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достопримечательности Великобритании
Great Britain is the largest island in Europe. Being the part of the sovereign state of the United Kingdom, it is situated on the British Isles in the Atlantic Ocean. It includes the territory of England, Scotland, Wales and is surrounded by over 1,000 small islets. Ireland lies at its west. Every year over 20 million people visit Great Britain. It is considered to be the world’s 8th biggest tourist destination. Not only people from neighboring France or Belgium come to see the sights of the country, but also from such distant countries as Australia and the USA. London is considered to be the principal tourist destination as the country’s most popular attractions are situated there. They include the Tower of London, Big Ben, the Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Museum of Madame Tussaud, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park and many other prominent places.
Each of these attractions is unique and meaningful. For example, everybody knows that Big Ben is the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world. Although Big Ben is simply the nickname for the great bell of the palace clock, it has now become one of the most prominent symbols of the UK. The Tower of London is known as the most visited attraction in the country. It is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames, which is a Royal Palace and a fortress at the same time. Visitors can see the Crown Jewels and famous ravens there. The official residence of the British monarch in the central area of London is also frequently visited. It is originally known as Buckingham Palace. The palace has 775 rooms and is especially attractive for its Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place at 11.30am each day. A giant ferris wheel on the south bank of the River Thames, called the London Eye, is another structure that attracts foreign visitors. It consists of 32 capsules which can hold up to 25 people each. On a clear day the passengers can see up 25 miles from the top.
Apart from London, Great Britain has loads of beauty spots to offer, including the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent, Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands, Edinburgh Castle on Castle Rock, Stonehenge in Wiltshire, the Roman Baths in Bath, Sherwood Forest and many other remarkable places. One of the most iconic sightseeing symbols of Britain is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, known as Stonehenge. It represents remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks. It is believed to be 5,000 years old and listed as a World Heritage Site. Summer solstice is celebrated by many Druids there. Another intriguing place is Loch Ness. It’s a deep, freshwater lake in the Scottish Highlands known for alleged sightings of the Loch Ness Monster.
Visitors of Great Britain can bathe in the natural thermae discovered over 2,000 years ago and known as the Roman Baths. It’s a well-preserved historical complex built by the Romans for public bathing. The site is situated in a beautiful city of Bath. Everybody knows the legend of Robin Hood and the Major Oak. That’s why each year more than 500,000 tourists visit Sherwood Forest. Built on a 700 million-year-old extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress, which has been used as a Royal residence through centuries. The rock on which the castle stands has a symbolic name – Castle Rock. White Cliffs of Dover can be referred to outstanding British landmarks as well. They frame the English coastline facing the Strait of Dover and France. These cliffs form a symbolic guard against numerous invasions.
