Interesting facts about Great Britain: geography, culture and history for schoolchildren

What is Great Britain famous for?

Interesting facts about Great Britain allow you to get better acquainted with the culture and traditions of this country:

1. Big Ben or Elizabeth Tower is a symbol of London. This name does not refer to the clock itself, but to one of the 5 bells. The tower is an attractive place for tourists.

2. Madame Tussauds is another place to visit in London. In it you can see wax figures of many celebrities and famous historical figures. There are branches all over the world, but the main museum is in London.
3. Ferris Wheel or London Eye is the tallest wheel in Europe. After visiting the attraction, you can explore the outskirts of London within 40 km. There are 32 cabins on the wheel, which means the number of districts of the city.
4. In the Botanical Garden "Eden" you can see plants from all over the world. This is the largest greenhouse in the world. The Eden project consists of 2 covered areas in the form of a dome and an open space with planted plants.

5. The famous Loch Ness lake, which is located in Scotland, is known thanks to the legend of the Loch Ness monster. The lake also has picturesque nature.

6. English humor is quite specific

Original English humor has also become a well-known feature of the British. Perhaps this is why British-made comedies are not yet very popular in the world: not everyone understands complex lines.

The main components of a good English joke are maximum intelligence and sarcasm, as well as pleasantness: sometimes jokes last for 10 minutes. It is interesting to note that here, unlike conversation, there are no taboo topics - the British will laugh to please himself, the government, or the sex life of society.

Features of the population and mentality

The population of Great Britain is multinational. Residents have their own British mentality, which is not always clear to other people, but for the British this is all par for the course.

1. The people of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are very proud of their origins and roots. And if they are called British or English, it is a great insult to them.
2. England has the highest rate of obesity among its population in Europe. This happened due to the rapid proliferation of a large number of snack bars throughout the country and sweet vending machines in establishments. The Kingdom has begun to combat this disease by introducing a tax on foods containing a lot of sugar.
3. The British do not like intrusion into their personal space. They allow hugs and kisses only to those closest to them. They exchange greetings with strangers or unfamiliar people and sometimes shake hands.
4. Very often on the street you can meet a Briton who wears warm clothes in the warm season. Conversely, in winter, residents can easily wear a T-shirt and shorts.
5. Residents of Great Britain go to the pub very often. There they can not only sit with a mug of ale, but also enjoy the atmosphere of the establishment and communication with friends. Their pubs are small, but there are always a lot of people in them.

Londoners prefer Indian cuisine

Incredibly, England and India have a lot in common. This is explained, of course, by the fact that the British government led India for many years, and during this time the peoples managed to adopt various cultural traits from each other. This concerns not only the language and the obvious love of tea, but also the cuisine.

The British do not have a national cuisine as such (except for the full British breakfast and various puddings), but in almost every restaurant in London you can find a dish with Indian origins on the menu .

Some representatives of English youth do not even know that such popular dishes as chicken in tikka massala sauce or in creamy tomato sauce, paneer cutlets with potatoes and spicy gravy are not discoveries of their country at all, but traditional Indian dishes.

Geography

Great Britain is located in the British Isles. It includes 4 countries that are united into one Kingdom: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

1. Great Britain is washed by 4 seas (Northern and Irish, Celtic and Hebridean) and the Atlantic Ocean.
2. The climate of the Kingdom is greatly influenced by the warm Gulf Stream.
3. The highest mountains in Great Britain are in Scotland.
4. The Greenwich Observatory is located in London, which is the location of the prime meridian and the starting point of time zones.
5. On land, Great Britain borders only with Ireland; all other borders are along the seas and straits.

Culture

Interesting facts about Great Britain can be found on the Internet. The culture of the country has been influenced by many peoples.

1. There are about 30 cultural properties in the United Kingdom that are protected by UNESCO.
2. In Great Britain you can find many architectural masterpieces (palaces, Big Ben, Tower, Westminster Abbey).
3. Great Britain is the birthplace of many famous writers, including Shakespeare, Defoe, Austen, and Carroll.
4. The Beatles were founded in Liverpool. She became popular all over the world and influenced the development of pop music. The Kingdom also gave everyone many famous performers and groups (Queen, Pink Floyd, Elton John, Rolling Stones).

