本书介绍了美国、英国、爱尔兰、加拿大、澳大利亚、新西兰、印度、南非等主要英语国家的地理概貌、历史变迁、政治制度、经济概况、教育体系、宗教信仰、风俗习惯、国防建设、对外关系等方面的基本知识，旨在扩大学习者知识面，拓展国际视野，加深对主要英语国家思维方式、价值观念、生活方式、军政文化的理解和把握，增强跨文化意识，巩固英语能力，提高人文素养。

本书介绍了美国、英国、爱尔兰、加拿大、澳大利亚、新西兰、印度、南非等主要英语国家的地理概貌、历史变迁、政治制度、经济概况、教育体系、宗教信仰、风俗习惯、国防建设、对外关系等方面的基本知识。

本书既可供英语专业本科生使用，也可作为非英语专业本科生高年级英语的拓展教材，还可用作非英语专业研究生的英语课程教材。

Chapter One The United Kingdom of Great Britain and

Northern Ireland

Unit 1 Land and People

Unit 2 The Origins of the Nation

Unit 3 The Shaping of the Nation

Unit 4 Transition to Modern Age

Unit 5 The Rise and Fall of the British Empire

Unit 6 Economy

Unit 7 Government and Administration.,

Unit 8 Justice and the Law

Unit 9 Cultural Affairs

Unit 10 Social Life

Unit 11 Military Affairs and Foreign Relations

Chapter Two The Republic of Ireland

Unit 12 Geography and History

Unit 13 Politics, Economy, Demographics and Culture

Unit 14 Military Affairs and Foreign Relations

Chapter Three The United States of America

Unit 15 Geography

Unit 16 Population, Race and Ethnic Groups

Unit 17 The Making of the Nation （1600-1900）

Unit 18 The Making of the Nation （1900-1945）

Unit 19 The Making of the Nation （Post-WW[[ Era）

Unit 20 Economy

Unit 21 Political Institutions

Unit 22 Education and Cultural Affairs

Unit 23 Military Affairs and Foreign Relations

Chapter Four Canada

Unit 24 Geography, History and Economy

Unit 25 Government and Politics

Unit 26 Society and Culture

Unit 27 Military Affairs and Foreign Relations

Chapter Five Australia

Unit 28 Administrative Divisions and

Federal Government

Unit 29 The Making of the Nation

Unit 30 Economy

Unit 31 Education and Culture

Unit 32 Military Affairs and Foreign Relations

Chapter Six New Zealand

Unit 33 Land and People

Unit 34 Military Affairs and Foreign Relations

Chapter Seven Republic of India

Unit 35 Land and People

Unit 36 The Making of the Nation

Unit 37 Military Affairs and Foreign Relations

Chapter Eight The Republic of South Africa

Unit 38 Land and People

Unit 39 Military Affairs and Foreign Relations