Địa Lý và Danh Lam Thắng Cảnh

7 minLesson 2.2

Major Cities

Beyond the four capitals, the UK has many important cities. London is the largest, with about 9 million people in the Greater London area, and is a leading global financial centre. Birmingham is the second-largest city in the UK. Other major English cities include Manchester (industrial heritage, music, and sport), Liverpool (port city, the Beatles, football), Leeds (financial and legal centre), and Bristol (aerospace and arts).

In Scotland, Glasgow is the largest city, historically important for shipbuilding and trade. Edinburgh hosts the world-famous Edinburgh Festival each summer.

In Wales, Cardiff is the largest city and capital; Swansea and Newport are also significant. In Northern Ireland, Belfast is the largest city, while Londonderry (also known as Derry) is the second-largest.

Many former manufacturing centres have reinvented themselves as hubs of technology, finance, culture, and education.

London is the largest city in the UK with about 9 million people in the Greater London area

Birmingham is the second-largest city in the UK

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland

Từ vựng

financial centre/faɪˈnænʃəl ˈsentə/

A city where banking and financial services are concentrated

industrial heritage/ɪnˈdʌstriəl ˈherɪtɪdʒ/

The history and remains of manufacturing and industry in a place

shipbuilding/ˈʃɪpbɪldɪŋ/

The construction of ships

Rivers and Mountains

The River Severn is the longest river in the UK at 354 kilometres (220 miles), flowing through Wales and England into the Bristol Channel. The River Thames is the second-longest at 346 kilometres (215 miles) and flows through London. Iconic landmarks along the Thames include the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the London Eye.

The highest mountain in the UK is Ben Nevis in Scotland at 1,345 metres (4,413 feet), near Fort William in the Scottish Highlands.

The highest mountain in Wales is Snowdon (known as Yr Wyddfa in Welsh) at 1,085 metres (3,560 feet), in Snowdonia National Park (Eryri).

The highest mountain in England is Scafell Pike at 978 metres (3,209 feet), in the Lake District in Cumbria.

Other notable features include the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District, and the Brecon Beacons (now called Bannau Brycheiniog) in Wales.

The River Severn is the longest river in the UK (354 km)

The River Thames is the second-longest river in the UK (346 km) and flows through London

Ben Nevis in Scotland is the highest mountain in the UK (1,345 m)

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) is the highest mountain in Wales (1,085 m)

Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England (978 m)

Từ vựng

river/ˈrɪvə/

A large natural flow of water across the land

mountain/ˈmaʊntɪn/

A large natural elevation of the earth's surface

highlands/ˈhaɪləndz/

An area of high or mountainous land

national park/ˈnæʃənəl pɑːk/

A protected area of natural beauty managed by the government

landscape/ˈlændskeɪp/

The visible features of an area of land

Climate and Countryside

The UK has a temperate maritime climate — mild temperatures, regular rainfall year-round, and few extremes. Winters are cool and wet; summers are warm but rarely very hot. The weather is famously changeable.

The west receives more rainfall from the Atlantic Ocean than the east. Scotland and Wales are generally wetter than England. The south-east of England is the driest and warmest region.

The UK has 15 National Parks in England, Wales, and Scotland, protecting areas of outstanding natural beauty. These include the Lake District, Snowdonia, the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District, the Scottish Highlands, and the Norfolk Broads.

The countryside features rolling hills, green fields, and small villages. Agriculture remains important — sheep farming in Wales and Scotland, arable farming in eastern England. The National Trust and English Heritage protect historic buildings and natural areas across the UK.

The UK has a temperate maritime climate with mild temperatures and regular rainfall

There are 15 National Parks in England, Wales, and Scotland

Từ vựng

temperate/ˈtempərət/

A climate with mild temperatures, not extremely hot or cold

maritime climate/ˈmærɪtaɪm ˈklaɪmət/

A climate influenced by the sea, with moderate temperatures

countryside/ˈkʌntrisaɪd/

Land outside towns and cities, used for farming or left natural

agriculture/ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃə/

The practice of farming crops and raising animals

National Trust/ˈnæʃənəl trʌst/

A charity that protects historic places and green spaces in the UK

Tóm tắt bài học

  • London (~9 million) is the largest UK city; Birmingham is the second-largest; Glasgow is the largest in Scotland
  • River Severn is the longest river (354 km); River Thames is the second-longest (346 km) and flows through London
  • Ben Nevis (1,345 m, Scotland) is the UK's highest mountain; Snowdon (1,085 m, Wales); Scafell Pike (978 m, England)
  • The UK has a temperate maritime climate with mild temperatures and regular rainfall
  • There are 15 National Parks across England, Wales, and Scotland
  • The south-east of England is the driest and warmest region

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