BRITISH CIVILIZATION & BRITISH CIVILIZATION & CULTURECULTURE

- optional course -- optional course -ACADEMIC YEAR 2009/2010ACADEMIC YEAR 2009/2010

Lecturer BRADEA Livia-Otilia, PhDLecturer BRADEA Livia-Otilia, PhD

INTRODUCING GREAT INTRODUCING GREAT BRITAINBRITAIN

- I -- I -

NameName: :

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Northern Ireland

(formed of England, Wales, Scotland and (formed of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

Geography of GBGeography of GB

Putting GB an the mapPutting GB an the map

it is situated in the northwest corner of Europeit is situated in the northwest corner of Europe it is an island surrounded by other islands it is an island surrounded by other islands

(about 1000 islands)(about 1000 islands) is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North

Sea and the English Channel Sea and the English Channel neighboursneighbours Ireland (west), the Netherlands, Ireland (west), the Netherlands,

Belgium and France (south-east); Norway, Belgium and France (south-east); Norway, Sweden and Denmark are also easily Sweden and Denmark are also easily accessible accessible

Other information:Other information:

SurfaceSurface:: 93,278 sq mi (=241.590 sq km);93,278 sq mi (=241.590 sq km); PopulationPopulation: over 61 million people: over 61 million people LONDON, capital.LONDON, capital.

Greater LondonGreater London (area 600 sq miles and 7 (area 600 sq miles and 7 million people)million people) Monetary unit:Monetary unit: Pound sterling (£) Pound sterling (£)

REGIONS:REGIONS:

1. Southeast Englnad1. Southeast Englnad:: The Downs and Channel CoastThe Downs and Channel Coast East AngliaEast AngliaThames ValleyThames Valley

2. The West Contry:2. The West Contry: WessexWessex Devon and CornwallDevon and Cornwall

REGIONS:REGIONS:

3. Wales:3. Wales: North WalesNorth Wales South and Mid-WalesSouth and Mid-Wales

4. The Midlands:4. The Midlands: The Heart of EnglandThe Heart of England East MidlandEast Midland

REGIONS:REGIONS:

4. The North Country:4. The North Country: Lancashire and the LakesLancashire and the Lakes Yorkshire and Humber RegionYorkshire and Humber Region NorthumbriaNorthumbria

5. Scotland:5. Scotland: The LowlandsThe Lowlands The Highlands and IslandsThe Highlands and Islands

A PORTRAIT OF GREAT BRITAINA PORTRAIT OF GREAT BRITAIN

Britain’s characterBritain’s characterhas been shaped by its geographical positionhas been shaped by its geographical position has been assiduous in preserving its has been assiduous in preserving its

traditionstraditions

There is a diversity of landscape, culture, There is a diversity of landscape, culture, literature, art, architecture and unique heritageliterature, art, architecture and unique heritage

Britain in a Nut SchellBritain in a Nut Schell

II..

History:History: native inhabitants (Celts) invaded by native inhabitants (Celts) invaded by Romans, Anglo-Saxon tribes, Vikings, Normands Romans, Anglo-Saxon tribes, Vikings, Normands (1066), a.s.o. (1066), a.s.o.

ChurchChurch: Christian - Anglican Church (Roman : Christian - Anglican Church (Roman Catholic Church replaced in the 16th c.)Catholic Church replaced in the 16th c.)

LanguagesLanguages: English, Welsh Gaelic, Scots Gaelic: English, Welsh Gaelic, Scots Gaelic HeritageHeritage: ancient castles, cathedrals, stately : ancient castles, cathedrals, stately

homes, gardens, classical parklands, old customs homes, gardens, classical parklands, old customs and royal ceremonies a.s.o.and royal ceremonies a.s.o.

II.II.

Landscape: Landscape: varied varied ((mountainsmountains of Wales & Scotland, of Wales & Scotland, flat land of Midlands & Eastern England),flat land of Midlands & Eastern England), rolling rolling hillshills of south and westof south and west, , long and broadlong and broad beaches beaches of of East Anglia, East Anglia, rockyrocky West Coast West Coast

Rural Britain:Rural Britain: 23% of land used for agriculture23% of land used for agriculture

the countryside is dotted with farms, charming the countryside is dotted with farms, charming villages, picturesque cottages, beautiful gardensvillages, picturesque cottages, beautiful gardens

III.III.

Society and politics:Society and politics:multiculturalmulticultural - - a melting pot a melting pot of people of people

from different parts of the country andfrom different parts of the country and overseasoverseas

class structureclass structure: based on a subtle : based on a subtle mixture of heredity and wealthmixture of heredity and wealth

Member of the CommonwealthMember of the Commonwealth Member of EUMember of EU

IV.IV. Social-political values:Social-political values:

democracy democracy has deep foundations (in the has deep foundations (in the 13th c. the first type of parliament appeared)13th c. the first type of parliament appeared) partiesparties - the - the LabourLabour (left wing) and the (left wing) and the ConservativeConservative (right wing) (right wing) a mix of public and private ownershipa mix of public and private ownership & & ample funding for the state health and welfare ample funding for the state health and welfare systemssystems education:education: state and private state and private

V.V.

Head of State:Head of State: the Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II (1952)the Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II (1952) the Sovereign is head of the Church of the Sovereign is head of the Church of England and the CommonwealthEngland and the Commonwealth monarchy is a symbol of national unity monarchy is a symbol of national unity

Culture & ArtCulture & Art

Flag of the United KingdomFlag of the United Kingdom::

Coat of arms of the United Kingdom:Coat of arms of the United Kingdom:

EndEnd