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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