AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
GEOGRAPHY OF GREAT BRITAIN
1. Geographical position of Great Britain.
2. General characteristic of the island around Britain.
3. Surface features of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
4. Water resources: lakes, rivers in four parts.
5. Natural resources. Minerals. Flora and fauna (in four countries).
U.K. – FACTS IN BRIEF
Type of Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Divisions: England, 39 counties, but about 50 large administrative areas; Northern Ireland, 6 counties; Scotland, 33 counties; Wales, 13 counties
Capital: London
Largest cities: London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Londonderry, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds
Official Language: English
Area: 224 square miles. Greatest distance – (north-south) 600 miles; (east-west) 320 miles. Coastline, approximately 4.000 miles
Highest Elevation: Ben Nevis, Scotland, 1,344 metres above sea level.
Population: 60 mil.
Flag: The Union Flag combines the red-on-white crosses of St. George and St. Patrick with the white-on-blue cross of St. Andrew
Chief Products: Agriculture – barley, flax, fruits, hops, oats, potatoes, sugar-beet, wheat, cheese, processed food; Manufacturing and Processing – chemicals, clothing, earthenware (pottery), electrical and electronic goods, glassware, bone-china, machinery, metal goods, moto vehicles, aircraft, tractors, ships, paper, textiles, wood products; Mining – building stone, chalk, coal, iron ore, lead, tin; Fishing Industry – cod, haddock, halibut, herring, mackerel, plaice, salmon, sole.
Money: Pound
Patron Saints: England – St. George; Scotland – St Andrew; Wales – St. David; Northern Ireland – St. Patrick
Ancient Names: England – Anglia, Britannia; Scotland – Caledonia, Scotia; Wales – Cambria (Cymry); Northern Ireland – Hiberni*, Erin.
Symbols:
United Kingdom of Great Britain London (UK), coat of arms and Northern Ireland, coat of arms
Scotland, small coat of arms Scotland, big coat of arms
England, coat of arms Wales, coat of arms
Great Britain is divided into three parts. Scotland in the north, Wales in the West, and England in the south and east. From the 1600s onwards, people from Britain founded colonies in many parts of the world. Today more than 50 former colonies are independent members of the Commonwealth.
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UK.is the political name of the country consisting of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland situated on the British Isles. People generally shorten the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Kingdom, Great Britain, or simply Britain. UK is the heart of the Commonwealth of Nations.
The capital of the UK is London. It is also the capital of England.
Englandhas a total area of 130.362 square km. It is divided into counties, of which there are 39 geographical ones and 46 administrative ones.
Waleshas a total area of 20.764 square km and is divided into 13 counties, with Cardiff being the capital.
Scotlandtogether with its 186 inhabited islands has a total area of 78.772 square km. It has 33 counties. Its capital is Edinburgh.
Northern Ireland consists of 6 counties and has a total area of 14.121 square km. Its capital is Belfast.
The UK is a small country. It is twice smaller than France or Spain. The UK’s territory is 2 per cent of the inhabited territory of the world, claiming the 75th place among other countries.
The total area of the country is 94,217 square miles (244,100 sq. km) of which nearly 99 per cent is land and the remainder inland water. The population of the UK is 65 million people and it’s the world’s 5th largest economy.
QUESTIONS ON GEOGRAPHY
l. What is the name of the isles to the North-West off Europe? – The British Isles.
2. What seas and oceans is Great Britain washed by? – The Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the Irish sea.
3. What is it separated from the continent of Europe by? – By the English Channel.
4. Which mountain is the highest in Great Britain? Where is it situated? – Ben Nevis, in Scotland.
5. What is the name of the mountains in the West of Scotland? – The Grampians.
6. Name a few islands situated around Great Britain. – The Shetlands, the Orkneys, the Hebrides, Anglesey, the Isle of Man. the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands, the Isles of Scilly, Arran.
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7. On which rivers do the following towns stand? – Glasgow-on the Clyde; Newcastle-upon-Tyne; London-on the Thames, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cambridge-on the Cam; Oxford-on the Thames.
8. What parts does Great Britain consist of? – England, Scotland, Wales.
9.What does the United Kingdom consist of? England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.
