Wales (Cymru in Welsh) is a mountainous country located on the western edge of the United Kingdom, bordered by England, the Irish Sea and the Bristol Channel.

In ancient times Anglo-Saxon invaders (in England) forced the indigenous Celtic people into the hills in the far-west; there, calling themselves Waelise, they developed a distinct nationality, language and culture, one that remains to this day.

The eventual union between England and Wales was enacted under the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284.

More than half of the population of this proud and beautiful land reside in the south-eastern part of the country, in and around the Cardiff (capital city) area.

Population

3.5 million people

Capital City

CARDIFF - population 315,000

Official Languages

Welsh (spoken by 20%), English

Geography

Lies to the west of England, separated by the Cambrian mountains which occupy the centre of the country. the longest river is the river Severn which joins the Bristol channel in the south. To the west, Cardigan bay is the largest bay facing St. Georges channel, the stretch of water that joins the Atlantic and separates Ireland from the UK. The Welsh hills have in the past produced, coal, iron and slate, gold silver and lead, and the south of the country played a major part in the expansion and development of the 'new world' countries by supplying the coal for steam, and the finest steel. A great part of the countryside now comes under the influence of the three major national parks authorities.

Area

20,761 sq. km (8,0019 sq. miles)

Location

Latitude/Longitude
52° N / 4° W

Large Towns

Newport, Cardiff, Swansea, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, Cardigan, Aberystwyth, Caernarfon, Wrexham, Conway, Llandudno, Welshpool, Brecon, Abergavenny.

Counties

9

Currency

Sterling

Religions

Anglican, Catholic

Brief History

The Celtic tribes that inhabited much of the British Isles were forced to retreat into the hills of Wales by the invading Anglo-Saxons. Called waelise they maintained their own language, culture and national identity, which still remains strong to this day. Fierce resistance to invading forces, and skirmishes along the borders continued to be a way of life for these people, until the determined efforts of Edward the first( who built a string of castles ) started the gradual decline into subjugation. The eventual union between England and Wales was signed in 1284.