BRITISH CIVILIZATION & CULTURE

- optional course ACADEMIC YEAR 2009/2010 Lecturer BRADEA Livia-Otilia, PhD

INTRODUCING GREAT BRITAIN -I-

Name: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (formed of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Geography of GB

Putting GB an the map

it is situated in the northwest corner of Europe it is an island surrounded by other islands (about 1000 islands) is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea and the English Channel neighbours Ireland (west), the Netherlands, Belgium and France (south-east); Norway, Sweden and Denmark are also easily accessible

Other information:
Surface: 93,278 sq mi (=241.590 sq km); Population: over 61 million people LONDON, capital. Greater London (area 600 sq miles and 7 million people) Monetary unit: Pound sterling ()

REGIONS:
1. Southeast Englnad: The Downs and Channel Coast East Anglia Thames Valley 2. The West Contry: Wessex Devon and Cornwall

REGIONS:
3. Wales: North Wales South and Mid-Wales 4. The Midlands: The Heart of England East Midland

REGIONS:
4. The North Country: Lancashire and the Lakes Yorkshire and Humber Region Northumbria 5. Scotland: The Lowlands The Highlands and Islands

A PORTRAIT OF GREAT BRITAIN

Britains character has been shaped by its geographical position has been assiduous in preserving its traditions

There is a diversity of landscape, culture, literature, art, architecture and unique heritage

Britain in a Nut Schell

I.

History: native inhabitants (Celts) invaded by Romans, Anglo-Saxon tribes, Vikings, Normands (1066), a.s.o. Church: Christian - Anglican Church (Roman Catholic Church replaced in the 16th c.) Languages: English, Welsh Gaelic, Scots Gaelic Heritage: ancient castles, cathedrals, stately homes, gardens, classical parklands, old customs and royal ceremonies a.s.o.

II.

Landscape: varied (mountains of Wales & Scotland, flat land of Midlands & Eastern England), rolling hills of south and west, long and broad beaches of East Anglia, rocky West Coast Rural Britain: 23% of land used for agriculture the countryside is dotted with farms, charming villages, picturesque cottages, beautiful gardens

III.

Society and politics: multicultural - a melting pot of people from different parts of the country and overseas class structure: based on a subtle mixture of heredity and wealth Member of the Commonwealth Member of EU

IV.

Social-political values: democracy has deep foundations (in the 13th c. the first type of parliament appeared) parties - the Labour (left wing) and the Conservative (right wing) a mix of public and private ownership & ample funding for the state health and welfare systems education: state and private

V.
Head of State: the Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II (1952) the Sovereign is head of the Church of England and the Commonwealth monarchy is a symbol of national unity

Culture & Art

Flag of the United Kingdom:

Coat of arms of the United Kingdom:

End