10. Whatare their capitals? – London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
11. What are the three geographical regions of Scotland? – The Highlands, the Uplands, the Central Lowlands.
12. What islands around Britain possess autonomy? – The Channel Islands, the Isle of Man. They are British dependencies.
13. What are the names of the northern and southern extremities of Great Britain? – John O’Groats is the extreme north-eastern tip of the mainland. It is the site of an eight-sided House built by a Dutchman John de Groot. It is 873 miles by road from Land’s End in Cornwall. Hoy, an island in the Orkneys, can be seen from John O’Groats.
Land’s End a cape in Cornwall is the most westerly point of the mainland of England. It juts into the Atlantic Ocean. Land’s End is a granite promontory with cliffs between 60 and 100 feet high, which have been carved into strange shapes by the waves.
14. Whatdo you know of the Stone of Scone? – It is the coronation stone on which the kings and queens of Britain are crowned. It lies beneath a special coronation chair in Westminster Abbey, in London. It is also called the Stone of Destiny. King Edward I removed the Stone from Scotland and took it to England in 1296. For hundreds of years before that, the kings and queens of Scotland had been crowned on the Stone. It was returned to Scotland in 1996.
15. Whatdo you know of the Giant’s Causeway? – It is a headland on the northern coast of County Antrim in Northern Ireland. It consists of thousands of basaltic pillars, formed by the action of sea water on molten lava. The pillars are a metallic gray in colour. They are mostly six-sided in shape. It is divided into three natural platform, The Little, Middle and Grand Causeways. It has many caves. According to legends, giants built the Giant's Causeway so that they could travel to Scotland.
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16. What is the largest lake on the island of Great Britain? – Loch Lomond in Scotland.
17. What is the largest lake of the United Kingdom? – Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland
18. Whatis the longest river in the U.K.? – The Severn in England and Wales. It is 322 km long.
19. Which mountains are known as the “backbone of England”? The Pennines. The highest point is 893 m.
20. Whatanimals is the Isle of Man known for? – The tailless cats.
21. What are the Shetland Isles famous for? – For “Lacework” shawls and for the smallest ponies or Shetland ponies.
22. How wide is the English Channel at its narrowest point? – The Strait of Dover is 34 km wide.
23. What part of the U.K. is known as “Ulster”? – Northern Ireland.
24. What is the industrial area in the Midlands known as “The Potteries”? – Stoke-on-Trent is famous for producing china at the factories “Wedgewood”, “Spode”,
“Mintone”, “Doulton”. (Stratfordshire county)
25. What is the name of the biggest textile industry centre in England? – Manchester, the county of Lancashire.
26. What is the name of the British company, which makes chocolate? – Cadbury. After the family of John Cadbury, who opened a shop in Birmingham in 1824.
27. What is the name of the largest city outside London? – Birmingham.
28. What is the largest county of England? –Yorkshire.
29. What are the busiest ports in the British Isles? – London, Liverpool.
30. What is the biggest airport in the U.K.? – Heathrow. It has 28 million passengers per year.
31. What does “Rolls-Royce” mean? Why does it have this name? – An Automobile brand, named after its founders, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce.
32. Why is the cuckoo-bird an object of contempt in Britain? – Because of its lazy habit of laying eggs in the nests of other birds. The English cuckoo meal foolish.
33. What country is called the “Land of Cakes”? – Scotland (for its oatmeal cakes).
34. What country is called the “Land of Songs”? –Wales. It’s difficult to find a village there without a good choir.
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35. What city is called Athens of the North? – Edinburgh.
36. What city in Scotland is called “the Granite City”? – Aberdeen for granite quarries. In the 12-14 centuries the town was the residence of Scottish kings.
37. What area in England is known as the Lake District? – Cumberland
38. What is the most famous prehistoric monument in England? – Stonehenge.
39. What is the most spectacular memorial to the Roman Empire in Britain? – Hadrian’s Wall, stretching 73 miles from the Sol way Firth in the west to the mouth of the Tyne in the east, was built to protect England from the attacks of the Scotts.
40. Where is the famous Whispering Gallery situated? – In St. Paul’s Cathedral. 41. What и the biggest park in London? – Richmond Park.
42. What is the name of the park which is famous for its exotic animals and is considered to be the world’s largest Maze? – Longleat Safari Park.
