Wales

 

Wales is approximately 150 miles (242 km.) from north to south. About two-thirds of the total population of 2.8 million people live in the South Wales coastal area, where the three biggest towns are located: Swansea, Cardiff and Newport.

 

The Welsh are very proud of their language and culture. These are best preserved in the north and west of the country, for in the south and east they have been more challenged by industrialization. The west coast, mid Wales and North Wales are wild and beautiful!

 

Although visitors don't need passports to cross the border from England into Wales they soon realise that they are entering a country with its own distinct geography, culture, traditions and, of course, language.

 

St David is the patron saint of Wales. On 1st March, St David's Day, patriotic Welsh people wear a leek or a daffodil, both symbols of Wales.

 

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South Wales is a region of contrasts. The industrial cities of Swansea, Cardiff and Newport are only a short journey away from sandy beaches and busy holiday resorts.

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Cardiff, the modern capital of Wales, has a castle dating back to Roman times, and a modern shopping centre.

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North of Cardiff lie the valleys. These are the heart of the Welsh coal and steel industries.

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Swansea: an important container-port. Caerphilly has one of the biggest castles in Europe, including a famous leaning tower. It was built by the Normans to defend themselves against the Welsh.

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Mid Wales is rather sparsely populated. Along the coast are many fishing ports. Welsh is the everyday language of much of the north and west, and Aberystwyth is the centre of Welsh education and learning.

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North Wales has several impressive castles built by English kings. Anglesey is flat, but the rest of the region is very mountainous.

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Every year, an international eisteddfod is held in Llangollen. People come from all over the world to recite poetry, sing and dance in this colourful competition.

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Caernafon is the ancient capital of Wales, where the British monarch's eldest son is traditionally crowned Prince of Wales.

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Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantsiliogogogoch: this is the longest place-name in the United Kingdom!

 

Susan Sheerin, Jonathan Seath, Gillian White: Spotlight on Britain; Oxford University Press, 1985, page 90