English-speaking countries
Text 1
Great Britain, the United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are English-speaking countries. They are situated in different parts of the world and differ in many ways. The nature of these countries, their weather and climate and the way of life of their people differ.
Each coutry has its own history, customs, traditions, and its own national holidays. But they all have a common language, English. The United Kindom of Great Britain and North Ireland consist of 4 parts: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northen Ireland.
The British Isles are group of islands lying off the north-west coast of the continent of Europe. There are no high mountains, no very long rivers, and no large forests in the U.K. The population of the U.K. is almost fifty-six million. Great Britain is a capitalist country.
The USA is situated in the central part of the North American continent. The population of the USA is more than 236 million people. The USA is a highly developed industrial country. In the USA there are two main political parties, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.
Canada has area of nearly 10 million square kilometres. It's westen coast is washed by the Pacific Ocean and its eastern coast by the Atlantic Ocean. The population of Canada is over 26 million people. Canada is a capitalist federal state and a member of the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth of Australia territories are the continent of Australia, the island of Tasmania and a number of smaller islands. Australia has an area of nearly eight million square kilometres. The population of Australia is over sixteen million people. The Commonwealth of Australia is a capitalist self-governing federal state.
New Zealand is situated south-east of Australia. The country consists of three large islands called the North Island, the South Island and Stewart Island and also many smaller islands. The population of New Zealand is over three million people. New Zealand is a capitalist self-governing state and a member of the Commonwealth
Text 2
English-speaking countries – Англоговорящие страны
The popularity of the English language
There are over 300 million people in the world speaking English. English is used as an official language (along with a few others) in many international organisations, such as UN and IOC. This language is recognized as the state language in a lot of countries all over the world.
Great Britain
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There are 64 million people in Great Britain whose first language is English (97% of population). London, the capital of Great Britain, is one of the leading global cities. It is the political, economic and cultural centre of the country. Great Britain has always been a Great Power and contributed a lot to the development of new territories.
The USA
The history of the USA started with 13 British colonies set along the Atlantic coast. On July, 4, 1776 they proclaimed their independence from Great Britain. Today the country consists of 50 states and the federal District of Columbia, where Washington, the capital of the USA, is located. It is one of the most developed countries in the world, with English being the first language for about 80% of its population.
Canada
The first European colonists came to this country from France. But after that for many years Canada was under British rule until the country gained its independence in the XX century. There are two official languages in Canada. English is the first language for nearly 70% of Canadians. Canada is the second largest country in the world with rich oil, coal and natural gas fields.
Australia
Australia is the only country in the world which occupies the whole continent. The exploration of the continent began in the late XVIII century when the first British colonies were formed. Australia was a place where prisoners were serving their sentences in exile. Today the country is among the most developed countries in the world, with 80% of the population speaking Australian English.
New Zealand
New Zealand occupies two large islands and many small ones in the south-western part of the Pacific Ocean. First Europeans started visiting New Zealand in the late XVIII century with the territory being announced as a British colony in 1788. The country gained its independence in the middle of the XX century. New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world with unique flora and fauna. English is spoken by more than 96% of the population.
Распространенность английского языка
Более 300 миллионов людей во всем мире говорят на английском языке. Английский используется в качестве официального языка (наряду с несколькими другими) во многих международных организациях, таких как ООН и МОК. Этот язык признан государственным во многих странах мира.
Великобритания
Соединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии включает в себя Англию, Шотландию, Уэльс и Северную Ирландию. В Великобритании английский является родным языком для 64 миллионов человек (97% населения). Лондон, столица Великобритании, является одним из ведущих мировых городов. Это политический, экономический и культурный центр страны. Великобритания всегда была Великой державой и внесла большой вклад в освоение новых территорий.
США
История США начинается с 13 британских колоний, расположенных вдоль побережья Атлантического океана. 4 июля 1776 года США провозгласили независимость. Сегодня в состав страны входят 50 штатов и федеральный округ Колумбия, где находится Вашингтон – столица США. Это одна из самых развитых стран в мире, в которой английский является родным для 80% населения.
Канада
Первые европейские завоеватели прибыли сюда из Франции. Затем долгое время страна находилась под контролем Британии, пока не стала независимой в XX веке. В стране два государственных языка. Английский является родным для 70% канадцев. Канада занимает второе место в мире по площади и обладает богатыми месторождениями нефти, угля и природного газа.
Австралия
Австралия – единственная страна в мире, занимающая целый континент. Ее освоение началось в конце XVIII века с появлением первых британских колоний. Австралия была местом, куда заключенных ссылали отбывать свое наказание. Сегодня Австралия одна из самых развитых стран в мире, 80% населения которой разговаривает на австралийском варианте английского языка.
Новая Зеландия
Новая Зеландия занимает 2 больших острова и множество маленьких в юго-западной части Тихого океана. Первые европейцы появились в Новой Зеландии в конце XVIII века, а в 1788 году она была объявлена британской колонией. Страна получила независимость в середине XX века. Новая Зеландия – одна из красивейших стран с неповторимой флорой и фауной. На английском языке говорит около 96% населения.