43. Which bridge symbolizes London? – Tower Bridge.
44. What ancient London landmark was bought by an American private company and rebuilt in Arizona? – London Bridge. From Roman times until 1 749 was the only bridge across the Thames. Originally it was made of wood. The first stone Bridge was built in 11 76. A new London Bridge was constructed in 1823-1831, but it was sold to the USA in 1968-1969 for almost a million pounds. It was taken away stone by stone to be reassembled as a tourist attraction in Arizona. The British have a modern replacement now, opened in 1973.
45. What memorial commemorates the fire of London in 1666? – The Monument. It is constructed in the City in 1671-1677. It is the column of 61.5 m high. Its height is equal to the distance from the monument to the baker’s shop in Pudding Lane, where the fire began. 3 11 steps ascend to the top of the column from which one can see the panorama of London.
46. What monument in London is built to the memory of the victims of WWI and WWII? – The Cenotaph. It is a simple white monument that stands in the middle of Downing Street. The banners of the dominions are around it. There are many fresh flowers at the foot. One can see the word on the monument: “The Glorious Dead”.
47. Who is the patron saint of England? – St. George. St. George’s Day is on April 23.
48. Who is the patron saint of Scotland? – St. Andrew. St. Andrew’s Day is on November 30.
49. Who is the patron saint of Wales? – St. David. St. David’s Day is on March I.
50. Who is the patron saint of Northern Ireland? – St. Patrick. March 17.
51. What flower is considered to be the symbol of peace in Great Britain?–Poppy.
52. What is the national bird of the U. K.? – Robin Redbreast. 53. What are the national emblems of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland? – Red rose, Thistle, Leek (Daffodil), Shamrock.
54. What is the national costume in Scotland? – Kilt
55. What are the national instruments of Scotland and Northern Ireland? – Bagpipe, Irish Harp.
56. What is the most famous British cheese? – Cheddar.
57. What is “English Tea”? – Tea with milk.
58. What is the Irish coffee? – An alcohol drink with coffee, milk and whiskey.
59. What greeting card comes unsigned? – St. Valentine’s Day Card.
60. What is Guy Fawkes Night? – November 5.
61. When is Burns’ Night? – It is celebrated in January. 25.
62. What is London Marathon? – It is a marathon that started from Windsor Castle to the White City Stadium. It is 26 miles or 42km 195 m. Started 1981. Women began participating in 1984, The White City Stadium was used for Olympic Games in 1 908. It was destroyed in 1 980. Now the race starts at Greenwich and ends at Westminster Bridge. Thousands of runners take part, many of them, to raise money for charity.
63. What mountains are there in England and Wales? – The Pennine Chain, Cumberland, Cambrians.
64. What rivers and lakes of Great Britain do you know?
a) the Severn, the Thames, the Tees, the Tyne, the Tweed, the Trent, the Shannon, the Ouse;
b) Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, Windermere, Lough Neagh.
65. What is the total area of the United Kingdom? – 244.820 sq. km. Britain is just under 1000 km long from the south coasts of England to the extreme north of Scotland, and just under 500 km across in the widest part.
66. What is the population of the United Kingdom? – The population of the United Kingdom was estimated to be 60,975,000 in mid-2007, up by 388,000 (0.6 per cent) on the previous year and nearly two million more than in mid-2001. The next census will be in 2011.
67. What is “thegreen belt”? Where is it situated? – A belt of agricultural wooden land that surrounds London.
68. Which is the swiftest flowing river in the U. K.? – The Spay in the Grampians. Scotland.
69. How many islands do the Isles of Scilly comprise? How many of them are inhabited? – About 140 small islands. Only five of them are inhabited.
70. Where is the largest National Park of Britain situated? – Around Mount Snowdon of Wales.
71. How many counties Northern Ireland consist of? – Six counties: Antrim, Down, Armagh, Tyrone, Fermanagh and Londonderry.
72. In what Scottish lake is a monster supposed to live? – In Loch-Ness.
73. Why is Arran said to be a miniature of Scotland? – Everything that is in Scotland is found in island of Arran on a small scale.
74. What is the smallest component of the United Kingdom? – Northern Ireland.
75. Is the flora of England rich? – It is relatively poor when compared with the flora of many other countries. Deciduous forest prevails, but there is little natural unmodified forest left. Heaths and moors are common with heather, bracken and bilberry and moor grass. Woodlands are of oak and ash over much of the country. In the south beech is often dominant. Alder is common in wetter parts, especially along streams. Other English trees are rowan, elm, lime, yew, maple, and holly.
