1. The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK
The Unicorn of Scotland supports the shield on the right.
The English lion supports the shield on the left. 1

2. Patron Saints and floral emblems
ENGLAND
the patron saint of England is St. George
the floral emblem is the red rose: adopted since the War of Roses ( ) between the House of Lancaster (red rose) and the House of York (white rose) 3
The flag of England
St. George’s cross 2

3. Patron Saints and floral emblems
Scotland
the patron saint of Scotland is St. Andrew
the national floral emblem is the thistle and Scottish Bluebell 4 5 6
The flag of Scotland
The thistle: a symbol of defence

4. Patron Saints and floral emblems
Wales
St. David is the patron saint of Wales
the national flower is the daffodil but also the leek is often considered a traditional symbol of Wales 8
The flag of Wales 7

5. Patron Saints and floral emblems
Northern Ireland
the patron saint is St. Patrick
the floral emblem is the shamrock 10 9
The flag of Northern Ireland

6. The official flag of the UK
The Union Flag/ The Union Jack
made up of three other flags (England, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
symbolises the union of the countries of the UK
1707 Act of Union: England and Scotland joined together – the first national flag of Great Britain (used ashore and afloat)
1801 Ireland joined Great Britain and the new flag was needed: a combination of the union flag of St. George, St. Andrew with St. Patrick
the new Union Jack representing all the three countries has been used ever since
How was the Union Jack born? 11

7. Watch a video telling the story of the Union Jack

8. London the capital of England and the UK
situated in the southeast of England
the biggest city not only in Britain but also in Europe
a population of about 8 million people
the highest population density in Britain
seat of the government
the first city in the world with an underground railway: the Tube
The City of London, the City of Westminster, the West End= Central London, the East End and Docklands, North London, South London

9. Top places in London
Tower Bridge 12

10. Top places in London
The Tower of London 13

11. Top places in London
London Eye 14

12. Top places in London
Buckingham Palace 15

13. Top places in London 16
Westminster Abbey

14. Top places in London
St. Paul’s Cathedral 17

15. Edinburgh the capital of Scotland
located in the south-east of Scotland
the seat of Scottish parliament and government
the second largest city in Scotland after Glasgow
known as the Windy City, built on seven hills similarly to Rome
Two main districts: the Old Town and the New Town

16. most visited attraction
Edinburgh Castle
most visited attraction 18

17. 19
Edinburgh Festival

18. 20
National Gallery of Scotland

19. The University of Edinburgh21

20. Cardiff the capital of Wales the city combines history with modernity
the largest city in Wales
important tourist centre
the youngest capital city in Europe
fast growing business and cultural centre
diverse and multicultural city
one of the flattest cities in the UK, nicknamed as a green city- full of parks, more green space per person than any other city of the UK

21. Video about Cardiff
Why to visit Cardiff

22. 22
Cardiff Castle

23. 23
Millenium Centre

24. Belfast
the capital and the largest city in Northern Ireland, but originally a market town
located at the mouth of the river Lagan
In the past: nickname- "Linenopolis" (linen industry)
the city witnessed one of the worst conflicts between Catholic and Protestants: The Troubles
a centre of industry, business, art, education
population is split into Catholic and Protestant residents
one of the most visited cities in the UK

25. 24
Belfast City Hall

26. 25
The Big Wheel

27. Queen's University 26

28. Titanic (building) 27

29. Festivals and celebrations
in the UK, there several major bank holidays. On these days, banks and post offices are closed.
New Year’s Eve – 1 January
Good Friday and Easter Monday (moveable feast days)
Spring Bank Holiday – the last Monday in May
Summer Bank Holiday – the last Monday in August
Christmas day – 25 December
Boxing day – 26 December

30. Festivals and celebrations
Besides bank holidays, there are many other celebrations and festivals throughout a year.
Study the following website to find out more:
Notable festivals in the UK

31. Pairwork
Work in pairs and prepare a brief presentation on one of the following symbols of the UK:
floral emblems and patrons saint
the official flag: How was it born?
capitals
bank holidays and other celebrations