23. What are the typical characteristics of the nation and its people?

Britain is the country of traditions. The English have a serene sense of superiority, a deep sense of security and belief in their national successes.

The best-known quality of the English is reserve. They do not talk very much to strangers, do not show emotions. The other characteristic is English modesty.

The English surnames: Charles Baker (connected with a person’s job), e.g. Jack Long (connected with the size), Robin Williamson (with a family relationship: son of William).

The Welsh surnames: Geoffrey Jone (from Chisrian name John). Gary Pritchard (putting «p» at the beginning: from Richardson).

Irish surnames: O’Brien, Fitzwilliam, MacMahon, Kilmartin, Gilmurray (beginning with «O» – «from the family of», «Fitz», «Mac», «Kil», «Gil» – from «son of»).

24. What is national currency?

The currency of the UK is the pound sterling (symbol ₤, code GBP), commonly called the pound. It is subdivided into 100 pence (one – a penny). Sterling is the third- largest reserve currency after the US dollar and the euro.

25. What system of weights and measures is used?

The metric system is in official use withim the United Kingdom; however, use of imperial unit is widespread in many cases.

Sources

1. Harvey, Paul; Jones, Phodri. Britain Explored. – Longman, 2002. – 176 p.

2. Vaughan-Rees; Michael; Bystrom, Peter; Bateman, Steve. In Britain. – Chancerel International Publishers. Лицензионное издание: издательство «Титул», 1997. – 119 p.

3. О Британии вкратце. Книга для чтения на английском языке / Сост. В.В. Ощенкова, Ш. И. Шустилова. – М.: «Лист», 1997. – 224 с.

The us and American Culture in Brief

1. What is the official name of the country?

The official name of the country is the United States of America. The other names are the United States, America, the USA or US.

2. Where is the country situated?

USA is situated on the continent of North America. It is the 4^th largest country in the world (over 2 million km²). It is bordered by Canada on the north, by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, by the Gulf of Mexico and Mexico on the south, and by the Pacific Ocean on the west.

The Great Lakes containing about half of the world’s total supply of fresh water (Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Eries, Lake Ontario) are on the north border.

3. What is the climate of the country?

The climate in the US is mostly temperate, but varies from tropical (Hawaii) to arctic (Alaska). There are four time zones.

4. What are the parts of the country?

America consists of 50 states (48 states located in the central portion of North America, plus states of Alaska and Hawaii).

The largest state is Alaska and the smallest is Rhode Island.

Hawaii was the last to get «state» status.

5. What are national symbols?

The national flag known as «Stars and Stripes», «Old Glory», «Star-spangled Banner», consists of 13 horisontal stripes and 50 Stars. Stripes represent 13 original states (former British colonies) and stars represent 50 current states. It has three colours red (symbolizing courage), white (liberty), blue (justice).

The Statue of Liberty or the Lady is the symbol of freedom, opportunity and international friendship. It is a gift from France. It is the first sight of America as it is situated on Ellis Island near New York City. There is a torch of liberty in the right hand and a tablet with the day July 4^th 1776 (the date of signing the Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom) in the left hand.

Liberty Bell is the symbol of freedom. It is placed in Independence Hall (Philadelphia). It first rang on July 4, 1776 for the first reading of the Declaration of Independence.

The national anthem is “the Star-Spangled Banner”.

The national personification of the US and the American Government is Uncle Sam. He is depicted as an elderly white man with a beard and a top hat dressed in clothing that recalls the US flag.

The modern national motto is “In God We Trust” (1956) (the earlier – “E Pluribus Unum” (Latin for” One from many”). The national bird and the US symbol is the Bald Eagle.