Wales information file: Total population – 2,5 mln. Capital – Cardiff. National day – St. David’s day, March 1st. National symbols – Dragon, leek, daffodil. Languages - English, Welsh.
It is the largest of the peninsulas on the western side of Britain. It consists of a complex of mountain ranges, which are called the Cambrian Mountains. The highest area occurs in the north, especially around Snowdon (1,085 m). In the upland areas sheep are the basis of the rural economy, and in the low-lying parts near the coast and in the valley bottoms dairy farming predominates.
The capital of Wales is Cardiff. It is an important industrial city and a port. It is also an administrative and educative centre.
The Welsh people, especially in rural areas, are fond of folk music, singing, poetry and drama. Welsh literature is one of the oldest in Europe.
Scotland information file: Total population – 5 mln. Capital – Edinburgh. National day – St. Andrew’s Day, November 30. National Symbols – Thistle, tartan. Languages - English, Scottish, Gaelic.
Although Scotland takes up one third of the territory of the British Isles it is not very densely populated mostly due to its northern location. Climatically the region has some of the most severe weather experienced in Great Britain. It is famous for its mountains. The Highlands of Scotland are among the highest mountains in the world. They reach their highest point in Ben Nevis (1,347 m). There are three lakes there, one of them, Loch Ness, is said to be the home of the “monster”.
The present-day economy of the region is dominated by agriculture. The region is clearly divided between the sheep pastures of the uplands & the more diversified farming areas of the lowlands.
The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh which is also the cultural centre of Scotland. It is associated with the names of George Gordon Byron and Walter Scott, Robert Luis Stevenson, Robert Burns and Arthur Conan Doyle.
Northern Ireland information file: Capital – Belfast. Patron saint - Saint Patrick. Languages - English, Irish, Gaelic. National Symbol – Shamrock.
The regional geography of the island is simpler than that of Great Britain, and especially than the regional geography of England. A large proportion of Ireland‘s territory consists of either uninhabitable mountain territories, or valleys & lowlands containing innumerable sheets of water. In the extreme north-east is the Antrim Plateau or Mountains of Antrim. Being geographically an island and a single unit, Ireland is politically divided into the Irish Free State & Northern Ireland or Ulster.
D. Draw the table and complete the information file on the UK.
| Capital | Total population | Language | National symbol | Famous people/places etc | Rivers | Mountains Highest points | |
| England | |||||||
| Wales | |||||||
| Scotland | |||||||
| Northern Ireland |
E. Decide what part of the UK is described in the following sentences.
1) Most of the population and territory of the UK is concentrated here.
2) This mountainous country is well-known for its beautiful scenery and world famous writers.
3) Cattle breeding and farming play a vital role in the economy of this country.
4) It is located on an island the part of which is an independent state.
*Add one more sentence of your own about each part of the UK.
F. Rearrange letters and guess synonyms.
| eht ttregaes oetonnnccrstia fo louatpionp | eyenlds tplaeoudp |
| wlo-gilny sptar | dallonw |
| rlaur nyecoom | gueilctaurr |