Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wales Cymru  (Welsh)
Flag Royal Badge
Anthem: de facto; "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" ("Land of My Fathers")
Location of  Wales  (dark green) – on the European continent  (green & dark grey) – in the United Kingdom  (green)
Status	Country
Capital and largest city	Cardiff 51°29′N 3°11′W / 51.483°N 3.183°W / 51.483; -3.183
Official languages	English Welsh
Ethnic groups (2021)	List 93.8% White 2.9% Asian 1.6% Mixed 0.9% Black 0.9% other
Religion (2021)	List 46.5% no religion 43.6% Christianity 2.2% Islam 0.4% Hinduism 0.3% Buddhism 0.1% Sikhism 0.1% Judaism 0.5% other 6.3% not stated
Demonym(s)	Welsh (Cymraeg)
Sovereign state Legal jurisdiction	United Kingdom England and Wales
Government	Devolved parliamentary legislature within parliamentary constitutional monarchy
• Monarch	Charles III
• First Minister	Vaughan Gething
Parliament of the United Kingdom
• Secretary of State	Jo Stevens
• House of Commons	32 MPs (of 650)
Legislature	Senedd
Formation
• Unified by Gruffydd ap Llywelyn	1057
• Statute of Rhuddlan	3 March 1284
• Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542	1543
• Welsh Language Act 1967	27 July 1967
• Devolution	1 July 1999 (date powers transferred to National Assembly)
Area
• Total	21,218 km2 (8,192 sq mi)
• Land	20,737 km2 (8,007 sq mi)
Population
• 2022 estimate	3,131,640
• 2021 census	3,107,494
• Density	151/km2 (391.1/sq mi)
GVA	2022 estimate
• Total	£74.5 billion
• Per capita	£23,804
GDP (nominal)	2022 estimate
• Total	£85.4 billion
• Per capita	£27,274
Gini (2016⁠–⁠19)	▲ 30 medium
HDI (2021)	0.898 very high
Currency	Pound sterling (GBP; £)
Time zone	UTC+0 (Greenwich Mean Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1 (British Summer Time)
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy (AD)
Driving side	left
Calling code	+44
ISO 3166 code	GB-WLS
Internet TLD	.wales .cymru

Wales (Welsh: Cymru [ˈkəmrɨ]) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the western side of Great Britain. The Irish Sea borders it to the north and west. England is to the east, and the Bristol Channel is to the south. The Celtic Sea is to the south-west.

As of 2021, Wales had a population of over 3.1 million people. It covers an area of about 21,218 square kilometers (8,192 square miles). The country has a long coastline, stretching over 1,680 miles (2,700 km). Wales is mostly mountainous, with its highest peaks in the north and central areas. The highest mountain is Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa). The climate is changeable and maritime, meaning it's influenced by the sea. The capital and largest city is Cardiff.

A unique Welsh culture developed after the Romans left Britain in the 5th century. Wales was briefly united under Gruffydd ap Llywelyn in 1055. After many years of war, King Edward I of England conquered Wales by 1283. However, Owain Glyndŵr led a revolt in the early 15th century. He briefly created an independent Welsh state with its own parliament. In the 16th century, England officially took over Wales. Welsh laws were replaced by English laws.

In the 19th century, Wales developed its own politics. The Liberal Party was strong, but later the Labour Party became more popular. Welsh national feeling grew, leading to the creation of the nationalist party, Plaid Cymru, in 1925. The Welsh Language Society was formed in 1962 to protect the Welsh language. Today, Wales has its own government system called Welsh devolution. The Senedd (Welsh Parliament) was formed in 1998. It makes decisions on many matters for Wales.

The Industrial Revolution changed Wales from a farming society to an industrial one. Mining and metal industries grew rapidly, especially coal mining in South Wales. Two-thirds of the population now live in South Wales, in cities like Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport. The eastern part of North Wales has about a sixth of the population, with Wrexham as its largest city. Other parts of Wales are less populated. Today, the economy relies on public services, light industries, and tourism. Farming is mostly about raising animals.

Wales has a strong national and cultural identity. It is often called the "land of song" because of its eisteddfod tradition and choir singing. Both Welsh and English are official languages. Most people speak English, but many in the north and west speak Welsh. Wales has four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, three of which are in the north.

What's in a Name?

The English words "Wales" and "Welsh" come from an old Germanic word, Walh. This word was used to describe people who spoke Celtic languages, like the ancient Britons. The Anglo-Saxons, who spoke Old English, used Wælisc for the Celtic Britons and Wēalas for their lands.

