CIVILIZATIA

1. United Kingdom
The official name of the country we usually call England and occasionally Great Britain is the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The U. K. is situated on the group of islands lying
just off the mainland of northwestern Europe. The British Isles include Great Britain proper, Ireland and a
number of smaller islands. Great Britain consists of England, Scotland and Wales. The southern part of
Ireland is the Republic of Eire.
Great Britain is separated from the continent by the English Channel, the narrower part of which is
called the Strait of Dover. The British Isles are surrounded by the shallow waters of the Irish Sea and the
North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the North Channel and the Atlantic Ocean.
Britain is comparatively small, but there is hardly a country, in the world where such a variety of
scenery can be found. There are wild desolate mountains in the northern Highlands of Scotland - the
home of the deer and the eagle. The Pennine Range in northern England and the Cambrian Mountains in
Wales are much lower. In the extreme south of England are the famous chalk hills, some of which form
the Dover Cliffs. The southern and south-eastern parts of the island lie in varied lowlands.
The rivers of the region are short and of no great importance as waterways. The longest of them is
the "Father of London", the Thames, which is a little over 200 miles. Britain's principal ports are London,
Liverpool, Manchester, Hull, and Glasgow.
Thanks to climatic conditions, Britain in truth looks like one great well-ordered park with its old
trees, green meadows and hedges.

2. London-capital of Great Britain

The capital of Great Britain is London. It's political, economic and commercial center of the
country. Its population is about 8 million.
London is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End.
The heart of London is the City, its financial and business center. Numerous banks, offices and
firms are situated there, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Old Bailey. Few
people live here, but over a million people come to the city to work.
There are some famous ancient buildings within the City. Perhaps the most striking of them in St.
Paul's Cathedral, the greatest of British churches. Another important monument of London is The Tower
of London which was used for many purposes: as a royal palace, an observatory, an arsenal, a state
prison and it is now a museum. For many visitors the principal attraction is the Crown Jewels, the finest
precious stones of the nation. Westminster is the historic, the governmental part of London. Westminster
Abbey is a national shrine where the kings and queens are crowned and famous people are buried.
Across the road from Westminster Abbey is the seat of the British Parliament. The Clock Tower, which
contains the hour-bell called Big Ben, is known the world over. Buckingham Palace is the official
residence of the Queen.
Trafalgar Square is the geographical center of London. On the north side of Trafalgar Square is
the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Not far away is the British Museum - the biggest
museum in London.
The West End is the richest and the most beautiful part of London. Only reach people live there.
But in the same time The East End is the poorest district of London. There are a lot of factories,
workshops and docks here. The streets are narrow, the buildings are unimpressive. This is the place of
living of the working class.
So after all we can say that the UK is one of the most powerful countries with great culture and it
would be very exiting to visit it.
3. Climate and Nature of Great Britain
The climate in Great Britain is generally mild and temperate due to the influence of the Gulf
Stream. The south-western winds carry the warmth and moisture into Britain. The climate in Britain is
usually described as cool, temperate and humid.
British people say: "Other countries have a climate, in England we have weather."
The weather in Britain changes very quickly. One day may be fine and the next day may be wet.
The morning may be warm and the evening may be cool. Therefore it is natural for the people to use the
comparison "as changeable as the weather" of a person who often changes his mood or opinion about
something. The weather is the favorite topic of conversation in Britain.
Rainfall is more or less even throughout the year. In the mountains there is heavier rainfall then in
the plains of the south and east. The driest period is from March to June and the wettest months are
from October to January. The average range of temperature (from winter to summer) is from 15 to 23
degrees above zero. During a normal summer the temperature sometimes rises above 30 degrees in the
south. Winter temperatures below 10 degrees are rare. It seldom snows heavily in winter, the frost is
rare. January and February are usually the coldest months, July and August the warmest. Still the wind
may bring winter cold in spring or summer days. Sometimes it brings the whirlwinds or hurricanes.
Droughts are rare.
So, we may say that the British climate has three main features: it is mild, humid and
changeable. That means that it is never too hot or too cold. Winters are extremely mild. Snow may come
but it melts quickly. In winter the cold is humid cold, not the dry one.
This humid and mild climate is good for plants. The trees and flowers begin to blossom early in
spring.

