5. Climate and Temperature

Britain is an island country and the surrounding sea gives England a varied climate. In no country other than England, can one experience four seasons in a single day. No one can know what the weather will be like from one day to the other. It can be sunny one day and rainy thenext. As the variable climate changes from day to day, it is difficult to predict the weather. In general there are warm summers and cool winters. The summers are cooler than those on the continent, but the winters are milder.

5.1　Temperate Climate

The overall climate in England is called temperate maritime. This means that it is mild with temperatures not much lower than 0℃ in winter and not much higher than 32℃ in summer. It also means that it is damp and is subject to frequent changes.

5.2　Rainfall

Britain has a steady reliable rainfall throughout the whole year. The average annual rainfall in Britain is over 1 000mm. There is a water surplus in the north and west, and a water deficit in the south and east. Much of the rain comes down in drizzle, more than half of the year is rainy day. The rainfall is distributed almost evenly through the 12 months.

5.3　The Factors Influencing the Weather

The main influence on the climate is the close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the northern latitude, and the warming of the waters around the land by the Gulf Stream （a warm current of the northern Atlantic Ocean）.

The island is small compared with the other land masses in the northern hemisphere, hence Britain is more influenced by the ocean compared with other European countries, and the Gulf Stream helps to keep winters milder.

Notes

1. the Ice Age 冰川时期，在新生代的第4纪，距今一万多年前

2. the Isle of Man 马恩岛或曼岛，位于爱尔兰海中，属英国

Exercises

I. Define the following terms.

1. the British Isles

2. England

3. the British Commonwealth

II. Fill in the blanks according to the text.

1. The U.K. is situated in _____ Europe.

2. The full title of the U.K. is the United Kingdom of _____ _____ and _____ _____.

3. The U.K. consists of England, _____, _____ and Northern Ireland.

4. The largest part of U.K. is _____.

5. The capital of England and of Great Britain is _____.

6. _____ _____ is composed of six Irish counties that elected to remain in the union with Great Britain.

7. The name United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was replaced by the present name after the 26 counties of Ireland obtained autonomy in _____.

8. The highest mountain in Britain is _____ _____.

9. The climate of Britain is moderated by the _____ _____ _____ and is much milder than that of many places in the same latitude.

10. Natural gas was discovered in Britain in the _____ _____.

III. Questions for discussion.

1. What are the differences between Britain and the British Isles, Great Britain, England, the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth?

2. Describe the geographical position of Britain.

3. Describe the distribution of Britain’s population.