英国简介英文版

1、Focus Questions(part one) What is the full name of the British state? What countries does it consist of? What is the total population of the United Kingdom? Where do most British people live? What is the most densely populated area of Britain? What is the least populated? Which is the largest ethnic

2、 group in U.K.? Why are there so many different ethnic groups in Britain? Focus Questions (part two) What is the official language in Britain? What is the longest river in England? What is the largest lake in Britain? What are the main natural resources of U.K.? Describe some of the big cities in Br

3、itain. Describe the main features of the climate in Britain. the UK Britain British Isles British Empire British Commonwealth Introduction to British and American Culture Before You Read Warm-up Can you see a big clock in the picture on the right? Do you know its very famous name? _ When you are ref

4、erring to the meaning of “ying guo” in English, which of the following terms do you use most often? a. Great Britain b. England c. Britain d. U.K. e. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland f. The United Kingdom _ What famous cities or interesting tourist sites do you know about thi

5、s country? _ Introduction to British and American Culture The Land Names The full and official name of the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, usually abbreviated to the United Kingdom or U.K., Great Britain, or simply Britain, or sometimes informally England. Questi

6、on: Why dont people of Scotland, Wales and North Ireland like to be called “English people”? Introduction to British and American Culture The British Isles Explanation of the term: The British Isles is the name of some islands in Western Europe, separated from the European continent by the North Sea

7、, the Strait of Dover and the English Channel. Among the islands, Great Britain and Ireland are the two main ones. The country of the U.K. mainly consists of these two islands. Two main islands: Great Britain and Ireland British Isles northwest of Europe in the Atlantic Ocean two large islands (Grea

8、t Britain and Ireland) and hundreds of small islands The British Isles are made up of two large islands-Great Britain (the larger one) and Ireland, and hundreds of small ones. Three political divisions on the island of Great Britain: England, Scotland and Wales. Geographical position of Britain: 1.

9、Britain is an island country surrounded by the sea. It lies in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north coast of Europe. It is separated from the rest of Europe by the English Channel in the south and the North Sea in the east. 2.The north and west of Britain are mainly highlands; and the east and sou

10、theast are mostly lowlands. Rivers and Lakes Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Britain (1,343m). 本尼维斯山 Severn River is the longest river in Britain (338km). 塞文河 。 Thames River is the second longest and most important river in Britain. (336km). 泰晤士河 Lough Neagh is the largest lake in Britain which

11、 is located in Northern Ireland. (396 square kilometres). 讷湖（内伊湖） River Clyde is the most important river in Scotland. 克莱德河 Snowdonia is the highest mountain in Wales.（1,085m） 斯诺多尼亚 Ben Nevis Severn River Thames River 泰晤士河（泰晤士河（Thames River）是英国著）是英国著 名的名的“母亲母亲”河。发源于英格兰西南河。发源于英格兰西南 部的科茨沃尔德希尔斯，全长部的科茨沃

12、尔德希尔斯，全长402公公 里，横贯里，横贯英国英国首都首都伦敦伦敦与沿河的与沿河的10多多 座城市，流域面积座城市，流域面积13000平方公里，平方公里， 在伦敦下游河面变宽，形成一个宽度在伦敦下游河面变宽，形成一个宽度 为为29千米的河口，注入千米的河口，注入北海北海。在伦敦。在伦敦 上游，泰晤士河沿岸有许多名胜之地，上游，泰晤士河沿岸有许多名胜之地， 诸如伊顿、诸如伊顿、牛津牛津、亨利亨利和温莎等。泰和温莎等。泰 晤士河的入海口充满了英国的繁忙商晤士河的入海口充满了英国的繁忙商 船，然而其上游的河道则以其静态之船，然而其上游的河道则以其静态之 美而著称于世。在英国历史上泰晤士美而著称于世

