POPULATION OF GREAT BRITAIN AND WAYS OF LIFE
1. London – the capital of the U.K.
2. The life style of the Britishers.
3. National Character.
4. Customs and traditions.
Population
The population of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is over 65.500.000 people. The people live mostly in towns and cities and their suburbs. Four out of every five people live in towns.
The distribution of the population is rather uneven. Over 50 million people live in England, a little over 5 million live in Scotland, over 3 million in Wales and about 1,5 million in Northern Ireland. Although Britain is densely populated, there are large areas in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which contain fewer than 100 people per square kilometer. London’s population is over 9 million. Density of the population is 3500 per square kilometer.
The UK is inhabited by the English, the Scots, the Welsh, and the Irish people, who constitute the British nation. The British are the descendants of different peoples who settled in the British Isles at different times.
About 2,000 years ago the British Isles were inhabited by the Celts who originally came from continental Europe. The Romans came from Italy in 43 A.D. The Angles and Saxons came from Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands in the 5th century. The Vikings arrived from Denmark and Norway throughout the 9th century, and in 1066 the Normans invaded from France. These invasions drove the Celts into what is now Wales and Scotland, and they remained, of course, in Ireland. These various origins explain many of the differences to be found between England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland – differences in education, religion and the legal systems, but most obviously, in language.
The countries have their own special accents and dialects, and their people are easily recognizable as soon as they start speaking. A southern English accent is generally accepted to be the most easily understood, and is the accent usually taught to foreigners.
There have been many waves of immigration into Britain. Now there are many people of all colours and races in the UK. These are mostly former inhabitants of the former British colonies. These people, called “the coloureds”, came to the UK in search of better living standards. The children of immigrants are often taught their own languages in school, and there are special newspapers, magazines, and radio and television programmes for these communities.
The latest wave of immigrants from the West Indies, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong has of course caused problems. There is certainly racial tension and racial prejudice in Britain today. In spite of laws passed to protect them, there is still discrimination against Asian and black people, many of whom are unemployed or in low-paid jobs. However, the atmosphere is improving and the different races are slowly learning to trust one another.
|
|
|
The U.K. has a smaller percentage of younger people and a higher percentage of old people. Life expectancy in 2001 was 75 years formen and 80,7 years for women.
British National Character
The class system is very important in Britain. It is created by complex system: accents, clothes, school and family. There are 3 basic groups: upper, middle, working-class. But there are grades within these three: “lower middle class”, or “up working-class”. The advertising industry divides people into groups: A, B, C, D, and E. A is the highest group with 3% of the population. It includes top and officers, government ministers and judges. E is the lowest group with 15% of population. It includes pensioners, the sick and the unemployed. This system reflects modern society, but these artificial grades do not show the reality of the system built up over hundreds of years. The Royal Family and the aristocracy still have power and influence in government through inheritance. Social position is often based ontraditions or history of the family not its money. Many people’s class can be identified immediately by the way they speak.
Liverpool has the “Scouse” accent, and the accent of Newcastle – on June is called “Geordie”. The sound of someone’s voice will often show the position they hold society.
Received Pronunciation or (RP) or BBC English is an accent of the Southeast England. An RP accent is still important and will help people to get jobs and a positi in society, which might be denied to them if they spoke in a different way.
|
|
|
RP – is a non-regional accent ofstandard British English, often regarded as prestige form. It is traditionally called “Received” in the sense “accepted standard”.
Stereotype
1. British people are reserved (= quiet and do not show their feelings).
2. British people always “keep a stiff upper lip” (= accept unpleasant events without appearing upset).
3. British people use understatement (= talk in a way which makes things le serious or important than they really are).
4. British people are conservative.
5. British people like to do things themselves.
Celts – fantasists, dreamers
Saxes – sober, practically-minded. It is because of them that the English language inherited an inclination to everything natural, simple, prosaic efficiency, fidelity to traditions, slicking to the hearth as the symbol of personal independence
Vikings – passion for adventures – call of the sea, romantic attraction towards far-off shores
Normans – people of action, and considered the ability to keep one’s own feelings under control to be one of the cardinal virtues
Only history helps to understand how one nation can be simultaneously so aristocratic (Normans) and so democratic (Saxes); how fidelity to traditions and practical calculation can get along well; how a vendour can be balanced by a conqueror, and a layman – by a daydreamer.
In the Englishcharacter a practical Anglo-Saxon is fused with a Celtic dreamer, a pirate-bold Viking with a disciplined Norman.
First and foremost feature of this nation:
– stability and consistency of the character of its individuals
– inquisitiveness, conformity and individualism
– self-control – “be able to keep yourself under control” – is the motto of this nation
– vanity
– independence, education, dignity, honesty and altruism, tact, graceful manners, exquisite
– politeness, ability to sacrifice one's time and money for a noble deed, ability to rule and obey, persuasiveness, goal-orientation, absence of conceit
– tolerance to a different opinion
The principles of “the gentleman’sconduct” were made into a cult during the reign of Queen Victoria.
|
|
|
Superstitions
1. In Britain some people believe that black cats bring good luck, but in the USA they are thought to bring bad luck.
2. A white lily is often used as a symbol of purity and beauty. Avoid bringing lilies when invited to a British home as they suggest death.
3. In British mythology mistletoe (омела) is connected with the druids who regarded it as a secret plant. Mistletoe is often hung in rooms at Christmas because there is a tradition that one may kiss anyone of the opposite sex who is under it.