4. Customs and traditions in UK

Almost every nation has a reputation of some kind. The English are reputed to be cold, reserved,
rather haughty people. They are steady, easy-going and fond of sports. There are certain kinds of
behavior, manners and customs which are peculiar to England.
Britain is a nation of animal lovers. In Britain pets can send Christmas cards to their friends,
birthday cards.
Every Englishmen spends his weekend different: those who live in cities and towns like to go out
of town. They may go to stay in the country to admire the bright sun and fresh air where no crowds of
people, just silence and leisure are.
There are some traditions concerning food. English cooking is heavy, substantial and plain. The
Englishman likes a good breakfast. To him a good breakfast means porridge with, fish, bacon and eggs,
toast and marmalade, tea or coffee.
Tea is part of the prose of British life, as necessary as potatoes and bread. Seven cups of it wake
you up in the morning; 9 cups will put you to sleep at night.
The English have a popular specialty known as fish and chips. They are bought at special fish and
chips shops.
5. New Year's Day in UK
The celebration of New Year's Day varies according to the district. In the south of England, the
festival of Christmas, lasting 12 days from December 25th, runs on well into the New Year. The
decorations of colored streamers and holly, put up round the walls, and of course the fir-tree, with its
candles or lights, are not packed away until January 5th. On the evening of December 31st, people
gather in one another's homes, in clubs, in pubs, in restaurants, and hotels, in dance halls and institutes,
to "see the New Year in".
On New Year's Day all English schoolchildren make New Year resolutions. They make up lists of
shortcomings which they intend to correct. The children, their mothers and fathers, and their friends
laugh and have a good time when they read them. The children promise to keep them.
In the north, and in Scotland, particularly, the Year known as Hogmanay is very well kept up. The
ceremonies are similar, but they have an added called "first foot". This means opening your door to
anyone who knocks it after midnight, and who will then enter the house, carrying a piece of coal-or wood,
or bread. The visitor is entertained with cakes and ale.
Considerable quantities of good Scotch whiskey are consumed during these celebrations.
6. Places of interest
There are a lot of places of interest in London. They are all worth seeing. On the north side of
Trafalgar Square stands one of the world's greatest art galleries. The National Gallery represents all
schools of Western painting from the Italian Primitives to the early 20th century. Portraits by Reynolds
and Gainsborough can be seen here.
Since the time of William the Conqueror the Tower of London has served as a fortress, a royal
residence, treasury, mint and prison. Here many people were imprisoned and beheaded. Now it's a
museum.
St. Paul's Cathedral is the largest and the most magnificent church of the city. The High Altar
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forms a memorial to those who died in the two World Wars.
The Victoria and Albert Museum represents the finest examples of the applied and decorative arts
of all kinds. It has collections of furniture, jewellery, costumes, musical instruments and metalwork.
The Barbican centre was opened by the Queen in 1982. It includes a concert hall, the home of the
London Symphony Orchestra, two theatres, three cinemas and an art gallery.
Piccadilly Circus is one of London's busiest road-junctions. It's always full of cars, people as there
are many theatres, shops and restaurants there. The statue of Eros is in the middle of Piccadilly.
One of the beautiful things in London is Madame Tussaud's museum. It represents wax figures of
the famous and infamous people of the past and present. The Chamber of Horrors is of particular
interest and also Company and the Royal Ballet.
7. Press in Britain
Probably in no other country are there such great differences the various national daily
newspapers- in the type of news they report and the way they report it.
On the one hand, there are the "quality" newspapers: The Times, The Independent, The Guardian,
the Financial times and the Daily Telegraph. These concern themselves, as far as possible, with factual
reports of major national and international events, with the world of political and business and with the
arts and sport.
On the one hand, there are the "populars" and "tabloids", so-called because of their smaller size.
The tabloids- the most widely read of which are The Daily Mail, The Daily Express, the Daily Mirror, The
Sun and the Daily Star- concentrate on more emotive reporting of stories often featuring sex, violence,
the Royal Family, film and pop stars, and sport. It is often said that the popular press aims to entertain
it's rather than inform them.
In addition to the 12 national daily newspapers there are nine national papers which are
published on Sundays. Most of the "Sundays" contain more reading matter than daily papers, and
several of them also include "color supplements"- separate color magazines which contain
photographically-illustrated feature articles.
The British are one of the biggest newspapers-reading nations in the world.
8. Museums and Art Galleries of London
London is very rich in museums and art galleries. If you are fond of painting you'll go to the Tate
Gallery. There are about 300 oils and 19000 watercolors and drawings. There are many works by the
English painter William Turner there. There are a lot of paintings by the 16-th century English artists and
paintings by foreign artists of the 19-20-th centuries, such as Pablo Picasso's paintings. There are many
interesting sculptures there of Henry Moor's
The British Museum is the largest and richest of its kind in the world. It comprises the national
museum of archaeology and ethnography and the national library. The present building was built in
1852. It contains books and manuscripts: Greek, Roman, British and Oriental antiques. It has a
department of Ethnography. This collection is so vast that only a very small percentage of it is on show to
the public. There's also a department of prints and drawings. There're departments devoted to maps,
coins, medals and philately. Those who come to the British museum can see a fascinating array of
clocks and watches.
Cultural life of London would be impossible without the Royal Albert hall, the Royal Festival hall,
the National theatre and a great number of

9. The houses of Parliament

The house of Parliament in London, known also as the Palace of Westminster is the place where
members of Parliament (M.P.) gather to make laws.
The members of each House meet in sessions which begin at the end of October and last for
about one hundred and sixty days. The sittings usually begin at 10 o'clock in the morning and end in the
late afternoon; but if Parliament is discussing an important question sittings may go on till late at night.
All the time Parliament is in session, a flag can be seen over the building, and when the House of
Commons is still sitting after dark, there is a light over the face of Big Ben.
The members of the House of Commons sit on two sides of the hall. The Speaker is the
chairperson at all the debates in the House of Commons, and it is duty to keep order. The Speaker is
elected by all the members of the House of Commons. He belongs to one of the political parties in
Parliament, but he never votes are equal he votes with the government.
 The chairperson of the House of Lords is Lord Chancellor. He sits on the Woolsack, a large bag of
wool covered with red cloth. If shows that wool made England rich
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museums: the Victoria and Albert museum, the Geological Museum, the Museum of Mankind,
Natural history museum and others.
10. Political system of United Kingdom
Great Britain is a parliamentary monarchy. It means that there is a Queen (or King) and the
Parliament. The Queen has almost no power in the country. Her powers are limited by the Parliament.
Laws are made by the Parliament.
The Queen is only a formal ruler: she reigns but does not rule. In fact everything that she does is
done on the active of her ministers, who are responsible for the royal acts. Thus, most of her functions
are symbolic. The Queen's residence in London is Buckingham Palace.
The British Parliament consists of two cambers: the House if Lords and the House of Commons.
There are more than 1000 members in the House of Lords. Many seats are hereditary.
The House of Commons has 635 members. They are elected by a general election (secret ballot).
The government is headed by the Prime Minister, who is the leader of the party that has won the
election.
In Great Britain there are three main political parties: the Conservatives, the Labour Party and the
Liberals.
11. Sightseeing London
The Tower of London is the most famous of all the historical buildings in London. In the past the
Tower of London served both as a palace and as a state prison, but it is only a museum today.
Trafalgar Square is in the centre of the West End of London. On the north side is the National
Gallery; in the north-east corner is the National Portrait Gallery, and in the centre is Nelson's Column with
the figure of the great seamen.
Trafalgar Square is the place where mass meetings and demonstrations for peace and for
working people's rights take place.
"Big Ben" is the name of the great bell which strikes the hour. It is in the clock Tower of the
Houses of Parliament.
Westminster Abbey is the historic building in London to which every visitor sooner or later goes.
Many of Great Britain's famous men are buried in Westminster Abbey.
Piccadilly Circus is a square in the central part of London. London's best-known theatres and
cinemas and most famous restaurants are on Piccadilly Circus. Hyde Park is the largest park in the West
End of London. In the 19th century it became a popular place for public meetings.
The British Museum is one of the largest museums in the world. It consists of the National Library
and Museum of History, Archaeology, Art and Ethnography.
12. Some facts about London
London has been home of many famous Englishmen. Some were born there. Some lived there all
their lives. Others lived in London only for a short time but all gave something to this great city
One of the first names of importance is that of Geoffrey Chaucer, the poet. He lived most of his
life in London. He knew the courts of King Richard II d King Henry IV. His most famous work, 'The
Canterbury Tales", opens at the Tabard Inn, in Southward.
William Shakespeare also lived in London. He lived there for more than twenty years. He acted at
the Globe Theatre and wrote his plays in London. But London's famous men are not only writers. Sir
Christopher Wren, the architect, spent most of his life in London. He designed many beautiful churches,
including St. Paul's Cathedral. He also designed palaces and fine houses.
Music is represented by a very interesting figure. This is George Frederick Handel. He came to
London from Hanover in 1710After some success and some failure he at last became famous. This
happened when he composed "The Messiah". "Judas Maccabeus" and 'The Music for the Royal
Fireworks" Like Chaucer and many other great artists. Handel is buried in Westminster Abbey. Another
famous London figure is one of England's greatest seamen. Admiral Lord Nelson. He has a very special
memorial in Trafalgar Square. Equally famous is the general who led the army at the battle of Waterloo
in 1815. This was the Duke of Wellington. His house stands at Hyde Park Comer. It is sometimes known
as Number One, London. Like Admiral Nelson, the Duke of Wellington is buried in St. Paul's Cathedral.

13. Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon lies at the very heart of England. It attracts people not only by its history and
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connection with William Shakespeare, but also by its wonderful nature and typical English character.
Stratford stands on the river Avon and is one of the oldest market towns. It has still preserved its
own character and atmosphere, as you will not see modern buildings there. The houses are small and
lots of them are very old. Some of them date back to Shakespeare's time.
Here you can visit Shakespeare's birthplace (it is a museum now), Anna Hathaway's cottage the
foundations of the New Place, where Shakespeare lived when he retired and died in 1616. Just round the
corner there is Grammar school that Shakespeare used to attend.
Here in Stratford there is Holy Trinity Church where William Shakespeare was buried. Thousands
of people from all parts of England and foreign visitors come here on Shakespeare's birthday (23rd April)
to pay tribute to the great poet.
Among other sights connected with the name of Shakespeare there is an interesting monument
with the statue of the great poet on top and with characters from his plays round it. And, of course, you
should visit the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, a red-brick building standing on the banks of the Avon. The
Royal Shakespeare Company, which is one of the best known and largest theatre companies in the
world, regularly performs here and in the Barbican Centre in London.
14. Youth organizations in Great Britain
Youth and youth movement have become important factors in the life of the country. There are
about 60 youth organizations in Great Britain. All youth organizations can be divided into three large
groups:
non-political organizations;
youth organizations associated with political parties;
3. youth organizations controlled by religious bodies.
The two largest non-political youth organizations are the associations of the Boy Scouts and the
Girl Guides.
The Scout movement was intended for boys from 11 to 14, but in 1916 Baden Powell introduced
a program for younger people. He called them Wolf Cubs. They had special uniforms, badges, a special
training system and the motto "Do your best!"
There are some other non-political organizations: the Combined Cadet Force, Sea Cadet Corps,
the Woodcraft Folk, the Youth Hostels Association, the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs,
Greenpeace.
Youth Organization Greenpeace deals with most urgent ecological problems. It protests against
nuclear weapon tests, sea and soil pollution, etc.
Sport clubs are characteristic youth organizations in the UK. They unite people who are interested
in basebaii, football, golf, etc.
Religious young organizations and groups aim at helping to elderly people or working in hospitals.
Many of these organizations have done and still are doing useful work in providing leisure
facilities for young English people.
15. Vegetation and wildlife
Britain was originally a land of vast forests. Mainly oak and beech in the Lowlands and pine and
birch In the Highlands, with great stretches of marshland and smaller areas of moors. Extensive forests
remain in eastern and northern Scotland and in south-eastern and western England. Oak, elm, ash, and
beech are the commonest trees in England, while Scotland has much pine and birch.
The fauna or animal life of Britain is much like that of north-western Europe, to which it was once
joined. Many larger mammals such as bear, wolf have been hunted to extinction, others are now
protected by law. There are many foxes. Otters are common along rivers and streams, and seals live
along much of the coast. Hedgehogs, hares,
 rabbits, rats and mice are numerous. Deer live in some of the forests in the Highlands of
Scotland and England.
Some 230 kinds of birds live in Britain, and another 200 are regular visitors, many are
songbirds. The most numerous are blackbirds, sparrow and starling. Robin Redbreast is the national
bird of Britain. The number of ducks, geese and other water fowl has diminished during recent years.
16. Holidays in Great Britain
English are proud of their traditions and carefully keep them. English people celebrate Christmas
on the 25th of December. It's the season of good will. It's the most beautiful time of the year - the time
of love, joy and hopes.
There are some traditions on New Year's Day. One of them is the old First Footing. The first man
to come into the house is very important. The Englishmen believe that he brings luck.
Another best-loved holiday is St.Valentine's Day on the 14th of February - the holiday of love and
affection, the day of sending and giving presents to those you love.
In England, Easter is a church holiday. A custom is decorating eggs for children. Halloween is the
day or evening before all Saint's Day. Children dress up in Halloween costumes and masks over their
faces.
According to the Act of Parliament of 1871 there are 4 bank holidays Easter Monday, whit-
Monday, Des 26th -Boxing Day. Other public holiday are Good Friday, May Day, Also there is a Pancake
Day, April's Fool Day, Mother's Day.

17. Educational system in Great Britain

The educational system of Great Britain is extremely complex and bewildering. It is very difficult
to generalize about particular types of schools as schools differ from one to the other.
Primary education takes place in infant schools for pupil's ages from 5 to 7 years old and junior
schools (from 8 to 11 years). Some areas have different systems in which middle schools replace junior
schools and take pupils ages from 9 to 11 years. Secondary education has been available in Britain
since 1944. It is compulsory up to the age of 16, and pupils can stay at school voluntarily up to three
years longer.
At the age of 16 pupils take school-leaving examinations in several subjects at the Ordinary
level. This examination could also be taken by candidates at a further education establishment. This
exam was called the General Certificate of Education (GCE). Pupils of comprehensive school had taken
the examination called the Certificate of Secondary Education either with or instead of the GCE. A GCE
of Advanced ("A") level was taken two years after the Ordinary level exam.
The private sector is running parallel to the state system of education. There are over 2500 fee-
charging independent schools in GB. Most private schools are single-sex until the age of 16.
There are over 90 universities in GB. They are divided into three types: the old universities
(Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh Universities), in the 19th century universities, such as London and
Manchester universities, and the new universities.
Full courses of study offer the degree of Bachelor of Art or Science. Most degree courses at
universities last three years, language courses 4 years. Medicine and dentistry courses are longer (5-7
years).
Most students live away from home, in flats of halls of residence.
There are not only universities in Britain but also colleges. Colleges offer courses in teacher
training, courses in technology and some professions connected with medicine.