13、。在英国历史上泰晤士 河流域占有河流域占有举足轻重举足轻重的地位。同时的地位。同时加加 拿大拿大安大略省安大略省也有一条河流叫也有一条河流叫“泰晤泰晤 士河士河”。 The River Thames is the second longest river in the United Kingdom and the longest river entirely in England, rising at Thames Head in Gloucestershire, and flowing into the North Sea at the Thames Estuary. It has a sp

14、ecial significance in flowing through London, the capital of the United Kingdom, although London only touches a short part of its course. The river is tidal in London with a rise and fall of 7 metres (23 ft) and becomes non-tidal at Teddington Lock. The catchment area covers a large part of South Ea

15、stern and Western England and the river is fed by over 20 tributaries. The river contains over 80 islands, and having both seawater and freshwater stretches supports a variety of wildlife. The river has supported human activity from its source to its mouth for thousands of years providing habitation

16、, water power, food and drink. It has also acted as a major highway both for international trade through the Port of London, and internally along its length and connecting to the British canal system. The rivers strategic position has seen it at the centre of many events and fashions in British hist

17、ory, earning it a description as “Liquid History”. It has been a physical and political boundary over the centuries and generated a range of river crossings. In more recent time the river has become a major leisure area supporting tourism and pleasure outings as well as the sports of rowing, sailing

18、, skiffing, kayaking, and punting. The river has had a special appeal to writers, artists, musicians and film-makers and is well represented in the arts. It is still the subject of various debates about its course, nomenclature and history. Lough Neagh back River Clyde Snowdonia Snowdonia是英国最美的国家公园，

19、在威 尔士西北部，面临圣乔治海峡。 Snowdonia威尔士语是Eryri，意“鹰的天 地”，纤尘未染纯自然景观。标高： 3560英尺。雪墩山为中心，845平方英里， 围绕着山脉、湖泊、森林、峡谷和海湾。 Britains favorable climate Britain has a maritime climate-winters are not too cold and summers are not too hot. It has a steady reliable rainfall throughout the whole year. The temperature varies w

20、ithin a small range. 海洋性气候： The factors influence the climate in Britain: 1）The surrounding waters tend to balance the seasonal differences by heating up the land in winter and cooling it off in summer; 2)The prevailing south-west winds or the Westerlies blow over the country all the year round brin

21、ging warm and wet air in winter and keeping the temperatures moderate; 3）The North Atlantic Drift passes the western coast of the British Isles and warms them. 北大西洋暖流经 Rainfall Britain has a steady reliable rainfall throughout the whole year. The average annual rainfall in Britain is over 1,000mm. T

22、here is a water surplus in the north and west, and a water deficit in the south and east. General situation Wales Scotland England Northern Island Introduction to British and American Culture The Four Regions of the U.K. England 130,000 square kilometers Three regions and geographical features The R

23、iver Thames London Scotland 78,000 square kilometers Geographical features Edinburgh Glasgow Introduction to British and American Culture The Four Regions of the U.K. England 130,000 square kilometers Three regions and geographical features The River Thames London Scotland 78,000 square kilometers G

24、eographical features Edinburgh Glasgow England is in the southern part of Great Britain. It is the largest, most populous section. Scotland is in the north of Great Britain. It has three natural zones (the Highlands in the north; the Central lowlands; the south Uplands) Capital: Edinburgh Wales is i

25、n the west of Great Britain. Capital: Cardiff Northern Ireland is the fourth region of the UK. Capital: Belfast. Wales In a country with relatively few great churches and abbeys, and even fewer unfortified manor houses, the Castles of Wales form the most imposing group of monuments left from the Mid

26、dle Ages. In terms of grandeur they are second only to the dramatic landscape. Adrian Pettifer - Welsh Castles About Wales SOUTH WALES NORTH WALES WEST WALES Picture? South Wales Trecco bay Boats/castle/lake West Wales Spectacular Scotland SPORTS Edinburgh Glasgow Edinburgh, Capital City Image of En

