Wales is a country positioned on the west coast of England and is part of the mainland UK, having a population of over 3 million people and a land mass of over 8,000 sq miles. Wales has never had outright self-government as a unified country apart from a brief period in the 15th century when a Welsh state was split off from England under Welsh national here Prince Owain Glyndwr.
The two largest cities in Wales are capital Cardiff and second city Swansea, other cities include also Bangor, Newport and St Davids. Welsh people speak both English and Welsh which are taught side by side in Welsh schools. Welsh is mainly spoken in the Northern and Western regions of the country.
The flag of Wales is a green and red background and features the 'red dragon' which is national symbol of Wales (and King Arthur the ancient Welsh/Celtic leader). Other national symbols include the leek and the daffodil.
Like Scotland, Wales has a devolved government National Assembly for Wales inaugurated in 1999 while separate Welsh MPs retain power to vote in the UK Westminster parliament. The currency of Wales is the UK Pounds Sterling.
Wales has been influenced by colonisation by Romans, the French and English however retains a strong individuality through sport, music and the Welsh language. Major industries in Wales include coal mining, livestock farming (including sheep farming), heavy industry and metal working.
Famous people from Wales include: writer and philosopher Lord Bertram Russell, writer Martin Amis, soldier TE Lawrence, songwriter Ivor Novello, ex Prime Minister David Lloyd George and legendary King Arthur of Excalibur fame. |