18. Buckingham Palace

Buckingham palace is the official London residence of Her Majesty The Queen and as such is
one of the best known and most potent symbols of the British monarchy. Yet it has been a royal
residence for only just over two hundred and thirty years and a palace for much less; and its name,
known the world over, is owed not to a monarch but to an English Duke.
 Buckingham House was built for John, first Duke of Buckingham, between 1702 and
1705. It was sold to the Crown in 1762. Although King George III modernized and enlarged the
house considerable, the transformations that give the building its present palatial character were
carried out for King George IY by Nash, by Edward Blore for King William IY and Queen Victoria in
the end, and by James Pennethoooorne.
In the reign of King Edward Yll, much of the present white and gold decoration was
substituted for the richly colored 19th century schemes of Nash and Blare; and in the 1920s,
Queen Mary used the firm of White Alum to redecorate a number of rooms.
The rooms open to visitors are used principally for official entertainment .These include
Receptions and State Banquets, and it is on such occasions, when the rooms are filled with
flowers and thronged with formally dressed guests and liveried servants, that the Palace is seen
at its most splendid and imposing. But of course the Palace is also far more than just the London
home of the Royal Family and a place of lavish entertainment. It has become the administrative
centre of the monarchy where, among a multitude of engagements, Her Majesty receives foreign
Heads of State, Commonwealth leaders and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps and
conducts Investitures, and where the majority of the Royal Household, consisting of six main
Departments and a staff of about three hundred people, has their offices.
19. Media in Great Britain
The media play a central role in Britain's daily life, informing and educating, questioning
and challenging - and of course - entertaining. In recent years the availability of more radio
frequencies, together with satellite, cable and microwave transmissions, has already made a
greater number of local, national and international services possible. The transition from
analogue to digital transmission technology is now expanding this capacity enormously.
Broadcasting in Britain has traditionally been based on the principle that it is a public service
accountable to people. While retaining the essential public service element, it now also
embraces the principles of competition and choice:
the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), which broadcasts television and radio
programs;
the ITC (Independent Television Commission), which licenses and regulates commercial
television services, including cable and satellite services;
the Radio Authority, which licenses and regulates commercial radio services, including
cable and satellite;
The three bodies work to broad requirements and objectives defined and endorsed by
Parliament, but are otherwise independent in their daily conduct of business.
Cable services are delivered through underground cables and are paid for subscription.
Cable franchises have been granted covering areas comprising 83 per cent of all homes and
nearly all urban areas in Britain. In mid - 1999 there were about 12.1 million homes able to
receive such services, and 3 million subscribing homes. Digital technology is being introduced
which will support up to 500 television channels. Cable also has the capacity for computer -
based interactive services, such as home shopping and email. Satellite television and cable
services are funded mainly by subscription income.
Television viewing is by far Britain's most popular leisure pastime: over 97 per cent of
households have at least one TV set. British television productions are sold world – wide
20. European Union
The establishment of the EU intended to work toward common goals of European
countries.
The EU was established after 2nd World War. France officially undertook the
establishment of the EU proposing to create "the first concrete foundation of a European
federation". On May 9, 1950 the EU was created and initially six European countries joint to the
EU: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxemburg, and the Netherlands. Then other countries joint
to the EU and today the number of the member countries is 27. The requirements for the
countries willing to become member of EU are the following:
Member countries must be a stable democracy, respecting human rights, the rule of law,
and the protection of
 minorities;
Member countries must have a functioning market economy;
The EU has such a structure that there are 5 institutions and each of them is responsible
for a respective objective:
European Parliament - The main functions of this institution is to exercise the issues
related to the legislation, implementing foreign and security policy, monitor the budget.
Council of the European Union - This is the most influential institution in decision making
process. The main function of this institution is to exercise the issues related to the legislation, to
suggest and monitor the international agreements, implementing foreign and security policy.
European Commission - It is mainly responsible for creating the initial outline of
legislation, implementing the legislation to assure that law is property applied, and representing
the EU in international scope and signing trade and cooperation agreements.
Court of Justice -checks whether laws are in the accordance with the justice or not
Court of Auditors - Its major function is to check whether all the Union's revenues and
expenditures are going in a regular manner, according to the EU budget.
Today EU became driving force into the international market for member countries. Such
kind of economic communities are needed to increase today's economic growth and make
countries better off.
21. Role of the USA in the world politics
It is impossible to discuss a future role of the United States of America in the world
without understanding the global processes that have been taken place in the world over the last
several years. September 11, without doubt, was a break point event in these processes. First, it
showed people a danger of an international terrorism. Second, the event brought about a
confrontation between two different viewpoints on the development of world politics. On the one
hand, politicians from many countries believe that any active actions to preserve world order
must be organized only by United Nations. On the other hand, the United States is pushing
forward its aggressive unilateral policy that is based only on Washington's understanding of the
current international situation.
This US strategy was clearly demonstrated in Iraq. Now, after two and a half years of the
war, the question must be asked if this policy achieved its goals. Did it bring a peace and
stabilization in the post Sad am country? Yes, the military operation itself was a success. Despite
the military successes, this strategy did not produce desirable results. The USA cannot stabilize
the situation, and the Iraqis continue to organize attacks against the US and coalition forces.
It is possible that the USA will not be able to continue its unilateral policy anymore
because it goes against objective processes in the world economy and international relations.
The political regimes in European countries are very close to American, so any military
confrontations are very unlikely at this point. But an economical competition would be intense. It
could be said that the other war, between the euro and the dollar, is already on, and the dollar is
loosing so far.
There is another potential threat to the USA. Only a few years ago, a dollar was almost
equivalent to gold. People and businesses all over the world tried to keep their savings in dollars.
Now, when a dollar is getting cheaper, many try to get rid of it and buy euros. What would
happen if all this dollar cash came back to the USA? India, Japan, and Russia will probably also
try to make their influence on the world politics comparable with their economical potential.
One thing is clear, however, the future of the country directly depends on today's policy.

