The continental United States stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and from Canada to Mexico. Alaska is the largest state. Separated by Canada, it is washed by the Pacific and the Arctic Oceans. Hawaii occupies an archipelago in the Pacific. The area of the United States is 9.83 ml km². The Mississippi River is the longest river system. Alaska's Mount McKinley is the country's tallest peak.
The capital is Washington, D.C. The official language of the country is English. The US population is over 300 ml people. The flag of the USA is called “Stars and Stripes”. 50 stars represent the current states, 13 stripes stand for the original states. The national emblem is a bald eagle. The national anthem is “the Star Spangled Banner”.
The United States has a capitalist mixed economy. It is based on natural resources, a well-developed infrastructure, and a high productivity. The United States GDP makes up 20% of the gross world product. The private sector is the most important part of the economy. The economy is postindustrial; the service sector contributes over 75% of GDP. The main business fields are wholesale and retail trade, finance and insurance.
The United States remains an industrial power. Chemical products are the leading manufacturing field. The USA is the third largest producer of oil in the world. Agriculture accounts for 60% of the world's agricultural production.
The USA is a federal constitutional republic. It comprises 50 states and a federal district. The federal government has three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government. It is divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Constitution grants numerous powers to Congress. For example, it must provide for common defense and general welfare of the US and make laws necessary for that.
In fact the USA has a two-party system. The two leading political parties are the Democrats and the Republicans.
The executive branch consists of the President and his delegates. The President is both the head of state and the Government. He is themilitary commander-in-chief. He manages national affairs and the work of the federal government. The Vice President is the second-highest executive official of the government. The members of the President's Cabinet are responsible for administering various departments of state and executing federal laws and regulations.
The structure of the judicial system includes the Supreme Court, 13 courts of appeals, 94 district courts, and two courts of special jurisdiction.
The USA is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Organisation of American States. It also supports the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) and the G8.
*Appendix: № 7
Questions for discussion:
- Where is the USA situated?
- What is the population of the USA?
- What is the tallest peak of the USA?
- What is the capital of the USA?
- What type of economy does the USA have?
- What industries are most developed in the USA?
- What does the executive branch of power include?
- Who represents the legislative power in the USA?
- What does the judicial system of the USA include?
- What international organisations is the USA a member of?
Text 4: The Commonwealth
The Commonwealth of Nations is a worldwide political organisation of independent nations with their dependencies, all of which recognize the British monarch as the head of the Commonwealth. The origin of the Commonwealth lies in the British Empire. Startingfrom the 16th century, Britain invaded a lot other lands. This was very violent most of the times. Some colonies, such as India, had large local populations ruled by British overlords. Others, such as Australia, became colonies for settlement by the British. At the beginning of the 20th century, these lands of settlement, known as Dominions, were largely internally governed. As these settlements became less profitable, there came the idea of the Commonwealth. In 1931 Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa were granted 'independence'.
When World War II broke out, these Commonwealth nations and the colonies fought alongside the UK and its allies for the ideals of liberty. They helped the Allies to win in 1945.The independence for the remaining colonies followed soon after. Most joined the Commonwealth to remain close to the vast amount of resources that Britain had.
From the start, the UK was the dominant force in what was known as 'the British Commonwealth'. It was run from the Commonwealth Office in London. By the 1950s, it had become 'the Commonwealth of Nations'. In 1965, an office called the Commonwealth Secretariat was set up to run the Commonwealth. The UK remained the dominant power giving directives through the various offices. Under the 'old Empire', the UK allowed some special rules for trade with the colonies. These rules made things from the colonies cheaper in the UK. They also encouraged the colonies to buy goods produced in the UK. The Commonwealth consists of most of the countries that were once parts of the British Empire. In 1926, Britain and its dominions agreed they were equal in status. They decided to be freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations. There are fifty three members. Some are very large countries like Canada, India, and Australia. Some are just small islands like Barbados and Tonga. The issue of countries with constitutional structures not based on a shared Crown, who wished to remain members of the Commonwealth, was resolved in April 1949 atthe Commonwealth Prime Ministers' meeting in London. Under the formula of the London Declaration, Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of the Commonwealth. The land area of the Commonwealth nations is about 21% of the total world land area. The Commonwealth promotes educational programmes and exchanges between different countries. Every four year they hold the Commonwealth Games.
Questions for discussion:
1. What is the Commonwealth of Nations?
2. Who is in the Head of the Commonwealth?
3. How did the idea of the Commonwealth come?
4. Why did some countries fight alongside the UK and its allies?
5. What was set up in 1965?
6. What trade rules did the UK allow under the “Old Empire”?
7. What countries does the Commonwealth consist of?
8. What decision did Britain and its dominions come to in 1926?
9. What is the land area of the Commonwealth?
10. What does the Commonwealth promote?
Text 5: Canada
Canada is the second largest country in the world. It is situated in North America. It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean. It has land borders with the United States. The chief rivers are the Mackenzie and the Saint Lawrence. As for the Niagara river and its famous Niagara Falls, it forms together with the region of the Great Lakes is a border between Canada and the USA.
The capital of the country is Ottawa. The population of the country is about 33 ml people. The population density is among the lowest in the world. Canada is a bilingual country. Both English and French are official languages at the federal level. Most French-speaking Canadians live in Quebec. The national symbol is a maple leaf. It is depicted on the nation’s flag.
Canada is one of the world's wealthiest nations with high income. Canada has a free market economy that is dominated by the service industry. Canada's most important industries are logging and oil industries. Canada is an exporter of energy. Canada is one of the world's most important suppliers of agricultural products, wheat and other grains mostly. The country is a world leader in such natural resources as gold, nickel, aluminum, and lead. In Canada’s manufacturing sector automobiles and aeronautics are particularly important industries.
Canada is a constitutional monarchy. Elizabeth II, the Queen of Canada, is the head of state. The Monarch's representative in Canada is the Governor-General. Canada is a federation composed of ten provinces and three territories. The country is a parliamentary democracy.
The federal parliament represents legislature. It is made up of the Queen and two houses:the elected House of Commons and the appointed Senate. Elections are held every five years. Members of the Senate are chosen by the Prime Minister and formally appointed by the Governor-General. Canada's major political parties are the Conservative Party of Canada, the Liberal Party of Canada, etc.
Executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of ministers. The Prime Minister is the head of government. He is the leader of the political party that getsthe majority in the House of Commons. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are formally appointed by the Governor General. They are responsible to the elected House of Commons.
The judicial branch of power includes the Supreme Court as the highest court of justice and other courts.
Canada is a member of different international organisations, namely the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Group of Eight (G8).
Questions for discussion:
1. Where is Canada situated?
2. What is the capital of Canada?
3. What is the population of Canada?
4. What languages are official in Canada?
5. What are the main industries of Canada’s economy?
6. Who is the head of state?
7. Who is the head of government?
8. What are Canada’s major political parties?
9. What does the judicial system include?
- What international organisations is Canada a member of?