The modern Welsh name for themselves is Cymry. The Welsh name for Wales is Cymru. These names started appearing in writing around the 7th century.

A Look Back in Time

Early Beginnings

People have lived in Wales for at least 29,000 years. Continuous human life started after the last ice age, about 12,000 to 10,000 years ago. At that time, hunter-gatherers from central Europe moved to Great Britain. Sea levels were much lower, and Britain was connected to mainland Europe.

Around 10,250 years ago, glaciers left Wales, and the climate became warmer. Forests grew, and the rising sea levels separated Wales from Ireland. By 8,000 years ago, Britain became an island.

About 6,000 years ago, people in Wales started farming instead of hunting and gathering. This change is called the Neolithic Revolution. They cleared forests for farms and built large stone monuments called cromlechs, like Pentre Ifan. Over time, people in Wales adopted ideas from the Bronze Age and Iron Age Celtic cultures. By the time the Romans arrived, Wales was home to several Celtic tribes.

Roman Times

The Romans began conquering Wales in AD 48, and it took them 30 years. Roman rule lasted over 300 years. The Welsh tribes, like the Silures and Ordovices, fought bravely but were eventually defeated. Roman rule in Wales was mostly military. Only the southern coastal area saw much Roman influence.

Caerwent was the only town founded by the Romans in Wales. Wales had rich minerals like gold, copper, and lead. The Romans used their engineering skills to mine these. However, Wales did not become a major industrial area for the Romans. This was because it lacked the right materials and its mountainous land was not good for industry.

Latin became the official language, but people in Wales mostly continued to speak their Celtic language. The upper classes started to see themselves as Roman. Christianity also spread in Wales after Christians were allowed to worship freely in the 4th century.

In 383 AD, a Roman general named Magnus Maximus took troops and leaders from Britain to gain power. He left local rulers in charge. This event is seen by some as the start of the Welsh nation.

After the Romans

After the Romans left Britain in AD 410, Germanic peoples took over much of eastern and south-eastern Britain. However, by AD 500, the land that would become Wales had split into several independent kingdoms. These included Gwynedd, Powys, and Gwent.

The Welsh people, known as Britons, fought to keep their lands. The kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria (English kingdoms) often fought with Powys, Gwent, and Gwynedd over their borders. Offa's Dyke, a large earth wall, was built by King Offa of Mercia. It largely marked the border between the Welsh and English.

In 853, Vikings attacked Anglesey. But in 856, Rhodri the Great defeated their leader. Later, the Welsh made peace with the Vikings.

Medieval Wales

The English called the Welsh Walha, meaning 'Romanised foreigner'. But the Welsh called themselves Brythoniaid (Britons) for a long time. Later, they started using Cymry (Welsh people) and Cymru (Wales).

From 800 AD, Rhodri the Great (ruled 844–77) united Gwynedd and Powys through marriages. His grandsons founded important Welsh royal families. Hywel Dda (ruled 900–50) united more lands and wrote down Welsh laws in the 940s.

Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (ruled 1039–63) was the only Welsh king to rule over all of Wales. This lasted for about seven years. Owain Gwynedd (1100–70) was the first Welsh ruler to use the title "Prince of the Welsh."

After the Normans conquered England in 1066, they set up lordships along the Welsh border. These areas were called the Welsh Marches. The lords there were not under English or Welsh law.

Llywelyn the Great (1173–1240) became the first Prince of Wales in 1216. His grandson, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, also held this title. However, after disputes, King Edward I of England invaded Wales in 1282. This ended the rule of the Welsh princes. Llywelyn was killed, and his brother Dafydd was executed.

To keep control, Edward I built many large stone castles, like Caernarfon Castle. His son, who became King Edward II, was born at Caernarfon in 1284. He became the first English Prince of Wales in 1301.

Later, Owain Glyndŵr led a major rebellion against England in the early 1400s. He was even crowned Prince of Wales. But the rebellion failed, and Owain went into hiding. Wales was formally joined with England in 1536. Welsh law was then replaced by English law.

Industrial Wales

Before the Industrial Revolution, Wales was mostly a farming country. Small industries like milling and wool production existed. The Industrial Revolution, from 1750 to 1850, changed everything.

Copper smelting grew in the Swansea area. Swansea became a major center for metal smelting in the 19th century. Iron manufacturing also expanded in both north and south Wales. In the 1820s, South Wales produced 40% of all pig iron in Britain.

