G REAT B RITAIN OR THE UK ? Great Britain consists of England, Scotland and Wales The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain) consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island. With a population of about 60.0 million people, it is the third most populous island in the world.

T HE FLAG Union Jack (or the Union flag) – name for the national flag of the United Kingdom The Union Jack /Flag includes the Cross of St. George (England), the Cross of St. Andrew (Scotland ) and the Cross of St. Patrick (Ireland).

S COTLAND The capital - Edinburgh Languages – English, Scots, Scots Gaelic Patron - St. Andrew (November 30th) Main Religions - Protestant and Roman Catholic National symbol – The Thistle

E DINBURGH CASTLE

BAGPIPES KILT

WALES The capital - Cardiff Languages – English, Welsh Patron - St. David (March 1st) Main Religions - Protestant and Roman Catholic National symbols - The Leek and the Daffodil

N ORTHERN I RELAND Capital - Belfast Languages – English, Irish Gaelic Patron - St. Patrick (March 17th) Main Religions – Protestant and Roman Catholic National Symbols - The Shamrock and the Harp

E NGLAND The capital - London Language – English Patron - St. George (April 23rd) Main Religions – Protestant, Roman Catholic, Muslim, Hindu National symbol - The Red Rose

B UCKINGHAM PALACE

M ONARCHY The British Royal Family’s surname is Windsor Elizabeth II is the monarch of the United Kingdom. She was born in London ‚ 21 April 1926.

Buckingham Palace, in London, is the official residence and office of the British monarch.

Soldiers guarding the Buckingham Palace

T HE BRITISH Britain is a country of mixed cultures. Therefore not all British people are White or Christians. The British are said to be reserved in manners, dress and speech. They are famous for their politeness, self- discipline and especially for their sense of humour. British people have a strong sense of humour which sometimes can be hard for foreigners to understand. Irish are supposed to be great talkers, Scottish – careful with money, Welsh – renowned for their singing abilities.

E TIQUETTE IN E NGLAND Do: Stand in line Take off your hat when indoors Cover your mouth when yawning or coughing Shake hands Drive on the left side of the road Don’ts: Greet people with a kiss unless it’s family or close friends Talk loudly in public Stare at others Ask personal and intimate questions

S UPERSTITIONS IN BRITAIN Good Luck Lucky to meet a black cat. Black Cats are featured on many good luck greetings cards and birthday cards in England. Lucky to find a clover plant with four leaves. A horseshoe over the door brings good luck. But the horseshoe needs to be the right way up. The luck runs out of the horseshoe if it is upside down. Horseshoes are generally a sign of good luck and feature on many good luck cards. Catch falling leaves in Autumn and you will have good luck. Every leaf means a lucky month next year. Putting money in the pocket of new clothes brings good luck.

Bad Luck Unlucky to walk underneath a ladder. Seven years bad luck to break a mirror. The superstition is supposed to have originated in ancient times, when mirrors were considered to be tools of the gods. Unlucky to spill salt. If you do, you must throw it over your shoulder to counteract the bad luck. Unlucky to open an umbrella indoors. Unlucky to pass someone on the stairs.