United Kingdom of Great United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Britain and Northern

IrelandIreland PlanPlan The United Kingdom of Great Britain and The United Kingdom of Great Britain and

Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland Territory of the UKTerritory of the UK ThamesThames Reach EnglandReach England Here are some of the things you may hear Here are some of the things you may hear

off a bus in Londonoff a bus in London Capital of EnglandCapital of England Flag of the United KingdomFlag of the United Kingdom Royal coat of arms of the United KingdomRoyal coat of arms of the United Kingdom God Save the QueenGod Save the Queen

The United Kingdom of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Great Britain and Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

The full name of the country the The full name of the country the United Kingdom of Great Britain United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It consists of and Northern Ireland. It consists of four parts: England, Wales, four parts: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Scotland and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland occupies one Northern Ireland occupies one third of the island of Ireland. It third of the island of Ireland. It borders on the Irish Republic in borders on the Irish Republic in the south. The island of Great the south. The island of Great Britain consists of three main Britain consists of three main parts: England (the southern and parts: England (the southern and middle part of the island), Wales (a middle part of the island), Wales (a mountainous peninsula in the mountainous peninsula in the West) and Scotland (the northern West) and Scotland (the northern part of the island). part of the island).

England is the largest and the England is the largest and the richest country of Great Britain. richest country of Great Britain. The capital of England is London The capital of England is London but there are other large industrial but there are other large industrial cities, such as Birmingham, cities, such as Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and other Liverpool, Manchester and other famous and interesting cities such famous and interesting cities such as York, Chester, Oxford and as York, Chester, Oxford and Cambridge.Cambridge.

Scotland is a country in Scotland is a country in the north of Great Britain. the north of Great Britain. It is a part of the UK. It is a part of the UK. Scotland is divided into Scotland is divided into three natural regions: the three natural regions: the Southern Uplands, the Southern Uplands, the Central Lowlands and the Central Lowlands and the Highlands and islands. The Highlands and islands. The capital of Scotland is capital of Scotland is Edinburgh, well known for Edinburgh, well known for its castle.its castle.

Wales is the country in the Wales is the country in the west of Great Britain. It is west of Great Britain. It is mainly a mountainous land mainly a mountainous land with a chiefly agricultural with a chiefly agricultural economy and an industrial economy and an industrial and coal-mining area in and coal-mining area in the south.the south.

Northern Ireland, also known Northern Ireland, also known as Ulster, is still a part of the as Ulster, is still a part of the United Kingdom. It is made up United Kingdom. It is made up of six countries: Antrim, of six countries: Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone. One Londonderry, and Tyrone. One third of the population lives in third of the population lives in and around the capital, and around the capital, Belfast. . The Irish population Belfast. . The Irish population is divided into two groups: the is divided into two groups: the Protestants and the Catholics.Protestants and the Catholics.

Territory of the UKTerritory of the UK In general the territory of the UK is about 244,000 In general the territory of the UK is about 244,000

square kilometers, it takes the 75th place among other square kilometers, it takes the 75th place among other countries in the world. The population is urban. The countries in the world. The population is urban. The capital of the country is London. Now Great Britain is capital of the country is London. Now Great Britain is separated from the continent by the English Channel, separated from the continent by the English Channel, the narrowest part of which is called the Strait of Dover. the narrowest part of which is called the Strait of Dover. The British Isles are surrounded by the shallow waters The British Isles are surrounded by the shallow waters of the Irish Sea and the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, of the Irish Sea and the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the North Channel and the Atlantic Ocean. the North Channel and the Atlantic Ocean.

The rivers of the region are short and of no great The rivers of the region are short and of no great importance as waterways. The longest of them is importance as waterways. The longest of them is "the Father of London", the Thames, which is a "the Father of London", the Thames, which is a little over 200 miles. little over 200 miles.

The surface of GB varies greatly. The northern and The surface of GB varies greatly. The northern and western parts of the country are mountainous and are western parts of the country are mountainous and are called the Highlands. But there are no high mountains in called the Highlands. But there are no high mountains in Great Britain. In the north the Cheviots separate England Great Britain. In the north the Cheviots separate England from Scotland, the Pennies stretch down North England from Scotland, the Pennies stretch down North England along its middle, the Cambrian Mountains occupy the along its middle, the Cambrian Mountains occupy the greater part of Wales and the Highlands of Scotland are greater part of Wales and the Highlands of Scotland are the tallest of the British mountains. All the rest (south, the tallest of the British mountains. All the rest (south, east and centre) is a vast plain, which is called the east and centre) is a vast plain, which is called the LowlandsLowlands..

Reach England Reach England You can reach England either by plane, by train, You can reach England either by plane, by train,

by car or by ship. The fastest way is by plane. by car or by ship. The fastest way is by plane. London has three international airports: London has three international airports: HeathrowHeathrow..

