The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

discuss these questions:
Geographical position of the UK
Countries and capitals
The political

system
London’s places of interest
British traditions and holidays

which is situated in the British Isles. Thus, “Great Britain”,

the main island, is often the same as the UK. It consists of four countries which are England, Scotland and Wales (in Great Britain) and Northern Ireland ( in Ireland). The UK is separated from the continent by the English Channel and the Strait of Dover.

Scotland

England

Wales

Northern Ireland

IRELAND

GREAT BRITAIN

capital.
Scotland takes up one third of the territory of Great

Britain. Edinburgh has been the capital since the 15th century.
Wales became part of England in 1536. The capital of Wales ( or Cymry as they call themselves) is Cardiff.
Northern Ireland is the smallest part. It occupies the northeast of the island of Ireland, only one-sixth of its territory. Its capital city is Belfast.

that it has a monarch (a king or a queen)

as its Head of State. The monarch reigns with the support of Parliament. Parliament consists of two chambers known as the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Parliament and the monarch have different roles in the government of the country, and they only meet together on symbolic occasions such as the coronation or the opening of Parliament. In reality, the House of Commons is only one of the three which has true power.

true power

in 1952
Was crowned in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953
Has

four children: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward

Prince Charles

Prince Andrew

Princess Anne

elected members (MPs)
It is here that new bills are introduced

and debated.
It is presided by the Speaker.

The House of Lords has more than 1,ooo members (only 250 take an active part in the work.

Members are not elected.

They debate a bill after it has been passed by the House of Commons. Ganges may be recommended and agreement is reached by negotiations.

it is one of the largest cities in the world.

It is situated upon both banks of the River Thames.
The City extends over an area of about 2.6 square kilometres is the heart of London. It is the financial centre of the UK with many banks, offices and the Stock Exchange.
The West End with its historical palaces and parks and the East End with a famous port are the other parts of London.

Tree
Children leave long socks or stockings for presents, fruit and

nuts
The Queen delivers her traditional Christmas speech to the IK and the Commonwealth
26th December is also a public holiday, Boxing Day, and this is the time to visit friends.

we know today, the celebration owes its name and many

of its customs and symbols to a pagan festival called Eostre. Eoster, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of springtime and sunrise.

parties people dress up in strange costumes and pretend they

are witches.
They cut horrible faces in vegetables and put a candle inside
Children dressed in white sheets knock on doors and ask if you would like a “trick” or a “treat”. If you give them something nice they go away, but if you don’t…

by burning a dummy, made of straw and old clothes,

on a bonfire, at the same time letting off fireworks.

most moving ceremony in Wales. Here the love of song

and poetry of the Welsh is organized to make a spectacle unique in the world.