CIVILIZATIA 1. United Kingdom The ofcial name o the country country we usually call England and occasionally Great Britain is the United ingdom o Great Britain and !orthern Ireland" The U" " is situated on the grou# o islands lying $ust o% the mainland o northwestern Euro#e" Euro#e" The British Isles include Great Britain #ro#er& Ireland and a num'er o smaller islands" Great Britain consists o England& (cotland and )ales" The southern #art o Ireland is the *e#u'lic o Eire" Great Britain is se#arated rom the continent 'y the English Channel& the narrower narrower #art o which is called the (trait o +o,er" +o,er" The British Isles are surrounded surrounded 'y the shallow waters o the Irish (ea and the !orth (ea& the !orwegian (ea& the !orth Channel and the Atlantic -cean" Britain is com#arati,ely small& 'ut there is hardly a country& in the world where such a ,ariety o scenery can 'e ound" There are wild desolate mountains in the northern northern .ighlands o (cotland / the home o the deer and the eagle" The 0ennine *ange in northern England and the Cam'rian 1ountains in )ales are much lower" In the e2treme e2treme south o England are the amous chal3 hills& some o which orm the +o,er Cli%s" The southern and south/eastern south/eastern #arts o the island lie in ,aried lowlands" The ri,ers o the region region are short short and o no great great im#ortance as waterways" waterways" The longest o them is the 45ather 45ather o London4& the Thames& which is a little o,er 677 miles" Britain8s #rinci#al #orts are London& Li,er#ool& 1anchester& .ull& and Glasgow" Glasgow" Than3s to climatic conditions& conditions& Britain in truth loo3s loo3s li3e one great great well/ordered #ar3 #ar3 with its old trees& green meadows and hedges" 2. London-capital of Great Britain The ca#ital o Great Great Britain is London" London" It8s #olitical& economic and commercial commercial center o the country" Its #o#ulation is a'out 9 million" London is di,ided into se,eral #arts: the City& )estminster& the )est End and the East End" The heart o London London is the City& its ;nancial and 'usiness center" center" !umerous 'an3s& 'an3s& ofces and ;rms are situated there& including the Ban3 o England& the (toc3 E2change and the -ld Bailey" Bailey" 5ew #eo#le li,e here& 'ut o,er a million #eo#le come to the city to wor3" There are are some amous ancient ancient 'uildings within the City" City" 0erha#s 0erha#s the most stri3ing o them in (t" 0aul8s Cathedral& the greatest o British churches" Another im#ortant monument o London is The Tower o London which was used or many #ur#oses: as a royal #alace& an o'ser,atory& an arsenal& a state #rison and it is now a museum" 5or many ,isitors the #rinci#al attraction is the Crown
ueen" Traalgar Traalgar (=uare (=uare is the geogra#hical center o London" -n the north north side o Traalgar Traalgar (=uare (=uare is the !ational Gallery and the !ational !ational 0ortrait 0ortrait Gallery" Gallery" !ot ar away is the British 1useum / the 'iggest museum in London" The )est )est End is the richest and the most 'eautiul #art o London" -nly -nly reach #eo#le li,e there" But in the same time The East End is the #oorest district o London" There are are a lot o actories& wor3sho#s wor3sho#s and doc3s here" The streets streets are narrow& narrow& the 'uildings are unim#ressi,e" unim#ressi,e" This is the #lace o li,ing o the wor3ing class" (o ater all we can say that the U is one o the most #owerul countries with great culture and it would 'e ,ery e2iting to ,isit it"
3. Climate and Nature of Great Britain The climate in Great Britain is generally mild and tem#erate tem#erate due to the in?uence o the Gul (tream" The south/western winds carry the warmth and moisture into Britain" The climate in Britain is usually usually descri'ed as cool& tem#erate tem#erate and humid" British #eo#le say: 4-ther countries ha,e a climate& in England we ha,e weather"4 weather"4 The weather in Britain changes changes ,ery =uic3ly" =uic3ly" -ne day may 'e ;ne and the ne2t ne2t day may 'e wet" The morning may 'e warm and the e,ening may 'e cool" Thereore it is natural or the #eo#le to use the com#arison 4as changea'le as the weather4 o a #erson who oten changes his mood or o#inion a'out something" The weather is the a,orite to#ic o con,ersation in Britain" *ainall is more or less e,en throughout the year" In the mountains there is hea,ier rainall then in the #lains o the south and east" The driest #eriod is rom 1arch to
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children #romise to 3ee# them" In the north& and in (cotland& #articularly& the Hear 3nown as .ogmanay is ,ery well 3e#t u#" The ceremonies are similar& 'ut they ha,e an added called 4;rst oot4" This means o#ening your door to anyone who 3noc3s it ater midnight& and who will then enter the house& carrying a #iece o coal/or wood& or 'read" The ,isitor is entertained with ca3es and ale" Considera'le =uantities o good (cotch whis3ey are consumed during these cele'rations" %. &laces of interest There are a lot o #laces o interest in London" They are all worth seeing" -n the north side o Traalgar (=uare stands one o the world8s greatest art galleries" The !ational Gallery re#resents all schools o )estern #ainting rom the Italian 0rimiti,es to the early 67th century" 0ortraits 'y *eynolds and Gains'orough can 'e seen here" (ince the time o )illiam the Con=ueror the Tower o London has ser,ed as a ortress& a royal residence& treasury& mint and #rison" .ere many #eo#le were im#risoned and 'eheaded" !ow it8s a museum" (t" 0aul8s Cathedral is the largest and the most magni;cent church o the city" The .igh Altar orms a memorial to those who died in the two )orld )ars" The Victoria and Al'ert 1useum re#resents the ;nest e2am#les o the a##lied and decorati,e arts o all 3inds" It has collections o urniture& $ewellery& costumes& musical instruments and metalwor3" The Bar'ican centre was o#ened 'y the >ueen in 96" It includes a concert hall& the home o the London (ym#hony -rchestra& two theatres& three cinemas and an art gallery" 0iccadilly