK but the United Kingdom is constitutionally responsible for the defence of Jersey. Jersey is not a part of the European Union but has a special relationship with it, being treated as part of the European Community for the purposes of free trade in goods.
11. What mineral resources can you find in the UK? Where are they situated?
Many types of industrial minerals are found in the United Kingdom. The most common industrial minerals are sand, gravel, and cement used in construction products and road building. With 80 quarries, Tarmac is the United Kingdom’s largest producer of crushed rock, sand, and gravel. There are many slate mines in the United Kingdom producing slate that is used for building and architectural purposes. The largest slate mine is the Delabole Slate Mine, located on the North Coast of Cornwall near Delabole. Slate quarries are located throughout England, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom also has an abundance of specialized minerals such as China clay, used in fine china and porcelain, and Fuller’s earth, an absorbent mineral used for spill containment and cleaning supplies.
12. What do you know about the fauna of Great Britain (name some species of animals, birds and fish typical for the UK).
The largest wild mammals that remain in Britain today are predominantly members of the deer family. The red deer is the largest native mammal species, and is common throughout England, Scotland and Ireland. The other indigenous species is the roe deer. The common fallow deer is in fact not native to Britain, having been brought over from France by the Normans in the late 11th century. It has become well established. The Sika deer is another small species of deer which is not indigenous, originating from Japan. It is widespread and expanding in Scotland from west to east, with a strong population in Peeblesshire. Bands of Sika exist across the north and south of England though the species is absent in Wales. There are also several species of insectivore found in Britain. The hedgehog is probably the most widely known as it is a regular visitor to urban gardens. In the absence of the locally extinct wolf and brown bear the largest carnivores are the red fox, the adaptability and opportunism of which has allowed it to proliferate in the urban environment, and the Scottish wildcat whose elusiveness has caused some confusion over population numbers, and is believed to be highly endangered. Various species of seal and dolphin are found seasonally on British shores and coastlines, along with harbour porpoises, orcas, and many other sea mammals. There is a wealth of birdlife in Britain, 583 species in total, of which 258 breed on the island or remain during winter. Because of its mild winters for its latitude, Great Britain hosts important numbers of many wintering species, particularly ducks, geese and swans. Other well known bird species include the golden eagle, grey heron, robin, kingfisher, pigeon, sparrow, pheasant, partridge, and various species of crow, finch, gull, auk, grouse, owl and falcon.
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