Wales

Wales (Welsh ‘Cymru’) is a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, located to the west of England and bordering the Bristol Channel to the south and St. George’s Channel and Cardigan Bay to the west.  Wales was incorporated with England in 1536 and following a referendum in 1999 Wales was granted its own Assembly, giving it a degree of autonomy.  However, Wales does not have the same degree of power that has been given the Scottish Parliament.  The Head of State is HM Queen Elizabeth II.  

Wales is known for its history of coal mining which was mainly located in the south.  It is a country with diverse landscapes and terrain, with rugged coastlines and plenty of beautiful countryside.  The area in the middle of Wales is a fertile agricultural area with rolling hills.  North Wales is one of the most popular areas for tourists with the Snowdonia area being very popular with outdoor enthusiasts such as hikers and climbers.  The mid-Wales area has the Cambrian Mountains and seaside resorts like Cardigan Bay. In the north coastal areas are popular resorts like Llandudno and Rhyl.  The South of Wales is where the capital city of Cardiff is located, as well as Swansea and Newport.  Another large city is Aberystwyth. 

National Parks include the Brecon Beacons and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path which is popular with bird watchers.  The highest mountain peaks are to be found in the north and Mt. Snowdon has the highest peak in Wales.  The Wye Valley is an area offering lovely walks and scenery. 

The Welsh people are renowned for their wonderful voices, as evidenced in the many Welsh Choirs.  Most Welsh people speak English but they hold onto their culture with many road signs shown in both languages.  The official languages are English and Welsh, and Welsh is still taught in all Welsh schools. 

Rugby is the national sport of Wales and produces some world-class players.  The new Millennium Stadium in Cardiff is the national venue for many big matches.  Cycling is a popular activity in Wales with many off-road trails for mountain biking.  As Wales has three areas of coastline there are plenty of opportunities to pursue water sports such as sailing, kayaking and windsurfing or just enjoy the sandy beaches.  The many lakes located inland also provide opportunities for water sports and fishing and sea fishing is also popular off the coasts. 

Famous people from or affiliated with Wales include: Dylan Thomas,  Laura Ashley, Shirley Bassey, Richard Burton, Katherine Jenkins, Charlotte Church, Roald Dahl, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Ken Follett, Catherine Zeta Jones and Tom Jones.

Website:  www.visitwales.com

CARDIFF

Located on the south coast of Wales, Cardiff has been the official capital of Wales since1955. It has become a very cosmopolitan city, and the Tiger Bay area is undergoing considerable renovating and updating, with the addition of an Opera house. The new Millennium Stadium to the west of the city is an indicator of the growth and forward thinking of the Welsh capital as it attracts huge numbers of fans to its major sporting events.  The Cardiff Bay area is being turned into a major waterfront entertainment and sport complex which will bring much more tourism to the area.

Cardiff has a fascinating history, having been invaded many times throughout the ages, including by the Romans and Normans.  The Romans built what was the original Cardiff Castle which was later rebuilt by the Normans. 

Cardiff used to be a very important part of the British Empire during the time that its port was used for exporting steel and coal from the Welsh Valleys.  Since the demise of that era Wales experienced some bleak times, but is now on the upturn and is a popular location for many events and venues.

The centre of Cardiff has plenty to offer with its Victorian shopping arcades and pedestrian streets, restaurants and cafes.  Cardiff Castle is a major tourist attraction and an impressive sight and also a venue for weddings and other functions: www.cardiffcastle.com. 

Website:  www.visitcardiff.com

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