5. Great Britain is the birthplace of many sports. Golf and rugby originated here.

Progress of the lesson:

(The fairy-tale character Fairy-woman appears in the group to cheerful music.)

Fairy-woman:- Hello, children! Do you know? What fairy-tale am I from? I am from fairy tale Snow-white and 7 gnomes. I'm from London. I can make wonders with my magic stick. I come to see you, my dears! I would like to know your names? Make a circle, please.

(The fairy gets to know the children by throwing a ball to each child.)

— Do you like to play? Let's play travelers . To be a traveler , you need to know a lot about different countries, be strong, resilient, and attentive. Now I’ll check with you to see if I can go on the road with you.

What country do you live in? (In Russia.)

What is the name of the capital, the main city of Russia? (Moscow.)

What language do you speak? (In Russian.)

Well done boys! Now you can hit the road. I invite you to travel around the UK .

Let's go, let's go to Britain

How do you think what type of transport we will go by?

(The fairy shows a map of the world, together with the children she finds Great Britain , London, draws attention to the distance between Russia and Great Britain . The children choose transport for the trip , agree that the plane is the most suitable form of transport.)

We'll fly to London on a magic plane.

(Mysterious music sounds, children close their eyes. The teacher displays a map of London.)

The game Yes or know.

Fairy-woman: Guys, do you want to play a game called “Big Ben”

?Let's say these words together.

Big Ben is a tower.

We don't mind playing with her

In the morning, evening, day and night!

The presenter rings the bell and says: “Morning”

.
Children imitate actions that are performed in the morning (brushing their teeth, washing their face, doing exercises, etc.)
.
After the words “Night”
,
“Day”
,
“Evening”,
children depict actions typical for this time of day

Queen Elizabeth II, who rules the country. People of different nationalities live in this country - English, Scots, Welsh, Irish and many, many others. But they are all united by one language – English.

Fairy- woman: My dear friends, children in Great Britain like to play different moving games. Let's play the game “Cats and mice”

Story

Great Britain with its history is rich in interesting facts that allow you to delve deeper into the essence of the country and learn about historical events:

1. Lecturers at Oxford were not allowed to marry while working at the university. This law was repealed in 1877.

2. The British war with Zanzibar ended in 38 minutes. Zanzibar belonged to the territory of the Kingdom. After the death of the Sultan, a coup began in the country. To defend its territories, Great Britain sent its troops there.
3. The capital of England, London, was founded by the Romans.
4. The Halloween holiday originated in Scotland. For the Celts, it was All Saints' Day. Jack-o'-lanterns were believed to help souls find their way.
5. Great Britain has hosted the Olympic Games 3 times. The main venue for the competition was London.

Thrift is the main feature of the British

Charles Dickens wrote the story of the miser Scrooge at the end of the 19th century, but stinginess and avarice are still among the main characteristics of the English. This manifests itself both in everyday life and in communication.

Firstly, the attitude towards water. Precious moisture has always been very dear to the islanders, and although plumbing has improved, the British still use two taps in their sinks: one for hot and one for cold water. When the sink is filled with water of varying temperatures, it is used. Others may find it unsanitary, but Brits prefer to save on bills.

Secondly, bistros sometimes ask customers not to throw away disposable plates after eating, but to return them for washing and reuse later.

And thirdly, there are rumors that it is almost impossible to borrow money from a real Briton - people are reluctant to part with their savings.

Little known facts

The UK has some features that distinguish it from other countries:

1. In Great Britain, all land is in private hands. There are special places and campsites for recreation, for which you need to pay.
2. Residents do not have registration in the country. Identification occurs through a bank account and utility payments. Without a bank account, a person will not be able to find housing or get a job.
3. The country has no Constitution. All laws, rights and obligations of UK citizens are set out in different documents.

4. The Channel Tunnel connects Great Britain to Europe. This is the longest tunnel that runs under water. It is designed for trains. In about 50 minutes. can be reached from Europe to the UK.