27、gland British Empire of the worlds land area and population John Bull God Save the Queen Four parts of the nation the Union Jack population distribution Britain has a population of about 57 millions and it is very unevenly distributed. 90% of the population is urban and only 10% is rural. The popula

28、tion of Britain is made up mainly of the English (81.5%), the Scottish (9.6%), the Welsh (1.9%), the Irish (2.4%), the Northern Irish (1.8%) and other peoples (2.8%). The difference between the ancestors of the English and Scots, Welsh and Irish: ： The ancestors of the English are Anglo- Saxons, the

29、 Scots, Welsh and Irish are Celts. 英格兰人祖先属于盎格鲁-萨克逊人，而苏格兰、威尔士和爱尔兰 人属于凯尔特人。 The difference in character The England are said to be reserve, polite and gentle. The Scots are said to be a serious, cautious and thrifty people, and they are also hospitable, generous and friendly. The Welsh are emotional a

30、nd cheerful people. They are music lovers and are proud of their past. The Irish are charm and vivacity. 生性活泼。 language The difference in speech between southern England and northern England: Southerners speak the type of English close to BBC English; In northern England, regional speech is usually

31、broader than that of southern England. John Arbuthnot History of John Bull (1712) A personification of the English nation or a typical Englishman .john bull(s)约翰牛；英国佬 “约翰牛”是英国人的绰号，意义是english nation,the typical englishmen.这个雅号是英国人自己取的，出自16世纪英国著名作家兼宫廷御医约翰阿布斯诺 特(John Arbuthnot,1667-1735)的政治讽刺作品。 阿布斯诺特在

32、1712年写了一本讽刺小说，名 叫约翰牛的生平(The History of John Bull)，该书的主人公约翰牛就是英国的人格化、形象 化。 作者笔下的约翰牛，是个英国“自由民”，为人粗暴冷酷，桀骜不逊，颇有些牛劲。他 盛气凌人、欺辱弱者，如果谁流露出对他稍微表示不满的反抗情绪，他立即摆出一副格斗的 架势。作者通过这个赳赳武夫的形象，暗喻当年英国的专横跋扈，抨击“民权党”（英国自 由党的前身）的好战策略。显然，这个绰号最初含贬斥色彩。 这个形象的出现，绝非作者凭 空捏造，而是与当时英国的社会经济状况紧密相连。在英国资产阶级革命胜利后的17世纪， 英国毛纺工业迅速发展，资本的原始积累不断扩

33、大，资产阶级政权对内实行“圈地运动“， 对外实行殖民地的掠夺政策，以便积累大量的工业资本。“约翰牛”的形象正是这个时期英 国的体现这。 John Bull这个颇古的典故成语，19世纪 的著名作家狄更斯(Charles Dickens,1812-1870)就曾引用过。随着时间的推移，“约翰牛”的形象发生了耐人寻味的变化， 由最初那个身强力壮、满脸横肉的中年船长想象，变成了一个年过半百、五短身材的矮胖子。 于是漫画上出现的”约翰牛“，是个头戴宽边礼帽，足蹬翻口皮鞋，身穿茄克衫的绅士摸样。 当年那种杀气滕滕的气概收敛不少，其原来的贬义似乎变成了褒义。”约翰牛“逐渐变成了 一位饱经事故的实干家形象，他

34、的行为成了英国的人的标准行为。这样一来，john bull这个成 语就成了英国人或者英国的代名词了；而与之相关的john bullism 就指”英国精神“”英国习 气“或”英国的典型性格“，john bullist则常指”英国迷“ the national anthem of the United Kingdom God save our gracious Queen, Long live our noble Queen, God save the Queen! Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us; Go

35、d save the Queen! O Lord our God arise, Scatter her enemies And make them fall; Confound their politics, Frustrate their knavish tricks, On Thee our hopes we fix, God save us all! From every latent foe, From the assassins blow, God save the Queen! Oer her thine arm extend, For Britains sake defend,

