Do You Know?Focus In1 Get Ready-mainDo You Know?From the following video clip, can you tell the difference among British Isles, Great Britain, England, the United Kingdom, and British Commonwealth? 1.1Do You Know?1.1-videoIIHave a general idea of the geographical position of the UKKnow the different names for the country and its componentsKnow something about the topography of the UKBe familiar with the important rivers and lakes in the UK Know about the climatic pattern in the UKFocus In1.2Where is the UK located?2 text -mainWhat is the weather like in the UK?Rivers and lakesWhat do you need to know about the UK?Highland and LowlandFour components1. Names for Britain A few names are often used for this country, and each has its specific geographical, political, historical or archaeological implications. (1) “The British Isles” is a geographical term that includes Great Britain, the whole of Ireland, and many offshore islands. (2) “Great Britain” or its shortened form “Britain”, is very often, but in the strict sense incorrectly, used as a synonym for the sovereign state properly known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It can be a geographical term referring to the island on which the greater parts of England, Wales and Scotland are situated, together with numerous smaller islands. It can also be a political term 2.1.1 Names for Britainthat describes the combination of England, Scotland, and Wales, the three nations which together include all the land on the island. (3) “England” is sometimes wrongly used in reference to the whole United Kingdom, the entire island of Great Britain (or simply Britain), or the British Isles. This is not only incorrect but can cause offence to people from other parts of the UK. The diverse history of England, Scotland and Wales has led to very different cultural traditions. The Scots and the Welsh have right to feel aggrieved whenever the term “English” is wrongly used to mean all three. When it is always correct to call people from England, Scotland, or Wales “British”, people from England 1. Names for Britain 2.1.1England may also properly be called “English”, people from Scotland “Scottish”, and people from Wales “Welsh”. 1. Names for Britain 2.1.1Map of the British Isles2. The Commonwealth of NationsThe Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an organisation of fifty-four independent member states. All but two (Mozambique and Rwanda) of these countries were formerly part of the British Empire. The member states co-operate within a framework of common values and goals as outlined in the Singapore Declaration. These include the promotion of democracy, human rights, good governance, the rule of law, individual liberty, egalitarianism, free trade, multilateralism and world peace. The Commonwealth is not a political union, but an and2.1.22. The Commonwealth of Nationsintergovernmental organisation through which countries with diverse social, political and economic backgrounds are regarded as equal in status.2.1.2Commonwealth flag3. Union FlagThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland uses as its national flag the royal banner known as the Union Flag or, popularly, Union Jack. The current design of the Union Flag dates from the union of Ireland and Great Britain in 1801. It consists of the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England), edged in white, superimposed on the Cross of St Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which are superimposed on the Saltire of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland). Wales, however, is not represented in the Union Flag by Wales patron saint, Saint David.2.1.33. Union Flag2.1.3The UK flag4. “God Save the Queen” “God Save the King / Queen” is the national anthem of the United Kingdom. In general, only one or, on rare occasions, two verses are ever sung. The first verse reads, “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!2.14Singapore Declaration2.1.2-popHave you heard of “Singapore Declaration”? The Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles was a declaration issued by the assembled Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Nations, setting out the core political values that would form the main part of the Commonwealths membership criteria. The Declaration was issued in Singapore on 22 January 1971 at the conclusion of the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Along with the Harare Declaration, issued in 1991, it is considered one of the two most important documents to the Commonwealths uncodified constitution.Where is the UK located? The UKs geographical position is marked by latitude 50 N in Southern England and by latitude 60 across the Shetlands. The UK is bordered on the south by the English Channel, which separates it from the continent of Europe. It is bordered on the east by the North Sea separating it from Belgium and Holland, and bordered on the west by the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean separating it from Ireland. Its only land border with another nation is between Northern Ireland and Ireland. 