The largest, connected to the city by underground; The largest, connected to the city by underground; Gatwick, south of London, with a frequent train Gatwick, south of London, with a frequent train serviceservice..

You go to England by train or by car you have to cross the Channel. You go to England by train or by car you have to cross the Channel. There is a frequent service of steamers and ferryboats which connect There is a frequent service of steamers and ferryboats which connect the continent to the south-east of England. People in Britain drive on the continent to the south-east of England. People in Britain drive on the left and generally overtake on the right. The speed limit is 30 miles the left and generally overtake on the right. The speed limit is 30 miles

per hour (50 km/h) in towns and cities.per hour (50 km/h) in towns and cities.

When you are in London you can choose from four different When you are in London you can choose from four different means of transport: bus, train, underground or taxi. The typical means of transport: bus, train, underground or taxi. The typical bus in London is a red double-decker. The first London bus bus in London is a red double-decker. The first London bus started running between Paddington and the City in 1829. It started running between Paddington and the City in 1829. It carried 40 passengers and cost a shilling for six km.carried 40 passengers and cost a shilling for six km.

Here are some of the things you may Here are some of the things you may hear off a bus in London:hear off a bus in London:

"Fares, please.“"Fares, please.“ "Four pence, please.""Four pence, please." "Full up inside; plenty of "Full up inside; plenty of

seats on top."seats on top." "Standing room only.""Standing room only." "No, sir, this bus does not "No, sir, this bus does not

go to Victoria Station."go to Victoria Station." "You want a number 11.""You want a number 11." "No more seats on top; five "No more seats on top; five

seats inside."seats inside."

Capital of EnglandCapital of England• As well as being the capital of England, London is the capital of the United Kingdom. London was

founded by the Romans in 43 A.D. and was called Londinium. In 61 A.D. the town was burnt down and when it was rebuilt by the Romans it was surrounded by a wall.

• That area within the wall is now called the City of London. It is London's commercial and business centre. It contains the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the head offices of numerous companies and corporations. Here is situated the Tower of London. The Tower was built by William the Conqueror who conquered England in 1066. He was crowned at Westminster Abbey. Now most of the Government buildings are located there. During the Tudor period (l6th century) London became an important economic and financial centre.

Flag of the United KingdomFlag of the United KingdomThe The UnitedUnited KingdomKingdom ofof GreatGreat BritainBritain andand NorthernNorthern IrelandIreland uses as uses as its national flag the royal banner locally known as the its national flag the royal banner locally known as the UnionUnion FlagFlag or, or, popularly, popularly, Union JackUnion Jack..[1][1] The current design of the Union Flag The current design of the Union Flag dates from the dates from the unionunion ofof IrelandIreland andand GreatGreat BritainBritain in 1801. It consists in 1801. It consists of the of the redred crosscross of of SaintSaint GeorgeGeorge ( (patronpatron saintsaint of of EnglandEngland), edged in ), edged in white, superimposed on the white, superimposed on the CrossCross ofof StSt PatrickPatrick (patron saint of (patron saint of IrelandIreland), which are superimposed on the ), which are superimposed on the SaltireSaltire of of SaintSaint AndrewAndrew (patron saint of (patron saint of ScotlandScotland).).

Its correct proportions are 1:2. However, the version officially used Its correct proportions are 1:2. However, the version officially used by the by the BritishBritish ArmyArmy modifies the proportions to 3:5, and additionally modifies the proportions to 3:5, and additionally two of the red diagonals are cropped.two of the red diagonals are cropped.

Royal coat of arms of the United Royal coat of arms of the United KingdomKingdom

The Royal Coat of Arms of the The Royal Coat of Arms of the UnitedUnited KingdomKingdom is the official is the official coatcoat ofof armsarms of the of the BritishBritish monarchmonarch, currently , currently QueenQueen ElizabethElizabeth II II. These arms . These arms are used by the Queen in her official capacity as monarch, and are are used by the Queen in her official capacity as monarch, and are officially known as her Arms of Dominion. Variants of the Royal Arms officially known as her Arms of Dominion. Variants of the Royal Arms are used by other members of the are used by other members of the RoyalRoyal FamilyFamily; and by the ; and by the BritishBritish GovernmentGovernment in connection with the administration and government of in connection with the administration and government of the country. In the country. In ScotlandScotland, the Queen has a separate version of the , the Queen has a separate version of the Royal Arms, a variant of which is used by the Royal Arms, a variant of which is used by the ScotlandScotland OfficeOffice..

