The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is very small compared with many other countries. London is the world`s seventh biggest city. The main areas are in Scotland, Wales and Cumbria. The highest mountains: Ben Nevis and Snowdon . The longest river: the Severn and the River Thames.

The British Isles- the geographical name that refers to all the islands off north west coast:
-Great Britain
-the whole of Ireland
-the Channels Islands
-the Isle of Man

The Union Jack- the flag of the United Kingdom. It is made up of three crosses.
-The upright red cross is of St George-patron of saint England
-white cross is the cross of St Andrew-patron saint of Scotland
the red diagonal cross is of St Patrick- patron of Ireland

Language
There are three official languages:
-English
-Irish and Scottish Gealic
Welsh

The political system
The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy- it has a king or a queen as its Head of State.

Religion
Before 1534 England was a Roman Catholic. The reason:After King Henry VIII had decided to divorce his queen he had an argument with the Pope.
Today.
-The Church of England- or the Anglican Church- is still the established church in England. The British king or queen is head of the Church.
-Roman Catholics
-protestant Methodist and Baptist (strong in Wales)

Young ant their laws:
When we are 15 we are legally `young person` not a `child`. After 16 we are allowed to. leave a home and buy beer. We are 18- it is age of majority: can vote, get married, get tattooed......

Festivals
- on 14th February it is St Valentines Day
- Pancake Day
- Ester eggs
- Hallowe`en-it means `holy evaning`
- Guy Fawkes Day
- Christmas: Christmas Eve. Christmas Day, Boxing Day