76. Is the fauna of England numerous? – There are only about 50 species of land mammals. Many of these have differentiated into subspecies such as the bear, the wolf and the beaver were exterminated. The birds are much more numerous than the mammals and there is one species peculiar to Britain- the red grouse. Sea fish and fresh water fish are numerous.
77. What are the longest rivers in Wales? – They are: the Wye (130 miles),the Dee (70 miles).
78. Whatis the peculiarity of Wales’ flora? – It reflects the mountainous nature of the country and its moist climate. Moisture loving species such as ferns are found almost throughout all Wales.
79. What are the peculiarities of Wales’ fauna? – The remoter parts of Wales shelter some mammals & birds, which arc either extinct or rare elsewhere in Britain. Thus the polecat is fairly common in central Wales though hardly known elsewhere. Grassholm, off Pembroke shire is the home of one of the largest gannet colonies in Europe.
80. How many regions are there in Wales? – The Welsh massif, industrial south Wales, and the Welsh borderland.
81. What is the largest river in Scotland? – The Jay (11 8ml).
82. What are the peculiarities of Scotland’s flora? – The Atlantic climate of the west coast is warm and wet but the rocks arc mainly poor and tree growth is sparse or in some high places non-existent. But in sheltered areas birch woods can be found with rowan and willow interspersed. Oak and pine grow chiefly along the fjord like sea lochs of the mainland.
83. What are the peculiarities of Scotland’s fauna? – The largest wild mammal is the Atlantic gray seal. The wild red deer remains in Scotland and it is only there that it is truly wild. The roe deer, wild goats may sometimes be found on a few small islands. Foxes and badges are common in Scotland. Otters are common on most rivers and wild cats have increased in the first half of the 20-th century; Scotland's chief glories are numerous sea birds. And it is also proud of its golden eagle which is a magnificent bird living in the hills.
84. What is the largest lake of the Lake District? – Windermere.
85. What are the Orkneys famous for? – they are notable for the absence of trees, which is partly accounted for by the amount of wind.
86. What are the three majorareas of a considerable height in Northern Ireland? – They are the Sperrin Mountains in the northwest, the Antrim plateau along the northeastern Coast, and the Mourne Mountains in the southeast.
87. Where are the Channel Islands situated? – In the English Channel.
88. What are the islands to which the following proverb refers “Sea takes nine men for even one who dies a natural death on theislands”? – The Isles of Sciliy.
89. What is the Isle of Wight famous for? – The famous Needles which are three detached masses of chalk about 100 feet high-rise off the western promontory.
90. What is the wettest place in the British Isles? – The Lake District. The rainfall here is exceptionally high.
91. What are the driest and wettest months in Great Britain? – March to June are the driest months, September to January are the wettest months.
92. When and why do Englishmen say “It’s raining cats and dogs”? What is the original meaning of this saying? – When it pours with rain English say this phrase. In distant times, people thought that witches could turn themselves into cats and ride across stormy skies on their broomsticks. Cats were thought to be a big influence on the weather. The dog was the servant of the Norse storm God, Odin and represented wind. Cats and dogs from that time have meant heavy rain & strong wind.
93. When was the first national park set up in England and Wales? – In 1949.
94. What is the largest national park in England? – The Lake District is the largest national park.
95. Who owns national parks? – They are not owned by the nations. Most of the land is still in private hands.
96. How many national parks are there in the United Kingdom? – There are 7 national parks in England, 3 in Wales. In Scotland there are 4 Regional Parks. 40 National Scenic Areas plus 77 national nature reserves.
ISLANDS
Shetland Islands – Zetland
Zetland is a Scottish county – a group of more than 100 islands. At one time they belonged to Norway. People are farmers or fishermen. Some cultivate land, others own flocks of sheep, or cattle, some raise Shetland ponies. Many people make famous Shetland knitwear, which is fine and soft. In 1588 Spanish galleon from the Armada was wrecked on Fair Isle and survivors from the wreck taught the islanders how to knit the patterns has known as Fair Isle patterns. The name Zetland comes from the Norse word, which means “high kind”. “Up - Helly- A!” – the fire festival. This was a Viking celebration of the end of winter and the return of the sun. This custom is held now with ritual fires and feasting every year at the end of January. As a part of the festival, they burn a replica of a Viking galley.