   
   Interesting facts about the UK-France Eurotunnel. Channel Tunnel Project, ca. 1960 meant railway and automobile tracks, but ultimately the idea was abandoned

5. Many museums are free to visit. The person decides how much he will pay for entry, if he wishes.

Science Museum

The museum, which is already more than 150 years old, is stunning in its size: not a single child will have the strength or patience to go around everything, so it is better to immediately decide at the entrance where you will go. And one more thing: it is implied that it would be nice to donate at least £5 to the museum - this is what is written on the piggy bank that the employees hold as they let visitors through the turnstile.

For very young children there is paradise on the “minus first” floor, that is, in the basement: playing with water, lifting weights, blocks, crowing chairs and other joys of learning about the world. There is also a cafe, a children's toilet, a drinking fountain and a large “picnic area” to run around and eat what you brought with you.

On the same floor there is an exhibition “The Secret Life of the House”: telephones and alarms, washing machines and motion sensors - everything is fascinating, visual and interesting. And you can touch everything!

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And you can even play with some exhibits. For example, you can try to fool the alarm and get to a safe in a dark gallery or get into an apartment through a window.

Children are particularly delighted with the game that shows how the toilet works.

A funny plumber unexpectedly peeking out of the toilet... hanging from the ceiling distracts you from the intense flushing of water.

Boys who love mechanisms and mothers who run the house will be interested in seeing how household appliances have changed over the past 100 years.

Advertising from the 1920s presenting a product of unspeakable luxury for elegant ladies - a refrigerated cabinet

This is what a solarium looked like at the beginning of the 20th century: an advertising poster depicts a mother and baby sunbathing under an ultraviolet lamp

Prototypes of vacuum cleaners

An older child can be immediately taken to the 3rd floor - to the experimental gaming space Launchpad. It is written that this is for children 8-14 years old, but in reality, of course, preschoolers also willingly run there. A lot of interesting experiments, games for everyone - and experiments that the museum staff conducts every hour.

When we were there, a girl in a hijab and a branded T-shirt, with the help of children, launched a “water rocket”:

And here you need to use fans to “swim” on a sailboat from one shore to the other. But this boy decided to wade.

The Second World War

The British Armed Forces participated in the war from its beginning until the very end. The Second World War was a decisive factor in the collapse of the empire.

1. During World War II, Elizabeth 2nd worked as a driver and mechanic.
2. During the war, England was an ally of the USSR. They fought together against fascism. England helped Soviet soldiers in every possible way.

3. After the war, many British colonies separated from the Kingdom and declared their independence. Some of them later united to form the Commonwealth of Nations to maintain economic ties.
4. Britain's most powerful force in World War II was its navy.
5. During the war and post-war times, industrial productivity in the country fell and the area under cultivation decreased. Great Britain felt the crisis.

Facts about the royal family

The royal family in Great Britain has its own characteristics. They must follow certain rules and behave with dignity in society.

1. The Queen does not have a passport, but this does not prevent her from traveling without a document. She visits other countries as a diplomatic mission.
2. The Queen owns lands not only of Great Britain, but also of other states that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations. This is approximately 1/6 of the entire territory.
3. Queen Elizabeth celebrates 2 birthdays. She was born in April, but ceremonial events usually take place in June.
4. In the royal dynasty, parents are prohibited from traveling with their children. This was created so that in the event of a disaster the Kingdom would have heirs.
5. Representatives of the royal family are prohibited from signing autographs or taking selfies.

Tower of London

Immediately after entering, they offer audio guides (£4), some in Russian.
To prevent your child, and you yourself, from getting confused in the numerous buildings of the Tower, it is better to take an audio guide - the story is clear, and moving around the territory, like in an adventure game, can captivate the child. Don't miss - immediately to the left after entering the fortress - the former Mint, which was located in the Tower for 500 years, and which Isaac Newton headed for almost 30 years until his death.

The exhibition opened in May of this year, there are many interesting facts, funny games and installations. For example, a video where the minted profiles of Oliver Cromwell and Charles II on coins come to life and discuss views on the monarchy and, of course, quarrel. No textbook will tell you so clearly about the difference between the coins (and reigns) of these two historical characters! In another room, behind a small door, the screams of Mint workers are heard, locked during breakfast in the dining room by their “colleague” James Thornbull - so as not to interfere with the theft of heavy bags of gold guineas. It happened in 1798, the thief was caught in the port of Dover and hanged. The bags are lying right there - you can lift them up and evaluate the recklessness of the attacker.

