The British Isles consist of two main islands, Great Britain and Ireland, along with over 500 smaller islands. The total area is about 94,250 square miles. The flag of the United Kingdom, known as the Union Jack, represents the patron saints of England (St. George), Scotland (St. Andrew), and Ireland (St. Patrick). The countries that make up the United Kingdom are England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each country has its own distinct history, culture, and national symbols.

1. The BritishThe British
IslesIsles

2. The British IslesThe British Isles
The British Isles consist ofThe British Isles consist of
two main islands: Greattwo main islands: Great
Britain and Ireland.Britain and Ireland.
These and over fiveThese and over five
hundred small islandshundred small islands
are known as the Unitedare known as the United
Kingdom of GreatKingdom of Great
Britain and NorthernBritain and Northern
Ireland. The total area isIreland. The total area is
about 94.250 squareabout 94.250 square
miles.miles.

3. The Union JackThe Union Jack
The flag of the UnitedThe flag of the United
Kingdom, known as theKingdom, known as the
Union Jack, is made up ofUnion Jack, is made up of
three crosses. The uprightthree crosses. The upright
red cross is the cross of St.red cross is the cross of St.
George, the patron saint ofGeorge, the patron saint of
England. The whiteEngland. The white
diagonal cross is the crossdiagonal cross is the cross
of St. Andrew, the patronof St. Andrew, the patron
saint of Scotland. The redsaint of Scotland. The red
diagonal cross is the crossdiagonal cross is the cross
of St. Patrick, the patronof St. Patrick, the patron
saint of Ireland. St. Davidsaint of Ireland. St. David
is the patron saint ofis the patron saint of
Wales.Wales.

4. EnglandEngland
England is oftenEngland is often
subdivided intosubdivided into
several parts: theseveral parts: the
Southeast, theSoutheast, the
Southwest, EastSouthwest, East
Anglia, the Midlands,Anglia, the Midlands,
the North of England.the North of England.
The capital ofThe capital of
England is London.England is London.

5. The flag ofThe flag of
EnglandEngland
Red rose is a
plant of
England

6. SymbolsSymbols
William Shakespeare, theWilliam Shakespeare, the
greatest and most famousgreatest and most famous
of English writers wasof English writers was
born in Stratford-on-Avon.born in Stratford-on-Avon.
Stonehenge , one of the
remarkable historic places
in the UK, is situated in
the Southwest.

7. ScotlandScotland
The ocean bounds ScotlandThe ocean bounds Scotland
on all sides except itson all sides except its
southern border withsouthern border with
England. Most of theEngland. Most of the
country is within fortycountry is within forty
miles of salt water. Themiles of salt water. The
country may becountry may be
subdivided into thesubdivided into the
Highlands and theHighlands and the
Lowlands. The capital ofLowlands. The capital of
Scotland is Edinburgh.Scotland is Edinburgh.

8. The flag ofThe flag of
ScotlandScotland
Thistle is a plant ofThistle is a plant of
ScotlandScotland

9. SymbolsSymbols
Dancing
reels

10. Whisky was first producedWhisky was first produced
in Scotland in 1494. Thein Scotland in 1494. The
word “Scotch” is used toword “Scotch” is used to
mean whisky throughoutmean whisky throughout
the world.the world.
It is a tradition to wear kilts andIt is a tradition to wear kilts and
traditional instrument istraditional instrument is
bagpipes.bagpipes.

11. WalesWales
On the western part of BritainOn the western part of Britain
lies one of the mostlies one of the most
beautiful parts of thebeautiful parts of the
British Isles: theBritish Isles: the
Principality of Wales. It isPrincipality of Wales. It is
the smallest land of thethe smallest land of the
United Kingdom, but hasUnited Kingdom, but has
variety, from picturesquevariety, from picturesque
mountains of the north tomountains of the north to
the mining and industrialthe mining and industrial
areas of the south. Theareas of the south. The
capital of Wales is Cardiff.capital of Wales is Cardiff.

12. The Welsh flag, calledThe Welsh flag, called
the Welsh Dragon.the Welsh Dragon.
Leek is a plant ofLeek is a plant of
Wales.Wales.

13. SymbolsSymbols
TraditionalTraditional
clothesclothes
Daffodils

14. Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is a landNorthern Ireland is a land
of lakes, rivers and aof lakes, rivers and a
varied sea coast. It is avaried sea coast. It is a
great place for tourism.great place for tourism.
The traditionalThe traditional
important industries areimportant industries are
shipbuilding and linen.shipbuilding and linen.
The capital of NorthernThe capital of Northern
Ireland is Belfast.Ireland is Belfast.

15. The flag ofThe flag of
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Shamrock is a plantShamrock is a plant
of Northernof Northern
IrelandIreland

16. SymbolsSymbols
Belfast is the cityBelfast is the city
where Titanicwhere Titanic
was built.was built.