4. Northern ireland

Northern Ireland is the smallest component of the United Kingdom (14121 sq. km). It occupies north-east of Ireland, only 1/6 of its territory. The population of Northern Ireland is over 1,5 million people. 53% of the total population lives in urban areas. Nearly half a million people live in and outside Belfast. There are 10 other towns with population of more 10 thousands inhabitants. The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast. Northern Ireland 6 of 9 counties of the historic province of Ulster and so the same “Ulster” is sometimes used as equivalent to Northern Ireland.

Relief. Northern Ireland is at its nearest point only 21 km. (13 miles) from the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland. For thousands of years north-east Ulster and south-west Scotland have been in close relationship, and Ulster has been in contact with succession of distinctive cultures more or less different from the cultural traditions of the rest Ireland.

Northern Ireland has a 412-kilometre (256 miles) border in the south and the west with the Irish Republic. As its centre lies Lough Neagh, Britain’s largest freshwater lake (368 sq. km, 142 sq. miles). Many of the principal towns lie in the valleys leading from the Lough, including the capital Belfast, which stands at the mouth of the river Lagan. The Mourne Mountains rising sharply in the south-east include Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s highest peak (852 m.) there are low hills and peaks of rocks in the north-west, while the north-east sector of the island is a plateau.

The rivers of Ireland are short, but deep. The largest river is the Shannon. The rivers and lakes are heavy with fish.

The climate of Northern Ireland is oceanic and differs from that of the western part of Great Britain; prevailing south-west winds bring rain at all seasons of the year.

The chief urban centers are Belfast, Monaghn, Londonderry, etc.

Economy. The economy of Northern Ireland has its roots in three basic industries – agriculture, textiles and shipbuilding. The largest industry is agriculture conducted for the most part on small family farms. It occupies about 72% of the land area.

Britain’s largest shipyard is in Belfast: other well-established activities include the manufacture of aircraft, textile machinery and a wide range of other engineering products, tobacco and clothing. Northern Ireland has also been an important center for textiles and man-made fiber production. There are also been extensive development in vehicle components, oil-well equipment, electronic instruments, telecommunication equipment, carpets and synthetic rubber.

The capital city Belfast is very beautifully situated. Belfast is one of the youngest capital cities in the world which as recently as the 18^th century was a small village. Since the Act of Union of 1800, which officially linked it to England Belfast has grown rapidly into an industrial centre.

Lecture 5 Topic: british state system

List of questions:

1. Monarchy in Britain.

2. The separation of powers

3. The Cabinet

4. The two-party system

5. The British Parliament

6. The House of Commons

7. The House of Lords

8. Electoral system

Literature:

1. Нестеров Н.М. Страноведение: Великобритания. Ростов на Дону, «Феникс», 2006.

2. Михайлов Н.Н. Лингвострановедение Англии. М., «Академия», 2003.

3. Артемова А.Ф. Великобритания. Книга для чтения по страноведению. М, «АСТ: Восток-Запад», 2006.

4. Томахин Г.Д. По странам изучаемого языка. М., «Просвещение», 1998.

5. M. Pugh A History of Britain. Oxford, 2001.

6. M. Vaughan-Rees In Britain. Lnd., 1999.