The u.K: people and language

The population of the U.K. is nearly 60 million people. The population lives mostly in towns and cities and their suburbs. Four out of every five people live in towns. Over 46 million people live in England. Over 3 million — in Wales. A little over 5 million — in Scotland. About 1.5 million — in Northern Ireland. London's population is over 7 million people. The British nation consists of the English, the Scots, the Welsh and the Irish. There are many people of all colors and races in the United Kingdom. English is the official language. English is in the Germanic group of languages. It is very close to German, Dutch, Flemish, Frisian

The u.K. As a parliamentary monarchy.

Britain is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch – Queen Elisabeth II as a head of state. In practice, the Sovereign reigns, but doesn’t rule. The monarchy’s absolute power has been progressively reduced, the Queen acts on the advice of her ministers. The Queen and the Royal family continue to take part in many traditional ceremonies. Their visits to different parts of Britain and to many other countries attract considerable interests and publicity.

The British Parliament consists of two Houses: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The Prime Minister is the head of the government. General elections to choose Members of Parliament must be held at least every five years. Today every man and woman aged 18 has the right to vote.

Culture in Great Britain

If you're staying in London for a few days, you'll have no difficulty to spend an enjoyable evening. You'll find opera, ballet, comedy, drama, review, musical comedy and variety. Most theatres and music-halls have good orchestras with popular conductors.At the West-End theatres you can see most of the famous actors and actresses. as a rule, the plays are magnificently staged - costumes, dresses, scenery, everything is on the most lavish scale.

The last half of the XVI and the beginning of the XVII centuries are known as the Golden Age of English literature, it was the time of the English Renaissance, and sometimes it is even called "the age of Shakespeare". Shakespeare, the greatest and most famous of English writers, was born in Stratford-on-Avon. In spite of his fame we know very little about his life. He wrote 37 plays. Among them there are deep tragedies, such as Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, light comedies, such as Twelfth Night, Much Ado about Nothing and so on.

British traditions and customs

Every nation and every country has its own customs and traditions. In Britain traditions play a more important part in the life of people than in other countries. Englishmen are proud of their traditions and carefully keep them up. Some of them are very old games or plays. Known among folk dancers is Morris Dancing, where people in beautiful clothes with ribbons and bells on them dance to traditional music with handkerchiefs or big sticks.

Of a completely different style is the Boat Race on the river Thames, often on Eastern Sunday. A boat with a team from Oxford University and one with a team from Cambridge University hold a race. Hours before the race people arrive and sit along the river.

The British think that the Grand National is the most exciting horse race in the world. It is at the Aintree Race Course, near Liverpool, every year. Sometimes it takes place on the same day as the Boat Race, sometimes a week later. Amateur riders as well as professional jockeys can take part.

There are a number of holidays, which are celebrated in Great Britain every year.

One of them is, of course, the New Year's Day on the first of January. It is not so popular in England as in our country, but it is rather popular in Scotland. On that day people usually visit their friends and there is a lot of dancing and eating. In Scotland people bring a piece of coal for good luck in the New Year.

The next holiday of the year is St. Valentine's Day. It is on the 14th of February. People buy or make Valentine cards and send them to the people they love.

In March there is Mother's Day. All the children and adults, come to their mothers on that day to express their love and gratitude.

In April there is Easter. At Easter children eat chocolate Easter eggs. Sometimes parents hide them in the house or in the garden and children have to look for them.

In June there is Father's Day. On Father's Day children give or send their fathers and grandfathers cards and presents.

On the 31st of October there is a Halloween. They say ghosts and witches come out on Halloween. People make lanterns out of pumpkins. Some people have Halloween parties and dress as witches and ghosts.

The 25th of December is Christmas Day. It is one of the people's favourite holidays. People put Christmas trees in their houses and decorate them. There are beautiful Christmas decorations in the streets. On Christmas Eve everybody puts the presents under the Christmas tree. People say that at night Father Christmas puts presents into the stockings which children usually hang above their beds. The traditional Christmas meal is roasted turkey and Christmas pudding.