4. Having a horseshoe over the door brings good luck.
5. Something in the shape of a horseshoe, such as a decorative card, is given at weddings to bring good luck.
6. Passing under a ladder brings bad luck.
7. Finding a penny brings good luck (“See a penny, pick it up, all day long you’ll have good luck”).
8. If you make a wish on a falling (shooting) star, your wish will come true.
9. A four-leaf clover brings good luck.
10. Lightning never strikes twice in the same place (= the same piece of bad luck does not happen to a person twice).
11. The number 13 brings bad luck.
12. In the theater, rather than wish an actor, playwright, etc. “Good Luck” one should say “Break a leg”.
13. If you break a mirror it will bring bad luck.
14. If you spill salt you should take a little and through it over your left shoulder into the face of the devil.
15. In the theatre, Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth”, should be spoken of as the Scottish Play and not by name.
16. Seeing two magpies together brings good luck.
17. Seeing onemagpie is unlucky.
18. Friday when it is the 13th day of a month is unlucky (Black Day).
Test on Symbols
1. Who is the patron saint of England? When is his Day marked? – St. George. St. George’s Day is on April, 23.
2. Who is the patron saint of Scotland? When is his Day marked? – St. Andrew. St. Andrew’s Day is on November, 30. He was crucified on a diagonal cross (X-shaped) on that day.
3. Who is the patron saint of Wales? When is his Day marked? – St. David. He is supposed to have lived for several months on bread and wild leek. St. David’s Day is March, 1.
|
|
|
4. Who is the patron saint of Northern Ireland? When is his Day marked? – St. Patrick. His Day is March, 17.
5. What flower is considered to be the symbol of peace in Great Britain? –
Poppy.
6. What is the national bird of the UK? – Robin Redbreast.
7. What is the symbol of national strength and of the British monarchy? – Two animals on British Royal coat of arms. One of them is the lion. “The King of Beasts” has been used as a symbol of national strength and of the British monarchy for many centuries. The other one is the unicorn. It is a mythical animal that looks like a horse with a single long horn on its head, and the unicorn is the symbol of purity.
8. What are the national floral emblems of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland? – Red Rose, Thistle, Daffodil (and Leek), Shamrock.
9. What are the first four most important orders in Great Britain? –
The Order of the Garter started by King Edward III in 1348. It is the oldest and highest of the British orders of charity. The king’s words “Shame on anyone who thinks badly of this”, became the motto of the order, whose full name is the Most Noble Order of the Garter. It includes members of the British and other royal families and maximum of 24 other people (equal to 24 knights of the Round Table).
The Order of the Bath started in 1399, but it later disappeared and was started again in 1725. There are 3 ranks within it: Knight Grand Cross (or Dame Grand Cross for women), Knight Commander (or dame Commander) or Companion, the full name of the order is the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
The Order of the Thistle started in 1687 and is mainly for members of the Scottish peerage. Its full name is the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle.
The Order of Merit was introduced by King Edward VII in 1902 and is limited to 24 British people and one foreigner for men and women, who have achieved great things in the arts, literature, science. The Order of Merit (OM) is placed after their name.
10. What is the national costume in Scotland? – Bonnet with a tassel; kilt, a pleated skirt of tartan cloth; plaid, a piece of cloth worn over the shoulders pinned with a brooch; a kilt pin; sporran-pouch, usually fur-covered and worn in front of the kilt host and gaiters; brogues (strong, thick-soled ornamented boots, buckle).
11. What are the national instruments of Scotland and Northern Ireland? – Bagpipe; the Irish Harp.
12. What is “The Red Hand of Ulster”? – It is the badge of Northern Ireland. It is shown heraldically as an upright red hand severed at the wrist (Bloody Hand).
13. Why does Ireland have a picture of a red hand on its coat of arms? – The legend reads: Two Viking chieftains went with their men in two big boats to Ireland. “The first of us who will touch the Irish land will be the king of it”, they said. The boat of Heremin O’Neill was not as fast as the boat of the other chieftain, whose name is unknown. When the boats were quite near the land, O’Neil quickly cut off his hand and threw it over to the land. It touched the land first and he became the King of Ireland.
14. How many crosses does the British flag combine in itself? – It embodies the emblems of three countries – three crosses of three patron saints:
• the red upright cross of St. George, for England, on a white background;
• the white diagonal cross of St. Andrew, for Scotland, on a dark blue background;
• the red diagonal cross of St. Patrick, for Ireland, on a white background.
15. What is the Welsh flag called? – The Welsh Dragon. It shows a red dragon on the white and green background.
Test on Customs and Traditions
1. Whatis the most Famous British cheese? – Cheddar.
2. What is “English Tea”? – Tea with milk.
3. What is Irish coffee? – An alcohol drink made of coffee with milk and whiskey.
4. Which product do the British people consume in a greater amount than the people of any other country in the world? – Sugar.
5. What are the most typical components of a traditional Christmas meal? – Christmas pudding with a twig of holly on it. Christmas cracker, turkey.
6. What traditional Scottish dishes do you know? – Haggis, porridge.
7. What is Easter? – The annual feast-day, when Christians remember Christ’s death and his return to life. People usually exchange cards, presents and Easter eggs (chocolate or coloured).
8. What is Easter Monday? – It is the second day of Easter and the first Monday after Easter. It is a bank holiday.
9. What is Lent? – It is forty-day fest in memory of Jesus’ forty-day fast before crucifixion. Lent Anglo-Saxon for spring time (lengthening time).
10. What is Ash Wednesday? – It is the first day of Lent. It takes its name from the Roman Catholic custom of placing a cross of ashes on the foreheads of the parishioners as the beginning of the period of public penance. The ashes are from burned palms saved from the previous Palm Sunday.
