London is the capital of England. The national anthem of the UK is God save the Queen.The symbol of the country is BRITANIA, the female embodiment wearing a helmet and holding the trident (the symbol of power over sea). The figure of BRITANIA has been on the riverside of many British coins for more than 300 years. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland uses as its national flag the royal banner known as the Union Flag or Union Jack. The current design of the flag dates from the Union of Ireland and Great Britain in 1801. There are really three flags on the top of each other. The Red Cross is on the white background of St George for England. Saint Georges Day is celebrated on 23 April. The white X on the blue background is of St Andrew for Scotland. Saint Andrews Day is celebrated on 30 November. The red X on the white background is of St Patrick for Ireland. Saint Patricks Day is celebrated on 17 March. Wales, however, is not represented in the Union Flag by the Wales' patron saint, Saint David, as at the time the flag was designed, Wales was part of the United Kingdom. St Davids day is celebrated on 1 March. In 1603 James VI of Scotland (Stuart) became also James I of England when Queen Elizabeth I of England died without children. In 1651 Scotland was united with England. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland. In 1301 after defeating the native princes of Wales, King Edward I of England named his son Prince of Wales. In 1536 Wales was brought into the English system of national and local government by the Act of Union. Cardiff is the capital of Wales. Only in 1800 the act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland was signed. Belfast is the capital of Ireland. It is worth remembering that the Union Jack is more popular in England than in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The reason is that the Welsh, Scottish and Irish do not like being reminded of the time when they lost their independence to England.
LANGUAGES
Most British people speak English, but Gaelic is also spoken in the west and north of Scotland and in Northern Ireland. Welsh is spoken by over half a million people in Wales.
THE QUEEN AND PARLIAMENT
The Queens constitutional role is mainly symbolic. The Queen and the royal family continue to take part in many traditional ceremonies. Their visits to many other countries attract considerable interest and publicity, and they are also closely involved in the work of many charities.
PARLIAMENT
Only members of Commons are known as MPs Members of Parliament. The Commons is more important of the two Houses. Unlike MPs, members of the House of Lords (peers) are not elected. The modern House of Lords has little real power nowadays. The power to refuse a proposal for a law (which has been agreed by the Commons) is limited. A proposed law (a bill) has to go through three stages (readings) to become the Act of Parliament. If the majority of MPs vote for the bill, it is sent to the House of Lords. When the Lords agree it is taken to the Queen for Royal assent.
POLITICAL PARTIES
Conservative -
Labour -
Liberal Democrat
Welsh Nationalists -
Scottish National -
The Prime Minister is David Cameron (May 2010)
RELIGION
The Church of England Established Church (Anglican) separated from the Roman Catholic in the 16th century.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Britain has diplomatic relations with 169 countries. The UK is the member of some 120 international organisations, including the European Community (EC); the United Nations (UN), where it is a permanent member of the Security Council; the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); and the Commonwealth.
Britains principal agency for cultural relations overseas is the British Council.
The UK is fully committed to the principles of the United Nations and its Charter, maintaining peace, assisting developing countries and protecting human rights and freedom.
