{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1251\deff0\deflang1049{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fcharset0 Arial;}{\f1\fswiss\fcharset204{\*\fname Arial;}Arial CYR;}} {\*\generator Msftedit 5.41.15.1516;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\lang1033\ul\f0\fs20 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland\par \par General Information\ulnone\par United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state in the north-western Europe. \par It includes the Great Britain Island, northern part of the Ireland island and many other smaller islands. \par United Kingdom consists of four administrative divisions- England, Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland.\par Each has devolved administration system (for example Scotland has its own parlament, etc.)\par It is contitutional monarchy, one of the few left monarchyes in Europe. There is no codified constitution here.\par Head of state is a monarch, Queen Elizabeth II nowadays. National language is english, currency is pound sterling.\par Population of UK is 62000000 inhabbitants. Capital city is London.he UK is a developed country and \par has the world's seventh-largest economy. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, \par the Council of Europe, the G7, the G8, the G20, NATO, \par the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Trade Organization.\par \ul\par History\par \ulnone First people on the British islands appeard 30000 years ago. They were mainly celtic tribes.\par Britain was conquerd by Romans in 43 A.D. The rule of Romans was 400 years long.\par Departure of Romans was followed by an invasion of Anglo-Saxons tribes. They were\par conquered by Normans in the 11th century. The last Anglo-Saxon king was defeated by \par William the Conqueror in the batlle of Hastings (1066 A.D.)\par Other important events- 100 year war and war of the roses between Lancasters and\par Yorks. \par 17th century- very important, English civil war and short peeriod of republic. After few years \par republick was cancaled and monarchy was back again. But the power of monarch was restricted\par by parlament.\par 18th and 19th centuryes- The Union of England, Scotland and Ireland was established. Great Britain became \par the biggest colonial power in the world. British navy was the biggest and the most powerfull. \par British Empire coverd 1/4 of Earths surface. It took part in the 7 years war, American war of Independence,\par Napoleonic wars etc. It was the firs idustrialized country. Steam mashine was invented in the UK.\par 20th century- 1st and 2nd World Wars, proces of decolonization. Establishment of the Commonwealth of Nations.\par Faulkland war and war in Afganistan.\par \par \ul London \ulnone\par Capital city of the UK, and with population of 8000000 inhabittants its biggest city. It is also the biggest city of EU.\par London is very cosmopolitan city( over 300 languages are spoken here). It is one of the most important\par centres of economy in the world. It is UKs center of education, culture, economy, buissines, fashion etc.\par London has worlds biggest airport system. London Tube is the oldest metro system in the world.\par \par \ul Cardiff\par \ulnone Cardiff is the capital city of Wales. It is UKs biggest media centre outside the London( there is famous\par BBC drama village). It is also known for its sport facilities.\par \par \ul Edinbourgh\par \ulnone Edinbourgh is the capital city of Scotland and its 2nd biggest city. It isnt only centre of education (Edinbourgh university, one\par of the oldest on British islands),centre of buissnes and economy of Scotland, but it is also famous because of\par great number of festivals( geberaly known as Edinbourgh festival, which takes place in August). Castle of Edinbourgh\par is also very popular touristic destination.\par \par \ul Belfast\par \ulnone Belfas is the capital of Northern Ireland. It is the 2nd biggest city on the Ireland island. It is mostly industrial city, best \par known because of its shipyards( Titanic was build here). It is also centre of culture, education and economy of\par Northern Irelands. Belfast and Northern Ireland in general is infamously known as the place of confict between\par the catholics and prothestants( The Troubles).\par \lang1049\ul\f1\par }