The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK

The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK The English lion supports the shield on the left. The Unicorn of Scotland supports the shield on the right. 1

Patron Saints and floral emblems ENGLAND • the patron saint of England is St. George • the floral emblem is the red rose: adopted since the War of Roses (1455 -1485) between the House of Lancaster (red rose) and the House of York (white rose) 3 2 The flag of England St. George’s cross

Patron Saints and floral emblems Scotland • the patron saint of Scotland is St. Andrew • the national floral emblem is the thistle and Scottish Bluebell 4 5 6 The flag of Scotland The thistle: a symbol of defence

Patron Saints and floral emblems Wales • St. David is the patron saint of Wales • the national flower is the daffodil but also the leek is often considered a traditional symbol of Wales 8 7 The flag of Wales

Patron Saints and floral emblems Northern Ireland • the patron saint is St. Patrick • the floral emblem is the shamrock 10 9 The flag of Northern Ireland

The official flag of the UK • • • The Union Flag/ The Union Jack made up of three other flags (England, How was the Union Jack born? Scotland Northern Ireland) symbolises the union of the countries of the UK 1707 Act of Union: England Scotland joined together – the first national flag of Great Britain (used ashore and afloat) 1801 Ireland joined Great Britain and the new flag was needed: a combination of the union flag of St. George, St. Andrew with St. Patrick the new Union Jack representing all the three countries has been used ever 11 since

The Union Jack Watch a video telling the story of the Union Jack

London the capital of England the UK situated in the southeast of England the biggest city not only in Britain but also in Europe a population of about 8 million people the highest population density in Britain seat of the government the first city in the world with an underground railway: the Tube • The City of London, the City of Westminster, the West End= Central London, the East End and Docklands, North London, South London • •

Top places in London Tower Bridge 12

Top places in London The Tower of London 13

Top places in London Eye 14

Top places in London Buckingham Palace 15

Top places in London 16 Westminster Abbey

Top places in London St. Paul’s Cathedral 17

Edinburgh • the capital of Scotland • located in the south-east of Scotland • the seat of Scottish parliament and government • the second largest city in Scotland after Glasgow • known as the Windy City, built on seven hills similarly to Rome • Two main districts: the Old Town and the New Town

Edinburgh Castle most visited attraction 18

Edinburgh Festival 19

National Gallery of Scotland 20

The University of Edinburgh 21

• • Cardiff the capital of Wales the city combines history with modernity the largest city in Wales important tourist centre the youngest capital city in Europe fast growing business and cultural centre diverse and multicultural city one of the flattest cities in the UK, nicknamed as a green city- full of parks, more green space person than any other city of the UK

Video about Cardiff Why to visit Cardiff

Cardiff Castle 22

Millenium Centre 23

Belfast • the capital and the largest city in Northern Ireland, but originally a market town • located at the mouth of the river Lagan • In the past: nickname- "Linenopolis" (linen industry) • the city witnessed one of the worst conflicts between Catholic and Protestants: The Troubles • a centre of industry, business, art, education • population is split into Catholic and Protestant residents • one of the most visited cities in the UK

Belfast City Hall 24

The Big Wheel 25

Queen's University 26

Titanic (building) 27

Festivals and celebrations • in the UK, there several major bank holidays. On these days, banks and post offices are closed. Ø New Year’s Eve – 1 January Ø Good Friday and Easter Monday (moveable feast days) Ø Spring Bank Holiday – the last Monday in May Ø Summer Bank Holiday – the last Monday in August Ø Christmas day – 25 December Ø Boxing day – 26 December

Festivals and celebrations • Besides bank holidays, there are many other celebrations and festivals throughout a year. Study the following website to find out more: Notable festivals in the UK

Pairwork Work in pairs and prepare a brief presentation on one of the following symbols of the UK: qfloral emblems and patrons saint qthe official flag: How was it born? qcapitals qbank holidays and other celebrations