《英语国家社会与文化》课程教学资源（英文版）Lecture Notes one.doc_大学文库

Lecture Notes one A Brief Introduction of the Great Britain Guide This tourism and travel guide for London, featuring hotels, street maps, restaurants, tours, attractions and more, will help you plan a successful trip to London, England, United Kingdom. London is a city of contrasts - steeped in history and tradition and yet always at the forefront of contemporary fashion and ideas. The list of sights and attractions is endless but includes such world-renowned places as Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. Take a stroll in Trafalgar Square, go shopping on Oxford Street and don't miss a ride on the latest sensation - The London Eye - a giant Ferris Wheel commanding stunning views. For those that are theatre lovers London's West End has a phenomenal selection of plays and shows. For museum fans the British Museum and the Science Museum are amongst the best anywhere. The Tate Gallery and the National Gallery have collections of some of the world's greatest art works. Visit the WorldWeb Travel Guides for England's Home Counties, East Anglia and Central England for information about visitor destinations near London. Westminster Abbey . The Westminster Abbey dates back to 1045 when it was started by King Edward I. Today it remains a regular place of worship and the setting of many Royal celebrations and grievances. Kings and other stately figures are buried here. It is 32,000 square feet and an architectural marvel. The bells used by the church date back to the 13th and 16th centuries. Tours are available. Buckingham Palace . Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of Britain's Queen and is one of the most recognized buildings in the world. It is decorated and furnished with works of art that form part of the Royal Collection - one of the major art collections of the world. Parts of the Palace are open to visitors on a regular basis. Visitors can visit some of the State Rooms where the Queen receives and entertains her guests. The State Rooms contain some of the

The highest elevations in the british Isles are in the highland zone Wales, Scotland, and parts of England are located in the highland zone. The parts of England in the highland zone include the Pennine Chain of mountains, extending down into northern England and into the southwestern peninsula The Pennine chain is sometimes called the backbone of england it is a massive upland area extending 260 km(160 mi)north to south, starting at the Cheviot Hills on Englands border with Scotland and ending in the midlands of central England. It is made up of several broad, rolling, windswept moorland separated by deep river valleys. Many of England's major industrial areas lie on the flanks of the Pennine Chain, where there are many coalfields. To the west of the northern Pennines are the Cumbrian Mountains, a mountainous dome of ancient rocks deeply eroded by glaciers. This region contains the Lake District famous for its lakes and scenic beauty The part of the highland zone in Englands southwest peninsula is often referred to as the West Country. This peninsula, which juts out into the atlantic Ocean, contains the counties of Devon and Cornwall. It features hilly, rough areas, the moorland plateaus of Dartmoor and Exmoor, and many picturesque valleys. Its sheltered areas are noted for their mild climate GrampianMountains,Scotland The Grampian Mountains in central Scotland form a natural division between the lowlands and Highlands. Cairn Gorm Peak, shown here, has an elevation of 1245 m(4084 ft)and is one of the Grampians major summits. STB/Still Moving Picture Company North of the Cheviot Hills, in Scotland, are the Southern Uplands, an area of ounded hills and broad valleys. The maximum elevation here is 850 m (2, 800 ft), and much of the area consists of moorlands used for grazing sheep. North of the Uplands is a broad valley known variously as the Central Lowlands, the Scottish Lowlands, or the Midland Valley. This valley is sandwiched between two areas of uplands and contains most of Scotl ands urban centers, industries and mines Farther north are the Scottish Highlands, a rugged area of mountain ranges bleak moorlands, and deep, narrow valleys known as glens. The Highlands contain sparsely populated areas of moors. These tracts of wasteland are mostly covered with coarse, low, bushy plants, including varieties of heath and heather hardy evergreen shrubs most often found in cooler climates. The grampian

