The united kingdom of great Britain and northern Ireland

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (The UK, Great Britain) The UK is situated on the British Isles – a large group of islands lying off the north-western coast of Europe. The British Isles are separated from the continent by the English Channel and the Strait of Dover in the south and the North Sea in the east.

The British Isles consist of 2 large islands – Great Britain and Ireland – separated by the Irish Sea, and a lot of small islands.

The UK England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland

The climate in Great Britain is generally mild and temperate due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. British people say: "Other countries have a climate, in England we have weather’’. The weather in Britain changes very quickly. The morning may be warm and the evening may be cool. The weather is the favourite topic of conversation in Britain. When two people meet in the street they will often say something about weather. People in England also say that they have three variants of weather: when it rains in the morning, when it rains in the afternoon or when it rains all day long. Sometimes it rains so heavily that they say "It's raining cats and dogs".

During a normal summer the temperature sometimes rises above 30 degrees in the south. Winter temperatures below 10 degrees are rare. It seldom snows heavily in winter, the frost is rare. January and February are usually the coldest months, July and August the warmest. So, we may say that the British climate has three main features: it is mild, humid and changeable.

Oak Beech Elm Ash Pine Beech The most popular trees are oak, beech , ash and elm and in Scotland also pine and birch. Pine Oak Beech Beech Elm Birch Ash

Hedges are a typical feature of countryside landscape in England.

The animal life of the British Isles is now much poorer than it was a few centuries ago. With the disappearance of forests, many forest animals, including the wolf, the bear, the boar, the deer and the Irish elk, have become practically extinct. Irish elk

There are foxes in most rural areas , and otters are found along many rivers and streams. There are mice, rats, hedgehogs, squirrels, hares, rabbits and weasels in Great Britain.

There are a lot of birds, including many song- birds There are a lot of birds, including many song- birds. Blackbirds, sparrows and starlings are probably most common.

1) Where is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland situated?

The UK is situated on the British Isles– a large group of islands lying off the north- western coast of Europe.

2) Which waters separate the British Isles from the continent of Europe?

The British Isles are separated from the continent by the English Channel and the Strait of Dover in the south and the North Sea in the east.

3) Which four parts is the territory of the UK historically divided into?

They are: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

4) What is the climate in Great Britain?

The climate in Great Britain is generally mild and temperate due to the influence of the Gulf Stream.

5) Which are the most common trees in Great Britain?

The most popular trees are oak, beech, ash, elm and in Scotland also pine and birch.

6) Are hedges a typical feature of countryside landscape in Great Britain?

Yes, they are. Hedges are a typical feature of countryside landscape in England.

7)Why is the animal life of the British Isles is much poorer then it was a few centuries ago? 8)What forest animals have become practically extinct?

With the disappearance of forests, many forest animals, including the wolf, the bear, the boar, the deer and the Irish elk, have become practically extinct.

8) What animals can be found in most rural areas along rivers and streams?

There are foxes in most rural areas, and otters are found along many rivers and streams. There are mice, rats, hedgehogs, squirrels, hares, rabbits and weasels in Great Britain.

9) Are there many birds in Great Britain? Which are the most common?

There are a lot of birds, including many song-birds There are a lot of birds, including many song-birds. Blackbirds, sparrows and starlings are probably most common.