The United Kingdom

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The United Kingdom
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland

• Act of Union 1800 united the Kingdom of Great
  Britain with the Kingdom of Ireland
• 1920 the island of Ireland became independent
• 1922 Irish Free State
• 1927 the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
  Northern Ireland

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Culture Areas

1. English CA
2. Celtic CA

• Ireland (Irish)
• Scotland (Scottish Gaelic)
• Wales (Welsh)
• Cornwall (Cornish)
• Brittany (Breton)

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The UK

• Population about 61 mln people (2008)
• Ethnic groups

White (English 83.6, Scottish 8.6, Welsh 4.9, Northern Irish 2.9) 92.1
Black 2
Indian 1.8
Pakistani 1.3
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UK

• A constitutional monarchy
• Head of State Queen Elizabeth II
• English de facto language

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David Cameron, leader of the Conservative
Party, Prime Minister (head of government)
since 11 May 2010
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Flag of the UK
Union Jack
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Flag of the UK

• 1801
• red cross of Saint George (patron saint of
  England)
• diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint
  of Ireland)
• diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron
  saint of Scotland)

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Flag of the UK

• Flag days
• birthdays of members of the Royal family,
• the wedding anniversary of the monarch,
• Commonwealth Day,
• Coronation Day,
• The Queen's official birthday,
• Remembrance Sunday

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Royal Coat of Arms
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Motto of the UK

• Dieu et mon droit (God and my right)
• Motto of the Order of the Garter Honi soit
  qui mal y pense (Shamed be he who thinks ill of
  it)

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Anthem God Save the Queen
God save our gracious Queen, Long live our noble Queen, God save the Queen Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us God save the Queen. Thy choicest gifts in store, On her be pleased to pour Long may she reign May she defend our laws, And ever give us cause To sing with heart and voice God save the Queen
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National Symbols

• England St. George red and white rose

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National Symbols

• Scotland
• St. Andrew thistle
• (??????????)

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National Symbols

• Wales St. David leek and daffodil

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National Symbols

• Northern Ireland St. Patrick shamrock, flax
  (???)

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Largest Cities

• above 7 million London
• around 1 million Birmingham
• above 500,000 Glasgow

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Largest Cities

• above 7 million London

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Largest Cities

• around 1 million Birmingham

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Largest Cities

• above 500,000 Glasgow

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Currency

• Pound
• sterling

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The Commonwealth of Nations

• The Commonwealth an association of independent
  sovereign states, almost all of which are former
  territories of the British Empire.
• - Established in 1949
• - 53 member states

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The Commonwealth of Nations

• Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General

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The Commonwealth of Nations

• The Commonwealth has grown massively in the last
  few decades. Above, the 10 representatives in
  1957, below, the over 50 members in 2000

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The Commonwealth of Nations
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National Values

1. The rule of law
2. The sovereignty of the Crown in Parliament
3. The pluralist state
4. Egalitarianism (queuing, round-buying, table
   manners)
5. Personal freedom
6. Private property (70 DIY gardening)
7. The family

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The British Character

• Courtesy
• How do you do? only for upper class!
• sorry reflex
• weather talk (Nice day, isnt it?)
• negative politeness

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The British Character

• Modesty
• Don't be clever
• Don't be pushy
• Well, I suppose I know a bit about that
• the counter-compliment rule

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The British Character

• Privacy (No-name rule)
• Stubbornness
• Stoicism
• Indignancy at injustice. "The Saxon never means
  anything seriously till he talks about justice
  and right." (R. Kipling)
• Humour, irony. Oh, come off it! One must never
  take oneself too seriously.
• Moderation Dont overdo it, Dont rock the
  boat Happy medium

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The British Character

• Class-consciousness
• pardon/Sorry
• serviette/napkin
• dinner/lunch
• tea/dinner
• toilet/lavatory
• settee/sofa
• lounge/sitting room or drawing room
• dessert/ pudding (any sweet course in the end of
  a meal)
• handbag/bag