Circus is one o London8s 'usiest road/$unctions" It8s always ull o cars& #eo#le as there are many theatres& sho#s and restaurants there" The statue o Eros is in the middle o 0iccadilly" -ne o the 'eautiul things in London is 1adame Tussaud8s museum" It re#resents wa2 ;gures o the amous and inamous #eo#le o the #ast and #resent" The Cham'er o .orrors is o #articular interest and also Com#any and the *oyal Ballet" '. &ress in Britain 0ro'a'ly in no other country are there such great di%erences the ,arious national daily news#a#ers/ in the ty#e o news they re#ort and the way they re#ort it" -n the one hand& there are the 4=uality4 news#a#ers: The Times& The Inde#endent& The Guardian& the 5inancial times and the +aily Telegra#h" These concern themsel,es& as ar as #ossi'le& with actual re#orts o ma$or national and international e,ents& with the world o #olitical and 'usiness and with the arts and s#ort" -n the one hand& there are the 4#o#ulars4 and 4ta'loids4& so/called 'ecause o their smaller sie" The ta'loids/ the most widely read o which are The +aily 1ail& The +aily E2#ress& the +aily 1irror& The (un and the +aily (tar/ concentrate on more emoti,e re#orting o stories oten eaturing se2& ,iolence& the *oyal 5amily& ;lm and #o# stars& and s#ort" It is oten said that the #o#ular #ress aims to entertain it8s rather than inorm them" In addition to the 6 national daily news#a#ers there are nine national #a#ers which are #u'lished on (undays" 1ost o the 4(undays4 contain more reading matter than daily #a#ers& and se,eral o them also include 4color su##lements4/ se#arate color magaines which contain #hotogra#hically/illustrated eature articles" The British are one o the 'iggest news#a#ers/reading nations in the world" (. )useums and *rt Galleries of London London is ,ery rich in museums and art galleries" I you are ond o #ainting you8ll go to the Tate Gallery" There are a'out D77 oils and 777 watercolors and drawings" There are many wor3s 'y the English #ainter )illiam Turner there" There are a lot o #aintings 'y the J/th century English artists and #aintings 'y oreign artists o the /
67/th centuries& such as 0a'lo 0icasso8s #aintings" There are many interesting scul#tures there o .enry 1oor8s The British 1useum is the largest and richest o its 3ind in the world" It com#rises the national museum o archaeology and ethnogra#hy and the national li'rary" The #resent 'uilding was 'uilt in 96" It contains 'oo3s and manuscri#ts: Gree3& *oman& British and -riental anti=ues" It has a de#artment o Ethnogra#hy" This collection is so ,ast that only a ,ery small #ercentage o it is on show to the #u'lic" There8s also a de#artment o #rints and drawings" There8re de#artments de,oted to ma#s& coins& medals and #hilately" Those who come to the British museum can see a ascinating array o cloc3s and watches" Cultural lie o London would 'e im#ossi'le without the *oyal Al'ert hall& the *oyal 5esti,al hall& the !ational theatre and a great num'er o +. ,e ouses of &arliament The house o 0arliament in London& 3nown also as the 0alace o )estminster is the #lace where mem'ers o 0arliament @1"0" gather to ma3e laws" The mem'ers o each .ouse meet in sessions which 'egin at the end o -cto'er and last or a'out one hundred and si2ty days" The sittings usually 'egin at 7 o8cloc3 in the morning and end in the late aternoonF 'ut i 0arliament is discussing an im#ortant =uestion sittings may go on till late at night" All the time 0arliament is in session& a ?ag can 'e seen o,er the 'uilding& and when the .ouse o Commons is still sitting ater dar3& there is a light o,er the ace o Big Ben" The mem'ers o the .ouse o Commons sit on two sides o the hall" The (#ea3er is the chair#erson at all the de'ates in the .ouse o Commons& and it is duty to 3ee# order" The (#ea3er is elected 'y all the mem'ers o the .ouse o Commons" .e 'elongs to one o the #olitical #arties in 0arliament& 'ut he ne,er ,otes are e=ual he ,otes with the go,ernment" The chair#erson o the .ouse o Lords is Lord Chancellor" .e sits on the )oolsac3& a large 'ag o wool co,ered with red cloth" I shows that wool made England rich museums: the Victoria and Al'ert museum& the Geological 1useum& the 1useum o 1an3ind& !atural history museum and others" 7" 0olitical system o United ingdom Great Britain is a #arliamentary monarchy" It means that there is a >ueen @or ing and the 0arliament" The >ueen has almost no #ower in the country" .er #owers are limited 'y the 0arliament" Laws are made 'y the 0arliament" The >ueen is only a ormal ruler: she reigns 'ut does not rule" In act e,erything that she does is done on the acti,e o her ministers& who are res#onsi'le or the royal acts" Thus& most o her unctions are sym'olic" The >ueen8s residence in London is Buc3ingham 0alace" The British 0arliament consists o two cam'ers: the .ouse i Lords and the .ouse o Commons" There are more than 777 mem'ers in the .ouse o Lords" 1any seats are hereditary" The .ouse o Commons has JD mem'ers" They are elected 'y a general election @secret 'allot" The go,ernment is headed 'y the 0rime 1inister& who is the leader o the #arty that has won the election" In Great Britain there are three main #olitical #arties: the Conser,ati,es& the La'our 0arty and the Li'erals" " (ightseeing London The Tower o London is the most amous o all the historical 'uildings in London" In the #ast the Tower o London ser,ed 'oth as a #alace and as a state #rison& 'ut it is only a museum today" Traalgar (=uare is in the centre o the )est End o London" -n the north side is