36、Our mother, prince, and friend, God save the Queen! Lord grant that Marshal Wade May by thy mighty aid Victory bring. May he sedition hush, And like a torrent rush, Rebellious Scots to crush. God save the King! God save our gracious Queen上帝保佑女王， Long live our noble Queen 祝她万寿无疆， God save the Queen 神

37、佑女王。 Send her victorious 常胜利， 沐荣光； Happy and glorious孚民望，心欢畅； Long to reign over us 治国家，王运长； God save the Queen. 神佑女王！ Thy choicest gifts in store愿上帝恩泽长， On her be pleased to pour 选精品，倾宝囊， Long may she reign 万岁女王！， May she defend our laws 愿她保护法律， And give us ever cause 使民心齐归向 To sing with heart and

38、voice一致衷心歌唱， God save the Queen 神佑女王！ NameCapital CityNational Emblem England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland NamePatron SaintFlagFeast Day England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland Name Capital City National Emblem EnglandLondon ScotlandEdinburgh WalesCardiff Northern Ireland Belfast rose thistle lee

39、k and daffodil shamrock The War of the Roses Two families: the House of York (white rose) the House of Lancaster (red rose) A prickly-leafed purple flower First used in the 15th century as a symbol of defence. The colors of leek, green and white Daffodil was used in the fifteenth century as a sign o

40、f recognition by supporters of Henry VII. Leek was used as a cap badge in battle to show friend from foe. Both are worn on St. Davids day. A three-leafed plant Used by St. Patrick to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity Name Patron Saint FlagFeast Day EnglandSt. George23rd April ScotlandSt. A

41、ndrew30th November WalesSt. David1st March Northern Ireland St. Patrick17th March A 3rd century Christian soldier, later a martyr, with a shield that bears a red cross on a white background. Having rescued the English from the Moslems during the Crusades First a fisherman, later the 1st of the 12 Ap

42、ostles Crucified on a cross saltire - an X-shaped cross. The only Welsh saint worshiped in the Western Church A 6th century Celtic monk, leading an austere life devoted to God, vegetarian Establishing several monasteries in Wales and western England Apostle of Ireland Born in Scotland, captured and

43、sold into slavery to Ireland at 16 Escaped but later returned to spread Christianity Red saltire on a white background as his emblem Name Flag CapitalPatron Saint National Emblem EnglandLondonSt. George Scotlan d EdinburghSt. Andrew WalesCardiffSt. David Norther n Ireland BelfastSt. Patrick Fusion o

44、f three different emblems into a Union Flag, recording the growth of one kingdom out of the successive union of three crowns 1536 Act of Union, Kingdom of England Henry VIII 1707 Act of Union, Kingdom of Great Britain Queen Elizabeth I, James VI & I 1801 Act of Union, Kingdom of Great Britain and Ir

45、eland George III current Union Flag adopted on Jan. 1st, 1801 1922, Irish Free State, or the Republic of Ireland 1927, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 英国国徽英国国徽,即英王徽英王徽。 中心图案为一枚盾徽，盾面上左上角和右下角 为红底上三只金狮，象征英格兰；右上角为金底上 半站立的金狮，象征苏格兰；左下角为蓝底上金黄 色竖琴，象征北爱尔兰。 盾徽两侧各由一只头戴王冠、分别代表英格兰 和苏格兰的狮

46、子和独角兽守护。 盾徽周围用法文写着一句格言Honi soit qui mal y pense，意为“恶有恶报”；下端悬挂着嘉德勋章， 饰带上用法文写着Dieu et mon droit， 意为“天有 上帝，我有权利”。 盾徽上端为镶有珠宝的金银色头盔、帝国王冠 和头戴王冠的狮子。 底部的绿地中有玫瑰（英格兰），蓟（苏格 兰），韭菜（威尔士）以及三叶草（爱尔兰）。 An Overview Four parts of the country England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland Rivers & lakes Climate An overall view