The highest elevations in the British Isles are in the highland zone. Wales, Scotland, and parts of England are located in the highland zone. The parts of England in the highland zone include the Pennine Chain of mountains, extending down into northern England and into the southwestern peninsula. The Pennine Chain is sometimes called the backbone of England. It is a massive upland area extending 260 km (160 mi) north to south, starting at the Cheviot Hills on England’s border with Scotland and ending in the Midlands of central England. It is made up of several broad, rolling, windswept moorlands separated by deep river valleys. Many of England’s major industrial areas lie on the flanks of the Pennine Chain, where there are many coalfields. To the west of the northern Pennines are the Cumbrian Mountains, a mountainous dome of ancient rocks deeply eroded by glaciers. This region contains the Lake District, famous for its lakes and scenic beauty. The part of the highland zone in England’s southwest peninsula is often referred to as the West Country. This peninsula, which juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, contains the counties of Devon and Cornwall. It features hilly, rough areas, the moorland plateaus of Dartmoor and Exmoor, and many picturesque valleys. Its sheltered areas are noted for their mild climate. Grampian Mountains, Scotland The Grampian Mountains in central Scotland form a natural division between the Lowlands and Highlands. Cairn Gorm Peak, shown here, has an elevation of 1245 m (4084 ft) and is one of the Grampians’ major summits.STB/Still Moving Picture Company North of the Cheviot Hills, in Scotland, are the Southern Uplands, an area of rounded hills and broad valleys. The maximum elevation here is 850 m (2,800 ft), and much of the area consists of moorlands used for grazing sheep. North of the Uplands is a broad valley known variously as the Central Lowlands, the Scottish Lowlands, or the Midland Valley. This valley is sandwiched between two areas of uplands and contains most of Scotland’s urban centers, industries, and mines. Farther north are the Scottish Highlands, a rugged area of mountain ranges, bleak moorlands, and deep, narrow valleys known as glens. The Highlands contain sparsely populated areas of moors. These tracts of wasteland are mostly covered with coarse, low, bushy plants, including varieties of heath and heather, hardy evergreen shrubs most often found in cooler climates. The Grampian

Mountains are the chief range in the Highlands, reaching as high as 1, 343 m (4, 406 ft)above sea level. The western portion of the highlands contains most of Scotland s famous lochs. or large lakes Northern Ireland consists of hilly highlands similar to those of Scotland. Most of Northern Ireland is situated in a large valley formed from an old lava plateau In the center of the valley is Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the British Isles which is 29 km(18 mi) long and 18 km(1l mi) wide. The highest part of Northern ireland is the Mourne mountains in the southeast which reach a maximum elevation of 852 m(2, 796 ft) above sea level. The narrowest point etween the islands of Britain and Ireland is a distance of only 21 km(13 mi) between Tor on the coast of Northern Ireland to mull of Kintyre on the Scottish The peninsula of Wales is almost entirely covered by mountains The peninsula of Wales is almost entirely covered by mountains. The Cambrian Mountains extend roughly from northeast to southeast across the peninsula, forming an area of high, craggy peaks and bleak moorlands. They contain the highest peak in Wales, the huge mountain called Snowdon(Yr Wyddfa Fawr in Welsh), which rises to 1, 085 m(3, 560 ft)above sea level. In southern Wales lower and less rugged mountains, the Brecon Beacons, extend in a roughly east-west direction. A thin ribbon of lowland rims much of the welsh coast broadening out in the northwest to include the offshore island of Anglesey. It also broadens out in the southwest and southeast. Sometimes the lowland egion of southeastern Wales is considered an extension of the lowland zone of Britain. This region contains the largest cities and industrial establishments in Wales. Coal mines in the mountains just to the north of this southern lowland were of great importance to the Welsh economy for many years. Hills runnin along the Welsh border with England continue into parts of a few English B2 The Lowland Zone eat plain with a ge and extensive areas of almost -level ground. It receives less rain and more nshine than the highland zone and much of the soil in the zone is fertile. Most of the lowland region is less than 150 m(500 ft)above sea level, and the hills rarely reach more than 300 m(1, 000 ft) above sea level. It has been extensively inhabited, farmed, and grazed for thousands of years. Most of Britains

