1.British Geography and People.ppt

Lecture 1 British Geography and People Location Britain is located in Western Europe, between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, and separated from continental Europe by the English Channel. The geographic coordinates are 54 00 N, 2 00 W, Land area The total area of land is 243,610 sq km. It has a coastline of 12,429 km. The only country bordering on land is Ireland. Physiographical features Terrain: mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast. Elevation extremes: lowest point: The Fens (沼泽地带) -4 m highest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m. The British Isles (geographically) Great Britain England Scotland, and Wales Ireland thousands of small islands The main regions in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland England (capital city: London) Scotland (capital city: Edinburgh) Wales (Cardiff) Northern Ireland (Belfast) The Republic of Ireland An independent state Capital city is Dublin. Peoples The British people The English The Scottish The Welsh The Irish And other immigrants English stereotypes 刻板印象 I think that English people are quite reserved. I had to laugh when I went by tube and saw everyone sitting and reading their newspapers. Cities Climate, natural resources and disasters Climate: temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast. Natural resources: coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum石膏, potash碳酸钾, silica sand硅砂, slate板岩, arable land. Natural hazards: winter windstorms; floods The Commonwealth The British Commonwealth (shortened as the Commonwealth) an association of countries and other political units that were once part of the British Empire. Now it is comprised of 53 independent states working together in the common interests of their citizens for development, democracy and peace. The British Empire The British Em