The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It has a population of over 63 million people and its capital and largest city is London. Some key facts are provided on population, languages, religions, GDP and other demographic information. Brief overviews are given on significant historical events, government structure, the individual countries that make up the UK, traditional clothing, sports, food, holidays and other aspects of British culture and daily life. Current issues discussed include Scottish independence and immigration.

1. The United Kingdom
Know your community: know your world

3. Speaker Profile
(Basic information on hometown, career, family, interest, etc…)

4. United Kingdom Facts and Figures
Full Name: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Population: 63,742,977
Capital: London, England
Largest city: London, England
Major language: English
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: Male: 78.26 years, Female: 82.69 years
Monetary unit: pound sterling
GPD per capita: £27207.42 ($41,787.47)

5. Significant Events
The history of the UK is a long and exciting one filled with wars, kings, legends,
and a hearty national spirit; here are a few significant events:
• Clans of Celts inhabited what would become the UK in prehistoric times
• A.D. 43: Emperor Claudius invades Britain
• 1215: Signing of the Magna Carta
• 1337: Britain enters the Hundred Years War fighting France
• 1588: Queen Elizabeth I’s fleet defeats the Spanish Armada
• 1642-1649: Civil War erupts between supporters of the monarchy and
supporters of the parliament
• 1801: Ireland is made part of the UK
• 1837: Queen Victoria ascends to the throne
• 1939: The British Empire declares war on Germany (WWII)
• 1953: Elizabeth II is crowned queen

6. British Landmarks
Snowdonia Edinburgh Castle
Stonehenge The Tower of London

7. Language
Here is an assortment of British slang terms or words that differ in American and
British English
• Mate: “pal” or “dude”
• Gobsmacked: to be shocked or surprised
• Fortnight: a term for two weeks (fourteen nights)
• Rubbish: literal garbage or used to express disbelief (i.e. “That’s rubbish!”)
• Lift: elevator
• Boot: Americans would call this the trunk of a car
• Biscuit: Americans would call this a cookie
• Chips: Americans would call these French fries
• Crisps: Americans would call these potato chips
• Telly: television
• Mobile phone: cell phone
• Cheerio!: Goodbye!

8. Government and Structure
• The United Kingdom is a Constitutional
Monarchy and Commonwealth Realm
• The Queen reigns, but most of the
governmental power lies with Parliament
and the Prime Minister.
• The Parliament is composed of the House of
Lords and the House of Commons.
• Each nation within the United Kingdom has
its own parliament, so there are Welsh,
Northern Irish, and Scottish parliaments as
well
• In 2014, Scotland voted on a referendum that
could have given them independence from the
UK, but they decided not to leave the union.

9. England
Capital: London
Famous sites:
Oxford University
Cambridge University
Buckingham Palace
Greenwich Royal Observatory
White Cliffs of Dover
Stonehenge

10. Wales
Capital: Cardiff
Language: Welsh (Cymraeg)
Famous sites:
Mount Snowdon
Caernarfon Castle
Wales Millennium Centre
Conwy Castle

11. Northern Ireland
Capital: Belfast
Famous sites:
Grand Opera House Belfast
Botanical Gardens
Ulster Museum
Carrickfergus Castle

12. Scotland
Capital: Edinburgh
Famous sites:
Edinburgh Castle
Loch Ness
St Andrews Golf Course
University of St Andrews
Arthur’s Seat
Eilean Donan

13. Currents Issues and Events
• Scottish Independence
• Immigration
• Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 60th anniversary on the
throne in 2012
• Questions of European Union membership

14. British Economy
Main Exports:
• Precious gems and metals
• Machinery
• Oil and fuels
• Vehicles
• Pharmaceuticals
• Electronics
• Medical equipment
• Air and space craft
• Chemicals
• Plastics

15. Daily Life
For a student:
For and adult:

16. Traditional Scottish
Clothing
Traditional Welsh
Clothing

17. Holidays and Festivals
• St. David’s Day: March 1 Wales’ national holiday
• St. George’s Day: April 23 England’s national holiday
• May Day: May 1 celebration of coming summer with dancing and music
• Guy Fawkes Night (Bonfire Night): on November 5 Britons burn effigies or models of
Guy Fawkes who tried to blow up the British parliament in 1605
• St. Andrews’ Day: November 30 Scotland’s national holiday
• Boxing Day: December 26 continuation of the celebration of Christmas

18. Sports
Most popular sport:
Football (soccer)
Traditional sports:
Tennis
Golf
Rugby
Cricket
Polo

19. Food
• Yorkshire pudding
• Fish and Chips
• English Breakfast (eggs, bacon, sausage, toast,
mushrooms, baked beans, and tomato)
• Baked Beans on Toast
• Shepherd’s Pie
• Chicken Tikka Masala
• Scones
• Chelsea Bun
• Plum Pudding
• Eton Mess
• Tea (Of course)

20. Sources and Links
• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uk.html
• http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/britain/uk.htm
• https://www.gov.uk/government/how-government-works
• http://www.uk.filo.pl/uk_main_historical_events.htm