1. United Kingdom United Kingdom

2. UK Foreword A Short History of UK Famous Monuments in UK British customs and traditions British traditional festivals

3. * Foreword * Britain is full of culture and traditions which have been around for hundreds of years. British customs and traditions are famous all over the world. When people think of Britain they often think of people drinking tea, eating fish and chips and wearing bowler hats, but there is more to Britain than just those things. We have English and British traditions of sport, music, food and many royal occasions. There are also songs, sayings and superstitions. Who was Guy Fawkes? Why does the Queen have two birthdays?Britain drinking teafish and chipsbowler hatssport musicfoodsongssayings superstitionsGuy Fawkesthe Queen

4. England Scotland Wales Great Britain Why is England or the UK sometimes called Britain? 'When people say England, they sometimes mean Great Britain, sometimes the United Kingdom, sometimes the British Isles - but never England.' "England" is sometimes, wrongly, used in reference to the whole United Kingdom, the entire island of Great Britain (or simply Britain), or indeed the British Isles. This is not only incorrect but can cause offence to people from other parts of the UK.

5. The diverse history of England, Scotland and Wales has led to very different cultural traditions; The Scots and Welsh have right to feel aggrieved whenever the term 'English' is used wrongly, to mean all three. Countries within a Country The name United Kingdom refers to the union of what were once four separate countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland (though most of Ireland is now independent).

6. A Short History of UK

7. A short history of the United Kingdom Present-day Britain is populated since the sixth century BC by Celtic tribes. The Roman Emperor invades Britain in 43 BC and establishes the province of Britannia. When the Romans leave Britain, the island is invaded by Germanic tribes like the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes. The Anglo-Saxon tribes are united in 871 in the Kingdom of England, a feudal state. Large part of the country are conquered by Denmark in the ninth century. Finally in 1016 Denmark rules the whole country. The Saxons regain power in 1042. CelticRoman Emperor In 1066 England is invaded by the Normans from Normandy and they form the rulers of the Kingdom of England. The English conquest of Wales succeeds in 1282 and English rule is established 2 years later. An act of 1536 completes the political and administrative union of England and Wales. This is followed in 1607 with the annexation of Ireland. England becomes a republic in 1649 (the Commonwealth of England), but the monarchy is restored in 1660.Ireland

8. A second revolution leads in 1688 to a parliamentary system of government: England is now more or less a constitutional monarchy. In this system two parties exist, the Whigs and the Tories. These are not political parties in the modern sense, but cliques of nobles fighting about power. England and Scotland merge in 1707 into the Kingdom of Great Britain. Between 1715 and 1768 the Whigs dominate, but until 1830 the Tories have power. In 1901 Ireland is legally incorporated in the kingdom under the name United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland one year later. Britain's industrial revolution greatly strengthened its ability to oppose Napoleonic France. By the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, Britain is the foremost European power and its navy ruled the seas. Peace in Europe allows the British to focus their interests on more remote parts of the world and during this period the British Empire reaches its zenith. British colonial expansion reaches its height largely during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). British colonies contribute to the United Kingdom's extraordinary economic growth and strengthen its voice in world affairs.

9. Even as the United Kingdom extends its imperial reach overseas, it continued to develop and broaden its democratic institutions at home. During the nineteenth century parliamentary develops further. Modern party politics develops in the 1850s, when the Liberal Party (LIB) replaces the Whigs and the Conservative Party (CONS) replaces the Tories. The Liberals rule the country from 1855-1858 (Henry John Temple), 1859-1866 (Temple and since 1865 John Russell), 1868-1874, 1868-1874, 1880-1885, 1886, 1892-1886, 1892- 1895 (William E. Gladstone and since 1894 Archibald Primrose) and from 1905 until 1922 (Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, since 1908 Herbert Henry Asquith and since 1916 David Lloyd George). The conservatives govern the country from 1858-1859, 1866-1868 (Edward Geoffrey Stanley and from 1868 Benjamin Disraeli), 1874- 1880 (Disraeli), 1885-1886, 1886-1892 and 1895-1902 (Robert Arthur Talbot G.-Cecil), 1902-1905 (Arthur James Balfour). By 1895 all adult males could vote, but full universal suffrage is realizes only in 1918 (women between 21 and 30 are given the vote in 1928). Britain's control over its empire loosened during the interwar period. Ireland, with the exception of six northern counties, gains independence from the United Kingdom in 1921, the kingdom is renamed United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. DIn 1922 starts a new conservative premiership with Andrew Bonar Law (1922-1923) and Stanley Baldwin (1923-1924).Ireland

