2. The geographical position.
The United Kingdom is situated inThe United Kingdom is situated in
the north-west coast of Europethe north-west coast of Europe
between the Atlantic Ocean onbetween the Atlantic Ocean on
the north and north-west andthe north and north-west and
the North Sea on the east. Thethe North Sea on the east. The
UK includes Great Britain andUK includes Great Britain and
Northern Ireland. Great Britain,Northern Ireland. Great Britain,
the largest island in Europe,the largest island in Europe,
contains England, Scotland andcontains England, Scotland and
WalesWales. The landscape of GreatThe landscape of Great
Britain is rich and varied,Britain is rich and varied,
sometimes showing markedsometimes showing marked
contrasts within shortcontrasts within short
distances, particularly on thedistances, particularly on the
coastscoasts . .
3. People.People.
The population of the UKThe population of the UK
is nearly 60 millionis nearly 60 million
people. The populationpeople. The population
lives mostly in townslives mostly in towns
and cities and theirand cities and their
suburbs. Four out ofsuburbs. Four out of
every five people live inevery five people live in
towns. The Britishtowns. The British
people are prudent andpeople are prudent and
careful about almostcareful about almost
everything. Their lawnseverything. Their lawns
are closely cropped,are closely cropped,
their flower beds primlytheir flower beds primly
cultivated, and theircultivated, and their
trees neatly pruned.trees neatly pruned.
Everything is orderly.Everything is orderly.
4. The British are fond of animalsThe British are fond of animals
The British are fond ofThe British are fond of
animals. They areanimals. They are
devoted to animals.devoted to animals.
Animals are protectedAnimals are protected
by law. If, for instance,by law. If, for instance,
any one leaves a cat toany one leaves a cat to
starve in an emptystarve in an empty
house while he goes forhouse while he goes for
his holiday, he can behis holiday, he can be
sent to prison.sent to prison.
6. London is the capital city of the UnitedLondon is the capital city of the United
Kingdom. It is the larges city in Britain andKingdom. It is the larges city in Britain and
one of the larges in the world. Historical andone of the larges in the world. Historical and
geographical circumstances have madegeographical circumstances have made
London one of the world’s most importantLondon one of the world’s most important
commercial and cultural centers, while itscommercial and cultural centers, while its
range of historical connections and itsrange of historical connections and its
buildings attract millions of tourists frombuildings attract millions of tourists from
overseas each year. London is a focus ofoverseas each year. London is a focus of
civilization and political wisdom. Thecivilization and political wisdom. The
graduate growth of the city helps to explaingraduate growth of the city helps to explain
the fact that London does not have just onethe fact that London does not have just one
centre, it has a number of centers, each withcentre, it has a number of centers, each with
a distinct character: the financial anda distinct character: the financial and
business centrebusiness centre is called the City, theis called the City, the
shopping and entertainment centre is inshopping and entertainment centre is in
West End, the government centre is inWest End, the government centre is in
Westminster.Westminster.
10. Other citiesOther cities
Besides London there are a lot ofBesides London there are a lot of
other cities and towns whichother cities and towns which
deserve to be mentioned. Amongdeserve to be mentioned. Among
them there are Oxford andthem there are Oxford and
Cambridge, which are the scientificCambridge, which are the scientific
centers, Edinburgh, Cardiff andcenters, Edinburgh, Cardiff and
Belfast which are the capitals ofBelfast which are the capitals of
Scotland, Wales and NorthernScotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland and great industrial cities.Ireland and great industrial cities.