3. The symbols of the uk’s four constituent parts England

Flag: St George’s cross (see above)

A red cross acted as a symbol for many Crusaders in the 12^th and 13^th centuries. It became associated with St George who’s claimed to be the patron saint of England (the saint’s day – 23 April). The red cross remained in national use until 1707, when the Union Flag was adopted for all purposes to unite the whole of Great Britain under a common flag.

Plant: rose

The rose as the national flower of England is used in a variety of contexts. Predominantly, this is a red rose (which also symbolises Lancashire), such as the badge of the English Rugby Union team. However, a white rose (which also symbolises Yorkshire) or a red-and-white “Tudor rose” (symbolising the end of the Wars of the Roses^*) may also be used on different occasions.

Scotland

Flag: St Andrew’s cross (see above) – also known as the Saltire

St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland (the saint’s day – 30 November).

Plant: thistle

The national flower of Scotland features in many Scottish symbols and logos, and UK currency. It is also used as the emblem of the Scottish Rugby team.

Wales

Flag: the Red Dragon (see above)

Plant: leek and daffodil (they share the Welsh name Ceninen)

It is believed that the leek, if eaten, encourages good health and happiness. This plant, which was worn by the Welsh in the Battle of Crecy^**, by 1536, when Henry VIII gave a leek to his daughter on 1 March, was already associated with St David’s Day. It is possible that the green and white family colours adopted by the Tudors were taken from their liking for the leek.

The daffodil has only recently assumed a position of national importance. An increasingly popular flower during the 19^th century, especially among women, its status was elevated by the Welsh-born prime minister David Lloyd George, who wore it on St David’s Day and used it in ceremonies in 1911 to mark the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Caernarfon.

Patron saint: St David (the saint’s day – 1 March; it has been celebrated as such since the 12^th century)

Northern Ireland

Flag: St Patrick’s cross (see above) – also known as the Red Hand Flag

St Patrick is the patron saint of Northern Ireland (the saint’s day – 17 March)

Plant: shamrock (a three-leafed clover)

The shamrock is often confused with the four-leaf clover. While the four-leaf clover is a symbol of good luck, the three-leafed shamrock is mainly an Irish Christian symbol of the Holy Trinity and has a different significance.

4. The uk physical geography

The physical geography of the UK varies greatly.

The geography of England consists of lowland terrain, with mountainous terrain north-west of the Tees – Exe line including the Cumbrian Mountains of the Lake District (with the highest peak in England – Scaffel Pike, 977 m), the Pennines and limestone hills of the Peak District, Exmoor and Dartmoor. London, on the River Thames, is the capital of England and the United Kingdom as well. Other important cities in England are Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Southampton, Plymouth, Bristol, Nottingham and Sheffield amongst many others. Major rivers are the Severn (the longest river in England and in the UK, 354 km), Thames (346 km), Ouse, Trent, Tyne and Mersey. The largest lake in England is Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

The geography of Scotland consists of uplands in the south and the north, called Southern Uplands and Northwest Highlands, separated by Central Lowlands. The highest mountain range is the Grampian Mountains with Ben Nevis at 1343 meters above sea level, being the highest peak of Scotland and the British Isles. There are also numerous bodies of freshwater especially in the Northwest Highlands and the Grampian Mountains including Loch Lomond (the largest lake in Scotland) and Loch Ness. The longest river in Scotland is the River Tay (188 km). Edinburgh is the capital and second largest city. The largest city is Glasgow, other urban areas include Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Ayr and Fort William. North of the mainland lie large groups of islands – the Orkney Islands and the Shetland Islands, to the west of the coast of Scotland Inner and Outer Hebrides are situated.

The geography of Wales is mostly mountainous, particularly in three main regions: Snowdonia in the north west, the Cambrian Mountains in mid Wales, and the Brecon Beacons in the south. Snowdon at 1085 m is the highest elevation in Wales. Cardiff, on the Bristol Channel, is the capital of Wales. Other important cities in Wales are Swansea, Cardigan, Welshpool, Barmouth, Newport, Bangor, Flint and Wrexham. The longest river in Wales is the River Tywi (103 km). Lake Bala (Llyn Tegid) is the largest natural lake in Wales.

The geography of Northern Ireland includes the Sperrin Mountains with extensive gold deposits, basalt Antrim Plateau and the Mourne Mountains with its highest peak – Slieve Donard (852 m) – as well as Lough Neagh (388 km²) – the largest lake in Northern Ireland and the largest body of water in the UK. The longest river in Northern Ireland is the River Bann (122 km). Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. There are five settlements with city status: Belfast, Londonderry, Newry, Armagh and Lisburn.

Islands. In total, it is estimated that the UK is made up of over 1000 small islands, some being natural and some being man-made crannogs, which were built in past times using stone and wood and which were enlarged by natural waste building up over time.

Islands of England: Lundy, Isles of Scilly, Isle f Wight;

Islands of Scotland: Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, Inner Hebrides, Outer Hebrides;

Islands of Wales: Anglesey, Skomer Island, Skokholm Island, Ramsey Island;

Islands of Northern Ireland: Rathlin Island