Mountains are the chief range in the Highlands, reaching as high as 1,343 m (4,406 ft) above sea level. The western portion of the Highlands contains most of Scotland’s famous lochs, or large lakes. Northern Ireland consists of hilly highlands similar to those of Scotland. Most of Northern Ireland is situated in a large valley formed from an old lava plateau. In the center of the valley is Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the British Isles, which is 29 km (18 mi) long and 18 km (11 mi) wide. The highest part of Northern Ireland is the Mourne Mountains in the southeast, which reach a maximum elevation of 852 m (2,796 ft) above sea level. The narrowest point between the islands of Britain and Ireland is a distance of only 21 km (13 mi), between Tor on the coast of Northern Ireland to Mull of Kintyre on the Scottish coast. The peninsula of Wales is almost entirely covered by mountains. The peninsula of Wales is almost entirely covered by mountains. The Cambrian Mountains extend roughly from northeast to southeast across the peninsula, forming an area of high, craggy peaks and bleak moorlands. They contain the highest peak in Wales, the huge mountain called Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa Fawr in Welsh), which rises to 1,085 m (3,560 ft) above sea level. In southern Wales lower and less rugged mountains, the Brecon Beacons, extend in a roughly east-west direction. A thin ribbon of lowland rims much of the Welsh coast, broadening out in the northwest to include the offshore island of Anglesey. It also broadens out in the southwest and southeast. Sometimes the lowland region of southeastern Wales is considered an extension of the lowland zone of Britain. This region contains the largest cities and industrial establishments in Wales. Coal mines in the mountains just to the north of this southern lowland were of great importance to the Welsh economy for many years. Hills running along the Welsh border with England continue into parts of a few English counties. B2 The Lowland Zone In general the lowland zone is a great plain with a gentle, undulating surface and extensive areas of almost-level ground. It receives less rain and more sunshine than the highland zone and much of the soil in the zone is fertile. Most of the lowland region is less than 150 m (500 ft) above sea level, and the hills rarely reach more than 300 m (1,000 ft) above sea level. It has been extensively inhabited, farmed, and grazed for thousands of years. Most of Britain’s

population lives densely packed into the lowland zone, which covers most of England. The metropolis of London and most of Britains large cities are located in the lowland zone The flattest lands in the lowland zone are in the east, particularly on the large, hump-shaped area called East Anglia. The inlet called the Wash is located off East Anglias northern coast. The Wash was once surrounded by the flat, swampy areas of the Fenlands, or the Fens, most of which has now been drained. The broad rolling Midland Plain is south of the Pennine Chain Northwest of this plain, on the western side of the Pennines, is the Lancashire-Cheshire plain. Another plain extends from the eastern slope of the Pennines to the sea. It is broken in the north by the Yorkshire Moors, a high wasteland overgrown with coarse plants Several chains of low hills break up the lowland plain They are sometimes called scarplands or escarpments, meaning that they tend to drop steeply on one side and slope gently downward on the other side. One of these upland ridges, the South Downs, runs along the southern coast eastward from the Salisbury Plain. Running parallel to this ridge, south of the Thames valley, are the north Downs. In between the North Downs and the South downs is a region called The Weald, an area of scenic, gentle hills. Another elevated chain is the Chiltern Hills, which stretch southwest from the central part of the lowland plain. The Cotswold Hills lie to the west near Wales. The Cotswolds and the s northern hills have a limestone base. while the downs have a chalk C Rivers and Lakes Avon River, Bidford-on-Avon The Upper Avon River flows through central England for 154 km(96 mi). Here, a barge passes Bidford-on-Avon. Susan McCartney/Photo Researchers, Inc Since britain has a moist climate with much rainfall. rivers and lakes are numerous. Rivers in central and eastern Britain tend to flow slowly and steadily navigable, and from the earliest times they have served peoples interested in either commerce or invasion. The Highlands act as a divide and determine whether rivers flow west to the irish Sea or east to the north sea. Rivers and streams moving westward down from the highlands tend to be swift and turbulent; nivers flowing eastward tend to be long, graceful, and gentle, with

