A. Political Structure F. Surface
B. Population G. Lakes and Rivers
C. Industry H. Languages
D. Flag I. Climate and Weather
E. Geographical position J. Capitals
1. ________
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and about 5,000 small islands. Their total area is over 244,000 square kilometres. The British Isles are separated from the European continent by the North Sea and the English Channel (or La Manche).
The western coast of Great Britain is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea.
2. _______The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast respectively. Great Britain consists of England, Scotland and Wales and does not include Northern Ireland. But in every day speech Great Britain is used to mean the United Kingdom. The capital of the UK is London.
3. _______The surface of the British Isles varies very much. The north of Scotland is mountainous and is called the Highlands, while the south, which has beautiful valleys and plains, is called the Lowlands. The north and west of England are mountainous, but all the rest east, centre and south-east is a vast plain. Mountains are not very high. Ben Nevis in Scotland is the highest mountain (1,343 m).
Ben NevisLowlands
4. _______There are a lot of rivers and beautiful lakes in Great Britain. The rivers are not very long. The Severn is the longest river, while the Thames is the deepest and the most important one.