Orkney Islands
They consist of a group of more than 60 islands, lying off the northern coast of Scotland. Only 25 are inhabited. People arc called Orcadians. Only 17 out of 25 islands have more than onefarm orone lighthouse. All are farmers (they grow oats, grass, root-crops (vegetables) and produce beef, poultry, eggs.
Anglesey
The Welsh name for Anglesey is Mon (the Mother of Wales), because it was once a rich grain-producing County, and sustained and nourished the nation. Agriculture is the most important industry. Dairy farming, sheep and cattle raising widely spread there. The climate is mild, but it receives less rain than any other county in Wales. They teach English as a second language. Three of every four people on the island speak Welsh. Anglesey was the home of the Tudor family (grandfather of Henry VII) came from it. The tourist industry rivals agriculture in economic importance. Many bird sanctuaries are located there.
The Isle of Man
It has its own parliament, called the Tynwold which passes laws on domestic matters. It consists of the Legislative Council which is partly elected and partly appointed, and the Mouse of Keys consisting of 24 people, elected every 5 years. The Lord of Man (lieutenant-governor) represents the sovereign and controls such matters as police and prisons.
Since the 1800-s, it has become a famous holiday resort for the people of the British Isles. It is famous for its tailless cats (Manx).
Isles of Scilly
Lie in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Cornwall, about 25 miles west of Land’s land. They are administered with the county of Cornwall. They consist of 150 islands, but only five ofthem are inhabited and have a population of about 2000. The islands are wild and colourful. They supply flowers, vegetables and fish to British markets,
The Isle of Wight
It is England’s largest offshore island. Since 1800 it has been famous chiefly as a holiday resort. Today it is a separate administrative county (once it was a part of Hampshire). Cowes is famous for Cowes Week – oneof the most important of the British yachting regattas. The attendance of the royal family at this event has turned it into a social occasion, just like Ascot, Henley and Wimbledon.
It is the birthplace of the hovercraft – a vehicle that can move over land or water supported on a cushion of air made by jet engines.
Industries; aircraft, helicopters, shipbuilding (since XVI century), electronic and nuclear engineering, tourism and tourist trading, woodwork, brewing, milling.
John Keats and Tennyson lived there. Queen Victoria’s bed is in her castle. Romans called the Isle “Vectis”. Today more than 30 organizations, companies, agencies, clubs, including bus service company have this name.
The Channel Islands
They are a group nine islands in the English Channel. Jersey is the largest of the islands and Guernsey is the second largest. The islands are the home of the famous Jersey and Guernsey cattle, which fanners in many parts of the world buy to improve their dairy herbs. The islands are among Britain's most popular holiday resorts. Thousands of tourists are attracted to the islands by the mild climate, sandy beaches quiet coves (маленькие бухты) and many sheltered bays.
The Channel Islands are largely self-governed. They are dependencies of the Crown but not part of the United Kingdom. The British government is responsible for the relations of the islands with other countries. Four parliaments on tour islands can make local laws. The chief laws must be approved by the British parliament. The Channel Islands have remained British territory since William the Conqueror ruled them. The people still call the reigning monarch the Duchess (Or Duke) of Normandy. The chief occupation of the people is agriculture: cattle breeding for export to dairy farm herbs in many countries. Cows of Jersey and Guernsey are noted for the quality of milk they yield. Farmers grow large quantities of flowers and vegetables for export to Britain and France. Many people work in the tourist industry. Others work in creameries and others in the knitting factories or pottery factories.
ENVIRONMENT
Legislation provides for control over wastes, air and water pollution and noise, enforcement being the responsibility of local orwater authorities.
Green belts, where land is generally protected from further development, help to prevent urban sprawl. Inaddition, large areas of the countryside are designated as national parks and other protected areas, recreation facilities being provided in country parks and camping sites. Special care is taken to control development of pans of the coastline. Buildings and areas of special architectural or historic interest are protected by law with the support of voluntary bodies such as the National Trust.