population lives densely packed into the lowland zone, which covers most of England. The metropolis of London and most of Britain’s large cities are located in the lowland zone. The flattest lands in the lowland zone are in the east, particularly on the large, hump-shaped area called East Anglia. The inlet called the Wash is located off East Anglia’s northern coast. The Wash was once surrounded by the flat, swampy areas of the Fenlands, or the Fens, most of which has now been drained. The broad, rolling Midland Plain is south of the Pennine Chain. Northwest of this plain, on the western side of the Pennines, is the Lancashire-Cheshire plain. Another plain extends from the eastern slope of the Pennines to the sea. It is broken in the north by the Yorkshire Moors, a high wasteland overgrown with coarse plants. Several chains of low hills break up the lowland plain. They are sometimes called scarplands or escarpments, meaning that they tend to drop steeply on one side and slope gently downward on the other side. One of these upland ridges, the South Downs, runs along the southern coast eastward from the Salisbury Plain. Running parallel to this ridge, south of the Thames valley, are the North Downs. In between the North Downs and the South Downs is a region called The Weald, an area of scenic, gentle hills. Another elevated chain is the Chiltern Hills, which stretch southwest from the central part of the lowland plain. The Cotswold Hills lie to the west near Wales. The Cotswolds and the plain’s northern hills have a limestone base, while the Downs have a chalk base. C Rivers and Lakes Avon River, Bidford-on-Avon The Upper Avon River flows through central England for 154 km (96 mi). Here, a barge passes Bidford-on-Avon.Susan McCartney/Photo Researchers, Inc. Since Britain has a moist climate with much rainfall, rivers and lakes are numerous. Rivers in central and eastern Britain tend to flow slowly and steadily all year long because they are fed by the frequent rain. Many have been navigable, and from the earliest times they have served peoples interested in either commerce or invasion. The Highlands act as a divide and determine whether rivers flow west to the Irish Sea or east to the North Sea. Rivers and streams moving westward down from the Highlands tend to be swift and turbulent; rivers flowing eastward tend to be long, graceful, and gentle, with

slowly moving waters The Thames and the severn are the longest rivers in britain and are almost equal in length. The Severn flows south out of the mountains of central Wales to the bristol Channel at Bristol. It is 290 km(180 mi) long. The Thames, 338 km(210 mi) long flows eastward out of the Cotswold Hills and weaves through the metropolis of London. The Thames provides water to the city of London and is used to carry commercial freight. Other important rivers in England are the Mersey, which enters the Irish Sea at Liverpool; the River Humber on the east coast. into which the trent river and several other rivers flow, and the Tyne River in northern England, which flows past Newcastle upon Tyne to the North Sea. Thames River, London The Thames River in London is the most important river in England and the main source of London's water supply. M Bertinetti/Photo Researchers, Inc. In Scotland the important rivers are the Clyde and the forth, which are joined the Atlantic at the Firth of Clyde. (Firth is the Scottish name for an arm of the sea that serves as the broad estuary of a river. )The River Forth flows eastward into the Firth of Forth, where Edinburgh rises on its south bank. The most important rivers in Northern Ireland are the Lagan, the Bann, and the Foyle Most of the large lakes in the United Kingdom are located in the upland areas of Scotland and northern England although Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland is the largest lake in the United Kingdom. Loch Lomond, on the southwestern edge of the Highlands of Scotland, is the largest on the island of Great Britain, measuring 37 km(23 mi) long and from 1.6 to 8 km(I to 5 mi) wide. Lake Windermere is the largest of the 15 major lakes in the famous Lake District of northwestern England. It is about 1.6 km(1 mi) wide and more than 16 km(10 D Coastline Alum Bay, Isle of wight The Isle of Wight lies in the English Channel, off Englands southern coast, and is noted for its mild, sunny climate. The multicolored cliffs of Alum Bay and the Needles fomation are part of the chal uplands that run across the island. Steve Vidler/Leo de wys, Inc

slowly moving waters. The Thames and the Severn are the longest rivers in Britain and are almost equal in length. The Severn flows south out of the mountains of central Wales to the Bristol Channel at Bristol. It is 290 km (180 mi) long. The Thames, 338 km (210 mi) long, flows eastward out of the Cotswold Hills and weaves through the metropolis of London. The Thames provides water to the city of London and is used to carry commercial freight. Other important rivers in England are the Mersey, which enters the Irish Sea at Liverpool; the River Humber on the east coast, into which the Trent River and several other rivers flow; and the Tyne River in northern England, which flows past Newcastle upon Tyne to the North Sea. Thames River, London The Thames River in London is the most important river in England and the main source of London’s water supply.M. Bertinetti/Photo Researchers, Inc. In Scotland the important rivers are the Clyde and the Forth, which are joined by a canal. The River Clyde flows northwest, past Glasgow, and empties into the Atlantic at the Firth of Clyde. (Firth is the Scottish name for an arm of the sea that serves as the broad estuary of a river.) The River Forth flows eastward into the Firth of Forth, where Edinburgh rises on its south bank. The most important rivers in Northern Ireland are the Lagan, the Bann, and the Foyle. Most of the large lakes in the United Kingdom are located in the upland areas of Scotland and northern England, although Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland is the largest lake in the United Kingdom. Loch Lomond, on the southwestern edge of the Highlands of Scotland, is the largest on the island of Great Britain, measuring 37 km (23 mi) long and from 1.6 to 8 km (1 to 5 mi) wide. Lake Windermere is the largest of the 15 major lakes in the famous Lake District of northwestern England. It is about 1.6 km (1 mi) wide and more than 16 km (10 mi) long. D Coastline Alum Bay, Isle of Wight The Isle of Wight lies in the English Channel, off England’s southern coast, and is noted for its mild, sunny climate. The multicolored cliffs of Alum Bay and the Needles formation are part of the chalk uplands that run across the island.Steve Vidler/Leo de Wys, Inc