10. In 1924 for the first time the social democratic Labour Party (LAB) holds the premiership with Ramsay MacDonald. The same year Baldwin takes over, but in 1929 Labour gets a new chance. McDonald is unseated by Baldwin again in 1935. Inside the conservatives Baldwin is succeeded in 1937 by Neville Chamberlain and since 1940 by Winston Churchill. He leads Britain during World War II. During World War II the leader of the Conservative Party, Winston Churchill, is prime minister. Though he is one of the winners of the war, he loses the elections of 1945, when Clement Attlee, leader of the Labour Party, becomes prime minister. Churchill becomes prime minister again in 1951, starting a 13 year conservative rule. He is succeeded by Robert Anthony Eden in 1955, by Maurice Harold Macmillan in 1957 and by Alexander Frederick Douglas-Home in 1963. Labour wins the 1964 elections and James Harold Wilson becomes prime minister. Between 1970 and 1974 the conservatives are again in power with Edward Heath. During his premiership the United Kingdom joins the European Communities (renamed European Union in 1993) in 1973. European Union

11. Between 1974 and 1979 Labour holds the majority with James Harold Wilson (until 1976) and Leonard James Callaghan as prime ministers. In 1979 the Conservative Party wins the elections and 18 years of conservative rule begins. Between 1979 and 1990 Margaret Thatcher is prime minister, succeeded in 1990 by John Major. During this period the bi-partisan system remains, but the Liberal Democrats emerge as a third force. In 1997 a moderated Labour succeeds in winning the elections, bringing Anthony "Tony" Blair to the premiership.

12. Famous Monuments in UK

13. The British Museum The British Museum shows the works of man from prehistoric times to the present day. Its façade resembling a Greek temple makes it an impressive building. There are permanent displays of antiquities from Egypt, Western Asia, Greece and Rome. It also includes one of he most famous libraries in the world.

14. The Houses of Parliament The Houses of Parliament also called the Palace of Westminster, range along the Thames with Victoria Tower at one end and Big Ban, the famous bell in the Clock Tower, at the other.

15. Big-Ban Victoria Tower

16. Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace was made the official residence of the Sovereign by Queen Victoria whose memorial is in front of the palace. The Royal Guards change at 11- 30 a.m. every day, much to the delight of the tourists.

17. Trafalgar Square Trafalgar Square, named in commemoration of a great British naval victory, is dominated by the statue of victorious Admiral, Lord Nelson. People and pigeons gather here to see and enjoy fountains.

18. Madame Tussaud’s Madame Tussaud’s exhibits wax models of famous historical characters, Royalty, international statesmen, film and sports stars, artists and entertainers.

19. The National Gallery The National Gallery with its elegant dome and graceful colonnades, dominates the north side of Trafalgar Square, housing a very rich collection of paintings. Most famous are the Renaissance and Impressionist works.

20. Tower Bridge Tower Bridge opened in 1894 is one of the London’s best landmarks with it’s two neo-Gothic towers. The two 1000 tone drawbridges used to be raised to let big ships pass.

21. British customs and traditions

22. Traditional Drinks in England Tea Britain is a tea-drinking nation. Every day we drink 165 million cups of the stuff and each year around 144 thousand tons of tea are imported. Tea in Britain is traditionally brewed in a warmed china teapot, adding one spoonful of tea per person and one for the pot. Most Britons like their tea strong and dark, but with a lot of milk. Interesting Fact Years ago, the milk was poured into the cup first, so as not to crack the porcelain. Did you know? If someone asks you if you 'would like a cuppa', they are asking if you would like a cup of tea. If someone says 'let me be mother' or 'shall I be mother', they are offering to pour out the tea from the teapot.

23. TAKE AWAY FOOD (Eat out food) Fish and Chips Fish and chips is the classic English take-away food and is the traditional national food of England. It became popular in the 1860's when railways began to bring fresh fish straight from the east coast to the our cities over night. The fish (cod, haddock, plaice) is deep fried in flour batter and is eaten with chips. Traditionally, the fish and chips are covered with salt and malt vinegar and, using your fingers, eaten straight out of the newspaper which they were wrapped in. Now-a-days small wooden forks are provided and the fish and chips are wrapped in more hygienic paper.

24. Holidays and Notable Special Days in Great Britain Many festivals and holidays in Britain are centuries old. Every town, village and hamlet in Britain has its own traditions, some involving months of careful planning and preparations of costumes and choreography, others requiring simply a worrying desire to make a complete and utter fool of oneself.Britain Some of the most known holidays are: 1 New Year's Day,Valentine's Day, St David's Day, St. Patrick's Day, St George's Day (England's National Day) 1 May Day, Harvest Festival, Halloween, Bonfire Night, Remembrance Day, St Andrew's Day, etc.New Year's DayValentine's DaySt David's DaySt. Patrick's DaySt George's DayMay DayHarvest FestivalHalloweenBonfire NightSt Andrew's Day

25. What are the first three things which come into your mind when you hear the words 'England' or 'the English?

26. Did you know?...... Elizabeth I was the last ever King or Queen of England. From 1603, the monarch, although living in England, has been known as the Monarch of the United Kingdom. When Elizabeth I died, King James VI of Scotland became king of England as well as Scotland, thus uniting the kingdoms of England and Scotland for the first time. Elizabeth I