11. What is Palm Sunday? – Sunday before Easter, commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, when Palm branches were strewn before him. Now also called Passion Sunday.
12. What is the official name of New Year's Eve in Scotland? – Hogmanay.
13. What is the Red Nose Day? – It is a day on which a British charity organization Comic Relief raises money for charity. Many people wear plastic red noses to show their support. Comic Relief is set up and run by a group of professional comedians to raise money for poor people in the world.
14. What does a legend about the ravens in the Tower say? – If the ravens die, the monarchy will fall.
15. When and why is it necessary to wear “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue”? – It is necessary for a bride at the wedding. “Old” maintains her link with the past; “new” symbolizes the future; “borrowed” gives her a link with the present; “blue” symbolizes her purity.
16. What greeting card comes unsigned? – St. Valentine Card.
17. When is Guy Fawkes’ Night celebrated? – It is celebrated on November, 5. It is the date of discovering of Gunpowder Plot in 1605. Since that time the day celebration ends with burning a dummy made of straw and old clothes on a bonfire. The dummy is called a ‘guy’ and children ask adults for “Penny for a guy”. If they collect enough money they can buy some fireworks.
18. When is Bums’ Night? – Bums’ Night is celebrated on January, 25. It is traditionally celebrated with the Bums' Dinner. The haggis, Scotland’s famous savoury, is the king of the feast.
19. What are the traditional colours of British sport teams? – English – white; Welsh – red; Scottish – blue; Irish – green.
20. What game is peculiarly associated with England? – Cricket, Football.
21. When is a sport also an insect? – Cricket.
22. What is the Boat Race? – It is the annual competition between the oarsmen of Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Members of college Boat clubs train together for 12 weeks before the race. There are eight oarsmen and a coxswain in each boat. It takes place in March-April in the River Thames. The difference is 7,2 km.
23. What is Royal Ascot? – It is a four-day horseracing event held at Ascot each year in June. The second day of the event is Ladies’ Day and women wear unusually big hats.
24. What is marathon? How long is the distance of a marathon? – The name is connected with the legend about an ancient Greek warrior, who ran the distance from Marathon to Athens (42 km, 195m) to inform the citizens about the victory of the Greeks over the Persians in 490 ВС.
25. What is London Marathon? – Once it was from Windsor Castle to the White City Stadium. It is 26 miles or 42 km 195 metres long. It started in 1981. Women began to participate in 1984. The White City Stadium was used for Olympic Games in 1908. It was destroyed in the 1980s. Now the race starts at Greenwich and ends at Westminster Bridge. Thousands of runners take part, many of them to raise money for charity.
LONDON
History
What is the origin of the name of British capital?
The name “London” is probably derived from the Celtic “Llyn”, a pool or lake (The River Thames at an earlier period g expanded into a considerable lake – the part immediately below London Bridge is still “the Pool”), and “din” or “dun”, a hill, fort or place of strength. The “hill” may have been that on which St. Paul's now stands, or Corn hill. When the Romans conquered Llyndun they latinized the name as Londinium.
What is the history of London? How did it appear?
London is where the invading Romans first crossed the River Thames. They built a city a square mile in size, surrounded it with a wall called it “Londinium”. This original site of London is now called the City of London and is Britain’s main financial centre. In the 11th century, London began to expand beyond the City walls when King Edward the Confessor built a huge abbey at Westminster which is now known as Westminster Abbey.
What were the two London catastrophes of the 17th century?
The first was epidemic of plague in 1665 which killed 100,000 citizens, and the second was the Great Fire in 1666 which destroyed the whole of the City, including St. Paul's Cathedral.
What memorial commemorates fire of London in 1666?
The Monument. It was constructed in the City in 1671-1677. It is the column of 202 ft (61,5 meters high). Its height is equal to the distance from the Monument to the baker's shop in Pudding Lane, where it began. 311 steps ascend to the top of the column from which one can see the panorama of London.
Sights
What are the most famous London museums?
Preeminent among London's museums is the British Museum, which possesses one of the finest libraries in the world as well as an outstanding collection of artworks, antiquities and objects of natural history. The museum of London has exhibits dealing with the development and life of London from Roman times to the present. The Victoria and Albert Museum specializes in tine and applied arts.
When was the British Museum built?
It was founded in 1753; the present building was built in 1823-1852. It is situated in Bloomsbury district in London. The benefactor of the British Museum was Sir Hans Sloane. He was an Irishman who arrived in London nearly 300 years ago. His particular specialties were natural history specimen and books. The British Museum comprises the National Museum of Archeology and Ethnography, and the British Museum Library. In 1973 several other libraries were included into the British Museum and it was renamed the British Library. Only people over the age of 21, engaged in serious study and who can’t obtain the books they require elsewhere, can use the Reading Room of the British Museum. The Reading Room has an unusual shape. It is a perfect circle. The superintendent and his assistants sit in the centre of the room. Any person who comes into the Reading Room is greatly impressed by the efficiency of the staff there. You just ask for a book and in a moment it is placed in front of you.
What is the Victoria and Albert Museum famous for?
Victoria and Albert Museum has a collection of painting by many famous artists. There is a special collection of tiny detailed miniature portraits. The Museum has Britain's largest collection of decorative arts: tapestries, costume, jewelry and glassware, for instance. The Victoria and Albert Museum was founded in 18S7 in Marlborough House. In its present building it is since 1909. The Museum is nicknamed the V&A.
