英国概况(英文版)
英国概况
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) was created by the Act of Union 1800 and constitutes the greater part of the British Isles, a group of islands lying off the northwest coast of Europe. The largest of the islands is Great Britain, which prises England, Wales and Scotland. Next largest is Ireland, prising Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and, in the south, the Republic of Ireland.
Culture in the United Kingdom is rich and diverse, with a strong tradition of literature, theatre, popular and orchestral music and the performing arts. These, together with collections in UK museums and galleries, act as a mag for overseas visitors and make a substantial contribution to the economy. According to economic estimates made by the Department for Culture,Media and Sport (DCMS), the creative industries accounted for nearly 8 per cent of UK gross domestic product in 2000, and provided nearly 2 million jobs in December 2001. Colour brochures are available here on various aspects of UK culture, including the arts, architecture, dance, the visual arts, and literature and poetry.