MODULE 1
MODERN REALIA OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (UK)
Lecture 1. British Studies. A Short Survey of the United Kingdom
Plan
1. Introduction. Geography of the uk
2. Wales
3. Scotland
4. Northern ireland
UKis an abbreviation of “the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland” (which is the political name of the country). The country is made up of four constituent parts – England, Scotland, Wales (Cymru in Welsh) and Northern Ireland (sometimes known as Ulster).
State symbols of the UK
England
Flag: the St George’s cross (see above)
A red cross acted as a symbol for many Crusaders in the 12th and 13th centuries. It became associated with St George who’s claimed to be the patron saint of England (the saint’s day – 23 April). The red cross remained in national use until 1707, when the Union Flag was adopted for all purposes to unite the whole of Great Britain under a common flag.
Plant: rose
The rose as the national flower of England is used in a variety of contexts. Predominantly, this is a red rose (which also symbolises Lancashire), such as the badge of the English Rugby Union team. However, a white rose (which also symbolises Yorkshire) or a “tudor rose” (symbolising the end of the Wars of the Roses*) may also be used on different occasions.
Scotland
Flag: St Andrew’s cross (see above) – also known as the Saltire
(St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland (the saint’s day– 30 November))
Plant: thistle
The national flower of Scotland features in many Scottish symbols and logos, and UK currency. It is also used as the emblem of the Scottish Rugby team.
Wales
Flag: the Red Dragon (see above)
Plant: leek and daffodil (they share the Welsh name Ceninen)
It is believed that the leek, if eaten, encourages good health and happiness. This plant, which was worn by the Welsh in the Battle of Crecy** and, by 1536, when Henry VIII gave a leek to his daughter on 1 March, was already associated with St David’s Day. It is possible that the green and white family colours adopted by the Tudors were taken from their liking for the leek.
The daffodilhas only recently assumed a position of national importance. An increasingly popular flower during the 19th century, especially among women, its status was elevated by the Welsh-born prime minister David Lloyd George, who wore it on St David’s Day and used it in ceremonies in 1911 to mark the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Caernarfon.
Patron saint: St David (the saint’s day – 1 March; it has been celebrated as such since the 12th century)
Northern Ireland
Flag:St Patrick’s cross (see above) – also known as the Red Hand Flag
(St Patrick is the patron saint of Northern Ireland (the saint’s day – 17 March))
Plant: shamrock (a three-leafed clover)
The shamrock is often confused with the four-leaf clover. While the four-leaf clover is a symbol of good luck, the three-leafed shamrock is mainly an Irish Christian symbol of the Holy Trinity and has a different significance.
The UK economic geography
The economic geography of the UK reflects not only its current position in the global economy, but its long history both as a trading nation and an imperial power.
The UK led the industrial revolution and its highly urban character is a legacy of this, with all its major cities being current or former centers of all forms of manufacturing. However, this in turn was built on its exploitation of natural resources, especially coal and iron ore.
The UK creative industries include advertising, film and television production, product design, book and music publishing, fine art and antiques markets.
5.6. The UK transport is well developed with an integrated system of airports (471 including international ones (Heathrow, Birmingham, Glasgow)), seaports (Felixstowe, Tilbury, Southampton – three major ones that handle most freight traffic), railways (National Rail network) and roads.
6. London – the capital city of the UK
London, the capital of England and the UK, is the world’s ninth-largest city with the population of over 8 million people. It originated nearly 2 000 years ago with the arrival of the Romans soon after their invasion of Britain in AD 43. London is situated on the banks of the river Thames, in southeast England.
London is made up of two ancient cities which are now joined together. They are:
· the City of London, known simply as “the City” which is the business and financial heart of the United Kingdom. It is also known as the Square Mile (2.59 km2/1 mi2). It was the original settlement (ancient Londinium).
· the City of Westminster, where Parliament and most of the government offices are located. Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the Queen and the Royal family are located there too.
Together they all make up a region known as Greater London.
Each London district has places of interest that are of historical and cultural significance.
The East End
The East End has many places of interest including many of London’s markets (for example Columbia Road Flower Market, Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane Market, Petticoat Lane Market).
Docklands in the East End is a thriving and vibrant area with a wide range of shops, restaurants, pubs and wine bars.