英美文化1讲义.docVIP

The Society and Culture of Major English-Speaking Countries An Introduction Instructor: Alan Mu E-mail: alanmushihang@163.com Unit 1 A Brief Introduction to the U.K. 1 I. Brief Introduction: The United Kingdom (UK) is Europes largest island and arguably (可论证地) its most influential country. In simple terms, its the wonderful union of the individual countries of England, Scotland and Wales and the region of Northern Ireland (collectively called Great Britain In the 19th Century, Great Britain was the worlds dominant industrial and maritime power (海洋国家). It played a major part in development of modern democracies, and in the advancements of literature, manufacturing, science and the performing arts. Quick Facts and Figures: Official Name: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (大不列颠及北爱尔兰联合王国) Capital City: London (11.2 million) Languages: English, Welsh, and the Scottish form of Gaelic (盖尔语) Population: 59, 247, 000. 00 Religions: Anglican (英国国教), Catholicism, Christianism, others. Landforms: The island is mostly rugged hills with low, granite mountains. Land Divisions (UK administrative divisions): England: 39 counties and 7 metropolitan countiesScotland: 9 regions, 3 islands areasWales: 9 countiesNorthern Ireland: 6 counties Explanations 1. The British Isles The British Isles lie northwest of Europe in the Atlantic Ocean. They consist of two large islands-Britain and Ireland and several small islands. 2. Celtic people They were peoples from north-western Europe who invaded Britain around 700BC. By the time the Romans first landed in 55 BC, the Celtic culture was well established. They are the ancestors of the Scots, Welsh and Irish today. 3. The Roman Occupation The Romans first invaded Britain in 55 BC. They eventually conquered the various Celtic kingdoms then flourishing in England, Wales and the Scottish Lowlands. The Roman occupation lasted for about 350 years 4. The Highlanders They are the Scots who live in the mountainous region