VEGETATION
| Acacia | [ə´keiʃə] | акация |
| Alder | [´ɔ:ldə] | ольха |
| Ash | [æʃ] | ясень |
| Barley | [´ba:li] | ячмень |
| Beech | [bi:tʃ] | бук |
| Bilberry | [´bilbəri] | черника |
| Birch | [bə:tʃ] | берёза |
| Bracken | [´brækən] | папоротник-орляк |
| Camellia | [´kə´mi:ljə] | камелия |
| Cedar | [´si:də] | кедр |
| Cereals | [´siəriəlz] | злаки |
| Elder | [´eldə] | бузина |
| Elm | [elm] | вяз |
| Fern | [fə:n] | папоротник |
| Flax | [flæks] | лён |
| Foxglove | [´fɔksglʌv] | наперстянка |
| Fuchsia | [´fju:ʃə] | фуксия |
| Genista | [dʒ´nistə] | ракитник, дрок |
| Grain | [grein] | злаки |
| Groats | [grəuts] | крупа |
| Hawthorn (may bush) | [´hɔ:Өɔ:n] | боярышник |
| Hazel | [heizl] | лесной орех |
| Heather | [´heðə] | вереск |
| Holly | [´hɔli] | падуб |
| Hydrangea | [hai´dreindʒə] | Гортензия |
| Ivy | [´aivi] | плющ |
| Lentil | [´lentil] | чечевица |
| Lichen | [´laikən] | лишайник |
| Lime | [laim] | липа |
| Maize | [meiz] | кукуруза; маис |
| Millet | [´milit] | просо |
| Moss | [mɔs] | мох |
| Myrtle | [´mə:tl] | мирт |
| Oak | [əuk] | дуб |
| Oatmeal | [´əutmi:l] | овсяная мука, овсянка |
| Oats | [əuts] | овёс |
| Pine | [pain] | сосна |
| Primrose | [´primrəuz] | примула |
| Rapeseed | [´reipsi:d] | рапс |
| Rice | [rais] | Рис |
| Rowan | [´rauən]/ [´rəuən] | рябина |
| Rye | [rai] | рожь |
| Sorghum | [´sɔ:gəm] | сорго (хлебный злак) |
| Wheat | [wi:t] | пшеница |
| Yew | [ju:] | тис |
MINERAL RESOURCES
| Coal | [kəul] | уголь |
| Oil | [ɔil] | нефть |
| Cobble(-stone) | [´kɔbl] | булыжник |
| Ferrous metallurgy | [´ferəs me´tælədʒi] | черная металлургия |
| Fuel | [fjuəl] | топливо |
| Kaiolin = china clay | [´keiəulin] | китайская глина |
| Lead | [led] | свинец |
| Lime-stone | [´laimstəun] | известняк |
| Lumber | [´lʌmbə] | древесина |
| Non-ferrous | [´nɔn´ferəs] | цветные металлы |
| Peat | [pi:t] | торф |
| Pebble | [´pebl] | галька, камешек, голыш |
| Porcelain | [´pɔ:səlin] | фарфор |
| Potash | [´pɔtæʃ] | углекислый калий |
| Timber | [´timbə] | древесина |
ECONOMY OF GREAT BRITAIN
1. Main economic regions of the United Kingdom.
2. Main Economic districts of England
2.1. Greater London and the South -East region.
2.2. South-West England.
2.3. East Anglia.
2.4. West Midlands and East Midlands.
2.5. North-West England.
2.6. Yorkshire.
2.7. Northern England - North-East England.
3. Wales.
4. Scotland.
5. Northern Ireland.
INDUSTRY
As a pioneer of the industrial revolution, Britain's traditional strength has been manufacturing. Britain is a leading manufacturer of mechanical equipment, metal goods, motor vehicles and components, electrical and electronic goods, chemicals and office equipment. Productivity in long-established industries such as steel manufacture and vehicles building has been increased as a result of modernization. The use of advanced technology, especially microelectronics, is steadily increasing in many industries.
Steel and Mining Processing
Britain is the world’s tenth largest steel producer. It also has one of Europe's largest non-ferrous metal industries and is a major producer of specialized alloys used by the airspace, electronic, petrochemical and other industries. Other mineral products include glass, bricks, cement and ceramics. Britain is the world’s main manufacturer of fine bone china, much of it exported, and the world’s largest exporter of china clay. It is at present the world’s fifth largest oil producer.
Engineering
Mechanical engineering is an important source of export earnings. Major products include machine tools, agricultural tractors and machinery, construction and mining equipment, and process plant for large-scale industries such as iron and steel manufacture, oil refining and nuclear power generation. The British aerospace industry is one of the largest in the Western world, its products including civil, and military aircraft, helicopters, aero-engines, guided weapons and satellites. Rolls-Royce is one of the world's three leading aero-engine manufacturers. There is an advanced production capacity in optical fibers (hair-thin strand of glass) used in modern telecommunication systems.