The most famous part of the Tower - the slender cube of the White Tower - was built at the end of the 11th century. A wooden staircase leads directly to the second floor - just like in ancient times. When the enemy approached, the ladder was removed. Inside there is a lot of armor, weapons, knights - a haven for lovers of the Middle Ages and military history.

There weren’t any amateurs among us, so the interactive room was more fun, where you can try to shoot with a bow (on a simulator), with a cannon (on a computer), and also try to lift a real musket - very heavy!

The queue to the gallery where the royal regalia of different eras and the very crown that Elizabeth II wears at official ceremonies is kept, the line passed quickly, but my son was more impressed by the huge steel doors installed in the vault than the crowns of English monarchs strewn with sapphires, rubies and diamonds along which are transported on a travelator.

The oldest exhibit, an anointing spoon from the 12th century, thanks to some clever person, even survived the destruction of the royal regalia during the times of the Republic and Oliver Cromwell. The courtier kept the valuable item - and a few years later he sold it at a profit to the new king Charles II after the restoration of the monarchy.

Tourists relax at the site of the execution of Tower prisoners

The gift shop sells this paper model for assembly. If everything is done correctly, the rack will stretch and the head will fall into the basket...

Unusual interesting facts

Interesting facts about Great Britain create the first impression of the country and help you learn all the nuances and features.

1. The very first subway in the world appeared in London . It included 7 stations.
2. Scotland, namely Edinburgh, is the site of the first fire service in the world.
3. Many UK residents read newspapers while traveling on the subway. And after reading it, they leave it for other people in the seats.

4. The British rarely wash their clothes at home. Mostly they use laundries. It works out cheaper than buying a machine and washing things at home. You can also socialize in the laundries.
5. There is no censorship on television. On many channels you can openly express your opinion using obscene language.

Sea Life London Aquarium

For those who are not ripe for strong sensations, but simply want to admire living nature, and who have small children, they will prefer the London Aquarium to a dungeon. You can see it right away: groups of London kindergarteners are crowding there in identical bright vests - so that the kids don’t get lost. What was pleasantly surprising is that almost always young men are found among the teachers: patient and caring, real “mustachioed nannies.” Or maybe this is their alternative military service?

In the aquarium there are three floors of different fish, shellfish and other inhabitants of the seas and oceans, feeding of sharks - everything is bright, interesting and healthy. Ticket prices are around £19 per adult and if you arrive after 3pm you get a 25% discount.

Funny UK laws

In Great Britain, as in many other countries, many laws have been invented. They are rarely changed and even more rarely cancelled. Many of the laws are really good, but others are simply ridiculous.

A list of some funny laws that still exist in the UK:

1. It is prohibited to sing the song “Happy Birthday to you” in public places. You can get a fine for this, as this is a violation of copyright. It is best not to sing the song at all or use it at home among loved ones.

2. When visiting parliament, you must not die in it. Since this is the property of the Royal Family, then the funeral will have to be paid for from the state treasury.
3. If a person puts a stamp with the image of the royal family upside down on an envelope, he will be considered a traitor.
4. To buy a TV from a store in the UK, you must first purchase a license to buy it. This is because television in the kingdom makes money from viewers rather than from advertising. To watch TV at home, residents have to pay about 10 feet per month.
5. A law that has been preserved since the Middle Ages. Anyone who begins to peel a boiled egg from the narrower end may be arrested for a day.

Interesting facts describing culture, history and attractions provide more comprehensive information about Great Britain. This allows tourists to create an individual travel itinerary and fully enjoy their holiday in this wonderful country.

Article design: Vladimir the Great

York is the most haunted city in Europe

One of the most popular tours in York is the haunted house tour . There are a lot of them in the city: most of the ghosts, according to legend, are concentrated in what remains of the walls of York Castle. There they regularly hear the screams of children, strange blows, and even footsteps. There really were a lot of deaths in this building - at one time there was a prison there, and in the 12th century the Jewish community committed a group act of suicide.

The city itself is also full of ghosts: a “scraping girl” whose family died during the plague, victims of a former orphanage, or Roman soldiers from the barracks that were once located here.