The British Isles is the geographical name that refers to all the islands: Great Britain, Ireland, the Channel Islands (some 5500 smaller islands) and the Isle of Man. Great Britain is washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the north-east, north and north-west. It is separated from Europe by the North Sea, the Straits of Dover and the English Channel (32 km wide in the narrowest point). In the west Great Britain is separated from Ireland by the Irish Sea, North Channel and St. George’s Channel. The seas surrounding Great Britain are shallow and rich in fish. The total area of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is about 242,000 sq. km; 500 km across at the widest point, and almost 1,000 km long.

●Relief

    The Island of Great Britain is distinctly divided into two parts: mountainous (north and west) and lowlands, sometimes hilly (south and east). The most important mountain territories are located in the north of Scotland; geologically they are the oldest in the world.

These mountain ranges are divided into the Northern Highlands and Southern Uplands. The highest peak is Ben Nevis (1,343 m) – the highest point of the British Isles. In the centre of England there is a mountain range called the Pennines – the backbone of England. The highest point is Cross Fell (893 m). On the northwest side of the Pennines there are the Cumbrian Mountains (not very high) which occupy nearly the whole of Wales, leaving only narrow coastal strips of lowland. The highest peak in North Wales is Snowdon (1085 m).

In the south of the Pennines the Midlands lies, the hilly region of the country. Lowland Britain extends from the south of the river Tyne in the north-east of England to the mouth of the river Exe. It is a rich plain with chalk and limestone hills.

In the Northern Ireland there are the Mourne Mountains (south-east) with Slieve Donard, the highest peak (852 m).

●Climate

    The climate in Britain is generally mild due to the North Atlantic Drift, a warm sea current. Average British temperatures do not rise above + 30^o C in summer and do not fall below – 10^o C in winter. Prevailing winds blow from the west and south-west. Autumn and winter are the wettest seasons in Britain. Britain has 204 rainy days a year with the maximum in Scotland and the minimum in the estuary of the river Thames.

● Rivers and Lakes

    British rivers are not very long but they are very deep and navigable mostly for smaller ships, not for ocean-going ships. The longest rivers are the Severn (354 km) and the Thames (346 km). The direction and the character of the rivers are determined by the position of the mountains. Due to the humid climate the water-level is always high. The rivers seldom freeze in winter. The rivers flowing in the eastward direction are longer and more navigable – the Tyne, Tees, Ouse, Aire, Don and Trent. In Scotland the chief rivers are the Clyde, Tay, Forth and Tweed.

The lakes of the Brittish Isles are too small and remote. The largest of them are Loch Lomond and Loch Ness (famous for its “Loch Ness Monster”) in Scotland. In the north-west England the most famous lakes are the Lake District. The largest is Windmere. Lough Neagh, Britain’s largest fresh-water lake (381 sq. km), is in Northern Ireland.

● Natural Resources

Britain has the largest energy resources in Europe. It is rich in coal and is one of the major world producers of natural gas and oil which have been discovered in the British sector of the North Sea.

Answer the questions:

1. What does the geographical name of the British Isles refer to?

2. What ocean and seas wash the UK?

3. What is the territory of the UK?

4. What channel separates the UK from Europe?

5. What are the main mountain ranges and their highest peaks?

6. What is the longest river in the UK?

7. What is Britain’s largest fresh-water lake?

8. What are average British temperatures?

9. What natural resources are there in the UK?