Chemicals
The chemicals industry is the third largest in Europe and the fifth largest in the Western world. About 12 per cent of the world's research in pharmaceuticals takes place in Britain. Many of the basic discoveries in plastics, including polyethylene, have been British.
Textiles and Footwear
The clothing industry, one of the largest in Europe, meets about two-thirds of domestic demands. The wool industry is one of the world’s largest and Britain is a leading producer of wooden carpets. Footwear factories supply more than 40 per cent of the British market and one-third of leather production is exported.
Other Manufactures
Other major manufacturing industries include food and drink, timber and furniture, printing and publishing, paper and board, and rubber. Jewellery and gold and silverware are exports enjoying a high reputation.
Construction, financial and business services, health, and education and leisure services had been major growth sectors. Computing services are of great importance. Tourism continues to be a major and growing source of employment.
Trade
Britain is the fourth largest trading nation in the world. About 60 per centof Britain’s trade is with Western Europe; six out of the top ten British export markets are members of the European Community. Britain is the largest exporter of agricultural tractors and motor and railway vehicles and related components and equipment and also off-shore technologies and medicines.
AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
About three-quarters of Britain's markedly varied landscape are used for arable agriculture and for pasture and grazing. Employing less than 3 per cent of the working population, agriculture has a very high productivity. Three-fifth of full-time farms are devoted mainly to dairy or beef cattle or sheep. Many British livestock breeds are world famous semen and embryos from high-qualitydonor animals are exported.
The main field vegetables and plants are wheat, barley, potatoes, sugar beet and oilseed.
There is a high degree of mechanization and a long tradition of efficientfarming based on technological progress and research. There is also an advisory service for farmers and horticulturists.
Britain exports food and drink, and various beverages.
Woodland coves over 2 million hectares in Great Britain. Most ofthis area consists of commercially planted, fast growing coniferous forests in Wales and northern Scotland. The amount of woodland, however, fails to meet the demand For wood and wood products, Britain importing about 90 per cent of its requirements.
The fishing industry provides about 70 per cent of the country’s supplies. British fishermen depend to a great extent on waters within Britain's 200-mile limit, which contain a sizeable proportion of the total catch taken within the limits of European Community member states. The Community operates a common fisheries policy.
Food-supply, provision – снабжение
Food-industry – пищевая промышленность
Fruit-growing
Pig-breeding – свиноводство
Deer-breeding – оленеводство
Stock-breeder – животновод
Stock-yard – скотный двор
Cattle-man, cattle-woman – скотник, скотница
Winter-crops – озимые
Spring-crops – яровые
Bumper crop – небывалый урожай
Yield capacity – урожайность
TEST ON ECONOMY
1. What are the main economic districts of England? – 1) Greater London and the South-East region; 2) South-West England; 3) East Anglia; 4) West midlands; 5) East Midlands; 6) North-West England; 7) Yorkshire and Hampshire; 8) Northern England.
2. What economic regions is the United Kingdom divided into? – England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland. England comprises 8 economic regions making 11 all in all.
3. Why was a district in the center of England called “the Black Country”? – The district around Birmingham was called so for the dust and coal. Coal and iron are produced there.
4. What is the industrial area in the Midlands which is known as “the Potteries”? –Stoke-on-Trent is famous for producing china at the factories “Wedgewood”, “Spode”, “Minton”, “Doulton”. The area is situated between the Black Country and Manchester in Staffordshire.
5. What is the name of the biggest textile industry centre in England? –Manchester, the county of Lancashire.
6. What are the largest manufacturing concerns of Britain? – British-American Tobacco Co LTD (BAT), founded in 1902.
– Imperial Chemical industries (ICI), founded in 1928. It is the fourth largest chemical company in the world and is the third largest in Western Europe.
– British Aerospace (Be) – produces civil and military aircraft, satellites space systems, guided weapons and components. It is the third largest in the world.
– British Steel corporation, founded in 1967. It is the fourth biggest steel company in the Western world.
– British Petroleum is the eleventh largest grouping in the world and the second largest in Europe, fouadedinl909.
– General Electric company (GEC-electronics), founded in 1888.
