Culture of Great Britain - Main Information free essay sample

The English, symbol: the red rose, Patron Saint: St. George, Saint’s day: April 23rd. | Scotland: flag: white diagonal cross on the blue ground, capital: Edinburgh, the people: The Scots, symbol: the thistle, Patron Saint: St. Andrew, Saint’s day: November 30th. | Wales:- flag: red dragon on the white-green ground, capital: Cardiff, the people: The Welsh, symbol: the leek and the daffodil, Patron Saint: St. David,- Saint’s day: March 1st. | Northern Ireland: flag: red diagonal cross on the white ground, capital: Belfast, the people: The Irish, symbol: the shamrock and the harp, Patron Saint: St. Patrick, Saint’s day: March 17th. | Shetland Islands gt; 80 km the north-east of Orkneys Orkneys Islands gt; the north of Scotland Hebrides Islands gt; the west coast of Scotland Isle Of Man gt; between England and Scotland John O’Groat’s gt; the northest point in Great Britain Land’s End gt; the southest point in Great Britain LOCH LOMOND – the largest lake in Scotland BEN NEVIS – the highest mountain in Scotland and also in Britain LOCH NESS – also Scottish lake CLAN – type of Scottish family group (each clan has different pattern of kilt) Mc/Mac – it means â€Å"son of†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ; Scots names begin in this way. HADRIAN’S WALL – Roman building across a whole country – it means Scotland; border between England and Scotland. Highland Games: * it lasts May to September, * it is like Scottish Olympics, * there are hundred games, * the most important game is Braemar Gathering, because the royal family watches this kind of game, * the place where the queen stays to watch this kind of game is Balmoral Castle, * another games: tug of war, highland fling and sword dance which are dance competition. The Scotland is famous for: * kilt made of tartan, * bagpipe (musical, Scottish instrument), * Mc/Mac. The Union Flag – or Union Jack – the emblems that appear on this flag are the crosses of three patron saints: the red cross of St George, for England, on a white ground, the white diagonal cross of St Andrew, for Scotland, on a blue ground, the red diagonal cross attributed to St Patrick, for Ireland, on a white ground. Regions of Scotland: Northern Highlands, Central Lowlands, Southern Uplands. The Highlands: clan,- Mac/Mc,- kilt made of tartan,- Ben Nevis,- Loch Lomond,- Loch Ness,- tourism, fishing as main activities,- Highland Games,- Balmoral Castle. Southern Uplands:- Hadrian’s Wall. | Central Lowlands: Edinburgh gt; governmental, cultural, commercial, financial city: * Royal Mile (very historical street between the Palace of Holyrood House and Edinburgh Castle), * the Palace of Holyrood House (official residence where queen lives), * Edinburgh Castle (royal residence before England and Scotland were united), Glasgow gt; industrial centre: ship bui lding, ship repairing; heavy industrial: * the River Clyde (connects the Glasgow with sea), Burn’s cottage, Dundee gt; heavy industrial city; fishing, Aberdeen gt; the main port of transport, the centre connected with oil. The Strait of Dover gt; 20 miles (32 km) The Channel Islands and The Isle Of Man gt; crown dependent territories; queen is the head of these territories and British government is responsible for defence for them; they have own Parliament, tax system and government. Hebrides gt; now they belong to Scotland, but at the beginning they belonged to Scandinavia. The Shetland Islands and the Orkney Islands gt; in 15th century these islands were given from Norway to Scotland without fight; Norway princess got married with English king. | The UK constitution is formed by: Acts of Parliament,- Common Law (decisions made by judges which is repeated by people ),- convention (something should be done by President). Function of Parliament:- to pass laws,- to provide money for the government (through taxes),- to control the work of the government,- to examine detail government policy,- to debate major political issues. | The House of Commons: is made up 650 elected members, each of whom on one area, they are elected at: * general election (every 4 years – whole country), * by-election (when MP represent resign or goes to House of Lords), the SPEAKER gt; the chief officer (the most important person) in the House of Commons: * he keeps order, he supervises voting (he gives announcement after voting – he talks who voted against or for), * he announces the results (he doesn’t usually vote, only when there is the same number against and for), the Speaker has the Clerk of House whose helps him, session: one session last one year gt; from October to November next year (everything has to be done), meeting: Monday-Thursday (2:30 p. m. – 10:30 p. m. ), Friday (9:30 a. m. – 3:30 p. m. ). The House of Lords consist of: the CHANCELLOR gt; it is important person in this House; he is responsible for courts’ LORD SPEAKER gt; the most important person in this House but not as powerful as the Speaker in House of Commons; he can vote like another members, he cannot stop discussion and he hasn’t any influence for it, LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS gt; he is responsible for administration, LORDS SPIRITUAL gt; 2 Archbishops of Cantenbury and York and 24 bishops of England, LORDS TEMPORAL gt; hereditary peers (Earl of Marshal who organizes ceremonies; Lord Great Chamberlan who is responsible for the Westminster Palace and he is really important during the coronation; and 90 elected peers), life peers (titles don’t inherit by another relatives against of hereditary peers). Work of the House of Lords: legislation, examining government work, examining European proposals.