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the !ational GalleryF in the north/east corner is the !ational 0ortrait Gallery& and in the centre is !elson8s Column with the ;gure o the great seamen" Traalgar (=uare is the #lace where mass meetings and demonstrations or #eace and or wor3ing #eo#le8s rights ta3e #lace" 4Big Ben4 is the name o the great 'ell which stri3es the hour" It is in the cloc3 Tower o the .ouses o 0arliament" )estminster A''ey is the historic 'uilding in London to which e,ery ,isitor sooner or later goes" 1any o Great Britain8s amous men are 'uried in )estminster A''ey" 0iccadilly Circus is a s=uare in the central #art o London" London8s 'est/3nown theatres and cinemas and most amous restaurants are on 0iccadilly Circus" .yde 0ar3 is the largest #ar3 in the )est End o London" In the th century it 'ecame a #o#ular #lace or #u'lic meetings" The British 1useum is one o the largest museums in the world" It consists o the !ational Li'rary and 1useum o .istory& Archaeology& Art and Ethnogra#hy" 6" (ome acts a'out London London has 'een home o many amous Englishmen" (ome were 'orn there" (ome li,ed there all their li,es" -thers li,ed in London only or a short time 'ut all ga,e something to this great city -ne o the ;rst names o im#ortance is that o Geo%rey Chaucer& the #oet" .e li,ed most o his lie in London" .e 3new the courts o ing *ichard II d ing .enry IV" .is most amous wor3& 8The Canter'ury Tales4& o#ens at the Ta'ard Inn& in (outhward" )illiam (ha3es#eare also li,ed in London" .e li,ed there or more than twenty years" .e acted at the Glo'e Theatre and wrote his #lays in London" But London8s amous men are not only writers" (ir Christo#her )ren& the architect& s#ent most o his lie in London" .e designed many 'eautiul churches& including (t" 0aul8s Cathedral" .e also designed #alaces and ;ne houses" 1usic is re#resented 'y a ,ery interesting ;gure" This is George 5rederic3 .andel" .e came to London rom .ano,er in K7Ater some success and some ailure he at last 'ecame amous" This ha##ened when he com#osed 4The 1essiah4" 4
interesting monument with the statue o the great #oet on to# and with characters rom his #lays round it" And& o course& you should ,isit the *oyal (ha3es#eare Theatre& a red/ 'ric3 'uilding standing on the 'an3s o the A,on" The *oyal (ha3es#eare Com#any& which is one o the 'est 3nown and largest theatre com#anies in the world& regularly #erorms here and in the Bar'ican Centre in London" " Houth organiations in Great Britain Houth and youth mo,ement ha,e 'ecome im#ortant actors in the lie o the country" There are a'out J7 youth organiations in Great Britain" All youth organiations can 'e di,ided into three large grou#s: non/#olitical organiationsF youth organiations associated with #olitical #artiesF D" youth organiations controlled 'y religious 'odies" The two largest non/#olitical youth organiations are the associations o the Boy (couts and the Girl Guides" The (cout mo,ement was intended or 'oys rom to & 'ut in J Baden 0owell introduced a #rogram or younger #eo#le" .e called them )ol Cu's" They had s#ecial uniorms& 'adges& a s#ecial training system and the motto 4+o your 'estM4 There are some other non/#olitical organiations: the Com'ined Cadet 5orce& (ea Cadet Cor#s& the )oodcrat 5ol3& the Houth .ostels Association& the !ational 5ederation o Houng 5armers Clu's& Green#eace" Houth -rganiation Green#eace deals with most urgent ecological #ro'lems" It #rotests against nuclear wea#on tests& sea and soil #ollution& etc" (#ort clu's are characteristic youth organiations in the U" They unite #eo#le who are interested in 'ase'aii& oot'all& gol& etc" *eligious young organiations and grou#s aim at hel#ing to elderly #eo#le or wor3ing in hos#itals" 1any o these organiations ha,e done and still are doing useul wor3 in #ro,iding leisure acilities or young English #eo#le" " Vegetation and wildlie Britain was originally a land o ,ast orests" 1ainly oa3 and 'eech in the Lowlands and #ine and 'irch In the .ighlands& with great stretches o marshland and smaller areas o moors" E2tensi,e orests remain in eastern and northern (cotland and in south/ eastern and western England" -a3& elm& ash& and 'eech are the commonest trees in England& while (cotland has much #ine and 'irch" The auna or animal lie o Britain is much li3e that o north/western Euro#e& to which it was once $oined" 1any larger mammals such as 'ear& wol ha,e 'een hunted to e2tinction& others are now #rotected 'y law" There are many o2es" -tters are common along ri,ers and streams& and seals li,e along much o the coast" .edgehogs& hares& ra''its& rats and mice are numerous" +eer li,e in some o the orests in the .ighlands o (cotland and England" (ome 6D7 3inds o 'irds li,e in Britain& and another 677 are regular ,isitors& many are song'irds" The most numerous are 'lac3'irds& s#arrow and starling" *o'in *ed'reast is the national 'ird o Britain" The num'er o duc3s& geese and other water owl has diminished during recent years" J" .olidays in Great Britain English are #roud o their traditions and careully 3ee# them" English #eo#le cele'rate Christmas on the 6th o +ecem'er" It8s the season o good will" It8s the most 'eautiul time o the year / the time o lo,e& $oy and ho#es" There are some traditions on !ew Hear8s +ay" -ne o them is the old 5irst 5ooting" The ;rst man to come into the house is ,ery im#ortant" The Englishmen 'elie,e that he 'rings luc3" Another 'est/lo,ed holiday is (t"Valentine8s +ay on the th o 5e'ruary / the holiday o lo,e and a%ection& the day o sending and gi,ing #resents to those you lo,e"
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In England& Easter is a church holiday" A custom is decorating eggs or children" .alloween is the day or e,ening 'eore all (aint8s +ay" Children dress u# in .alloween costumes and mas3s o,er their aces" According to the Act o 0arliament o 9K there are 'an3 holidays Easter 1onday& whit/1onday& +es 6Jth /Bo2ing +ay" -ther #u'lic holiday are Good 5riday& 1ay +ay& Also there is a 0anca3e +ay& A#ril8s 5ool +ay& 1other8s +ay" K" Educational system in Great Britain The educational system o Great Britain is e2tremely com#le2 and 'ewildering" It is ,ery difcult to generalie a'out #articular ty#es o schools as schools di%er rom one to the other" 0rimary education ta3es #lace in inant schools or #u#il8s ages rom to K years old and $unior schools @rom 9 to years" (ome areas ha,e di%erent systems in which middle schools re#lace $unior schools and ta3e #u#ils ages rom to years" (econdary education has 'een a,aila'le in Britain since " It is com#ulsory u# to the age o J& and #u#ils can stay at school ,oluntarily u# to three years longer" At the age o J #u#ils ta3e school/lea,ing e2aminations in se,eral su'$ects at the -rdinary le,el" This e2amination could also 'e ta3en 'y candidates at a urther education esta'lishment" This e2am was called the General Certi;cate o Education @GCE" 0u#ils o com#rehensi,e school had ta3en the e2amination called the Certi;cate o (econdary Education either with or instead o the GCE" A GCE o Ad,anced @4A4 le,el was ta3en two years ater the -rdinary le,el e2am" The #ri,ate sector is running #arallel to the state system o education" There are o,er 677 ee/charging inde#endent schools in GB" 1ost #ri,ate schools are single/se2 until the age o J" There are o,er 7 uni,ersities in GB" They are di,ided into three ty#es: the old uni,ersities @-2ord& Cam'ridge and Edin'urgh Uni,ersities& in the th century uni,ersities& such as London and 1anchester uni,ersities& and the new uni,ersities" 5ull courses o study o%er the degree o Bachelor o Art or (cience" 1ost degree courses at uni,ersities last three years& language courses years" 1edicine and dentistry courses are longer @/K years" 1ost students li,e away rom home& in ?ats o halls o residence" There are not only uni,ersities in Britain 'ut also colleges" Colleges o%er courses in teacher training& courses in technology and some #roessions connected with medicine" 9" Buc3ingham 0alace Buc3ingham #alace is the ofcial London residence o .er 1a$esty The >ueen and as such is one o the 'est 3nown and most #otent sym'ols o the British monarchy" Het it has 'een a royal residence or only $ust o,er two hundred and thirty years and a #alace or much lessF and its name& 3nown the world o,er& is owed not to a monarch 'ut to an English +u3e" Buc3ingham .ouse was 'uilt or ueen Victoria in the end& and 'y ueen 1ary used the ;rm o )hite Alum to redecorate a num'er o rooms" The rooms o#en to ,isitors are used #rinci#ally or ofcial entertainment
"These include *ece#tions and (tate Ban=uets& and it is on such occasions& when the rooms are ;lled with ?owers and thronged with ormally dressed guests and li,eried ser,ants& that the 0alace is seen at its most s#lendid and im#osing" But o course the 0alace is also ar more than $ust the London home o the *oyal 5amily and a #lace o la,ish entertainment" It has 'ecome the administrati,e centre o the monarchy where& among a multitude o engagements& .er 1a$esty recei,es oreign .eads o (tate& Commonwealth leaders and re#resentati,es o the +i#lomatic Cor#s and conducts In,estitures& and where the ma$ority o the *oyal .ousehold& consisting o si2 main +e#artments and a sta% o a'out three hundred #eo#le& has their ofces" " 1edia in Great Britain The media #lay a central role in Britain8s daily lie& inorming and educating& =uestioning and challenging / and o course / entertaining" In recent years the a,aila'ility o more radio re=uencies& together with satellite& ca'le and microwa,e transmissions& has already made a greater num'er o local& national and international ser,ices #ossi'le" The transition rom analogue to digital transmission technology is now e2#anding this ca#acity enormously" Broadcasting in Britain has traditionally 'een 'ased on the #rinci#le that it is a #u'lic ser,ice accounta'le to #eo#le" )hile retaining the essential #u'lic ser,ice element& it now also em'races the #rinci#les o com#etition and choice: the BBC @British Broadcasting Cor#oration& which 'roadcasts tele,ision and radio #rogramsF the ITC @Inde#endent Tele,ision Commission& which licenses and regulates commercial tele,ision ser,ices& including ca'le and satellite ser,icesF the *adio Authority& which licenses and regulates commercial radio ser,ices& including ca'le and satelliteF The three 'odies wor3 to 'road re=uirements and o'$ecti,es de;ned and endorsed 'y 0arliament& 'ut are otherwise inde#endent in their daily conduct o 'usiness" Ca'le ser,ices are deli,ered through underground ca'les and are #aid or su'scri#tion" Ca'le ranchises ha,e 'een granted co,ering areas com#rising 9D #er cent o all homes and nearly all ur'an areas in Britain" In mid / there were a'out 6" million homes a'le to recei,e such ser,ices& and D million su'scri'ing homes" +igital technology is 'eing introduced which will su##ort u# to 77 tele,ision channels" Ca'le also has the ca#acity or com#uter / 'ased interacti,e ser,ices& such as home sho##ing and email" (atellite tele,ision and ca'le ser,ices are unded mainly 'y su'scri#tion income" Tele,ision ,iewing is 'y ar Britain8s most #o#ular leisure #astime: o,er K #er cent o households ha,e at least one TV set" British tele,ision #roductions are sold world N wide 67" Euro#ean Union The esta'lishment o the EU intended to wor3 toward common goals o Euro#ean countries" The EU was esta'lished ater 6nd )orld )ar" 5rance ofcially undertoo3 the esta'lishment o the EU #ro#osing to create 4the ;rst concrete oundation o a Euro#ean ederation4" -n 1ay & 7 the EU was created and initially si2 Euro#ean countries $oint to the EU: Belgium& Germany& 5rance& Italy& Lu2em'urg& and the !etherlands" Then other countries $oint to the EU and today the num'er o the mem'er countries is 6K" The re=uirements or the countries willing to 'ecome mem'er o EU are the ollowing: 1em'er countries must 'e a sta'le democracy& res#ecting human rights& the rule o law& and the #rotection o minoritiesF
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1em'er countries must ha,e a unctioning mar3et economyF The EU has such a structure that there are institutions and each o them is res#onsi'le or a res#ecti,e o'$ecti,e: Euro#ean 0arliament / The main unctions o this institution is to e2ercise the issues related to the legislation& im#lementing oreign and security #olicy& monitor the 'udget" Council o the Euro#ean Union / This is the most in?uential institution in decision ma3ing #rocess" The main unction o this institution is to e2ercise the issues related to the legislation& to suggest and monitor the international agreements& im#lementing oreign and security #olicy" Euro#ean Commission / It is mainly res#onsi'le or creating the initial outline o legislation& im#lementing the legislation to assure that law is #ro#erty a##lied& and re#resenting the EU in international sco#e and signing trade and coo#eration agreements" Court o
