Discovering Great Britain

The UK of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of four independent countries. They are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh, the capital of Wales is Cardiff, the capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast and the capital of England is London. The country is surrounded by seas on all sides and is separated from the continent by the English Channel and the Strait of Dover. The country occupies an area of over 242.000 sq miles. The population is about 57 million people.

The scenery and the landscape of Great Britain are very diverse. There you can find flat valleys and high land, forests and lake areas. The highest mountain peaks are Ben Nevis in Scotland and Snowdon in Wales. The rivers in GB are not long. The Thames is the most important waterway in the country, though the longest river is the Severn.

As for the climate of GB it is moderate and mild due to the influence of the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. The summers are usually cooler than on the continent. There is a lot of rain in autumn and winter. The weather in GB is very changeable and the English even say they have no climate but only weather which through centuries has become a favorite topic of conversation with British.

The UK is a highly developed industrial state. Historically British industry started chiefly as heavy and textile industry. There are hardly any coal mines in GB today, but textile industry is still prospering. The UK produces and exports iron and steel products, machinery and electronics. The biggest industrial centers are London, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester.

The UK is a parliamentary monarchy and the Queen is the head of the state. But in practice it is ruled by the government formed by the Parliament or, to be more exact, by the political party which is in power at this or that stage. The Parliament consists of two Chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The Labour party is in power at present and its leader Tony Blair heads the government.

The UK is a prosperous state with high living standards. But of course each country has its own problems and GB is not an exception. The country is burdened with the long-lasting conflict in Northern Ireland which occasionally manifests itself in violence and disorder.

I have always been interested in the history of GB, its world famous literature and music. I hope that one day I`ll be able to visit this country and see its sights with my own eyes.

Ten places to see in Minsk

There are a lot of cities in the world which are famous for beautiful old buildings and monuments, museums and galleries, theatres and concert halls or big modern shopping centers. Minsk is a remarkable city and there are a lot of things to see in Minsk.

1. Cathedral of the Holy Ghost

One of Minsk`s only remaining historic buildings, the Cathedral of the Holy Ghost dates back to 1642 when it was built as a convent for Bernadine nuns. Like the city itself, the Cathedral has a chequered history, damaged by fire in 1741, turned into a monastery, and ultimately closed down by the Bolsheviks. Today it is once again open for services and visitors, and is one of the city`s prime attractions with its remarkable collection of icons from the Moscow Academic School. The collection includes the Icon of the Mother of God.

2. The Mir Castle

The Mir Castle is unique monument of Belarusian architecture of the 16th century. It was founded by Duke Ilinich near the village called Mir at the end of the 15th century. He built the castle instead of the wooden farmstead that existed there. One of the Castle`s greatest features is its varied and ornamental construction. Each of the five towers is made in its own way. The number of embrasures and their design vary. Pattern arrangements on the walls are also different. Yet, tower disposition at the corners, square footing and cathedral top give entirely and completeness to the construction.

3. Obelisk to Hero City Minsk

Obelisk to Hero City Minsk was opened on the 4th of July, 1954. This monument was erected to Soviet soldiers and partisans who died the death of a hero during World War II. Obelisk is 38 meters and topped with the Order of Victory. Four sides of the monument are decorated with bronze high reliefs called patriotically “The 9th of May, 1945”, “ The Soviet Army in the Years of the War”, “The partisans of Belarus”, “The Glory to Fallen Heroes”. Four bronze wreaths around the Obelisk symbolized four battle-fronts.

4. Troitskoye Predmestye

The first settlement on the left bank of the river Svisloch appeared in the 12-13th century. Historians suppose that the name of the place- Troitskoye Predmestye originates from a Roman-Catholic Trinity Church that was situated there. Troitskoye Predmestye is a birth place of the outstanding Belarusian poet Maxim Bogdanovich. In 1982-1985 the historical place was being carefully restored and now it is one of the most favorite place of the citizens and tourists.

5. The Church of St. Simon and Helena

This Catholic Church was built in 1908-1910 by a noble Belarusian family upon the premature death of their two young children. The church with red-brick towers, spires, and pitched roofs became a symbol of inconsolable grief or those who died untimely. When the Bolsheviks came to power, the church became a cinema then a film studio. Only not long ago, in 1990, the church was given back its original status. Services here start at 7 a.m.

6. Yanka Kupala`s Park

Yanka Kupala`s Park was founded on the right bank of the River Svisloch. Before World War II on this site there were several wooden buildings that were ruined during the first days of the War. Among them was the house where the poet lived in 1927-1941. In 1972 the monument to the great Belarusian poet was built. One of the favorite places of citizens is the fountain “Venok”. In 1959 the Yanka Kupala`s museum was constructed. In the new building architects tried to convey the interiors and the atmosphere of the original house.

7. Chelyuskinites Park

For all the fun of the fair, old-fashioned style, visit the Chelyuskinites Amusement Park in the city center of Minsk. Established in 1932 and little changed since, it is a far cry from Disneyland, but there is plenty of fun to be had on rides like a Ferris wheel and roller-coaster and one can rent radio-controlled planes to play with.

8. National Museum of Culture and History

Those interested in the long and turbulent history of Belarus can do no better than to visit the National Museum of Culture and History, which chronicles the past from 40,000 BC through to the present. Among the most interesting exhibits are archaeological finds from the area`s primitive societies, ancient manuscripts, a collection of folk costumes, and an exposition on the heraldry of Belarus.

9. Museum of the Great Patriotic War

Not for the faint-hearted, Museum of the Great Patriotic War showcases the horrors of World War II. Include among the exhibits are a model of a Nazi concentration camp, and an interesting section depicting the Belarusian resistance movement.