The Symbols of Great Britain

 

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     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.

    Britain’s flag is called the “Union Jack”. 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 George’s Day is celebrated on 23 April. The white “X” is on the blue background of St Andrew for Scotland. Saint Andrew’s Day is celebrated on 30 November. The red “X” on white background of St Patrick for Ireland. Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated on 17 March.

    The Welsh flag shows a dragon. It isn’t represented on the British flag. Saint David is the patron saint of Wales. St David’s day is celebrated on 1 March.

    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.

    In 1603 James V1 of Scotland (Stuart) became also James 1 of England when Queen Elizabeth1 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 1 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 an act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland was signed. Belfast is the capital of Ireland.

LANGUAGES

Most British people speak English, but Gaelic is also spoken in the west and north of Scotland and in the Northern Ireland. Welsh is spoken by over half a million people in Wales.

 

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

Country	Capital	People	Language	Symbol	Patron saint
England	London	the English	English	a red rose	St. George
Scotland	Edinburgh	the Scots	English/ Gaelic	a thistle	St. Andrew
Wales	Cardiff	the Welsh	English/ Welsh	a daffodil	St. David
Northern Ireland	Belfast	the Irish	English	a shamrock	St Patrick

THE QUEEN AND PARLIAMENT

The Queen’s 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 an 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 - партия Консерваторов

Labour - партия Лейбористов

Liberal Democrat – партия Либерал демократов

Welsh Nationalists - партия Уэльса

Scottish National - Шотландская национальная партия

Ulster Unionist (Northern Ireland) – Демократическая Юнионистская

The Prime Minister is David Cameron (May 2010)

The Deputy Minister is Nick Clegg

RELIGION

The Church of England, which was separated from the Roman Catholic in the 16^th century, is the Established Church (Anglican)

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Britain has diplomatic relations with 169 countries. The UK is the member of some 120 inter-national 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.

Britain’s 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, assist developing countries and protect human rights and freedom.

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