What does Madame Tussaud’s exhibit?
Madame Tussaud’s, near Baker street Station, is the world's most famous wax museum. It was opened in 1802. Over 2 million visitors go there every year to see the lifelike figures of historical characters, modem stars, statesmen and notorious criminals.
What does the National Army Museum display?
It covers the history of the British Army from the formation of the Yeomen of the Guard by Henry 111 in 1485 to the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. The Museum also displays the history of the Commonwealth armies up to independence. The National Army Museum is situated in Royal Hospital Road.
What can you see in the Imperial War Museum?
The Imperial War Museum, opened in 1920, gives a visual record of all the campaigns in which British and Commonwealth armed forces have been engaged since the outbreak of the First World War. Its portraits, books, photographs, maps and films constitute an important source of reference for historians.
What are the famous London art galleries?
The most famous national art collections include the National Gallery facing Trafalgar Square, and next door, the National Portrait Gallery. The National Gallery houses the collection of Old Maters’ Paintings and works of all European schools of painting which existed between the 13-th and 19-th centuries. It was opened in 1824. Contrasting the essentially classical collections of these the National Gallery and the National Portrait are the romantic, impressionist, and modem an collections of the Tate Gallery. Smaller galleries include the Court auld Institute Galleries, the Royal Academy of Arts, the Hay ward Art Gallery, the Queen’s Gallery and Wallace Collection.
What is the name of the establishment in London, built in 1768 by a group of leading painters, sculptors and architects as a memorial to King George III?
Burlington House. It is situated in Piccadilly Street. Since 1869 Burlington House has been the Royal Academy of Arts, bi 1768 a group of leading painters, sculptors and architect; presented a memorial to King George III. The young art-loving monarch declared his patronage, protection and support All succeeding sovereigns have accepted the style of “Patron, Protector and Supporter” of the Royal Academy. Traditionally the monarch sanctions the elections of new Royal Academicians. The first president of the Academy for 24 years (1768-1790) was Sir Joshua Reynolds (1732-1792). The primary purpose of the Academy is the teaching of art to me most talented students.
Where is the famous Whispering Gallery situated?
Whispering Gallery is situated at the base of the inner dome of St Paul’s Cathedral in London. It is famous for its acoustics: u whispered word is heard on the opposite side of the dome though the dome is 32 meters in diameter.
What are the principal concert halls and opera houses?
The principal concert halls are the Royal Festival Hall and, in the same complex, the smaller Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Purcell Room; me huge elliptical Royal Albert Hall; and Wigmore Hall. Opera and ballet are enjoyed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Sadler’s Wells, and the London Coliseum.
What are the principal theatres of London?
Among many centers of professional theatre in London are the National Theatre, home of the National Theatre Company; the Aldwych Theatre, home of the Royal Shakespeare Company in London until 1982, when it moved to the new Barbican Arts Centre; the Drury Lane Theatre; the Royal Court Theatre; the Globe; the Old Vic.
What are the most famous London parks?
London is noted for its abundance of park spaces. The most notable are the Royal Parks, which were formerly royal estates. These include Saint James’s Park and, to the west, Green Park, Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens. To the north is Regent’s Park, and farther upstream along the Thames are Richmond Park, Hampton Court Park, Kew Gardens, and Bushey Park. Thе biggest city park of London, Richmond Park, is situated in the south-west outskirts of London and its area is 1,000 hectares. Surrounding the Royal Naval College and the old Royal Observatory is Greenwich Park. Other important open spaces include Hampstead Health and Parliament Hill Fields, which overlook London from the north.
What is Hyde Park famous for?
Hyde Park is 139 hectares. The name is derived from the manor of Hyde, which once belonged to the abbot of Westminster. Prominent features of the park are Rotton Row, the famous bridle path; Serpentine Lake; and Speaker’s Comer, the meeting place of soapbox orators, Hyde Park was once part of a wild and ancient forest, inhabited by wolves, wild bulls and boar. It was fenced off a loyal deer park in Tudor times. Under Henry 111, king of England, Hyde Park was a riyal doer park. In the 18-th and 19-th centuries ii was a fashionable park where royalty rode and drove, military reviews were held, and duels were fought, in 1851 the first world’s fair was held in me park.
What does Kensington Gardens share with Hyde Park?
Kensington Gardens shares the Serpentine Lake with Hyde. This part in Kensington Gardens is called the Long Water, There is a tradition to swim in the Serpentine on Christmas Day, however icy the water is. At other times you can hire rowing boats.
What is special about Kew Gardens in London?
Kew Gardens, founded in 1759, is the home of the Royal Botanical Society. It has the most famous collection of plants and flowers in the world, with about 30,000 varieties of plants and trees.
What is Greenwich Park famous for?
It is the center of the world's time system, as Greenwich Meridian runs through its territory. Besides, the ancient burial mounds and the remains of a Roman villa were found in this park. There is a dead oak tree in Greenwich Park called Queen Elizabeth’s Oak. By tradition Henry VIII danced round the tree with Anne Boleyn, and in its hollow trunk Elizabeth I once had tea.
What is Si James’s Park famous for?
It is famous for the variety of ducks, geese and other birds which live on its lake, including pelicans. On the north bank there arc picture tiles to help you identify (lie different species. Alongside St James’s Park runs Pall Mall. Its name comes from an old French type of croquet called paille maille. Charles 11 used to have a paille maille alley nearby.
What are the most important London palaces?
Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of the monarch since 1837, when Queen Victoria moved her court from Saint James’s Palace, which is located on the Mall. Buckingham Palace was built in 1703 by the Duke of Buckingham and then bought by George III in 1762. The other important palaces are Westminster Palace, the seat of the British Parliament; Kensington Palace; Lambeth Palace, the London seat of the archbishops of Canterbury; and Hampton Court, the Tudor palace originally built by Thomas Cardinal Woolsey.
What is Windsor Castle famous for?
Windsor Castle is the principal summer residence of the British sovereigns. It is situated in the municipal borough of Windsor, or NewWindsor about 35 km west of London. Home Park adjoins the castle on the north, east and south; Windsor Great Park is to the south of Home Park. Noteworthy features of the castle grounds include a magnificent tree-lined avenue, more than 5 km long; andVirginia Water, a lovely artificial lake. The dominant structure of Windsor Castle is the Round Tower, built on the site where King Arthur sat with the Knights of the Round Table. Another distinctive building is Saint George’s Chapel. It is the burial place often British sovereigns. The state apartments in the Upper Ward contain valuable collections of paintings, statuary, and other priceless art objects. The mausoleum of Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert, is located in Home Park.Old Windsor was a residence of the Anglo-Saxon Kings before the Norman Conqueror built a castle at the present site about 1070. It was extended by his successors and was virtually rebuilt about 1344. Later British monarchs added to and improved the castle.
What are the most famous London churches?
Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London’s most imposing church, is a large baroque edifice, distinguished by a huge central dome, and designed by the English architect Sir Christopher Wren. Built between 1675 and 1710, the cathedral is the burial place of many illustrious British figures. Saint Paul’s Cathedral is Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece. Old St. Paul’s was built during Norman times. It was burnt down in the Great Fire that destroyed London in 1666. The cathedral, that replaced it, the most striking building in the City today, was built from 1675 until 1709. St. Paul’s is only second to St. Peter’s in Rome among the domed cathedrals of the Renaissance. Inside the dome there is the famous Whispering Gallery. Westminster Abbey, a splendid example of English Gothic architecture of the I3th and the 14th century. For a long time it was the site of coronations and royal weddings. The ancient building of Westminster Abbey, built in the 11th century, stands close to the House of Parliament. All English monarchs since William the Conqueror, except Edward V, have been crowned there. It is crowded with memorials and tombs. Poet’s Corner is particularly interesting. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in World War II is also there.
What are well-known London churches?
They are the Gothic Southwark Cathedral; Saint Bartholomew-the-Great, built shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066; the Roman Catholic Westminster Cathedral (1895-1903); Saint Martin-in-the-Fields; All Souls’; Saint Bride’s; Saint Dane’s; Saint Margaret’s, the parish church of Parliament; and Saint Marly-le-Bow.
What ancient London landmark was bought by an American private company stone to the USA and rebuilt in Arizona?
London Bridge in 1968. London Bridge from Roman times until the 18th century (1749) was the only bridge across the Thames. Originally it was made of wood. The first stone bridge was not built until 1476. 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, USA, The British have a modem replacement now, opened in 1973.
Which bruise symbolizes London?
The Tower Bridge, built in 1894. The 244-m Tower Bridge spans the Thames River in London. It was the only movable bridge crossing the Thames when it was completed in 1894. Sir Horace Jones designed the bridge, and Sir John Wolfe Barry built it The Tower Bridge was built at the end of the nineteenth century to match the medieval style of the fortress. The bridge is functioning perfectly well for such a great city as modern London. It can be quickly swung open to let big ocean ships that can move up the Thames from the oceans.
What events does Trafalgar Square commemorate?
Trafalgar Square is named to commemorate Horatio Nelson's great naval victory of 1805. It is dominated by the Nelson's Column. On its pedestal there are four bronze relief cast from captured French cannon, representing scenes from the battles of St Vincent, the Nile, Copenhagen and Trafalgar. The bronze lions at the corners of the pedestals are the work of Land seer. Horatio Nelson’s most famous victory over Napoleon’s fleet took place at Trafalgar Cape near the Strait of Gibraltar in 1805. In the centre of the square there is a monument known as Nelson's Column, surmounted by a 16 ft of the monument is 184 ft 10 inches.
Why do the British call Piccadilly Circus – “circus” and Trafalgar Square –“square”?
The Circus is not only a kind of show but also a circular open space in a city or town, where a number of streets meet (Piccadilly Circus, Ludgate Circus, etc). The word “square” is used often if the open space is rectangular in shape (Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Cavendish Square, etc).
