VOLGOGRAD
Volgogradis a big industrial center, situated on the western bank of the Volga River and has a population over 1 million people. The city was made famous for its resistance and extensive damage during the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II.
Volgograd originated in 1589 as a fortress to defend the unstable southern border of Tsarist Russia. It soon became the nucleus of a trading settlement. It was captured twice by Cossack rebels, under Stepan Razin and Yemelyan Pugachev. Tsaritsyn became an important river port and commercial centre in the 19th century.
Under Stalin, the city became a center of heavy industry and transshipment by rail and river, and as a result the city became the site of one of the pivotal battles of the war. In August 1942 the city suffered heavy aerial bombardment. In November Soviet forces launched a massive counterattack of the German troops. On February 2, with the elimination of straggling German troops, the Battle of Stalingrad was over.
In 1945 Stalingrad was awarded the title Hero City for its heroism. The huge memorial complex was created on the top of Mamayev Kurgan to memorize the victory of Russian people.
Modern Volgograd remains an important industrial city. Industries include shipbuilding, oil refining, steel and aluminium production, manufacture of machinery and vehicles, and chemical production. A large Volgograd Hydroelectric Plant stands a short distance to the north of Volgograd.
Volgograd is a major railway junction linking Moscow, Saratov, Astrakhan, the Donbas region of Ukraine, the Caucasus and Siberia. The Volga-Don Canal, opened in 1952 links the two great rivers of Southern Russia..
Volgograd is a big cultural center, with its sights, museums, theatres and cinemas. On public holidays the citizens like to come to the Сentral Embankment.
Notes to the Text
was made famous приобрел известность
extensive damage сильное повреждение
originate зд. быть основанным
trading settlement торговое поселение
suffer heavy bombardment подвергаться массированной бомбардировке
major railway junction крупный железнодорожный узел
5. THE UNITED KINGDOM
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and about five thousand small islands. The population of the UK is over 57 million. About 80 percent of the population is urban.
The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The capital of the UK is London.
The British Isles are separated from the Continent by the North Sea, the English Channel and the Strait of Dover. The western coast of Great Britain is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea.
The surface of the British Isles varies very much. The north of Scotland is mountainous and is called Highlands. The south, which has beautiful valleys and plains, is called Lowlands. There are a lot of rivers in Great Britain, but they are not very long. The Severn is the longest river, while the Thames is the deepest and the most important one. The mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream influence the climate of the British Isles. It is mild all year round.
The UK is a highly developed industrial country. It produces and exports machinery, electronics, textiles. One of the major industries of the country is shipbuilding.
The UK is a constitutuional monarchy with a parliament and the Queen as the Head of State.
Notes to the Text
urban – городской
to be separated from – отделяться от…
plain – равнина
to influence – оказывать влияние
industry – отрасль промышленности
6. LONDON
London is the capital of the United Kingdom, its economic, political and cultural center. It is one of the world’s major cities. The population of Greater London is about 11 million people.
London has a long history. It originated about 2 thousand years ago as a small Roman town on the north bank of the Thames. Some of its ancient buildings still exist.
The vast urban territory of Greater London is divided into 32 London boroughs in addition to the ancient City of London. The West End is London's main entertainment and shopping district attracting tourists. The East End is the area closest to the original Port of London, known for its high immigrant population, as well as for being one of the poorest areas in London.
London's largest industry is finance,. Around 325,000 people are employed in financial services in London. London has over 480 overseas banks, more than any other city in the world. More than half of the UK's top companies and over 20 per cent of Europe's largest companies are headquartered in Central London. The City of London is home to the Bank of England, London Stock Exchange, and Lloyds of London insurance market. Along with professional services, media companies are concentrated in London
London is one of the world's leading tourism destinations, offering an array of famous tourist attractions. London attracts almost 15 million international visitors per year, making it the world's most visited in terms of international visits. Visitors usually want to see The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral. London is also noted for its museums, art galleries, theatres and parks.
Notes to the Text
Major – главный
To originate – происходить, быть основанным
To be employed – работать
Headquarter – центр, управление
Destination - направление
7. TRAVELLING
People travel for many different reasons. In the tourism industry we divide the reasons for travel into three main categories: leisure tourism, business tourism, and visiting friends and relatives (VFR).
Leisure tourism can mean anything from excursions, day trips, and weekend breaks to package holidays, pleasure cruises, and longer independent trips such as hillwalking. It also includes cultural trips (for example, to music festivals), educational trips (for example, study tours), and religious trips (for example, pilgrims on a walking tour to a holy place).
Business tourism includes any travel away from one’s main place of residence, for such events as meetings, conferences, and trade fairs. It also includes special trips when workers are given a reward or a “thank you” for good work (this is known as incentive tour).
Travel in order to visit friends or family relatives is also regarded as part of the tourism industry. This could be for a special family party, such as a reunion or a wedding, or a regular trip made every year.
Notes to the Text
Leisure отдых
Relative родственник
Package holidays турпакет
Educational trip образовательный тур
Main place of residence основное место проживания
Trade fair ярмарка
To be regarded as рассматриваться в качестве
Family party семейное торжество
Incentive tour поощрительный тур
8. TOURISM TODAY
Tourism is one of the biggest businesses in the world. There are nearly 800 million international tourist arrivals every year. It employs one in fifteen off all the workers worldwide, from airport cleaners to zookeepers, and includes bar staff, flight attendants, tour guides, and resort representatives. It is a huge part of the economy of many countries.
Tourism is a fast-growing business. Key technological developments in transport, in particular, the appearance of air travel and charter flights have led to the rise of mass tourism. The growth of Internet and globalization made the world seem a smaller but a very fascinating place.
The tourism industry is affected by many different things: international events, economic change and changes in fashion. People are worried about security, terrorism, changes in the value of their currency.
Tourism creates many good jobs and careers, but it also produces many poor and badly paid jobs. Tourism can help to protect environments and animal life, but it can also damage them. Tourism can save cultures and the local way of life, but it can also destroy them. Tourism can change countries for the better, but it can also change them for the worse.
Tourism is one of the biggest and probably the most important industries in the world.
Notes to the Text
Worldwide по всему миру
To be worried беспокоиться
Key technological главные технические
developments достижения
the value of currency курс валют
change for the better измениться к лучшему
9. PACKAGE TOUR
Package holidays or package tours include all the components necessary for a complete vacation:
- Transport to and from the destination
- Transfers between the airport/station/port and hotel
- Food and accommodation at the destination
- Other services such as a guide or a holiday rep.
The professionals who bring these elements together to create a holiday are called tour operators. They buy in advance and in bulk from the principles; airlines, hoteliers, etc. The tour operator then converts this bulk into individual packages known as inclusive tours (Its). These packages are marketed to the consumer through travel agents or sold by tour operator directly.
The really big operators produce low-cost holidays to traditional sea, sun and sand destinations. Other operators limit their product to consumers who want a specific type of holiday. These specialist operators sell adventure holidays, holidays for single people etc. Domestic operators specialize in tours for people who want a holiday in their own country. Incoming tour operators specialize in providing tour packages to visitors coming from abroad.
Notes to the Text
Package holidays турпакеты
Package tours турпакеты
Destination место назначения, цель поездки
In advance заранее
In bulk оптом, большими партиями
Domestic operator отечественный оператор
Incoming tour operator туроператор въездного туризма