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The United Kingdom
(abbreviated from "The United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland")
is the political name of the country
which consists of England, Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland (sometimes
known as Ulster).
Great Britain is the name of the
island which is made up of England,
Scotland, Wales, whereas the British
Isles is the geographical name of all the
islands off the north-west coast of the European continent. In everyday
speech "Britain" is used to mean the United Kingdom.
The flag of the United Kingdom, known as the Union Jack, is made
up of three crosses. The upright red cross on a white background is the
cross of the 1st George, the patron saint of England. The white diagonal
cross on a blue background is the cross of St. Andrew, the patron saint of
Scotland, The red diagonal cross on a white background is the cross of St.
Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
The Welsh flag, called the Welsh dragon, represents a red dragon
on a white and green background.
St. George's Day falls on 23 April and is regarded as England's
national day. On this day some patriotic Englishmen wear a rose pinned
to their jackets'. A red rose is the national emblem of England from the
time of the Wars of the Roses (15th century).
St. Andrew's Day (the 30th of November) is regarded as Scotland's
national day. On this day some Scotsmen wear a thistle in their
buttonhole. As a national emblem of Scotland, thistle apparently first
used in the 15th century as a symbol of defence. The Order of the Thistle
is one of the highest orders of knighthood. It was founded in 1687, and is
mainly given to Scottish noblemen (limited to 16 in number).
St. Patrick's Day (the 17th of March) is considered as a national
day in Northern Ireland and an official bank holiday there. The national
emblem of Ireland is shamrock. According to legend, it was the plant