66" Geogra#hical #osition o U(A The United (tates o America is the ourth largest country in the world @ater *ussia& Canada and China" It m occu#ies the southern #art o !orth America and stretches rom the 0aci;c to the Atlantic -cean" It also includes Alas3a in the north and .awaii in the 0aci;c -cean" The total area o the country is a'out nine and a hal million s=uare 3ilometers" The U(A 'orders on Canada in the north and on 1e2ico in the south" It also has a sea 'oarder with *ussia" The U(A is made u# o 7 states and the +istrict o Colum'ia& a s#ecial ederal area where the ca#ital o the country& )ashington& is situated" The #o#ulation o the country is a'out 67 million" The highest mountains are the *oc3y 1ountains& the Cordillera and the (ierra !e,ada" The highest #ea3 is 1ount 1cinley& which is located in Alas3a" America8s largest ri,ers are the 1ississi##i& the 1issouri& the *io Grande and the Colum'ia" The Great La3es on the 'order with Canada are the largest and dee#est in the U(A" The climate o the country ,aries greatly" The coldest regions are in the north" The climate o Alas3a is arctic" The climate o the central #art is continental" The south has su'tro#ical climate" .ot winds 'lowing rom the Gul o 1e2ico oten 'ring ty#hoons" The U(A is a highly de,elo#ed industrial country" It is the world8s leading #roducer o co##er and oil and the world8s second #roducer o iron ore and coal" Among the most im#ortant manuacturing industries are aircrat& cars& te2tiles& radio and tele,ision sets& armaments& urniture and #a#er" The largest cities are !ew Hor3& Los Angeles& Chicago& 0hiladel#hia& +etroit& (an 5rancisco and others" The United (tates is a ederal union o 7 states& each o which has its own go,ernment" The seat o the central @ederal go,ernment is )ashington& +C" According to the U( Constitution the #owers o the go,ernment are di,ided into D 'ranches: the e2ecuti,e& headed 'y the 0resident& the legislati,e& e2ercised 'y the Congress& and the $uridical" The Congress consists o the (enate and the .ouse o *e#resentati,es" There are two main #olitical #arties in the U(A: the *e#u'lican and the +emocratic" 6D" (cotland (cotland is administrati,e di,ision o the 3ingdom o Great Britain& occu#ying the northern third o the island o Great Britain" As a geo#olitical entity (cotland includes 9J near'y islands& a ma$ority o which are contained in three grou#sPnamely& the .e'rides& also 3nown as the )estern Islands& situated o% the western coastF the -r3ney Islands& situated o% the northeastern coastF and the (hetland Islands& situated northeast o the -r3ney Islands" The largest o the other islands is the Island o Arran" Edin'urgh is the ca#ital o (cotland as well as a ma$or industrial area and sea#ort !ota'le among the la3es& which are es#ecially numerous in the central and northern regions& are Loch Lomond @the largest& Loch !ess& Loch Tay& and Loch atrina" The longest ri,er o (cotland is the TayF the Clyde& howe,er& is the #rinci#al na,igational stream& site o the #ort o Glasgow" Li3e the climate o the rest o Great Britain& that o (cotland is su'$ect to the moderating in?uences o the surrounding seas The most common s#ecies o trees indigenous to (cotland are oa3 and coniersPchie?y ;r& #ine& and larch" The only large indigenous mammal in (cotland is the deer" Both the red deer and the roe deer are ound& 'ut the red deer& whose ha'itat is the .ighlands& is 'y ar the more a'undant o the two s#ecies" -ther indigenous mammals are the hare& ra''it& otter& ermine& #ine marten& and wildcat" Game 'irds include
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grouse& 'lac3coc3& #tarmigan& and waterowl" Both agriculture and industry are im#ortant in the economy o (cotland" The chie e2#orts are #etroleum and natural gas and manuactured goods& es#ecially 'urla#& clothing& machinery& te2tiles& and whis3ey" The chie im#orts are ood and iron The most #o#ulous city in (cotland is Glasgow" -ther im#ortant industrial cities are +undee and A'erdeen" (cotland is go,erned as an integral #art o Great Britain" It is re#resented 'y K6 mem'ers in the .ouse o Commons and 'y J (cottish #eers in the .ouse o Lords" 6" -lym#ic Games The -lym#ic Games ha,e a ,ery long history" They 'egan in KKK BC in Greece and too3 #lace e,ery our years or nearly twel,e centuries at -lym#ia" They included many di%erent 3inds o s#orts: running& 'o2ing& wrestling& etc" All the cities in Greece sent their 'est athletes to -lym#ia to com#ete in the Games" 5or the #eriod o the Games all the wars sto##ed" (o the -lym#ic Games 'ecame the sym'ol o #eace and riendshi#" In D A+ the Games were a'olished and were not renewed until many centuries later" In 9& a 5renchman& Baron 0ierre de Cou'ertin& addressed all the s#orts go,erning 'odies and #ointed out the signi;cance o s#orts and its educational ,alue" Two years later the ;rst modern -lym#ic Games too3 #lace" - course& the com#etitions were held in Greece to sym'olie the continuation o the centuries/ old tradition" In 9J the International -lym#ic Committee was set u#" It is the central #olicyma3ing 'ody o the -lym#ic mo,ement" It is ormed 'y the re#resentati,es o all countries which ta3e #art in the -lym#ic Games" The International -lym#ic Committee decides u#on the #rogrammed o the games& the num'er o the #artici#ants and the city host or the Games" -,er one hundred and ;ty countries are re#resented in the International -lym#ic Committee now" Besides& each country has its !ational -lym#ic Committee" (ummer and )inter Games are held se#arately" There are always se,eral cities wishing to host the Games" The most suita'le is selected 'y the International Committee" Ater that the city o the Games starts #re#arations or the com#etitions& constructs new s#orts acilities& stadiums& hotels& #ress centers" Thousands o athletes& $ournalists and guests come to the Games& and it ta3es great e%orts to arrange e,erything" There is always an interesting cultural #rogrammer o concerts& e2hi'itions& esti,als& etc"& or each Games" The ne2t summer games will 'e held in Bei$ing& *e#u'lic o China" 6" .olidays in U(A The U"(" has no national holidays" Legal holidays / days on which 'an3s& schools& or other #u'lic institutions and most #laces o 'usiness are closed" 1emorial +ay is a legal holiday& o'ser,ed annually on the last 1onday in 1ay in most o the United Inde#endence +ay is an annual holiday commemorating the ormal ado#tion 'y the Continental Congress o the +eclaration o Inde#endence on
