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Facts & figures - the English-speaking world
English spoken as a first language in
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Canada
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Caribean islands eg Jamaica, Trinidad
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New Zealand
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UK
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The United States
That is 400 million people!
The Commonwealth
Britain started to lose its empire in the middle of the 20th century. Countries like Canada, India, Kenya, and New Zealand became independant but agreed to be in the Commonwealth. Today, the countries who have remained in the Commonwealth form a sort of international club of English-speaking countries.
The UK
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a monarchy consisting of the formerly separate kingdoms of England and Scotland, the principality of Wales and the province of Northern Ireland. Today, the UK still has dependancies around the world, such as Anguilla in the Carribean, Gibraltar in the Mediterranean, and until 1997 Hong Kong in East Asia. Although English is the first language, many other languages are spoken in GB, such as Welsh (a minority) in Wales, Gaelic in parts of Scotland by a minority, French in the Channel islands. In London , all the world's major languages can be heard, like , for example Carribean English Creole or British Black English which are used among West Indian communities.
The Victorian age
Queen Victoria reigned over the British Empire from 1837 to 1901 . At this time Britain was the richest country in the world.The English controlled India, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Nigeria.
Aussie
Captain Cook sailed to Australia in 1775.A few years later, the first settlers began to arrive. Many of them were criminals. The English sent thousands of them to Australia because their prisons were full.
The USA
The United States grew very quickly in the 19th century, with thousands of pioneers travelling west. At the beginning of the 20th century, it became possible to travel by train from New York to California. After the second world war, The US became the first English-speaking superpower.
READ MORE Click here to read more about English-speaking countries