– Unilever (Chemicals), founded in 1894 Britain is the world’s leading manufacturer and exporter of fine bone china.
Britain is among the world’s top ten oil producers and is a world leader in the development of shore technology. Britain is the world's fourth largest exporter of medicines, with British firms making three of the world’s ten best-selling medicines.
7. What is the name of the British company which makes chocolate? – Cadbury. John Cadbury opened a shop in Birmingham in 1824, selling tea, coffee, hops and mustard, with cocoa and chocolate as a sideline. John’s sons Richard and George took over the business in 1861, and founded the town of Bournville for their business and its staff and created their model town factory. In 1901 George became proprietor of the Daily News.
8. What is the name of the largest city outside London? – Birmingham
9. How many counties are there in Great Britain? –England(45 counties), Wales (22 counties), Scotland (30 counties)
10. What is the largest county of England? –Yorkshire.
11. What is the biggest passenger seaport on the English Channel? –Southampton.
12. What are the busiest ports in the British Isles? –London, Liverpool.
13. What is the biggest airport in the United Kingdom? – Heathrow. It has 28 million passengers each year.
14. What does “Rolls-Royce” mean? Why does it have this name? – a British car, and from 1914, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904. So it was named after two engineers.
15. What are Britain’s main imports and exports? – Despite having only 1% of the world’s population, Britain is the 5th largest trading nation in the world. The chemical industry is Britain’s largest export earner, and the 3th largest in Western Europe. British Petroleum (BP) is Britain’s biggest and Europe’s second biggest industrial company.
– U.K. – pharmaceutical companies make three of the world’s best selling medicines “Zantac” for ulcer treatment; “Tenormin”, a beta blocker for high blood pressure; and “AZT”, adrug used in the treatment of AIDS.
– Britain is also a major supplier of machinery, vehicles, aerospace products, electrical and electronic equipment Britain is responsible for 10% of the world's export of services, including banking, insurance, stock broking, consultancy and computer programming.
– Britain imports food, beverages, chemicals, fuels, clothing, footwear.
16. What are the most important London industries? – London’s industries are extremely varied, among them electrical engineering, instrument production, radio engineering, aircraft production, manufacture of electronical equipment and car industry. These high technology industries are also located in the satellite towns within Greater London. London is also great center of the service industries.
17. What are the main industries of England? – The main industries in England are the wool (with its center in Leeds and Bradford), heavy machinery, shipbuilding, the cotton industry (the center in Manchester).
Britain is the world’s ninth largest oil producer and the fifth largest gas producer. Developing North Sea oil and gas has created a huge support industry offering equipment and services to oil and gas companies at home and abroad.
18. What industries are important in Scotland nowadays? – They are high technology industries such as chemicals, electronic engineering and lighter forms of mechanical and instrument engineering. Shipbuilding is the leading industry Iron and steel engineering and coalmining are also highly developed.
19. W here is “Silicon Glen” situated? – “Silicon Glen” (Glen is the Scottish word for valley) is situated in southern Scotland. It is where many of the American and Japanese electronic companies have sat up factories, and where even main smaller Scottish companies have started to specialize in producing computer equipment. That’s why people have begun to call this area “Silicon Glen”.
20. What are the main flourishing industries in Belfast? – They are shipbuilding, engineering, linen, rope-making and tobacco.
HEALTH AND WELFARE
Most practicing general physicians in Great Britain are part of the National Health Service, although some also have private patients. Established in 1948, the service provides full, and in most cases, free medical care to all residents. Each general practitioner may have no more than 3500 registered patients under the plan, for each of whom he or she receives a fee. The National Health Service is financed through general taxation, with national insurance payments contributing some 14 percent of the total cost, and patients’ fees contributing 4 percent.
The national insurance system, put into full operation in 1948, provides benefits for industrial injuries, illness, unemployment, maternity costs, and for children in certain circumstances, as well as allowances for guardians and widows, retirement pensions, and death payments. Retirement benefits are paid to men at the age of 65 and to women at the age of 60. Family allowances are payable for all children up to the ages of 16 to 19, or when the child leaves school. The insurance system assists the needy through weekly cash benefits and special services for the handicapped. Most of these services are financed partly through compulsory weekly contributions by employers and employees and partly through a contribution by the government out of general taxation. Expenditures on social security and the National Health Service accounted for about 47 percent of annual government spending during the early 1990s.
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