The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ( the UK )
G r e a t B r i t a i n composed by 5.500 islands area - 244, 820 sq. km population – 57 mln. People Official language – English ( Scottish, Welsh, Irish – other languages ) Political system – constitutional monachy Capital – London The largest cities – London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Bristol, Leeds The largest ports – London, Liverpool, Belfast, Southampton, Glasgow, Cardiff The chief rivers – the Severn, the Thames the Spey, the Tweed, the Clyde The highest peeks – Ben Nevis ( 1343 m), Snowdon ( 1000 m ) The Union Jack This is the popular name given to the flag of the UK. Usually it is called the Union Flag and consists of several flags. It all began in 1603 when Scotland was joined to England and Wales. Later in 1801 the Irish Flag was added. In this way the British people got the Union Flag, which is red, white and blue. King James ( 1566-1625) ordered the British Flag to be flown on the main mast of all British ships, it was flown on the bowsprit or the Jack Star ( “jack” is the old word for sailor).