Great Britain (Geographical Definition)
When we speak about the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland we actually speak about four countries united into one state: England, Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland. Each of these countries has its language, its capital, and its government. Their capitals are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. At the same time London is the capital of the United Kingdom. English is the official language, but some people also speak Scottish, Welsh and Irish.
The population of the country is over 57 million people. There are many beautiful cities in Great Britain: Liverpool and Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh, Belfast and Birmingham.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles to the north-west of Europe. The British Isles consist of two large and about 5000 small islands.
Their total area is over 244,000 square kilometres, the English Channel (or La Manche) and the Strait of Dover (or Pas de Calais) separate them from the Continent. The Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea wash the West Coast of the country. The East Coast is washed by the North Sea.
The relief of the British Isles varies very much. The north and the west of England are mountainous, but all the rest – east, centre and south – is a vast plain. Ben Nevis in Scotland is the highest mountain in the UK (it is only 1,343 m. high). There are a lot of rivers in Great Britain but they are not very
long. The Severn is the longest river, running from east to west. The Thames is the deepest and the most important river, where London is situated. The Lake District in Northern England with its lakes and valleys is a favourite holiday area. Scotland is also known for the beauty of the lakes, called lochs.
The mountains and the warm waters of Gulf Stream influence the climate of the British Isles. It can be described as mild and temperate. Winters are warm but summers are cool and wet. Rain falls all the year round. Thick fogs in autumn are typical of the climate of Great Britain.
Show the following on the map of Britain:
1) large and small islands which belong to the British area;
2) seas and oceans Great Britain is washed by;
3) the English Channel which separates the UK from the Continent;
4) the highest mountains – Ben Nevis and Snowdon;
5) the capital cities of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland;
6) the most important industrial cities;
7) the native town of “The Beatles”.
Answer the following questions.
1. What is the official name of Great Britain?
2. What countries does the UK consist of?
3. What languages are spoken in the UK?
4. How large is the population of Great Britain?
5. Where is the country situated?
6. What seas and ocean is Great Britain washed by?
7. The surface of Great Britain varies much, doesn’t it?
8. What river does London stand on?
9. Why is the British climate mild?
10. What is characteristic of Britain’s climate?
*Ask your group-mates.
1) what the total area of the country is;
2) if English is the official language of Great Britain;
3) what the biggest cities of the UK are;
4) what it is separated by from the continent;
5) what the highest mountain in Great Britain is;
6) if there are a lot of long and deep rivers in Great Britain;
7) what Scotland is known for;
8) if the Lake District is situated in Scotland.
Lexical Exercises
Exercise 1. Choose the right word from the list.
(to wash, to consist, area, to separate, to vary, climate, mountainous, typical, influence)
1. In spite of its small … Australia is one of the leading agricultural countries in the world.
2. The USA … of 50 states joined in a federal republic.
3. Alaska is … from Russian Siberia by only 50 miles of the Bering Strait.
4. New Zealand comprises two islands … by the south-western Pacific Ocean.
5. The changeability is … of Irish weather.
6. The surface of Great Britain … very much.
7. The mild … of this country is good for plants and flowers.
8. Deserts and semi-deserts greatly … the climate of Australia.
9. The … territory of the Caucasus attracts a lot of tourists with its beauty.
Exercise 2. Arrange a) and b) in pairs of synonyms.
a) to unite, area, relief, to influence, mild, temperate;
b) surface, to join, soft, moderate, territory, to affect