Great Britain

Great Britain, formally known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, is situated on the British Isles. They consist of Great Britain, Ireland and some 5,500 smaller islands. The total area of the United Kingdom is 244,027 square kilometres. Great Britain is divided into 92 administrative counties.

The surface of England and Ireland is rather flat. The highest mountain in the United Kingdom is Ben Nevis in Scotland (1343 m). There are many rivers in Great Britain but they are not very long. The rivers are deep and do not freeze in winter. The chief rivers are the Severn and the Thames. Great Britain is known for its typically maritime climate with frequent rains, strong winds and continuous fogs.

The population of Great Britain is nearly 56 million people..

Great Britain is parliamentary monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is the head of the state. In practice she reigns but does not rule. The country is governed in her name by the Government. Parliament is the supreme legislative body. It consists of two chambers: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The Prime Minister is usually the head of the party which is in power.

Great Britain is a highly developed industrial country. Shipbuilding is one of the principal industries in the country. The biggest centres of iron and steel industries are situated in Newcastle, Cardiff, Glasgow and Sheffield. Coal-mining, metallurgy, textile, shipbuilding are the older branches of industry. The new industries are the chemical, pharmaceutical, electro-technical, automobile, aviation and electronics. The new industries have developed hand in hand with science and technology and are equipped to meet present technical demands. Big cities and towns such as London, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield and Birmingham have enterprises of nearly all branches of industry. The main centres of cotton and woolen industry are Leeds, Bradford and Manchester. London, Liverpool and Glasgow are the biggest English ports.

Agriculture is one of the largest and most important activities in Great Britain. The greater part of the land here is used for sheep-, cattle-, and dairy-farming. Vegetables are grown in all parts of the country. The chief grain crops are wheat and barley.

The capital of the country is London, the third largest city in the world after New York and Tokyo. It was founded by Romans on the River Thames 2000 years ago. There are four main parts in London: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End. All the principal streets of London lead to the heart of the City, the financial and business centre. In London there is so much to see that even Londoners can always find new sights. They like to say: "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life".

Ukraine

Ukraine is an independent, sovereign state. The declaration of Ukrainian independence was proclaimed on August 24, 1991 by the Ukrainian Parliament.

Ukraine has its own territory, higher and local bodies of state power (the Supreme Council and local Councils), government, national emblem, state flag and anthem. By the form of government it combines the elements of presidential and parliamentary republic. The head of the state is the President.

Ukraine is one of the largest European countries. Its total area is 603,700 square kilometers. Ukraine borders on the Russian Federation, Belarus, Moldova, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. Our country is washed by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov and it has very important ports.

The population of Ukraine is about 46 million people. There are 24 administrative regions and the Crimean autonomous republic.

The territory of our country has a variety of landscapes. We have high mountains, beautiful rivers and lakes. The largest lake of Ukraine is Swytyaz. The Dnipro is the main river in Ukraine which divides the country into Right-bank and Left-bank territories.

Our country has many industrial raw materials; it has rich deposits of iron, metal, coal, oil, gas, different ores, marble and other natural resources. Over 40% of the labour force is employed in industry. Ukraine has well-developed metallurgical and heavy industries; extractive industries (the mining of coal, iron ore, and other minerals) have long been very important.

The fertile black soil and the favourable climate have long facilitated the growth of agriculture in Ukraine.

Ukraine pursues a policy of peace. Now Ukraine establishes new relations with countries throughout the world. It sets direct contacts with signing agreements and treaties. So, Ukraine has been and is being recognized by a vast number of countries.

The capital of Ukraine is Kyiv. It is the seat of the Supreme Council and the Cabinet of Ministers. It is one of the most ancient cities. In 1982 it was 1500 years old. Kyiv is an industrial, scientific and cultural centre of Ukraine. It is one of the oldest cities and has many places of interest. Among them are the Golden Gate, St. Sophia's Cathedral, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the monuments to many prominent Ukrainian people, fine museum and theatres. Kyiv is the centre of science and education. There are many scientific research institutes, colleges and universities there.