Great Britains coastline is highly irregular, with many bays and inlets that provide harbors and shelters for ships and boats. Coastal trade involving ships sailing along the coast has been carried on since ancient times. The coastline is about 8, 000 km(about 5,000 mi) long and affords some of the best scenery in Britain. The western coast is characterized by cliffs and rocky headlands especially where the Highlands meet the sea in northwestern Scotland. On the more gentle southern and eastern coasts there are many sand or pebble beaches as well as tall limestone or chalk cliffs, the most famous of which are the White Cliffs of dover in the southeast A few islands lie just off of Britains coast. The Hebrides, an archipelago of about 500 islands. cover a considerable area along the coast of western Scotland; the isle of Anglesey lies just off the coast of northwestern Wales, and the Isle of wight is off Englands southern coast. northern Ireland has beautiful and rugged coastline and is the location of the famous and unique Giants Causeway, an expansive and curious formation of rocks shaped like giant cylinders E Natural resources El Soils Britains soil quality varies greatly. In northern areas the soils are thin, lying right above rock formations, while the south possesses areas of rich loam and eavy clay soils. When handled carefully the soils of eastern and south central England are very productive. While 77 percent of the land in Britain is used for agriculture, only 26 percent of this land is used to grow crops Almost all of the rest is used as grazing land E2 Forests and woodlands Ancient Oak Tree Sherwood forest in central England was formerly a royal forest. It was cleared in the 18th century. Shown here is an oak tree in the forest with props supporting its heavy branches. Robert Estall/ CORBIS-BETTMANN Trees grow well and quickly in the heavy soils of England, and for a long time prehistoric settlers did not have tools strong enough to cut down the heavy oa forests. Over the centuries the expanding human population cut back the forests so that today only 10.7 percent of the United Kingdom is forested, roughly 3 million hectares(6 million acres). In contrast, 25 percent of Europe is forested

Great Britain’s coastline is highly irregular, with many bays and inlets that provide harbors and shelters for ships and boats. Coastal trade involving ships sailing along the coast has been carried on since ancient times. The coastline is about 8,000 km (about 5,000 mi) long and affords some of the best scenery in Britain. The western coast is characterized by cliffs and rocky headlands, especially where the Highlands meet the sea in northwestern Scotland. On the more gentle southern and eastern coasts there are many sand or pebble beaches as well as tall limestone or chalk cliffs, the most famous of which are the White Cliffs of Dover in the southeast. A few islands lie just off of Britain’s coast. The Hebrides, an archipelago of about 500 islands, cover a considerable area along the coast of western Scotland; the isle of Anglesey lies just off the coast of northwestern Wales; and the Isle of Wight is off England’s southern coast. Northern Ireland has a beautiful and rugged coastline and is the location of the famous and unique Giant’s Causeway, an expansive and curious formation of rocks shaped like giant cylinders. E Natural Resources E1 Soils Britain’s soil quality varies greatly. In northern areas the soils are thin, lying right above rock formations, while the south possesses areas of rich loam and heavy clay soils. When handled carefully the soils of eastern and south central England are very productive. While 77 percent of the land in Britain is used for agriculture, only 26 percent of this land is used to grow crops. Almost all of the rest is used as grazing land. E2 Forests and Woodlands Ancient Oak Tree Sherwood forest in central England was formerly a royal forest. It was cleared in the 18th century. Shown here is an oak tree in the forest with props supporting its heavy branches.Robert Estall/CORBIS-BETTMANN Trees grow well and quickly in the heavy soils of England, and for a long time prehistoric settlers did not have tools strong enough to cut down the heavy oak forests. Over the centuries the expanding human population cut back the forests, so that today only 10.7 percent of the United Kingdom is forested, roughly 3 million hectares (6 million acres). In contrast, 25 percent of Europe is forested