GREAT BRITAIN. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and about five thousand small islands. Their total area is over 244 000 square kilometers.

The United Kingdom is one of the world's smallest countries. Its population is over 57 million. About 80 percent of the population is urban.

The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In everyday speech 'Great Britain' is used in the meaning of the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'. The capital of the UK is London. English is the official language.

A long time ago, Britain was joined to France. Then, about 8,000 years ago, the level of the sea rose and Britain

became an island. The result was the English Channel which situated between France and England. Now it is one of the busiest sea lines in the world. It is about 563 kilometers long and no more than 34 kilometers wide.

One of the most incredible pieces of engineering is the Channel Tunnel. It joins England and France under the ground. The Channel Tunnel was opened in 1994 after six years of work.

Its size is 50 kilometers and it is situated 130 meters under the sea.

The climate of Great Britain is mild. It is not too hot in summer neither too cold in winter. It often rains in England. Rain falls in summer and in winter, in autumn and in spring. Snow

villages.

falls only in the North and West of the country.

The surface of England and Ireland is flat, but Scotland and Wales are mountainous. Many parts of the country have beautiful

People often say that the Englishman's house is his castle. They mean that the home is very

important and personal. Most people in Britain live in houses rather than flats.

There are many rivers in Great Britain. The longest river is Severn. It is 350 kilometers long.

There're 44 universities in Britain. They are divided into three

types:

1) The old established universities, such as Oxford (founded in 1249), Cambridge and Edinburgh. Oxford and Cambridge together are often called Oxbridge.

2) The 19th-century universities such as London and Manchester.

3) The new universities established after World War II, such as Essex, Lancaster and so on.

The UK is a highly developed industrial country. It produces and exports machinery, electronics, textile. One of the chief industries of the country is

shipbuilding.

The UK is a constitutional monarchy with a parliament and the Queen as Head of State.

The British are a sports-

loving nation. Cricket, soccer, rugby, tennis, squash, table tennis, badminton, canoeing and snooker were all invented in Britain. The first rules for such sports as boxing, golf, hockey, yachting and horse-racing also originated from Britain. Sport is on the

programme of all state and private schools and universities. Sport is a part of everyday life in Britain.