1 MILLENNIUM STADIUM, CARDIFF, WALES
Wales’s new national stadium is a highly visible icon in its capital,
Cardiff. Built to seat up to 74,000 spectators, the stadium has a
retractable roof and hosts many big sporting events.IS THE UK A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY?
The UK is home to a multicultural population, where
one in 20 people are from ethnic minorities. Since the
1950s, many people from the country’s former
colonies in Africa, India, and the Caribbean have
settled in the UK. Recent refugees from the world’s
trouble spots have also brought with them their
culture and traditions. This multiracial population is
largely integrated into British life.WHAT IS GREAT BRITAIN?
The countries of England, Scotland, and Wales make
up the island known as Great Britain. Wales was
united with England in 1536 and Scotland in 1707.
All three nations have separate identities, customs,
and traditions. English remains the main language,
but Welsh is widely spoken in Wales, and Gaelic is
spoken by some people in Scotland.WHY IS IRELAND KNOWN AS THE EMERALD ISLE?
Ireland was named the “Emerald Isle” because of its
lush, green hills. Pastures thrive in the mild, wet
climate and provide grazing for the breeding of cattle
and racehorses. Since joining the European Union in
1973, Ireland’s largely agricultural society has become
a modern, technologically advanced economy based
on industries such as finance, electronics, and tourism.1 CITY OF LONDON, ENGLAND
London is an historic, multicultural city and a leading financial centre. It
remains the ruling capital of the UK in spite of some devolved powers
passing to the new Scottish Parliament and the Welsh National Assembly.4 TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, IRELAND
Ireland’s most famous university is a well-known
landmark in the Irish capital. In the past, its graduates
often had to leave the country to find jobs elsewhere.
Although many graduates still choose to stay and find
work in Ireland, the country’s growing debt will likely
lead to an escalation in unemployment. Graduates, then,
will look for employment in other parts of the world.The Eye
is over 200
times the size of
a bicycle wheel
4 LONDON EYE
The London Eye, a huge wheel
standing 135 m (443 ft) high, gives
passengers a 360 ̊ panoramic view of
London and its landmarks, including
St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace,
and the Houses of Parliament.WHY IS LONDON A LEADING FINANCIAL CENTRE?
The city of London is home to the country’s banking
and financial services. London is conveniently located
midway between the important financial centres of
Tokyo and New York, meaning more currency changes
hands in London each day than in any other city.32 glass
capsules
carry up
to 15,000
passengers
a dayThe British Isles is made up of two separate nations:
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland (the UK) and Ireland. These
islands have a rugged coastline and a
varied landscape of mountains,
moorlands, marshes, and fertile,
rolling farmland. In past centuries,
Britain controlled a vast empire and so
English is now spoken around the world.
British Isles
British Isles