12. Who is the head of the country?

The official head of the country is the Monarch (King or Queen).

13. What is the system of government?

Britain is a constitutional monarchy and a unitary state. This means that the official head of the country is the monarch (Queen Elizabeth II nowadays). Her powers are limited by the Parliament.

The British Parliament consists of the House of Commons (including 651 elected Members of Parliament) and the House of Lords (including 1,203 peers who are not elected).

The leader of the party with most seats becomes Prime Minister and forms the Government. People talk about «Downing Street» when they mean the Prime Minister and his/her Cabinet, as Prime Ministers live at №10, Downing Street.

Whitehall is the street where important Government offices are situated.

14. What are the main political parties?

The main political parties are the Conservative and the Labour party. The minor political parties are: Liberal Democrats, Scottish National and others.

15. When are elections held?

Elections are held every five years.

16. What are the major national Holidays?

Major UK National Holidays are: New Year Holiday (January 1^st), Good Friday (March/April), Easter Monday (March/April), Christmas Day (December, 25^th), Boxing Day (December, 26^th ).

Eisteddfod is the annual national festival of music and poetry held in Wales.

According to the legend the Loch Ness Monster lives in a lake in Scotland.

17. What are the sights in the capital?

London is situated upon both banks of the Thames (river). London has four most important parts which are the City (the oldest part, now the commercial centre), the West End (with the most interesting theatres, museums, galleries, restaurant etc.), the East End (the poorest part) and Westminster (with Government buildings).

London taxis are called black cabs. Most London buses are red double-deckers. A nickname of the London police name is Bobby.

Westminster Abbey is a fine Gothic building, which has been the crowning palace, many great men (Newton, Darwin, Chaucer, Dickens …) are buried here.

St. Paul’s Cathedral is the work of the the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren (buried in the Cathedral as well as Nelson, Wellington and Sir Joshua Reynolds).

The Tower of London has been a fortress, a palace and royal treasury. Now it is a museum of arms and one of the strongest fortresses.

The Houses of Parliament consisting of the Palace of Westminster, together with Victoria Tower and the Clock Tower-Big Ben is a parliament house.

Trafalgar Square and Nelson’s Column are built in the memory of the naval battle (1805) when Admiral Lord Nelson was wounded.

Piccadily Circus is the centre of night life in the West End.

Buckingham Palace is the London residence of the Sovereign (queen or king)

Hyde Park with the Speaker’s Corner is the largest park with the place for open-air meetings.

Kensington Gardens, St. James Park are large parks.

British Museum is one of the world largest museums.

Tate Gallery has a collection of modern British and foreign paintings and sculpture.

Madam Tussauds is an art gallery.

Royal Opera House, Covent Garden give seasons of opera and ballet.

Shakespeare’s Globe Phayhouse is one of major theatres.

Royal Albert House is a concert house.

Scotland Yard is the headquarters of Metropolitan Police.