Dudina Ekaterina, 5 а, Kaliningrad

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles are separated from European continent by the North Sea and the English Channel.

The flag of the United Kingdom (the Union Jack) consists of three crosses. The big red cross is the cross of Saint George, the patron saint of England. The white cross is the cross of Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. The red diagonal cross is the cross of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

The capital of the UK is London. It is about two thou- sand years old. Now London is one of the biggest cities in the world and the largest city in Europe.

The UK consists of four main parts: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. England is in the southern and central part of Great Britain. It is the richest, most fertile and most populated part of the country. London is the capital of England.

Scotland is the most mountainous region with the highest peak, Ben Nevis. It is divided into three regions: the Highlands, the Lowlands and the Southern Uplands. The capital of Scotland is Edinburg. The Scottish are wearing kilts. SCOTLAND

The thistle is the national emblem of Scotland. It happened many times ago when Norsemen wanted to settle in this country. They came close to the Scots camps in the night and wanted to kill them. Thats why they took off their shoes to make no noise. But one of the Norsemen stepped on a thistle and screamed. The Scots woke up and put the enemy to flight.

The capital of Wales is Cardiff. Wales is a country of lakes. In Wales people speak English and Welsh. Welsh is very different from English. The leek is the emblem of Wales. WALES

Northern Ireland, integral part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, is situated in the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland. It is also known as Ulster. Northern Ireland is an agricultural region. The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast. Irishmen wear their national emblem on St Patricks Day. Its a small white clover with three leaves on the stem. It is called a shamrock. Northern Ireland

Great Britain is rich in world-famous places. Certainly among them there are famous university cities Oxford and Cambridge, Shakespeares birthplace - Stratford-upon- Avon, Hide Park, The tower of London, the Palace of Westminster and etc.

There is prehistoric monument in Great Britain which is as interesting as Egyptian pyramids. This is Stonehenge. Stones stand here in circles. Scientists think that Stonehenge was built to calculate the annual calendar and seasons.

Traditions play the most important role in the life of the people than in other countries. The best examples are their Queen, money system, their weights and measures. Englishmen are proud of their traditions and carefully keep them.

English family prefers a house with a garden.