47、 (I) . Overall view (II) The country is slowly tilting with the Northwest slowly rising and the Southeast slowly sinking. The north and west of the country are mainly highlands, while the east and southeast are mostly lowlands. England the largest, southern part of the island, covering an area of 13

48、0,000 km2, taking up 60% of the land area of the whole country. London, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool are the major cities. London (I) . London Map London The City, on the north bank of the Thames, is one of the worlds leading banking and financial centers. It contains Guildhall (1411-23) and

49、 St Pauls Cathedral (1675-1710). The Port of London lies to the east and its docks extend for 25 miles along the Thames. The Tower of London (11th c.) lies just east of the City. The West End includes Westminster, the area of central government administration, St James Palace (1521-1533), several pa

50、rks, and fine examples of domestic architecture (esp. 18th-19th centuries). Industries (esp. in the East End and the suburbs): printing, publishing, electrical and mechanical engineering, chemicals, clothing, food processing, plastics. Some of Londons cultural institutions are the University of Lond

51、on (1836), the British Museum (1753), the National Gallery (1838), the Covent Garden Opera House (1856-1858) and Royal Festival Hall (1951). London tower St. Paul Cathedral back House of Parliament The River Thames Big Ben British Museum British Museum Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey the Poets C

52、orner The Buckingham Palace back Buckingham Palace Princess Diana Buckingham Palace The Thames Tower bridge back Scotland back Description of the nation Brief Scottish History Description of the Nation mainly composed of mountains, lakes and islands covering an area of 78,760 km2 Biggist City Glasgo

53、w Capital City Edinburgh Three natural zones: the Northern Highland zone the Central Lowland zone the Southern Upland zone Symbols of Scottish Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh International Arts Festival Edinburgh International Arts Festival Glasgow Whiskey bagpipe Tartan Golf Ben Nevis back Brief Scot

54、tish History The Roman Empire Period Hadrains Wall Anglo-Saxon Period Viking Raids Unification of England and Scotland The Hadrains Wall Hadrians Wall was built on the orders of the Emperor Hadrian It was a barrier that allowed Roman soldiers to control the movements of people coming into or leaving

55、 Roman Britain. Hadrains Wall Anglo-Saxon Period most of Scotland was not conquered by the Anglo-Saxons Anglos kingdom was established in the southeast of Scotland, “Edinburgh” is a Germanic word. Viking Raids Period Frequent conflict between the two sides Macbeth by Shakespeare Great Tragedies and

56、Comedies The story of Macbeth Macbeth King of Scotland, Duncan, has made Macbeth thane of Cawdor Duncan pays a visit to Macbeth Banquo suspects him, and he has Banquo assassinated Malcolm, son of Duncan. Lady Macbeth has lost her reason prey of ambition. Shakespeare Shakespeare Great Tragedies Hamle

57、t Othello King Lear Macbeth Great Comedies The Merchant of Venice The Twelfth Night A Midsummer Nights Dream As you Like It Unification of Scotland and England In 1603, Queen Elizabethdied childless James of Scotland became Jamesof England In 1707, Scotland formally joined the Union. Wales covering

58、an area of 20,761 km2 (about 9%) in the west of Great Britain 6% of Wales is covered with forest and much of the country is pasture, with only 12% of the area arable. The capital city is Cardiff. The southern part of Wales Brief History The Southern Wales The southern part of Wales was an important

59、element in Britains Industrial Revolution. It had rich coal deposits. Coal-mining became a key industry for the Welsh Britain was the first country to industrialize Industrial Revolution favorable geographical location Political stability Good foundation in economy Typical examples of the inventions

60、 Typical examples of the inventions John Kays flying shuttle James Hargreaves Spinning Jenny James Watts Steam Engine Brief History Roman Period Wales was conquered by the Romans. When the Romans left Britain, Wales was again a Celtic land. Anglo-Saxon Period But unlike England, It was not conquered