22. Geographical position of USA

The United States of America is the fourth largest country in the world (after Russia,
Canada and China). It m
occupies the southern part of North America and stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic
Ocean. It also includes Alaska in the north and Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The total area of the
country is about nine and a half million square kilometers. The USA borders on Canada in the
north and on Mexico in the south. It also has a sea boarder with Russia.
The USA is made up of 50 states and the District of Columbia, a special federal area
where the capital of the country, Washington, is situated. The population of the country is about
250 million.
The highest mountains are the Rocky Mountains, the Cordillera and the Sierra Nevada.
The highest peak is Mount McKinley, which is located in Alaska.
America's largest rivers are the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Rio Grande and the
Columbia. The Great Lakes on the border with Canada are the largest and deepest in the USA.
The climate of the country varies greatly. The coldest regions are in the north. The climate
of Alaska is arctic. The climate of the central part is continental. The south has subtropical
climate. Hot winds blowing from the Gulf of Mexico often bring typhoons. The USA is a highly
developed industrial country. It is the world's leading producer of copper and oil and the world's
second producer of iron ore and coal. Among the most important manufacturing industries are
aircraft, cars, textiles, radio and television sets, armaments, furniture and paper.
The largest cities are New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, San Francisco
and others.
The United States is a federal union of 50 states, each of which has its own government.
The seat of the central (federal) government is Washington, DC. According to the US Constitution
the powers of the government are divided into 3 branches: the executive, headed by the
President, the legislative, exercised by the Congress, and the juridical. The Congress consists of
the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are two main political parties in the USA:
the Republican and the Democratic.
23. Scotland
Scotland is administrative division of the kingdom of Great Britain, occupying the
northern third of the island of Great Britain. As a geopolitical entity Scotland includes 186 nearby
islands, a majority of which are contained in three groups—namely, the Hebrides, also known as
the Western Islands, situated off the western coast; the Orkney Islands, situated off the
northeastern coast; and the Shetland Islands, situated northeast of the Orkney Islands. The
largest of the other islands is the Island of Arran. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland as well as a
major industrial area and seaport
Notable among the lakes, which are especially numerous in the central and northern
regions, are Loch Lomond (the largest), Loch Ness, Loch Tay, and Loch Katrina. The longest river
of Scotland is the Tay; the Clyde, however, is the principal navigational stream, site of the port of
Glasgow.
Like the climate of the rest of Great Britain, that of Scotland is subject to the moderating
influences of the surrounding seas The most common species of trees indigenous to Scotland
are oak and conifers—chiefly fir, pine, and larch.
The only large indigenous mammal in Scotland is the deer. Both the red deer and the roe
deer are found, but the red deer, whose habitat is the Highlands, is by far the more abundant of
the two species. Other indigenous mammals are the hare, rabbit, otter, ermine, pine marten, and
wildcat. Game birds include grouse, blackcock, ptarmigan, and waterfowl.
Both agriculture and industry are important in the economy of Scotland. The chief exports
are petroleum and natural gas and manufactured goods, especially burlap, clothing, machinery,
textiles, and whiskey.
The chief imports are food and iron
The most populous city in Scotland is Glasgow. Other important industrial cities are
Dundee and Aberdeen.
Scotland is governed as an integral part of Great Britain. It is represented by 72 members
in the House of Commons and by 16 Scottish peers in the House of Lords.
24. Olympic Games
The Olympic Games have a very long history. They began in 777 BC in Greece and took
place every four years for nearly twelve centuries at Olympia. They included many different kinds
of sports: running, boxing, wrestling, etc. All the cities in Greece sent their best athletes to
Olympia to compete in the Games. For the period of the Games all the wars stopped. So the
Olympic Games became the symbol of peace and friendship.
In 394 AD the Games were abolished and were not renewed until many centuries later.
 In 1894, a Frenchman, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, addressed all the sports governing
bodies and pointed out the significance of sports and its educational value.
Two years later the first modern Olympic Games took place. Of course, the competitions
were held in Greece to symbolize the continuation of the centuries-old tradition. In 1896 the
International Olympic Committee was set up. It is the central policymaking body of the Olympic
movement. It is formed by the representatives of all countries which take part in the Olympic
Games.
The International Olympic Committee decides upon the programmed of the games, the
number of the participants and the city host for the Games.
Over one hundred and fifty countries are represented in the International Olympic
Committee now. Besides, each country has its National Olympic Committee.
Summer and Winter Games are held separately. There are always several cities wishing
to host the Games. The most suitable is selected by the International Committee. After that the
city of the Games starts preparations for the competitions, constructs new sports facilities,
stadiums, hotels, press centers. Thousands of athletes, journalists and guests come to the
Games, and it takes great efforts to arrange everything.
There is always an interesting cultural programmer of concerts, exhibitions, festivals, etc.,
for each Games.
The next summer games will be held in Beijing, Republic of China.
25. Holidays in USA
The U.S. has no national holidays. Legal holidays - days on which banks, schools, or other
public institutions and most places of business are closed.
Memorial Day is a legal holiday, observed annually on the last Monday in May in most of
the United
Independence Day is an annual holiday commemorating the formal adoption by the
Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia.
Although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the Fourth of July
holiday has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence and is
celebrated in all states and territories of the U.S.
The Fourth of July is traditionally celebrated publicly with parades and pageants and
public speeches.
Thanksgiving Day, a legal holiday in the U.S., was first celebrated in early colonial times in
New England. President Abraham Lincoln appointed a day of thanksgiving, and since then each
president has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation, generally designating the fourth
Thursday of November as a holiday.
New Year's Day is the first day of the year, January 1 in the Gregorian calendar.
Christmas is an annual festival, held on December 25, to celebrate the Nativity, or birth of
Christ. The Christmas tree, an evergreen trimmed with lights and other decorations, is derived
from the so-called paradise tree, symbolizing Eden.
Saint Valentine's Day, a holiday honoring lovers, is celebrated on February 14. There is a
custom of sending greeting cards or gifts to express affection. St. Valentine has traditionally
been regarded as the patron saint of lovers.
26. Washington
Washington is the capital city of the United States. It is located on the north bank of the
Potomac River. It was called after George Washington, the first President of the USA,
Washington is one of the most beautiful and unusual cities in the United States. It has little
industry, and only one million people. One reason Washington looks different from other cities is
that no building in the city may be more than 40 meters tall. There are no skyscrapers, because
they would hide the city's many monuments from view. One can easily find a park, a square or
an open area there. The most impressive and the best-known ones are the Lincoln Memorial and
the Washington Monument.
The heart of Washington is the Capitol, which is connected with the White House by
Pennsylvania Avenue. It dominates the city of Washington. All the tourists begin sightseeing
from the Capitol and see the Senate Chamber, the Hall of Representatives, the Statuary Hall and
some others.
The Washington Monument, the tallest stone structure in the USA, is in the Potomac
River. It was opened to the public in 1888. It is 555 feet tall, is called the "Pencil" because of its
shape. It is three blocks south of the White House. There is an elevator, which will carry you to
500-foot level observation windows. The Lincoln Memorial is in the west of the Washington
Monument. It is designed like a Greek temple. The dominant figure is the realistic figure of
Abraham Lincoln seated in the centre of the open temple. The Jefferson Memorial is worth seen,
too. It is situated south of the Washington monument near the Potomac River. The Library of
Congress contains millions of books and manuscripts. The Washington Cathedral is on
Massachusetts Avenue, and the Arlington National Cemetery is outside the city limits just across
the Potomac River near the Pentagon in Virginia. The famous Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is
visited by millions of people every year.
Washington is the place where mass demonstrations take place against unemployment
and racism, for democracy and civil rights.
27. Theatres in Great Britain
One peculiarity of the theatres in Great Britain is a follows: there are two kinds of seats,
which can be booked an advanced (book able), and unbootable once have no numbers and the
spectators occupy them on the principal: first come - first served. And ancient time's plays were
acted inside churches and later on the market places. The first theatre in England "The
Backfires" build in 1576, and "The Globe" build in 1599, which is closely connected with William
Shakespeare. Speaking about our times we should first of all mention "The English National