2.2 Where Is the UK Located?2.2 Where Is the UK Located?Political map of the British Isles Where is the UK located? Four components2.3 Politically, the UK is a union made up of four constituent countries: England (London), Scotland (Edinburgh), Wales (Cardiff) and Northern Ireland (Belfast), plus several overseas territories. Map of the United KingdomEngland2.3 England is the most well-known of the individual components that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In the past, England ruled over many lands throughout the world that came to beFlag of Englandknown as the British Empire. England is the largest, most populous, and wealthiest division of the United Kingdom. This English dominance is such that many people use “England” to refer to the whole United Kingdom. London, the capital of the United Kingdom, is located in England. Scotland 2.3 A land of rugged cliffs and heather-covered hills, Scotland is a place of wild natural beauty. The capital ofScotland is Edinburgh. Scotland is the second largest of the four nations both in area and population. Before Scotland formally joined the Union with England in 1707, it had been a unified state independent of the UK for a long time. Flag of Scotland Wales2.3 Wales is the smallest among the three nations on the island of Great Britain. Wales has been dominated by England since its union with England in 1536. Though a part of the United Kingdom, Wales has retained acharacter of its own the result of its Celtic culture and its rugged landscape. In the Welsh language, Wales is called Cymru. Much of Wales is still a land of picturesque mountains and valleys, but the existence of large coalfields in the south brings industry and urbanization. The capital and largest city is Cardiff. Flag of WalesNorthern Ireland2.3 The island of Ireland is divided politically into two parts. Northern Ireland occupies about one sixth of the island, in the northeastern corner. It is the smallest both in area and population among the four nations of the UK. It is a regionof the United Kingdom, along with England, Scotland, and Wales. The republic of Ireland takes up the rest of the island. It has been a separate country since 1921. The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast. Flag of Northern Ireland Northern Ireland2.3 For about 400 years, the people of Northern Ireland have been divided into two main groups the Roman Catholics and the Protestants. Since 1801, Ireland had been part of the United Kingdom. In 1921, the Irish Irish Free State declared its independence, leaving only six northeastern counties inside the Union to be called Northern Ireland. Violent conflicts persisted between these two groups during most of the late 1900s. Under an accord in 1998, a semi-autonomous government was established in mid-2000 in this region.Peaceful settlement of the Northern Ireland issue in 1998 Highland and Lowland2.4 The traditional division of Great Britain is into two major natural regions a Highland and a Lowland zone. They are divided by an imaginary line running through England from the River Exe on the southwest coast to the mouth of the River Tees on the northeast coast.Map of UK TopographyThe highland zone 2.4The highland zone is an area of high hills and mountains in the north and west that are frequently broken by valleys and plains. Scotland, Wales and parts of England are located in this zone. The highest point here as well as in Britain is Ben Nevis at 1,343 metres. The Pennine Chain, “Backbone of England”, is a massive upland area extending north to south across England, starting on Englands border with Scotland and ending in the central England. Ben Nevis The lowland zone2.4The lowland zone in the south and east consists mostly of rolling plains.Most of Britains population lives densely in the lowland zone, which covers most of England. The metropolis of London and most of Britains large cities are located in the lowland zone. Rivers and lakes 2.5The UKs longest river, the Severn, is 338 km in length, beginning in Wales and entering the Atlantic Ocean near Bristol in England. Thames in London The second largest but the most important river is the Thames, which flows through Oxford and London. 2.5 Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland is the largest lake in the country. The Lake District comprises 15 major beautiful lakes and has become a popular tourist destination.The Lake District Rivers and lakes Lake Poets2.5Have you heard of the “Lake Poets”? The Lake Poets are a group of English poets who all lived in the Lake District of England at the turn of the 19th century. As a group, they followed no single “school” of thought or literary practice then known, although their works were uniformly disparaged by the Edinburgh Review. They are considered part of the Romantic Movement. The three main figures of what has become known as the Lakes School are William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Robert Southey. They are associated with several other poets and writers, including Dorothy Wordsworth, Charles Lloyd, Hartley Coleridge, John Wilson, and Thomas De Quincey.What is the weather like in the UK?2.6The overall climate in the UK is called temperate maritime. This means that it is mild with temperatures not much lower than 0C in winter and not much higher than 32C in summer. It also means that it is damp and is subject to frequent changes. The changeability of weather makes the British more adaptable, and the frequent drizzles and gloomy skies make them tend to suffer Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).Rainfall distribution in the UKSAD2.6-popHave you heard of “SAD”? Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year, experience depressive symptoms in winter or, less frequently, in summer, spring or autumn, repeatedly, year after year.3.1True or FalseMultiple ChoiceDiscussion 1. The United Kingdom is located in northern Europe.2. The United Kingdom consists of four political divisions England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.3. England is one of the two large islands in the British Isles.4. The British Isles are made up of three large islands and hundreds of small ones. 5. Wales lies on the east coast of the island of Great Britain.6. The Commonwealth of Nations is a free association of independent countries that all used to be colonies of Britain. F( ) F( )F( )F( )F( )True or False3.1F( )7. In Scotland, rugged mountains, green valleys, and deep, blue lakes provide some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe.8. The longest river in Britain is the Thames.9. The largest lake in Britain is the Lough Neagh in northwest England.10. Britains climate is influenced by the Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current that sweeps up from the equator and flows past the British Isles. T( )F( ) F( )T( )3.1True or False1. The British Isles are made up of _.A. three large islands and hundreds of small onesB. three large islands and dozens of small onesC. two large islands and hundreds of small onesD. two large islands and dozens of small onesMultiple Choice3.22. Which of the following is NOT a political division on the island of Great Britain?A. England. B. Scotland. C. Northern Ireland. D. Wales.3.2Multiple Choice3. Britain is separated from the rest of Europe by the English Channel in the _ and the North Sea in the east.A. east B. south C. west D. north3.2Multiple Choice4. The Republic of Ireland was totally independent in the year _.A. 1920 B. 1945 C. 1918 D. 19493.2Multiple Choice5. The highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, lies in _.A. the Highlands B. the Southern UplandsC. the Central Lowlands D. the Lake District3.2Multiple Choice 6. The British Empire was replaced by the British Commonwealth or the Commonwealth of Nations in _.A. 1921 B. 1931 C. 1945 D. 19503.2Multiple Choice7. The mountain system the Pennines is often called the backbone of _. A. England B. Scotland C. Great Britain D. Ireland 3.2Multiple Choice8. The regional capital of Northern Ireland is _. A. Glasgow B. Edinburgh C. Cardiff D. Belfast 3.2Multiple Choice9. Which of the following statements about the climate in Britain is NOT true?A. Britains climate is of the maritime type.B. Winters in Britain are extremely cold.C. Summers in Britain are cool.D. Britain is warmer than Harbin in winter.3.2Multiple ChoiceDiscuss with your classmates the international influence which the UK exercises on todays world stage.Discussion3.3British Empire and British CommonwealthWorlds first industrialised countryA developed countryA nuclear powerA member state of the European UnionA permanent member of the United Nations Security CouncilH ints:William Hague: UK Must Extend Influence or Face Decline 1 July 2010 4 FURTHER READINGWilliam Hague has said the UK must have more “global reach and influence” or face decline in a fast-changing world. In his first major speech as foreign secretary, he said the UK must be much “more clear, focused and effective” in achieving foreign policy goals. The UK must build its influence in Europe, he argued, with more British officials in senior posts in Brussels. He also called for stronger links with new economic superpowers such as China, India and Brazil. Speaking at the Foreign Office in London, Mr Hague said the UKs global influence had waned under 13 years of Labour rule and had not taken advantage of new opportunities and its unrivalled links with different parts of the world. In his speech, Mr Hague stressed that the UKs relationship with the US remained the countrys most important, describing the alliance as “unbreakable”. 