Buckingham palace is one of the major tourist attractions in london. it is the official residency o the british monarchy. at the moment british monarchy is led by queen elizabeth ii. each time the royal family is in the palace, a flag flies on the roof. the palace was built in 1705 by the duke of buckingham. in 1761 king george iii bought this palace for his wife. it became a private house of queen charlotte and was known as “the queen’s house”. during the 19th century the house was enlarged and became the official royal residence. queen victoria was the first monarch to reside in the palace. she moved there in 1837 leaving kensington palace, where she grew up. buckingham palace has nearly 600 rooms, including a throne room, a ballroom, a dining-room, picture gallery and even a swimming-pool. some of its rooms can be visited in summertime, only when the queen is not at home. one of the most interesting parts of the palace is the queen’s gallery, where works of art of the royal collection can be seen. royal garden and stables are also curious sights. every year more than 50 000 invited guests are entertained at garden parties, receptions and banquets. many tourists come here to see the queen victoria memorial which is set right in front of the buckingham palace. every day at 11 am changing of the guard ceremony takes place. it is the time when colorfully dressed new guard parades along the building and replace the existing old guard. the ceremony is accompanied by music and attracts a lot of viewers. букингемский дворец является одним из основных туристических достопримечательностей в лондоне. это официальная резиденция британской монархии. в настоящее время британская монархия возглавляется королевой елизаветой ii. каждый раз, когда королевская семья во дворце, на крыше флаг развевается. дворец был построен в 1705 герцогом букингемским. в 1761 году король георг iii купил этот дворец для своей жены. он стал частным домом королевы шарлотты и был известен как "дом королевы". в 19-м веке дом был расширен и стал официальной резиденцией королевской семьи. королева виктория стала первым монархом, проживающим во дворце. она переехала туда в 1837 году, покинув кенсингтонский дворец, где она выросла. букингемский дворец имеет около 600 комнат, включая тронный зал, банкетный зал, столовая, картинная галерея и даже бассейн. некоторые из этих комнат можно посещать в летнее время, только тогда, когда королева не дома. одной из самых интересных частей дворца является галерея королевы, где можно увидеть произведения искусства из королевской коллекции. королевский сад и конюшни также являются любопытным зрелищем. каждый год более 50 000 приглашенных гостей развлекаются на вечеринках в саду, приемах и банкетах. многие туристы приезжают сюда, чтобы увидеть мемориал королевы виктории, который установлен прямо перед букингемским дворцом. ежедневно в 11 утра проходит церемония смены караула. это время, когда красочно одетая новая гвардия караула марширует вдоль здания и заменяет существующую старую гвардию. церемония сопровождается музыкой и привлекает большое количество зрителей.
vladimir vladimirovich putin - the president of russia
vladimir putin was born in leningrad on october 7, 1952.
in 1975, he graduated with a degree in law from leningrad state university. he later earned a ph.d. degree in economics.
after graduation, mr. putin was assigned to work in the kgb. from 1985 to 1990, he worked in east germany.
in 1990, he became assistant to the rector of leningrad state university responsible for international affairs.
his next position was an advisor to the chairman of the leningrad city council.
in june 1991, he became chairman of the st. petersburg city council's international relations committee and, starting with 1994, he combined this post with the position of first deputy chairman of the st. petersburg city government (first deputy mayor).
in august 1996, he was appointed deputy head of the president's administrative directorate (property management directorate).
in march 1997, he became deputy head of the executive office of the president (presidential administration) and head of the central supervision and inspections directorate.
in may 1998, he was promoted to first deputy head of the presidential administration.
in july 1998, he was appointed director of the federal security service and, as of march 1999, he combined this position with that of secretary of the security council.
in august 1999, he was appointed prime minister.
on december 31, 1999, he became acting president.
on march 26, 2000, he was elected president of russia and was inaugurated as president on may 7, 2000.
on march 14, 2004, he was elected president of russia for the second term.
speaks german and english.
married to lyudmila putina. they have two daughters: maria (1985), katerina(1986).
vladimir vladimirovich putin - the president of russia
vladimir putin was born in leningrad on october 7, 1952.
in 1975, he graduated with a degree in law from leningrad state university. he later earned a ph.d. degree in economics.
after graduation, mr. putin was assigned to work in the kgb. from 1985 to 1990, he worked in east germany.
in 1990, he became assistant to the rector of leningrad state university responsible for international affairs.
his next position was an advisor to the chairman of the leningrad city council.
in june 1991, he became chairman of the st. petersburg city council's international relations committee and, starting with 1994, he combined this post with the position of first deputy chairman of the st. petersburg city government (first deputy mayor).
in august 1996, he was appointed deputy head of the president's administrative directorate (property management directorate).
in march 1997, he became deputy head of the executive office of the president (presidential administration) and head of the central supervision and inspections directorate.
in may 1998, he was promoted to first deputy head of the presidential administration.
in july 1998, he was appointed director of the federal security service and, as of march 1999, he combined this position with that of secretary of the security council.
in august 1999, he was appointed prime minister.
on december 31, 1999, he became acting president.
on march 26, 2000, he was elected president of russia and was inaugurated as president on may 7, 2000.
on march 14, 2004, he was elected president of russia for the second term.
speaks german and english.
married to lyudmila putina. they have two daughters: maria (1985), katerina(1986).