theatre", "The Royal Shakespeare Company" and "Covent Garden". The first "Covent Garden
theatre" was built in 1732. It was burnt down in 1808 and rebuilds exactly a year after. It opened
in September 1809, with Shakespeare's "Macbeth". Since the middle of the last century "Covent
Garden" became exclusively devoted to opera.
Now "Covent Garden" in busier than ever, it is one of the few well-known opera houses
open for 11 months of the year and it employs over 600 people both of the Opera company and
the Royal Ballet.
Theatres are very much the same in London as anywhere else; the chief theatres, music
halls and cinemas are in the West End. If you are staying in London for a few days, you'll have no
difficulty whatever in finding somewhere to spend an enjoyable evening. You'll find opera, ballet,
comedy, drama, revue, musical comedy and variety. The best seats at theatres are those in the
stalls, the circle and the upper circle. Then comes the pit, and the last of all the gallery where the
seats are cheapest. Boxes, of course, are the most expensive.
At the West End theatres you can see most of the famous English actors and actresses.
As a rule, the plays are magnificently staged - costumes, dresses, scenery, everything being done
of the most lavish scale.
28. Famous people of America
There are many outstanding people in United States. America produced statesmen,
thinkers, explorers, musicians, writers, scientists and other people who are well known around
the world.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, is known to most people as Mark Twain.
While he worked as a reporter he began to sign his articles "Mark Twain". From then on
Clemens used Mark Twain as his pen-name.
While he spent his summers on his farm, he wrote "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer",
published in 1876.
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", "Tom Sawyer" and "Huckleberry Finn" are among
the most popular books ever published in the United States. Among Mark Twain's other books
are "Joan of Arc", "Life on the Mississippi".
Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president of the United States.
Lincoln became president in 1860. In 1861, there was a war between the North and the
South of the United States. The people in the South wanted a separate government from the
United States. The North wanted the United States to stay together as one country. Lincoln was
the leader of the North.
 The North won the Civil War. The war ended on April 9, 1865. Six days later, President
Lincoln and his wife went to the theatre. Inside the theatre, a man went behind the president
and shot him in the head. The man's name was John Wilkes Booth. He was a supporter of the
South. Lincoln died the next morning.
Ernest Hemingway is one of the greatest 20th-century American writers. He was a brilliant
writer of stories and novels. His most successful novels are the following: For Whom The Bells
Tolls, The Old Man and the Sea and others He was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in
1954.
29. Education in USA
The general pattern of education in the USA is an eight-year elementary school, followed
by a four-year high school.
There are eight years of elementary schooling. The elementary school is followed by four
years of secondary school, or high school. Often the last two years of elementary and the first
years of secondary school are combined into a junior high school.
Admission to the American high school is automatic on completion of the elementary
school. During the four-year high school program the student studies four or five major subjects
per year, and classes in each of these subjects meet for an hour a day, five days a week. In
addition, the student usually has classes in physical education, music, and art several times a
week. If he fails a course, he repeats only that course and not the work of the entire year.
Students must complete a certain number of courses in order to receive a diploma, or a
certificate of graduation.
Usually there is no admission examination required by a state university for those who
have finished high school within the state. Sometimes a certain pattern of high school studies is
necessary, however, and some state universities require a certain scholastic average, or average
of high school grades.
It usually takes four years to meet the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of
Science degree. A Master of Arts or Master of Science degree may be obtained in one or two
additional years. The highest academic degree is the ! Doctor of Philosophy. It may take any
number of years to complete the original research work necessary to obtain this degree.
In general, higher education in the USA may be divided into two broad fields: liberal arts
and professional. Each of these fields may be further subdivided into undergraduate and
graduate levels. The liberal arts program, on the undergraduate level, may be a two-year junior
college course, or a four-year course leading to a degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of
Science. The four-year course is usually subdivided into a lower division (which may be called the
junior college), consisting of the two first years, and the upper division, which is the last two
years. The first two years
continue the general education and specialization begins in the third year.
30. Fast Food of America
Have you ever enjoyed a hamburger, sitting on a lawn? May be you're against all these
hot dogs and cheeseburgers, because it's a junk food. Anyway, it is always interesting to find out
something about the origin and history of such trifles, which make our life more comfortable.
They really make life more pleasant, especially outdoors, don't they?
Pop Corn- It's impossible to imagine American takeaway food or snacks without popcorn.
Clear as a day, it is made from corn. But what about the first part of the word "pop". Actually,
when you put a kernel of corn on a fire, the water inside makes the corn explode. This makes a
"pop" noise. That is why we call it popcorn. But in 1945 a new machine was invented that
changed the history of the product. The electric machine enabled to pop corn outside the home.
And soon movies started selling popcorn to make more money. The famous American habit of
eating popcorn at the movies is well-known. Many people like to put salt or melted butter in their
popcorn, some peeper to have it without. Either way Americans love their popcorn
Coca Cola- Coca-Cola The world famous fresh drink Coca-Cola first was an all-purpose
medicine, made in 1886 by a druggist from Atlanta, who made a brown syrup by mixing coca
leaves and cola nuts. The syrup wasn't a success and then another druggist, Jacobs, had an idea
of selling Coca-Cola as a soda fountain drink. He mixed the syrup with soda water. Soon
everyone was going to soda fountains and asking for Coca-Cola. And the World War II helped to
make Coca-Cola popular outside America, when the Coca-Cola Company sent bottles of the drink
to US soldiers fighting in Europe. It became so popular with the soldiers that the US Army asked
the company to start ten factories in Europe. It's a curious thing but of 1903 coca leaves were no
longer used in the drink. The exact ingredients and the quantities are not known - the Coca-Cola
Company keeps its recipe a secret
31. Political system of USA
The nation's capital, Washington, D.C., is the capital of a federal union of 50 states.
Therefore, in 1789, they adopted a new Constitution establishing a federal union under a strong
central government.
Under the Constitution, the federal government is divided into three branches, each
chosen in a different manner, each able to check and balance the others.
The Executive Branch is headed by the President, who, together with the Vice President, is
chosen in nationwide elections every four years. The elective process for a U.S. President is
unique. The presidential candidate needs 270 electoral votes to be elected; if no candidate has a
majority, the House of Representatives make the decision. Any natural-born American who is 35
years old or older may be elected to this office. The President proposes bills to Congress,
enforces federal laws, serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and, with the approval
of the Senate makes treaties and appoints federal judges, ambassadors and other members of
the Executive Departments
The Vice President, elected from the same political party as the President, acts as
chairman of the Senate, and in the event of the death or disability of the President, assumes the
Presidency for the balance of his term.
The Legislative Branch is made up of two houses: the Senate and the House of
Representatives. Each state elects two members of the 100-member Senate; a Senator's term
of office is six years
The Judicial Branch is made up of Federal District Courts (at least one in every state), 11
Federal Courts of Appeals and, at the top, the Supreme Court. Federal judges are appointed by
the President with the approval of the Senate; to minimize political influences, their
appointments are for life. Federal courts decide cases involving federal law, conflicts between
states or between citizens of different states.
Every American citizen is allowed to vote from the age of 18.
32. Science in 20th century
The 20th century began slowly, to the ticking of grandfather clocks and the stately
rhythms of progress. Thanks to science, industry and moral philosophy, mankind's steps had at
last been guided up the right path. The century of steam was about to give way to the century of
oil and electricity.
Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, only 41 years old in 1900, proposed a scientific
basis for the notion that progress was gradual but inevitable, determined by natural law.
And everybody thought that the development would continue in the small steps that had
marked the progress of the 19th century. Inventions like the railroad or the telegraph or the
typewriter had enabled people to get on with their ordinary lives a little more conveniently.
No one could have guessed then that, in the century just beginning, new ideas would
burst upon the world with a force and frequency that would turn this stately march of progress
into a long distance, free-for-all sprint. Thrust into this race, the children of the 20th century
would witness more change in their daily existence and environment than anyone else who had
ever walked the planet.