4-1“Ad hoc and patchy” But he said that the UK needed to look further afield, respond to changes in economic power around the world and develop strong relationship with emerging powers in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. “In recent years, Britains approach to building relationships with new and emerging powers has been ad hoc and patchy, giving rise to the frequent complaint from such governments that British ministers only get in touch when a crisis arises or a crucial vote is needed,” he said. 4-24-3 “This weakens our ability to forge agreement on difficult issues affecting the lives of millions around the world and overlooks the importance of consistency and personal relationships in the conduct of foreign policy.” The foreign secretary said British diplomacy must be more pro-active and agile, promoting the national interest but one that was not “selfishly defined”. “A distinctive British foreign policy that is active in Europe and across the world; that builds up British engagement in the parts of the globe where opportunities as4-4as well as threats increasingly lie; that is at ease within a networked world and harnesses the full potential of our cultural links,” he said. In doing so, the UK needed to be more aware of public perceptions about its role in the world, particularly in countries such as Pakistan in the frontline in the fight against terrorism, and use new forms of technology to communicate. “We overlook international opinion at our peril,” he said. “We must try harder to get our message across.” 4-5 New initiatives could involve using new means of communication such as text message and Twitter, strengthening personal relationships with other countries ministers, and exploiting the appeal of British culture. “Playing politics” On Europe, Mr Hague said it was “unsustainable fiction” that the last government had put the UK at the heart of Europe, saying it had mistaken “institutional change” for progress on developing better relationships with individual members. 4-6The UK must work closer with groups of smaller states in areas of mutual interest as well as maintaining its central relationships with Germany and France. He said UK representation in Brussels had declined, with 200 fewer British officials at the European Commission now than in 1997. Although it represented 12% of the EU population, the UK has just 1.8% of staff in entry-level positions at the commission, he noted. “It is mystifying to us that the previous government failed to give due weight to the development of British influence in the EU,” he added. 4-7 “They neglected to ensure that sufficient numbers of bright British officials entered EU institutions, and so we are now facing a generation gap developing in the British presence in parts of the EU where early decisions take place As a new government, we are determined to put this right.” Shadow foreign secretary David Miliband accused Mr Hague of “playing politics” with foreign policy, adding, “The idea of him lecturing the Labour Party about joined-up government, when the defence secretary and prime minister cant go more than two days without disagreeing about our most important foreign policy objective, is risible.” 4-8 He went on, “The idea that he is going to bring a new dynamic to our relationship with China, when on my last visit as foreign secretary I secured a strategic dialogue without compare, is a non-starter.” “And the idea that this coalition will bring renewed influence to the European Union, when the prime minister is not even in the room with the key decision-makers because of his political alliances, is just plain wrong.” Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said that in the post-colonial period, the UK had “withdrawn almost completely” from parts of the world. 4-9 “We have missed out and it is time to redress the balance,” he told the BBCs Daily Politics. But former Labour minister Denis MacShane told the same programme the UK must avoid being seen to “lecture” countries like India and Pakistan on the state of relations or “patronise them with aid”, instead focusing on trade and cultural links. William Jefferson Hague: As a British Conservative politician, he served as Leader of the Conservative Party from June 1997 to September 2001 and is currently the British Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State under David Cameron.William Jefferson HagueThe European Commission: The executive body of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Unions treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union.The European CommissionShadow (Cabinet): A senior group of opposition spokespeople in the Westminster system of government who together under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition form an alternative cabinet to the governments, whose members shadow or mark each individual member of the government. Members of a shadow cabinet are often but not always appointed to a Cabinet post if and when their party gets into government. It is the Shadow Cabinets responsibility to pass criticism on the current government and its respective legislation, as well as offering alternative policies.Shadow Cabinet David Miliband: A British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Shields since 2001, and was the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from 2007 to 2010.David Wright MilibandSir Menzies Campbell: The Member of Parliament (MP) for North East Fife, and the Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 2 March 2006 until 15 October 2007. He is currently the Chancellor of the University of St. Andrews.Sir Menzies CampbellDenis MacShane: A British Labour politician, who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Rotherham since the 1994 by-election, and served as the Minister of State for Europe from 2002 until 2005.Denis MacShane