#ageants and #u'lic s#eeches" Than3sgi,ing +ay& a legal holiday in the U"("& was ;rst cele'rated in early colonial times in !ew England" 0resident A'raham Lincoln a##ointed a day o than3sgi,ing& and since then each #resident has issued a Than3sgi,ing +ay #roclamation& generally designating the ourth Thursday o !o,em'er as a holiday" !ew Hear8s +ay is the ;rst day o the year&
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;rst 4Co,ent Garden theatre4 was 'uilt in KD6" It was 'urnt down in 979 and re'uilds e2actly a year ater" It o#ened in (e#tem'er 97& with (ha3es#eare8s 41ac'eth4" (ince the middle o the last century 4Co,ent Garden4 'ecame e2clusi,ely de,oted to o#era" !ow 4Co,ent Garden4 in 'usier than e,er& it is one o the ew well/3nown o#era houses o#en or months o the year and it em#loys o,er J77 #eo#le 'oth o the -#era com#any and the *oyal Ballet" Theatres are ,ery much the same in London as anywhere elseF the chie theatres& music halls and cinemas are in the )est End" I you are staying in London or a ew days& you8ll ha,e no difculty whate,er in ;nding somewhere to s#end an en$oya'le e,ening" Hou8ll ;nd o#era& 'allet& comedy& drama& re,ue& musical comedy and ,ariety" The 'est seats at theatres are those in the stalls& the circle and the u##er circle" Then comes the #it& and the last o all the gallery where the seats are chea#est" Bo2es& o course& are the most e2#ensi,e" At the )est End theatres you can see most o the amous English actors and actresses" As a rule& the #lays are magni;cently staged / costumes& dresses& scenery& e,erything 'eing done o the most la,ish scale" 69" 5amous #eo#le o America There are many outstanding #eo#le in United (tates" America #roduced statesmen& thin3ers& e2#lorers& musicians& writers& scientists and other #eo#le who are well 3nown around the world" (amuel Langhorne Clemens& is 3nown to most #eo#le as 1ar3 Twain" )hile he wor3ed as a re#orter he 'egan to sign his articles 41ar3 Twain4" 5rom then on Clemens used 1ar3 Twain as his #en/name" )hile he s#ent his summers on his arm& he wrote 4The Ad,entures o Tom (awyer4& #u'lished in 9KJ" 4The Ad,entures o .uc3le'erry 5inn4& 4Tom (awyer4 and 4.uc3le'erry 5inn4 are among the most #o#ular 'oo3s e,er #u'lished in the United (tates" Among 1ar3 Twain8s other 'oo3s are 4
#hysical education& music& and art se,eral times a wee3" I he ails a course& he re#eats only that course and not the wor3 o the entire year" (tudents must com#lete a certain num'er o courses in order to recei,e a di#loma& or a certi;cate o graduation" Usually there is no admission e2amination re=uired 'y a state uni,ersity or those who ha,e ;nished high school within the state" (ometimes a certain #attern o high school studies is necessary& howe,er& and some state uni,ersities re=uire a certain scholastic a,erage& or a,erage o high school grades" It usually ta3es our years to meet the re=uirements or a Bachelor o Arts or Bachelor o (cience degree" A 1aster o Arts or 1aster o (cience degree may 'e o'tained in one or two additional years" The highest academic degree is the M +octor o 0hiloso#hy" It may ta3e any num'er o years to com#lete the original research wor3 necessary to o'tain this degree" In general& higher education in the U(A may 'e di,ided into two 'road ;elds: li'eral arts and #roessional" Each o these ;elds may 'e urther su'di,ided into undergraduate and graduate le,els" The li'eral arts #rogram& on the undergraduate le,el& may 'e a two/year $unior college course& or a our/year course leading to a degree o Bachelor o Arts or Bachelor o (cience" The our/ year course is usually su'di,ided into a lower di,ision @which may 'e called the $unior college& consisting o the two ;rst years& and the u##er di,ision& which is the last two years" The ;rst two years continue the general education and s#ecialiation 'egins in the third year" D7" 5ast 5ood o America .a,e you e,er en$oyed a ham'urger& sitting on a lawnO 1ay 'e you8re against all these hot dogs and cheese'urgers& 'ecause it8s a $un3 ood" Anyway& it is always interesting to ;nd out something a'out the origin and history o such tri?es& which ma3e our lie more comorta'le" They really ma3e lie more #leasant& es#ecially outdoors& don8t theyO 0o# Corn/ It8s im#ossi'le to imagine American ta3eaway ood or snac3s without #o#corn" Clear as a day& it is made rom corn" But what a'out the ;rst #art o the word 4#o#4" Actually& when you #ut a 3ernel o corn on a ;re& the water inside ma3es the corn e2#lode" This ma3es a 4#o#4 noise" That is why we call it #o#corn" But in a new machine was in,ented that changed the history o the #roduct" The electric machine ena'led to #o# corn outside the home" And soon mo,ies started selling #o#corn to ma3e more money" The amous American ha'it o eating #o#corn at the mo,ies is well/3nown" 1any #eo#le li3e to #ut salt or melted 'utter in their #o#corn& some #ee#er to ha,e it without" Either way Americans lo,e their #o#corn Coca Cola/ Coca/Cola The world amous resh drin3 Coca/Cola ;rst was an all/#ur#ose medicine& made in 99J 'y a druggist rom Atlanta& who made a 'rown syru# 'y mi2ing coca lea,es and cola nuts" The syru# wasn8t a success and then another druggist&
