Economy of Great Britain

About 25% of Britain's land is arable, and almost half is suitable for meadows and pastures. Its agriculture is highly mechanized and extremely productive; about 2% of the labor force produces 60% percent of the country's food needs. Barley, wheat, rapeseed, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, and vegetables are the main crops. The widespread dairy industry produces milk, eggs, and cheese. Beef cattle and large numbers of sheep, as well as poultry and pigs, are produced throughout much of the country. There is also a sizable fishing industry with cod, haddock, mackerel, whiting, trout, salmon and shellfish making up the bulk of the catch.

G reat Britain is one of the world's leading industrialized nations. It has achieved this position despite the lack of most raw materials needed for industry. It imports 40% of its food supplies. Thus, its prosperity has been dependent upon the export of manufactured goods in exchange for raw materials and foodstuffs.

Within the manufacturing sector, the largest industries include machine tools and railroad equipment; ships; aircraft; motor vehicles and parts; electronic and communications equipment; metals; chemicals; coal; petroleum; paper and printing; food processing; textiles; and clothing.

During the 1970s and 1980s, nearly 3.5 million manufacturing jobs were lost, but in the 1990s over 3.5 million jobs were created in service-related industries. By the early 21st cent., banking, insurance, business services, and other service industries accounted for almost three fourths of the gross domestic product and employed 80% of the workforce. This trend was also reflected in a shift in Great Britain's economic base, which has benefited the southeast, southwest, and Midlands regions of the country, while the north of England and Northern Ireland have been hard hit by the changing economy.

The main industrial and commercial areas are the great conurbations, where about one third of the country's population lives. The administrative and financial center and most important part is Greater London*, which also has various manufacturing industries. London is Europe's foremost financial city. Great Britain has abundant supplies of coal, oil, and natural gas. Production of oil from offshore wells in the North Sea began in 1975, and the country is self-sufficient in petroleum. Other mineral resources include iron ore, tin, limestone, salt, china clay, oil shale, gypsum, and lead.

The country's chief exports are manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals, food and beverages, and tobacco. The chief imports are manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, and foodstuffs. Since the early 1970s, Great Britain's trade has shifted from the United States to the European Union, which now accounts for over 50% of its trade. The United States, Germany, France, and the Netherlands are the main trading partners, and the Commonwealth countries are also important.

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* Greater London – Большой Лондон – особая административно-территориальная единица, состоит из Лондона и его пригородов.

Task 3. Answer the following questions:

1. How much percent of Britain's land is arable?

2. What does the widespread dairy industry produce in Great Britain?

3. What are the largest industries in Great Britain?

4. What does Greater London mean?

5. What kinds of goods does Great Britain export?

6. What are the main trading partners of Great Britain?

Task 4. On the basis of the information you have read in the text, say if the following sentences are true or false. If false, correct the information.

1. About 35% of Britain’s land is arable, and almost half is suitable for meadows and pastures.

2. Great Britain is one of the world’s leading industrialized nations.

3. It has achieved this position despite the lack of most row materials needed for industry.

4. It must also export 40% of its food supplies.

5. England and Northern Ireland have been hard hit by the changing economy.

6. The main industrial and commercial areas are the small conurbations, where about one third of the country’s population lives.

7. The country’s chief imports are manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals, food and beverages and tobacco.

8. Great Britain’s trade focus has shifted from the United States to the European Union, which now accounts for over 50% of its trade.

Task 5. Learn the following words and expressions:

1.	health care	здравоохранение
2.	to reflect	отображать
3.	to increase	увеличивать
4.	longevity	долголетие
5.	virtually	фактически, в сущности
6.	to disappear	исчезать
7.	The National Health Service	Национальная служба здравоохранения
8.	to provide	обеспечивать
9.	comprehensive medical services	комплексные медицинские услуги
10.	resident	житель
11.	independent	независимый
12.	contractor	работник по контракту
13.	social service	социальная служба
14.	Social service department	Отдел социального обслуживания
15.	local authority	местная власть
16.	directed toward	направлены к (на)
17.	low income	низкий уровень дохода, малообеспеченный
18.	unemployed	безработный
19.	disabled	инвалид
20.	elderly	пожилой, престарелый
21.	advice	консультация, совет
22.	insurance	страхование
23.	retirement	вышедший на пенсию, в отставку
24.	widow	вдова
25.	maternity benefit	пособие по материнству
26.	guardian	опекун
27.	allowance	довольствие, пособие
28.	job related injury	производственная травма
29.	death	смерть

Task 6. Read and translate the text.