Assassinations in Sarajevo in 1914 lit a spark that set off an unprecedented explosion of
destruction and death. The Great War did more than devastate a generation of Europeans. It set
the tone - the political, moral and intellectual temper - for much that followed.
Before long the Great War received a new name - World War I. The roaring 1920s and the
Depression years of the 1930s proved to be merely a prelude to World War II. Largely hidden
during that war was an awful truth that called into question progress and the notion of human
nature itself.
 But civilization was not crushed by the two great wars, and the ruins provided the
stimulus to build a way of life again. To a degree previously unheard of and perhaps
unimaginable, the citizens of the 20th century felt free to reinvent themselves. In that task they
were assisted by two profound developments - psychoanalysis and the Bomb.
33. Sports in USA
Americans pay much attention to physical fitness. Many sports and sporting activities are
popular in the USA. People participate in swimming, skating, squash and badminton, tennis,
marathons, track-and-field, bowing, archery, skiing, skating etc. But the five major American
sports are hockey, volleyball, baseball, football and basketball. Basketball and volleyball have
been invented in America.
There is a large choice of sports in America. This can be explained by the size and variety
of the country. Another reason of the popularity of sports is the people's love of competition of
any kind. One more reason is that Americans use sports activities for teaching socials values,
such as teamwork and sportsmanship. All this explains why Americans have traditionally done
well in many kinds of sports.
Some Americans like active games and others like quite games. I think that quite games,
as golf and crocket, intend for rich elite people. Most popular games in the USA are hockey,
American football, baseball, basketball.
Opportunities for keeping fit and playing sports are numerous. Jogging is extremely
popular, perhaps because it is the cheapest and most accessible sport. Aerobic exercise and
training with weight-lifting machines are two activities which more and more men and women
are pursuing. Books, videos, and fitness-conscious movie stars that play up the glamour of
fitness have heightened enthusiasm for these exercises and have promoted the muscular,
healthy body as the American beauty ideal
American sports are becoming more competitive and more profit-oriented. As a result,
playing to win is emphasized more than playing for fun. The obsession with winning causes some
people to wonder whether sports in America should be such serious business
34. The USA court system
The courts are the overseers of the law. They administer it, they resolve disputes under it,
and they ensure that it is and remains equal to and impartial for everyone.
In the United States each state is served by the separate court systems, state and federal.
Both systems are organized into three basic levels of courts-trial courts, courts of appeal and
High Court or Supreme Court.
Trial courts bear the main burden in the administration of justice. Cases begin there and
most instances are finally resolved there.
The trial courts in each state include: common pleas courts, which have general civil and
criminal jurisdiction and smaller in importance municipal courts, country courts and mayor's
courts
The main job of courts of appeal is to review cases appealed from trial courts to
determine if the law was correctly interpreted or applied.
The Supreme Court of each state is primarily a_ court of appeal and the court of last
resort.
The federal court structure is similar to the structure of the state court system. The trial
courts in the federal system are the United States District Courts. The United States courts of
appeal are intermediate courts of appeal between the district courts and the United States
Supreme Court.
The USA Supreme Court is the highest court in the nation and the court of last resort. It
consists of a chief justice and eight associate justices, all of whom are appointed for life by the
President with the Advice and Consent of the Senate. The duty of the Supreme Court is to decide
whether laws passed by Congress agree with the Constitution. The great legal issues facing the
Supreme Court at present are Government involvement with religion, abortion and privacy rights,
and race and sex discrimination.
35. Sports in Great Britain
National sports in Great Britain... It is a very interesting question, because many kinds of
sport have taken the origin in England. The Englishmen love sports, they are called sports-lovers
in spite of the fact that some of them neither play games nor even watch them. They only like to
speak about sports. Some kinds of sport are professional in England. Many traditional sporting
contests take place in England, for example, cricket. It is played from May till September.
Football, it has got a long history. Football was played by the whole village teams in the
middle ages in England. Now football is the most popular game in Britain. It is a team game.
There are some amateur teams but most of the teams are professional ones in England.
Professional football is a big business. Football is played at schools too.
Rugby is a popular game in England. There are many amateur rugby teams in this
country. It is a game that is played between two teams of players using an oval ball that can be
handled or kicked. The captain of the team must be the oldest or best player.
There are some tennis clubs in England, but if you play there it is necessary to pay money
for it. Englishmen like playing tennis but many of them prefer to watch this game. Wimbledon it
is the centre of lawn tennis.
Englishmen pay much attention to swimming, rowing and walking. Usually the Oxford—
Cambridge Boat Race takes place at the end of March or at the beginning of April. It is an
interesting contest between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. It is usually held on the
Thames River. The first such race was held in 1820. There were a lot of people watching this
race. There are some racing competitions in England. They are motor-car racing, dog-racing,
donkey-racing, boat-racing, horse-racing. All kinds of racings are popular in England. It is
interesting to see the egg-and-spoon race. The runner, who takes part in this competition, must
carry an egg in a spoon. It is not allowed to drop the egg. There are such competitions as putting
the weight, tossing the caber and others.
The English are great lovers of sports.
36. History of Great Britain
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country of great history rich
in important events and entertaining legends connected with them. It's not enough to write
several volumes to tell the full history of the country.
That's why we'll try to answer the question where the British come from and who they are.
After 800 BC the Celts arrived from Central Europe and opened up a new important page of the
British history. The name «Britain» comes from the name of a Celtic tribe known as the Britons.
Their influence was greatest in Wales, Scotland and Ireland, as they were driven to these parts
by the invaders who followed them. That's why these parts of Britain are very different from
England in language, customs and traditions. However quite soon it was attacked by Germanic
tribes: People began to call the new land of the Angles and Saxons England. Wales, Cornwall, the
northern part of Britain and Ireland remained unconquered and preserved Celtic culture. An
important event which contributed to the unification of the country was the adoption of
Christianity in England in 664. In the 9th century the Danes attacked England. It was Alfred who
defeated the Danes making them sign a peace agreement.
The last of the invaders to come to Britain were the Normans from France. The French
language became the official language of the ruling class for the next three centuries. This
explains the great number of French words in English.
However the final unification of Scotland and England took place in 1707 when both
sides agreed to form a single parliament in London for Great Britain, although Scotland
continued to keep its own system of law, education and have an independent church.
Ireland was England's first colony, but even now there are problems there connected with
religion. Recently, there have been many waves of immigration into Britain. Now Britain is a
multinational society, which benefits from the influence of different people and cultures.
37. William Shakespeare
The last half of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th 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". William Shakespeare, the greatest and most famous of English
writers, and probably the greatest playwright who has ever lived, was born on the 23d of April,
1564, in Stratford-on-Avon. In sprite of his fame we know very little about his life. At the age of
six he was sent to school, but had to leave it at the age of 13. His father, John Shakespeare, was
a glove-maker, and when he fell into debt, William had to help him .When Shakespeare was
twenty-one, he went to London. We don't know why he left Stratford-on-Avon. There is a story
that Shakespeare's first job in London was holding rich men's horses at the theatre door. But
nobody can be sure that this story is true. Later, Shakespeare became an actor and a member of
a very successful acting company. It's highly probable that The Comedy of Errors, Romeo and
Juliet and some other plays by Shakespeare were performed for the first time on this stage.
Shakespeare's experience as an actor helped him greatly in the writing of his plays. His
knowledge of stage and his poetical genius made his plays the most wonderful ones ever
written. Shakespeare wrote 37 plays: 10 tragedies (such as Hamlet, King Lear, Othello,
Macbeth), 17 comedies (such as As You Like It, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing), 10
historical plays (such as Henry 4, Richard 3). He also left 7 books of poems and sonnets. Most of
Shakespeare's plays were not published in his lifetime. So some of them may have been lost in
the fire when the "Globe" burned down in 1613. Shakespeare spent the last years of his life at
Stratford, where he died in 1616. He was buried in the church of Stratford. A monument was
erected to the memory of the great playwright in the Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey.