| POLITICAL SYSTEM What is a political name o the country made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland? The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (usually shortened to the United Kingdom or UK). The United Kingdom is a name, which was introduced in 1801, when Great Britain became united with Ireland. The whole of Ireland was united with GB from 1801 up to 1922. In that year the independent Republic of Ireland was formed in the south, while Northern Ireland became part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. What is the political system of the United Kingdom? The United Kingdom is a constitutional (or parliamentary) monarchy. The country has a monarch (a king or a queen) as its Head of State, but his (her) power is limited by Parliament The monarch reigns but does not rule. The Organs of Government in the United Kingdom are: a) the Legislative (body) which consists of the Queen in Parliament, and its supreme authority of the realm; b) the Executive which consists of: • The Cabinet and other ministers of the Crown, who are responsible for initialing and directing national policy, • Government departments, most of them under the control of ministers, and all are responsible for administration at the national level; • Local authorities., who administer and manage many services at the local level; • Statutory boards, which are responsible for the operation of particular nationalized industries or public services; c) the Judiciary, which determines Common law and interprets statutes. The Monarch Queen Elizabeth II is a formal head of the state. Her power is limited by the constitution and she takes all the decisions on the advice of the Prime Minister. Her official title is “Her Most Excellent Majesty Elisabeth the Second by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of Faith”. She is the personification of the state. In law, she is the head of the executive, an integral part of the legislature, the head of the judiciary, the commander-in-chief of all the armed forces of the Crown and the temporal head of the established Church of England. In practice, she acts only on the advice of her Ministers, which she cannot constitutionally ignore. However, these remain certain discretionary powers in the hands of the monarch, known as the Royal Prerogative (Icing’s right). One of them is the duty of appointing the Prime Minister. When a Prime Minister dies or resigns (or after general election) the monarch has to choose his successor. In practice, she is usually bound to appoint the leader of the party, which has a majority in the House of Commons. Other functions of me sovereign are: • The queen summons prorogues and dissolves Parliament As a rule she opens each session with a speech from the throne, in the House of Lords; • She must give Royal assent before a Bill which has passed all its stages in both Houses of Parliament becomes legal; • It is her duty to make appointments to all important State offices, including those of judges and diplomats, officers in the armed forces, governors, ambassadors, and to all leading positions in the established Church of England. At least in theory, she must see all Cabinet documents, important dispatches, memoranda, etc., and she has the power to conclude treaties, to cede or accept territory, to declare war or to make peace. And it is assumed that all these powers are a mere formality, because of the general principal that the monarch can only act on the advice of her Minister, but all these matters are conducted in her name. Monarchy in Britain is an ideological symbol for maintaining the stability of the regime. It is not an idea deeply cherished, but an idea deeply cultivated. Synonyms: king (queen), crowned head of the state, monarch, sovereign, potentate, majesty and ruler. Government What party forms the government? The party with most elected MPs in the House of Commons forms fee government. The leader of the winning party automatically becomes Prime Minister and appoints fee Cabinet The members of fee Cabinet are fee leading government ministers. The Prime Minister is fee most important person in Parliament The party, which comes second in fee Opposition, forms its own Shadow Cabinet. Who were first acting Prime Minister in Britain? Sir Robert Walpole from 1721 tall 1742, though at that time there was no clearly defined office as much. Spencer Perceval became fee first official Prime Minister m 1809. He led the Tory Party. When in the 1830s Robert Peel formed fee Conservative Party from what was left of the old Tory Party – Disraeli became the first Conservative Prime Minister. What is the official residence of British Prime Minister? 10 Downing Street A policeman is always on guard at the front door of this house. What are the main functions of the Cabinet? The Cabinet is a conventional organ of Government composed of about 20-25 of the most important ministers. Its functions are: 1. final determination of policies to be submitted to Parliament; 2. supreme control of the national executive power in accordance with the policy agreed by Parliament; 3. continuous coordination of the authority of the Departments of State. Normally it meets for about two hours once or twice а week (during parliamentary sittings) at 10 Downing Street. What is the essence of the principal of “collective responsibility”? The Cabinet is supposed to operate according to fee principal by which decisions are taken collectively with full and frank discussion. Once decided upon, they are publicly defended by all ministers, even if they argue against them in Cabinet or still disagree wife them. If a minister decides that he or she cannot depend on a decision of Cabinet, then he or she is expected to resign tan the Cabinet. They do not vote in the Cabinet. The final decision is that of a Prime Minister. But the responsibility is collective. If the decision fails then fee whole Cabinet must resign. What is the second important person in the UK after the Prime Minister? It is the Speaker of fee House of Commons. Where are the most of the government offices located in London? In Whitehall, ft is a street in central London running from Trafalgar Square to fee Houses of Parliament. The street was named after White Palace which formerly stood there, but of which only fee Banqueting House services. Parties What are the two oldest parties in Britain? The Conservative and Liberal Parties, and until about 1920s they were the only parties elected to the House of Commons. The name “Conservative” was first used as a description of the Tory Party in the “Quarterly Review” of January 1830 – “conservative” – because the Party aims to conserve traditional values and practices. And it was founded as a political organization in 1867. Its official name is traditional Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations. What is the modern concept of the Conservative Party? One of the characteristic concepts of the Conservatives is that the State most protect property, arid that private property widely distributed is the best defence against totalitarism. The modem Tory Concept of democracy includes social and economic reforms, government responsibility for health, education, and social security, and a certain measure of economic planning, it can broadly be described as the party of fee middle and upper classes although it does receive some working class support. The party represents those who believe in private enterprise as opposed to state-owned undertakings. There is some division within fee party: the aristocratic wing and fee lower-middle-class group. What is the second most important political party in Britain? The Labour Party founded in 1900 as a Labour Representation Committee. Since 1906 its name is the Labour Party. The conservative partyis one of the main British political parties. It developed from the old Tory Party in 1830s, and is still sometimes called by this name. It is a right-wing party, supporting capitalism and free enterprise (=an economic system in which there is open