THE British Isles By Brian Orrick Hall- Geography 2 nd Block Honors

Great Britain/United Kingdom England, Scotland, and Whales make up this section of the Isles. These three countries, as well as Northern Ireland, create the United Kingdom. Kings and Queens have ruled Great Britain for more than 1,000 years.

Great Britain/United Kingdom Cars drive on the left side of the road. Soccer, rugby, and cricket all originated here. The people of Great Britain like to work in their gardens and drink hot tea.

Scotland The shamrock is the national symbol of Scotland. Nessie is a legendary sea monster said to live in Loch Ness, Scotland. Families are called clans. Each clan has its own plaid cloth, or tartan, often worn as a kilt.

Scotland Traditionally, Scots enjoy bagpipe music and dancing the Highland fling. Thistles are prickly plants that grow all over Scotland.

Ireland The Blarney stone sits near the top of Blarney Castle in Ireland. Legend says that anyone who kisses the stone will get the “gift of gab” (clever talk).

England In A.D. 122, the Romans who occupied England built Hadrian’s Wall to protect themselves from invaders to the north. Along the southeast coast of England are the great white chalk cliffs of Dover.

England The Tower of London was built as a fortress on the Thames River in It has been used as a prison, a palace, a royal mint, a vault for crown jewels, and a zoo. Piccadilly Circus, in London, is a busy Plaza with a fountain. People often meet on the fountain steps.

England The bell and this famous clock tower are known as “Big Ben.” The Tower Bridge crosses the Thames River. It is both a suspension bridge and a drawbridge.

England William Shakespeare ( ) is a famous English playwright and poet. He created familiar words and phrases such as bump, lonely, and catch cold. The English countryside is a patchwork of hedges and sheep.