Slate quarrying grew quickly in North Wales. The Penrhyn Quarry employed 15,000 men by the late 19th century. But coal mining became the most important industry for Wales. Coal was used for metal industries, and with canals and railways, demand boomed.

The South Wales coalfield saw huge growth, especially in the valleys around Aberdare and Rhondda. Ports like Swansea and Cardiff became major coal exporters. By 1913, Wales produced almost 61 million tons of coal. This led to a rapid increase in population.

Modern Wales

Early 20th Century Changes

Before World War I, Wales was a successful nation. Coal production continued to rise. When the war started (1914–1918), Wales joined the fight as part of the United Kingdom. About 272,924 Welshmen served, and around 35,000 were killed.

The early 20th century also saw political changes. The Liberal Party had been strong, but the Labour Party grew in popularity, especially among industrial workers. By 1922, Labour held half of the Welsh seats in Parliament.

Mid-20th Century Challenges

After economic growth, Wales' industries faced a long downturn from the 1920s to the 1930s. This caused high unemployment and poverty, especially in the South Wales valleys. The population of Wales even decreased for the first time in centuries.

The Second World War (1939–1945) brought production demands that helped reduce unemployment. Welsh service members fought in all major war zones, and about 15,000 were killed. German air raids targeted docks in Swansea, Cardiff, and Pembroke.

Late 20th Century Revival

The 20th century saw a rise in Welsh national feeling. Plaid Cymru was formed in 1925, seeking more independence. In 1955, Cardiff was named the capital city of Wales. The Welsh Language Society was created in 1962 to protect the Welsh language.

Nationalist feelings grew after the Tryweryn valley was flooded in 1965 to create a reservoir for Liverpool, England. This happened even though most Welsh MPs voted against it. This event showed Wales' limited power. Groups like the Free Wales Army and Welsh Defence Movement formed, carrying out protests.

In 1966, Gwynfor Evans won a parliamentary seat for Plaid Cymru, a first for the party. By the end of the 1960s, policies to bring new businesses to Wales helped diversify the economy. However, a recession in the early 1980s led to the collapse of many manufacturing jobs.

Devolution: Wales Takes More Control

In 1979, Welsh voters said "no" to creating a Welsh assembly. But in 1997, a second vote passed, though by a small margin. The National Assembly for Wales (Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) was set up in 1999. It decides how the Welsh budget is spent. The UK Parliament still sets limits on its powers.

The governments of the UK and Wales usually call Wales a country. The Welsh Government states: "Wales is not a Principality... Wales is a country in its own right." The title Prince of Wales is still given to the heir to the British throne, currently Prince Charles. However, the Prince of Wales has no role in governing modern Wales.

Land and Nature

Wales is a mountainous country in western Great Britain. It is about 170 miles (270 km) long from north to south and 60 miles (97 km) wide from east to west. Its total area is about 20,779 square kilometers (8,023 sq mi).

Most of Wales is mountainous, especially in the north and center. These mountains were shaped by the last ice age. The highest mountains are in Snowdonia ([Eryri] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)). Snowdon ([Yr Wyddfa] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) is the highest, at 1,085 meters (3,560 ft). There are 14 Welsh mountains over 3,000 feet high, all in a small area in the north-west.

The Brecon Beacons are in the south, with Pen y Fan as their highest point. The Cambrian Mountains are in Mid Wales.

Wales has three national parks: Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons, and Pembrokeshire Coast. It also has five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which are special landscapes. The Gower Peninsula was the first area in the UK to get this title in 1956.

Much of Wales' coastline is protected as Heritage Coast. In 2012, Wales had 43 Blue Flag beaches, showing their high quality. The coasts, especially in the south and west, are often hit by strong winds from the Atlantic. This has caused many shipwrecks over the years.

The border between Wales and England was not always clear. The Act of Union in 1536 created a clear line. Even then, some parts were vague until the Welsh Sunday Closing Act of 1881.

The Seven Wonders of Wales is an old list of seven famous places in North Wales. These include Snowdon, the bells of Gresford, Llangollen bridge, St Winefride's Well, Wrexham steeple, Overton yew trees, and Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall.

Geology: Rocks and Time

The earliest geological period, the Cambrian, is named after the Cambrian Mountains in Wales. Geologists first studied rocks from this period here. The next two periods, the Ordovician and Silurian, were also named after ancient Celtic tribes from Wales. This shows how important Wales was for understanding Earth's history.

