2015-10-22
1991
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Geographical position of the UK
The UK of GB and NI (The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) is the official name of the country, situated on the British Isles. They are located to the North West of the continent of Europe. The largest Islands are GB and Ireland. Other British Islands are (See list # 1)
The UK consists of four countries: England (London), Scotland (Edinburgh), Wales (Cardiff), Northern Ireland (Belfast).
The coasts of the UK are washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the North West and by the North Sea in the East. The Irish Sea separates GB from Ireland. The English Channel and the Strait of Dover separate GB from France.
The total area of the United Kingdom is nearly 242,000 square kilometres.
Relief
Geographically the UK is subdivided into highlands and lowlands. Lowlands include the Southern and the Eastern parts of England. Highlands include Northern Highlands, the Grampians and Southern Uplands in Scotland, the Cambrians in Wales, the Cheviot Hills (they separate England from Scotland) and the Pennines running southward (=in southern direction) from the Cheviot Hills to the Central counties (графства) of England.
The highest mountains are Ben Nevis and Snowdon.
Rivers and lakes
The rivers in the UK are not very long, most of them flow from the West to the East. The Severn is the longest river in the UK. Other rivers are: (See list # 1). Many rivers are joined by canals.
The lakes are too small. On the North West side of the Pennine system lies the Lake District. It is widely used for tourism.
The Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland is the largest lake in the UK. The Loch Lomond is the largest in Great Britain. The Loch Ness in Scotland is the most famous.
|
|
|
Climate
The Climate of the British Isles is humid and mild marine. The average temperature is 17°C in Summer and 4°C in Winter.
Ancient Britain
The Iberians
About 3000 years B.C. (before Christ) the British Isles were inhabited by the Iberians. the Iberians used stone weapons and tools. The art of grinding and polishing stone was known to them. They could make smooth objects with sharp edges and points.
The Celts
During the period from the 6th to the 3d centuries BC (before Christ) the Celts invaded Britain. They were the Picts, the Scots and the Britons. The last were more civilized. The Iberians were soon overcome. Most of them were slayed (=killed) in the conflicts, others penetrated into the mountains of Wales and all the rest mixed with the Celts.
The Celts lived in tribes and were ruled by chiefs whom all the tribesmen obeyed. They lived in villages, they were acquainted with the use of coper, tin and iron. They kept large herds of cows and sheep. They also cultivated crops.
The Primitive Communal System
1. The primitive people lived in clans and were all equal.
2. They worked together and shared the products of their neighbours
3. All the tribesmen became warriors in war time. But in time of peace they hunted, farmed and bred animals and tilled (cultivated) the soil
4. A tribe was govern by a chief or a council of elders.
5. There was no private property, no classes, no exploitation
Roman Britain
