Chapter I. A Brief Introduction to the United Kingdom
1.1国名： 大不列颠及北爱尔兰联合王国
( The United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland)
国歌：《上帝保佑女王》 “god save the queen”（如在 位的是男性君主，国歌改为"god save the king"）
国花：玫瑰花
国鸟：红胸鸽
国石：钻石
国家政要：女王伊丽莎白二世(Queen Elizabeth II) ，１９５２年２月６日即位，１９５３年６月２日加冕；首相： 2007年6月27日，布莱尔正式辞去首相职务，工党领袖布朗顺利接任英国第52任首相。 。
1.2 Scenic Spots in Britain
1.3 A Brief Description to the UK
The United Kingdom is a small nation in physical size. At 244,820 sq km. Like the rest of northern Europe, it is warmed by the Gulf Stream flowing out of the South Atlantic Ocean. The climate, in general, is mild, chilly, and often wet. Rain or overcast skies can be expected for up to 300 days per year. The conditions make Britain lush and green, with rolling plains in the south and east and rough hills and mountains to the west and north.
Despite its relatively small size, Britain is highly populated, with an estimated population 59.6 million. It is highly developed economically, outstanding in the arts and sciences, sophisticated in technology, and highly prosperous and peaceful. In general, British subjects belong to one of richest states of Europe and enjoy a high standard of living compared to the rest of the world.
Many nations around the world have been influenced by British history and culture. With
each passing year, English comes clor to being a world language for all educated people, as Latin once was. Some parts of the world received substantial numbers of British emigrants and developed into what were called daughter nations. The colonies eventually became lf-governing areas called dominions自治领. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand fit this pattern，which constitute the Commonwealth of nations.英联邦 The UK has been the member of The European Union since 1973.
1.4 Different Elements
The UK includes 4 parts within the one nation-state: the island of the Great Britain is made up of England, Scotland and Wales, and Northern Ireland.
1.4.1 England
含动物的四字词语
• Population: 48.7 million
• Area: 130423 sqkm
• Capital: London
• History: a ries of invasions.
1. Before the 1st c AD
Celtic people from central Europe
2. 43 AD
the Roman Empire
3. 400 years later
Germanic people: the Angles & the Saxon
黑附片
King Arthur and his round table knights
4. The later 8th c AD
the Vikings from Scandinavia
西江月红楼梦
King Alfred the Great
Northerners: less sophisticated
Vs. Southerners: rich, arrogant and unfriendly
5. Normans: descendants of Vikings
William the Conqueror Vs. King Harold
the Legend of Robin Hood
6. 1640s
Charles I’s attempt to overrule parliament led to a civil war. Finally parliament succeeded and the king was executed.
合作医疗报销范围 Oliver Cromwell
7. 1371 The Scottish hou of Stuart
8. 1688 The Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution
When JamesⅡ threatened to restore the old absolute monarchy, the bourgeoisie took a decisive action, that is, to have him expelled and invite William, prince of Orange, form Holland to be king of England in 1688. This is called This bloodless event completed the bourgeoisie revolution. So, modern England was firmly established and capitalism would develop freely within the state structure of modern England, constitutional monarchy.
1.4.2 Scotland什么水喝不完
• Population: 5.111 million
• Area: 7.8822 sqkm
• Capital: Edinburgh
• The largest city: Glasgow
• Language: Gaelic 盖尔语
Scotland is the cond largest both in population and area. It is the most rugged崎岖 part of the UK, with areas of rarely populated mountains and lakes in the north (the Highlands) and in the south (the Southern Uplands).
1603 Queen Elizabeth I died childless and James VI of Scotland became James I of England. 金樱子泡酒的功效与作用
1314 The Scots, led by Robert the Bruce, defeated the English army and got 300 years of full independence.
1707 By the agreement of the English and Scotland Parliament, Scotland joined the union.
1.4.3 Wales
• Population: 2.9 million
知足的句子
• Area: 20776 sqkm
• Capital: Cardiff
• Language: Welsh
• Natural resource: rich coal deposites
• Industries: coal and steel
tourism
• The Prince of Wales:
Edward I named his son the Prince of Wales, and the first son of the monarch has held that title ever since (Prince Charles) to try to bring Wales into the British nation.
1.4.4 Northern Ireland
待你如初恋• Population: 1.642 million
• Area: 14139 sq km
• Capital: Belfast
Geography
It is mostly rural, with low hills, a beautiful lake district in the south-west, and a rugged coastline.