38. New York

New York City is the capital of USA It is the most populous city in the United States. For
more than a century, it has been one of the world's leading business, financial and cultural
centers and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, sports, media, fashion and the
arts all contribute to its status as one of the major global cities. As the home of the United
Nations, the city is a hub for international diplomacy. Residents of the city are known as New
Yorkers.
New York has five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx.
The Bronx is famous for a zoo, which is situated there.
Manhattan is the center of New York City. Near 1 million people live here, but over than 5
million come here to work from all parts of the city every day. The main street, Broadway, is also
here. And there are a lot of other famous streets which known nationwide. Wall Street is famous
for finance. Madison Avenue means advertising, and Fifth Avenue is famous for world-class
shopping. There is a famous crossing Times Square. It famous for Theatre district, there are
more than thirty theaters there, and every evening they play their plays.
Most of New York's skyscrapers are located on the island of Manhattan. There are such
buildings as Art Deco Chrysler Building and there were twin towers of the World Trade Center.
One of the famous building in the world is the Statue of Liberty. It was built in 1886. It was a
present from the people of France. It represents America's symbol of freedom!
In 2005, nearly 170 languages were spoken in the city and 36 percent of its population
was born outside the United States. New York is also known as "The City that Never Sleeps," not
least because its subway system operates around the clock and because many neighborhoods in
Manhattan, such as Times Square, are busy at all hours.
39. Australian culture.
Since 1788, the primary basis of Australian culture has been Anglo-Celtic, although
distinctive Australian features had been evolving from the environment and indigenous culture.
Over the past 50 years, Australian culture has been strongly influenced by American popular
culture (particularly television and cinema), large-scale immigration from non-English-speaking
countries, and Australia's Asian neighbors. The vigor and originality of the arts in Australia —
literature, cinema, opera, music, painting, theatre, dance, and crafts — have achieved
international recognition.
In 1973, Patrick White was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, the only Australian to
have achieved this; he is recognized as one of the great English-language writers of the 20th
century. Australian English is a major variety of the language; its grammar and spelling are
largely based on those of British English, overlaid with a rich vernacular of unique lexical items
and phrases, some of which have found their way into standard English. Sport plays an
important part in Australian culture, assisted by a climate that favors outdoor activities; 23.5%
Australians over the age of 15 regularly participate in organized sporting activities. At an
international level, Australia has particularly strong teams in cricket, hockey, netball, rugby
league, rugby union, and performs well in cycling, rowing and swimming. Nationally, other
popular sports include Australian rules football, horse racing, football (soccer) and motor .acing.
Australia has participated in every summer Olympic Games of the modern era, and every
Commonwealth Games. Australia hosted the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne and the
2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, and has ranked among the top five medal-takers since
2000Televised sport is popular; some of the highest rating television programs include the
summer Olympic Games and the grand finals of local and international football (various codes)
competitions
40. Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It has
been the capital of Scotland
since 1437 and is the seat of the Scottish Parliament. It lies on seven hills and goes down
on those hills to the sea. The highest hill is three hundred meters above the sea. From the street
in the centre of the city you can see ships coming to Edinburgh from different countries of the
world.
Many great men have lived and worked in this beautiful city. Robert Burns, the great
Scottish poet published his first book of poems in Edinburgh. There is a monument to him in the
city.
Walter Scott, the father of the historical novel in the world literature, was borne in
Edinburgh. The monument to Walter Scott is in the main street of the city.
Robert Louis Stevenson, a famous English writer, was born and lived in Edinburgh. He
loved the city and wrote about it his best novels.
Edinburgh is well-known for the annual Edinburgh Festival, a collection of official and
independent festivals held annually over about four weeks from early August. The number of
visitors attracted to Edinburgh for the Festival, is roughly equal to the settled population of the
city. The most famous of these events are the Edinburgh Fringe (the largest performing arts
festival in the world), the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and the
Edinburgh International Film Festival. In fact the city is one of the most vibrant, cosmopolitan
cities in Europe and is regularly voted as one of the most desirable places to live in the world.This
is a city that knows how to be both ancient and modern. And a fantastic place to live.