competition in business and trade, and no government control). Its program was based on a commitment to traditional institutes, the defense of the British Empire and social reforms. It formed the latest government in Britain from 1979 to 1997, during which time its leaders were Margaret Thatcher and then John Major. Toryis a member of one of the two main political parties in Britain from the 1670s until the 1830s. The Tories were originally a group of politicians who wanted the Roman Catholic James, Duke of York (later James II) to be allowed to become King of England. They were powerful for various periods during the 18l and 19th centuries. In the 1830s, the Tories developed into the Conservative Party and the name is widely used as an informal alternative name for the Conservative Party. DEVOLUTION IN GREAT BRITAIN Since 1998 the constitutional structure of the United Kingdom has undergone dramatic changes. Through the process of devolution certain powers formally vested in the UK. Parliament has been transferred in new legislative bodies located in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. These legislative bodies are responsible for promulgating primary and/or delegated legislation in a wide variety of areas. The Process of Devolution Devolution refers to “the transfer and subsequent sharing of powers between institutions of government within limited framework set out in legislation”. Attempts to provide Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales with degrees legislative autonomy have existed since the 19th century, however the present labour government has been the first government to succeed in providing all of these countries with home-rule. It is certainly possible that the powers devolved to these regions may be extended or curtailed, as has already been the case in Northern Ireland. The “New Labour” government, formed the Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1997, came to the power with the mandate to reform the constitutional government of the United Kingdom. The major component of this “modernization” of the constitutional structure was the transfer of devolved powers to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Through the provisions outlined in three key pieces of legislation, Scotland Act 1998. The Government of Wales Act and The Northern Ireland Act 1998, differing degrees of home-rule were defined for each region. As a result of these acts, and many subsequent pieces of delegated legislation, Scotland and Northern Ireland now experience a traditional form of devolved government consisting of legislative and executive branches. Wales's experience with devolution is more limited. At the present time there is no primary legislation authority granted to Wales. Devolution for Scotland “There shall be Scottish Parliament.” With this simple phrase The Scotland Act 1998 (s.l ss.l) brought to fruition the desire by majority of the electorate in Scotland for the return to the region of a fully functioning legislative body. For the first time since 1707 Can of Union Scotland had a legislative body capable of promulgating primary legislation. The government’s policy of providing Scotland with its own Parliament was outlined in July 1997 White Paper, “Scotland’s Parliament”. In order to ensure popular support for its devolution policies the government quickly enacted Referendums Act 1997 culminating in September 1997 referendum in Scotland and Wales. The result of the referendum was emphatic support for not only a Scottish Parliament (74,3% in favor) but also the ability of the Parliament to vary taxes (63,5% in favor). The Scottish Parliament Since July 1, 1999, when the Scottish Parliament assumed its powers granted under The Scotland Act 1998. This act defined the matters reserved by the UK Parliament, and those matters “devolved” to the Scottish Parliament, deemed to be within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament. Reserved matters include the UK Constitution, foreign policy, national security, and certain areas of health policy. Devolved matters include education, local government, housing, tourism, civil and criminal law, emergency services, economic development, agriculture, and sports. The passage of legislation through the Scottish Parliament is somewhat different than process employed in the UK Parliament. Since the Scottish Parliament is a unicameral body the passage of a bill is understandably less complex than in its London counterpart. A Scottish Parliament Bill encounters four stages in parliamentary process. The Scotland Act 1998 called for bills to proceed through a three stage process, however the Consultative Steering Group on the Scottish Parliament indicated in their report, Shaping Scotland’s Parliament, that the four stage process should be employed. Stage 1 is deliberation on the principles of the bill by a lead committee. At this stage a determination is made as to whether the scope and purpose of the bill is acceptable. This determination is then reported to a plenary session of Parliament In stage 2 the plenary session of Parliament debates and votes on the principles of the bill. The details of the bill are discussed in Stage 3. In Stage 3 the bill is assigned to one or more committees. It is at this stage that amendments to the bill can be made. Stage 4 is a final debate and voting before another plenary session. Once again amendments can be made, however there are strict guidelines concerning the extent of the amendments at this stage. The Official Report comes to committee discussion and floor debate from the plenary session of Parliament. The passage of the bill can be tracked in conjunction with WHISP (What’s Happening in the Scottish Parliament), a weekly publication providing information on the workings of the Scottish Parliament. It is important to realize that the above procedure apply to those types of bills known as Executive Bills. These are the bills presented to Parliament by the Scottish Executive. Other types of bills include and Private Members' bills, each of which follow slightly different process. Scottish Delegated Legislation Delegated legislation, also referred to as secondary or subordinate legislation, is comprised of the rules, regulations orders and by laws implemented under the powers delegated by Parliament and in primary legislation. Prior to 1999 all delegated legislation affecting Scotland was made under the powers delegated by UK acts. Since devolution, secondary or delegated legislation affecting Scotland has originated either in London or in Edinburgh. Delegated legislation made under powers not devolved to the Scottish Parliament has continued to originate in London. The Scottish Executive exercises Scottish delegated legislation, made under powers granted by acts of the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Executive is comprised of the First Minister, Scottish Ministers appointed by the First Minister, the Lord Advocate and Solicitor General. The Scottish Executive can only make delegated legislation on matters that are within its devolved competence as defined by The Scottish Act 1998. Devolution for Wales The Government of Wales Act 1998 was the result of devolution in the principality during the administrations of the Conservative Party (1979 to 1997). Throughout this period welsh politics grew increasingly divorced from centralized government in London. Although the cries for welsh devolution were never as strong as the Scottish, the Labour Party in the 1990’s recognized the need for a limited amount of welsh empowerment. Following the 1997 election, the Labour government released the White Paper, A Voice for Wales: the Government Proposals for a Welsh Assembly, in which it recommended that executive, not legislative powers be devolved to the principality. The Referendum of September 18, 1997 saw the welsh people in favor of creating a national assembly of Wales. This mandate albeit slim, allowed the government to introduce and eventually pass The Government of Wales Act 1998. The