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union under a strong central go,ernment" Under the Constitution& the ederal go,ernment is di,ided into three 'ranches& each chosen in a di%erent manner& each a'le to chec3 and 'alance the others" The E2ecuti,e Branch is headed 'y the 0resident& who& together with the Vice 0resident& is chosen in nationwide elections e,ery our years" The electi,e #rocess or a U"(" 0resident is uni=ue" The #residential candidate needs 6K7 electoral ,otes to 'e electedF i no candidate has a ma$ority& the .ouse o *e#resentati,es ma3e the decision" Any natural/'orn American who is D years old or older may 'e elected to this ofce" The 0resident #ro#oses 'ills to Congress& enorces ederal laws& ser,es as Commander/in/Chie o the Armed 5orces and& with the a##ro,al o the (enate ma3es treaties and a##oints ederal $udges& am'assadors and other mem'ers o the E2ecuti,e +e#artments The Vice 0resident& elected rom the same #olitical #arty as the 0resident& acts as chairman o the (enate& and in the e,ent o the death or disa'ility o the 0resident& assumes the 0residency or the 'alance o his term" The Legislati,e Branch is made u# o two houses: the (enate and the .ouse o *e#resentati,es" Each state elects two mem'ers o the 77/mem'er (enateF a (enator8s term o ofce is si2 years The
o and #erha#s unimagina'le& the citiens o the 67th century elt ree to rein,ent themsel,es" In that tas3 they were assisted 'y two #roound de,elo#ments / #sychoanalysis and the Bom'" DD" (#orts in U(A Americans #ay much attention to #hysical ;tness" 1any s#orts and s#orting acti,ities are #o#ular in the U(A" 0eo#le #artici#ate in swimming& s3ating& s=uash and 'adminton& tennis& marathons& trac3/and/;eld& 'owing& archery& s3iing& s3ating etc" But the ;,e ma$or American s#orts are hoc3ey& ,olley'all& 'ase'all& oot'all and 'as3et'all" Bas3et'all and ,olley'all ha,e 'een in,ented in America" There is a large choice o s#orts in America" This can 'e e2#lained 'y the sie and ,ariety o the country" Another reason o the #o#ularity o s#orts is the #eo#le8s lo,e o com#etition o any 3ind" -ne more reason is that Americans use s#orts acti,ities or teaching socials ,alues& such as teamwor3 and s#ortsmanshi#" All this e2#lains why Americans ha,e traditionally done well in many 3inds o s#orts" (ome Americans li3e acti,e games and others li3e =uite games" I thin3 that =uite games& as gol and croc3et& intend or rich elite #eo#le" 1ost #o#ular games in the U(A are hoc3ey& American oot'all& 'ase'all& 'as3et'all" -##ortunities or 3ee#ing ;t and #laying s#orts are numerous"
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agree with the Constitution" The great legal issues acing the (u#reme Court at #resent are Go,ernment in,ol,ement with religion& a'ortion and #ri,acy rights& and race and se2 discrimination" D" (#orts in Great Britain !ational s#orts in Great Britain""" It is a ,ery interesting =uestion& 'ecause many 3inds o s#ort ha,e ta3en the origin in England" The Englishmen lo,e s#orts& they are called s#orts/lo,ers in s#ite o the act that some o them neither #lay games nor e,en watch them" They only li3e to s#ea3 a'out s#orts" (ome 3inds o s#ort are #roessional in England" 1any traditional s#orting contests ta3e #lace in England& or e2am#le& cric3et" It is #layed rom 1ay till (e#tem'er" 5oot'all& it has got a long history" 5oot'all was #layed 'y the whole ,illage teams in the middle ages in England" !ow oot'all is the most #o#ular game in Britain" It is a team game" There are some amateur teams 'ut most o the teams are #roessional ones in England" 0roessional oot'all is a 'ig 'usiness" 5oot'all is #layed at schools too" *ug'y is a #o#ular game in England" There are many amateur rug'y teams in this country" It is a game that is #layed 'etween two teams o #layers using an o,al 'all that can 'e handled or 3ic3ed" The ca#tain o the team must 'e the oldest or 'est #layer" There are some tennis clu's in England& 'ut i you #lay there it is necessary to #ay money or it" Englishmen li3e #laying tennis 'ut many o them #reer to watch this game" )im'ledon it is the centre o lawn tennis" Englishmen #ay much attention to swimming& rowing and wal3ing" Usually the -2ordPCam'ridge Boat *ace ta3es #lace at the end o 1arch or at the 'eginning o A#ril" It is an interesting contest 'etween the uni,ersities o -2ord and Cam'ridge" It is usually held on the Thames *i,er" The ;rst such race was held in 967" There were a lot o #eo#le watching this race" There are some racing com#etitions in England" They are motor/car racing& dog/racing& don3ey/ racing& 'oat/racing& horse/racing" All 3inds o racings are #o#ular in England" It is interesting to see the egg/and/s#oon race" The runner& who ta3es #art in this com#etition& must carry an egg in a s#oon" It is not allowed to dro# the egg" There are such com#etitions as #utting the weight& tossing the ca'er and others" The English are great lo,ers o s#orts" DJ" .istory o Great Britain The United ingdom o Great Britain and !orthern Ireland is a country o great history rich in im#ortant e,ents and entertaining legends connected with them" It8s not enough to write se,eral ,olumes to tell the ull history o the country" That8s why we8ll try to answer the =uestion where the British come rom and who they are" Ater 977 BC the Celts arri,ed rom Central Euro#e and o#ened u# a new im#ortant #age o the British history" The name QBritainR comes rom the name o a Celtic tri'e 3nown as the Britons" Their in?uence was greatest in )ales& (cotland and Ireland& as they were dri,en to these #arts 'y the in,aders who ollowed them" That8s why these #arts o Britain are ,ery di%erent rom England in language& customs and traditions" .owe,er =uite soon it was attac3ed 'y Germanic tri'es: 0eo#le 'egan to call the new land o the Angles and (a2ons England" )ales& Cornwall& the northern #art o Britain and Ireland remained uncon=uered and #reser,ed Celtic culture" An im#ortant e,ent which contri'uted to the uni;cation o the country was the ado#tion o Christianity in England in JJ" In the th century the +anes attac3ed England" It was Alred who deeated the +anes ma3ing them sign a #eace agreement" The last o the in,aders to come to Britain were the !ormans rom 5rance" The 5rench language 'ecame the ofcial language o the ruling class or the ne2t