The shield is quartered, depicting in the first and fourth quarters the The shield is quartered, depicting in the first and fourth quarters the three lions passant guardant of three lions passant guardant of EnglandEngland; in the second, the rampant ; in the second, the rampant lion and double tressure lion and double tressure fleury-counter-fleuryfleury-counter-fleury of of ScotlandScotland; and in the ; and in the third, a third, a harpharp for for IrelandIreland..

The The crestcrest is a lion statant guardant wearing the is a lion statant guardant wearing the imperialimperial crowncrown, itself on , itself on another representation of that crown.another representation of that crown.

The dexter supporter is a likewise crowned lion, symbolizing The dexter supporter is a likewise crowned lion, symbolizing England; the sinister, a unicorn, symbolising Scotland. According to England; the sinister, a unicorn, symbolising Scotland. According to legend a free unicorn was considered a very dangerous beast; legend a free unicorn was considered a very dangerous beast; therefore the heraldic unicorn is chained,[1] as were both supporting therefore the heraldic unicorn is chained,[1] as were both supporting unicorns in the Royal coat of arms of Scotland.unicorns in the Royal coat of arms of Scotland.

God Save the QueenGod Save the Queen God Save the Queen", or "God Save the King", is an anthem used in a number of God Save the Queen", or "God Save the King", is an anthem used in a number of

CommonwealthCommonwealth realmsrealms. It is the . It is the nationalnational anthemanthem of the of the UnitedUnited KingdomKingdom, , NorfolkNorfolk IslandIsland, , one of the two national anthems of the one of the two national anthems of the CaymanCayman IslandsIslands and and NewNew ZealandZealand (since 1977) (since 1977) and the and the royalroyal anthemanthem of of CanadaCanada (since 1980), (since 1980), AustraliaAustralia (since 1984), the (since 1984), the IsleIsle ofof ManMan, , BelizeBelize, , JamaicaJamaica, and , and TuvaluTuvalu. In countries not previously part of the . In countries not previously part of the BritishBritish EmpireEmpire the the tune of "God Save the Queen" has also been used as the basis for different patriotic tune of "God Save the Queen" has also been used as the basis for different patriotic songs, though still generally connected with royal ceremony. The authorship of the songs, though still generally connected with royal ceremony. The authorship of the song is unknown, and beyond its first verse, which is consistent, it has many song is unknown, and beyond its first verse, which is consistent, it has many historic and extant versions: Since its first publication, different verses have been historic and extant versions: Since its first publication, different verses have been added and taken away and, even today, different publications include various added and taken away and, even today, different publications include various selections of verses in various orders. In general only one, or sometimes two verses selections of verses in various orders. In general only one, or sometimes two verses are sung, but on rare occasions three.are sung, but on rare occasions three.

In Britain, the Queen (or King) is saluted with the entire anthem, while other In Britain, the Queen (or King) is saluted with the entire anthem, while other members of the royal family who are entitled to royal salute (such as the Prince of members of the royal family who are entitled to royal salute (such as the Prince of Wales) receive just the first six bars. The first six bars also form part of the Wales) receive just the first six bars. The first six bars also form part of the ViceVice RegalRegal SaluteSalute in in CommonwealthCommonwealth realmsrealms outside the United Kingdom (e.g., in Canada, outside the United Kingdom (e.g., in Canada, the governors general and lieutenant are saluted with the first six bars of "God Save the governors general and lieutenant are saluted with the first six bars of "God Save the Queen", followed by the first four and last four bars of "O Canada"). The words the Queen", followed by the first four and last four bars of "O Canada"). The words of the song, like its title, are adapted to the gender of monarch, with "King" of the song, like its title, are adapted to the gender of monarch, with "King" replacing "Queen", "he" replacing "she", and so forth, when a king reigns. In the replacing "Queen", "he" replacing "she", and so forth, when a king reigns. In the United Kingdom, the last line of the third verse is also changed (see below).United Kingdom, the last line of the third verse is also changed (see below).

11– God save our gracious Queen,God save our gracious Queen,– Long live our noble Queen,Long live our noble Queen,– God save the Queen:God save the Queen:– Send her victorious,Send her victorious,– Happy and glorious,Happy and glorious,– Long to reign over us:Long to reign over us:– God save the Queen.God save the Queen.

22– O Lord, our God, arise,O Lord, our God, arise,– Scatter her enemies,Scatter her enemies,– And make them fall.And make them fall.– Confound their politics,Confound their politics,– Frustrate their knavish tricks,Frustrate their knavish tricks,– On Thee our hopes we fix,On Thee our hopes we fix,– God save us all.God save us all.

33– Thy choicest gifts in store,Thy choicest gifts in store,– On her be pleased to pour;On her be pleased to pour;– Long may she reign:Long may she reign:– May she defend our laws,May she defend our laws,– And ever give us causeAnd ever give us cause– To sing with heart and voiceTo sing with heart and voice– God save the QueenGod save the Queen..