National Assembly for Wales officially opened in Cardiff, the principality’s capital city, in May 1999. The National Assembly for Wales The assembly’s powers as outlined in The Government of Wales Act 1998, and made possible by The National Assembly for Wales Order 1999 are certainly less extensive than those accorded Scotland’s Parliament. The Assembly does not have law making authority; it can only make delegated legislation within its areas of devolved competence. These areas include tourism, culture, ancient monuments, highways, health education, transportation, agriculture, environment, sports and recreation, water and flooding, and the welsh language. Although it could be argued that the Assemble for Wales has no more power than the former Welsh Office in London, it is important to recognize the symbolic role that the Assembly plays. For the first time in over 700 years the country of Wales has an elected body located within its borders capable of developing and implemented policies for the people of Wales. The Assembly is corporate body comprised of 60 elected members, is led by the First Secretary and a cabinet. Devolution for Northern Ireland A process of devolution for Northern Ireland has been a far more complex and fragile process than has been experienced in Scotland and Wales. The “troubles” that have beleaguered the province since the late 1960s provided the context for delicate negotiations between the British Government and various parties representing the unionists and the nationalists. Northern Ireland had experienced the home-rule between the period of 1921, when The Government of Ireland Act 1920 came into force and created the province, and 1972, when the British government declared an end to home-rule and instituted direct rule from Westminster. During this period the Northern Ireland Parliament (‘Stormont’) operated as a devolved legislative body, however it was perceived as a body of more representative of the unionists’ interests than the Catholics’. The exaltation of violence in the province during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s resulted in the suspension of home-rule and the vesting of wide discretionary powers in the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under direct rule. In 1973 the second attempt at devolution was made with the creation of the first Northern Ireland Assembly. This Assembly lasted only five months, although in that time it did manage to pass a number of measures. Direct rule of the province was resumed in the summer of 1974 as result of increased sectarian violence. During the 1980’s and 1990’s continued negotiation between the British government and various parties attempted to bring an end to the violence and establish the system of home-rule agreeable to all concerned. The breakthrough occurred in 1998 with the singing of Belfast Agreement (also referred to as the ‘Good Friday Agreement’ or simply ‘The Agreement’) This document formed the style of devolution currently experienced in Northern Ireland. Included within the agreement is a provision for a democratically elected legislative body for Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Act 1998 laid out the process for electing the Assembly members and for the peaceful transfer of functions for the new Northern Ireland Assembly. The Northern Ireland Assembly The powers conferred on the New Northern Ireland Assembly include the power to adopt the primary legislation for the province. However, The Northern Ireland Act 1998 clearly delineates between those matters within the legislative competence of the Assembly and those matters outside of its competence. Drawing distinction between transferred, entrenched, excepted and reserved matters The Northern Ireland Act 1998 clearly defines the scope of the Assembly's powers. Entrenched matters include The Human Rights Act 1998. The European Communities Act 1972, and other basic constitutional documents. These matters cannot be altered or amended by the Assembly. Excepted matters are defined as matters that are outside of the legislative competence of the Assembly. Reserved matters are those matters, which are within the legislative competence of the Assembly but can only be legislated on with the consent of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. All other matters are considered transferred matters and are deemed with the legislative competence of the Assembly. Northern Ireland Delegated Legislation Since 1998 delegated or secondary legislation for the province has taken any one of four forms. It has been issued as UK statutory instruments extending to Northern Ireland. UK statutory instrument made primarily or exclusively for Northern Ireland, statutory rules made under the authority of an act of the UK government, or as statutory rules made under the authority of an act of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The existence of the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the new Northern Ireland Assembly, alongside the UK Parliament falls short of the federal system of government for the United Kingdom. However, UK research is starting to adopt a flavor more associated with the United States, Australia or Canada in which both national and regional (state, provincial, or territorial) variances of law must be considered. While the term ‘devolution’ has been used throughout this article in describing the recent constitutional changes in the UK, the term ‘revolution’ is more appropriate in describing the changes. The British Government | |
| The two Houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (the House of Lords and the House of Commons) are based at The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament, in London. The palace lies on the north bank of the River Thames in the London borough of the City of Westminster, close to the government buildings of Whitehall. Parliament decides the laws and make decisions on running the UK. (Some issues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are now dealt with by their respective parliaments and assemblies.) There has been a parliament at Westminster since the 13th Century. The UK government is normally formed by the leader of the party that wins the most seats in the general election. All actions by the government - and particularly its proposals to amend or create laws – are scrutinised within parliament. |
How Britain is Governed?
Who runs the UK?
The British government runs the UK. The leader of the government is the Prime Minister.
Parliamentary democracy
Great Britain (UK) is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional Monarch as Head of State.
The principle behind British democracy is that the people elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to the House of Commons in London at a general election, held no more than five years apart. Most MPs belong to a political party, and the party with the largest number of MPs in the House of Commons forms the government.
For the first time since 1707, the people of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have more say over what happens in their countries, the UK Parliament has devolved (given away) some of its powers to other national and regional bodies. It is only England, that doesn't have its own parliament. Issues that effect England are decided by the UK government, which consists of MPs from all over the UK.
The British Parliament
British people live in a democratic country, which means we all have a say in how the country is run. Parliament represents the people. It is where we send our chosen representatives to represent our views in the House of Commons.
What is Parliament?
Parliament is where politicians (MPs) meet to decide laws and make decisions for the United Kingdom. It is not the same as the Government (which runs the country). One of the jobs Parliament does is to check that the Government is running the country properly.
Дата добавления: 2018-05-02; просмотров: 633; Мы поможем в написании вашей работы! |
Мы поможем в написании ваших работ!