three centuries" This e2#lains the great num'er o 5rench words in English" .owe,er the ;nal uni;cation o (cotland and England too3 #lace in K7K when 'oth sides agreed to orm a single #arliament in London or Great Britain& although (cotland continued to 3ee# its own system o law& education and ha,e an inde#endent church" Ireland was England8s ;rst colony& 'ut e,en now there are #ro'lems there connected with religion" *ecently& there ha,e 'een many wa,es o immigration into Britain" !ow Britain is a multinational society& which 'ene;ts rom the in?uence o di%erent #eo#le and cultures" DK" )illiam (ha3es#eare The last hal o the Jth and the 'eginning o the Kth centuries are 3nown as the golden age o English literature" It was the time o the English *enaissance& and sometimes it is e,en called 4the age o (ha3es#eare4" )illiam (ha3es#eare& the greatest and most amous o English writers& and #ro'a'ly the greatest #laywright who has e,er li,ed& was 'orn on the 6Dd o A#ril& J& in (tratord/on/ A,on" In s#rite o his ame we 3now ,ery little a'out his lie" At the age o si2 he was sent to school& 'ut had to lea,e it at the age o D" .is ather& ueens& (taten Island and the Bron2" The Bron2 is amous or a oo& which is situated there" 1anhattan is the center o !ew Hor3 City" !ear million #eo#le li,e here& 'ut o,er than million come here to wor3 rom all #arts o the city e,ery day" The main street& Broadway& is also here" And there are a lot o other amous streets which 3nown nationwide" )all (treet is amous or ;nance" 1adison A,enue means ad,ertising& and 5ith A,enue is amous or world/class sho##ing" There is a amous crossing Times (=uare" It amous or Theatre district& there are more than thirty theaters there& and e,ery e,ening they #lay their #lays" 1ost o !ew Hor38s s3yscra#ers are located on the island o 1anhattan"
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There are such 'uildings as Art +eco Chrysler Building and there were twin towers o the )orld Trade Center" -ne o the amous 'uilding in the world is the (tatue o Li'erty" It was 'uilt in 99J" It was a #resent rom the #eo#le o 5rance" It re#resents America8s sym'ol o reedomM In 677& nearly K7 languages were s#o3en in the city and DJ #ercent o its #o#ulation was 'orn outside the United (tates" !ew Hor3 is also 3nown as 4The City that !e,er (lee#s&4 not least 'ecause its su'way system o#erates around the cloc3 and 'ecause many neigh'orhoods in 1anhattan& such as Times (=uare& are 'usy at all hours" D" Australian culture" (ince K99& the #rimary 'asis o Australian culture has 'een Anglo/Celtic& although distincti,e Australian eatures had 'een e,ol,ing rom the en,ironment and indigenous culture" -,er the #ast 7 years& Australian culture has 'een strongly in?uenced 'y American #o#ular culture @#articularly tele,ision and cinema& large/scale immigration rom non/English/s#ea3ing countries& and Australia8s Asian neigh'ors" The ,igor and originality o the arts in Australia P literature& cinema& o#era& music& #ainting& theatre& dance& and crats P ha,e achie,ed international recognition" In KD& 0atric3 )hite was awarded the !o'el 0rie in Literature& the only Australian to ha,e achie,ed thisF he is recognied as one o the great English/ language writers o the 67th century" Australian English is a ma$or ,ariety o the languageF its grammar and s#elling are largely 'ased on those o British English& o,erlaid with a rich ,ernacular o uni=ue le2ical items and #hrases& some o which ha,e ound their way into standard English" (#ort #lays an im#ortant #art in Australian culture& assisted 'y a climate that a,ors outdoor acti,itiesF 6D"S Australians o,er the age o regularly #artici#ate in organied s#orting acti,ities" At an international le,el& Australia has #articularly strong teams in cric3et& hoc3ey& net'all& rug'y league& rug'y union& and #erorms well in cycling& rowing and swimming" !ationally& other #o#ular s#orts include Australian rules oot'all& horse racing& oot'all @soccer and motor "acing" Australia has #artici#ated in e,ery summer -lym#ic Games o the modern era& and e,ery Commonwealth Games" Australia hosted the J (ummer -lym#ics in 1el'ourne and the 6777 (ummer -lym#ics in (ydney& and has ran3ed among the to# ;,e medal/ta3ers since 6777Tele,ised s#ort is #o#ularF some o the highest rating tele,ision #rograms include the summer -lym#ic Games and the grand ;nals o local and international oot'all @,arious codes com#etitions 7" Edin'urgh Edin'urgh is the ca#ital o (cotland and one o the most 'eautiul cities in Euro#e" It has 'een the ca#ital o (cotland since DK and is the seat o the (cottish 0arliament" It lies on se,en hills and goes down on those hills to the sea" The highest hill is three hundred meters a'o,e the sea" 5rom the street in the centre o the city you can see shi#s coming to Edin'urgh rom di%erent countries o the world" 1any great men ha,e li,ed and wor3ed in this 'eautiul city" *o'ert Burns& the great (cottish #oet #u'lished his ;rst 'oo3 o #oems in Edin'urgh" There is a monument to him in the city" )alter (cott& the ather o the historical no,el in the world literature& was 'orne in Edin'urgh" The monument to )alter (cott is in the main street o the city" *o'ert Louis (te,enson& a amous English writer& was 'orn and li,ed in Edin'urgh" .e lo,ed the city and wrote a'out it his 'est no,els" Edin'urgh is well/3nown or the annual Edin'urgh 5esti,al& a collection o ofcial and inde#endent esti,als held annually o,er a'out our wee3s rom early
August" The num'er o ,isitors attracted to Edin'urgh or the 5esti,al& is roughly e=ual to the settled #o#ulation o the city" The most amous o these e,ents are the Edin'urgh 5ringe @the largest #erorming arts esti,al in the world& the Edin'urgh International 5esti,al& the Edin'urgh 1ilitary Tattoo& and the Edin'urgh International 5ilm 5esti,al" In act the city is one o the most ,i'rant& cosmo#olitan cities in Euro#e and is regularly ,oted as one o the most desira'le #laces to li,e in the world"This is a city that 3nows how to 'e 'oth ancient and modern" And a antastic #lace to li,e"