Climate: Weather in Wales

Wales has a changeable, maritime climate, meaning it's often cloudy, wet, and windy. Summers are warm, and winters are mild. Wales is one of the wettest countries in Europe.

Temperatures vary across the country. Coastal areas are warmer, while mountains are cooler. The North Atlantic Current helps keep Wales warmer than other places at the same latitude.

Summers are usually warm and sunny, with average highs between 19°C and 22°C. Winters are wet, but temperatures usually stay above freezing. Spring and autumn are similar, with temperatures above 14°C.

The sunniest time is from May to August. The south-western coast gets the most sunshine. The least sunny areas are the mountains. The wind usually blows from the south-west. Coastal areas are windiest, especially in winter.

Rainfall varies greatly. Western areas get more rain. The uplands of Wales get the most rain, with Snowdonia averaging 3,000 to 5,000 millimeters (120 to 200 inches) per year. Snow is common in the mountains but rare near the coast. Swansea is known as the wettest city in Great Britain.

Plants and Animals

Wales has many seabirds along its long coastline, including gannets, puffins, and razorbills. The country's uplands are home to birds like ravens and ring ouzels. Birds of prey, such as the merlin and the red kite, are also found here. The red kite is a special symbol of Welsh wildlife. Over 200 bird species have been seen at the RSPB reserve in Conwy.

Larger mammals like brown bears and wolves died out in Wales during the Norman period. Today, you can find shrews, voles, badgers, otters, and many types of bats. The European polecat was almost gone from Britain but survived in Wales and is now spreading. Wild goats live in Snowdonia.

The waters off south-west Wales are home to marine animals. These include basking sharks, grey seals, leatherback turtles, dolphins, and porpoises. Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion are especially important for bottlenose dolphins. River fish include salmon and eels. The Gwyniad fish is found only in Bala Lake.

Wales also has unique plants. The Snowdon lily and other alpine species grow in the high parts of Snowdonia. The spotted rock-rose is found on Anglesey, and Draba aizoides on the Gower.

How Wales Makes Money

Over the last 250 years, Wales has changed from a farming country to an industrial one, and now to a post-industrial economy. This means most jobs are in services, not manufacturing. In 2018, Wales's total economic output (GDP) was £75 billion.

In 2019, Wales produced more electricity than it used, making it a net exporter. In 2021, over half of Wales's energy came from renewable sources, like hydropower.

Wales contributes to UK-wide costs, like the HS2 railway, which some believe harms the Welsh economy. Wales also spends more on military costs than similar-sized countries.

From the mid-19th century until after World War II, coal mining was the main industry. At its peak in 1913, nearly 233,000 people worked in the South Wales coalfield. Cardiff was once the world's largest coal-exporting port. In the 1920s, over 40% of Welsh men worked in heavy industry.

The Great Depression badly affected Wales due to its reliance on coal and steel. From the 1970s, many heavy industry jobs disappeared. New jobs appeared in light industry and services. Wales attracted many foreign companies, but often these were "branch factories" with higher-paid jobs elsewhere.

Much of Wales's land is not good for growing crops, so farming focuses on raising animals like sheep and cows. About 78% of the land is used for agriculture. The beautiful Welsh landscape and its national parks attract many tourists, which helps the economy in rural areas.

Wales uses the pound sterling currency. The Royal Mint, which makes all UK coins, has been based in Llantrisant, Wales, since 1980.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 affected all parts of the economy, especially tourism. Travel restrictions meant fewer visitors.

Getting Around Wales

Main Roads

• The M4 motorway connects West London to South Wales, linking Newport, Cardiff, and Swansea. The Welsh Government manages the part of the M4 in Wales.
• The A55 expressway runs along the North Wales coast. It connects Holyhead and Bangor with Wrexham and Flintshire, and links to Chester in England.
• The main road connecting North and South Wales is the A470, which goes from Cardiff to Llandudno.

Rail Travel

Rail transport in Wales is mostly managed by the Welsh Government. Most passenger trains are run by Transport for Wales Rail. Cardiff has its own local rail network.

Many railway lines were closed in the 1960s. Now, most trains travel east-west, connecting to ports for ferries to Ireland. Trains between North and South Wales often go through English cities like Chester and Hereford.

Air and Sea Travel

Cardiff Airport is the international airport for Wales. It has flights to Europe, Africa, and North America. It is about 12 miles (19 km) southwest of Cardiff city center.

Wales has four commercial ferry ports. Regular ferries to Ireland leave from Holyhead, Pembroke Dock, and Fishguard.

Learning in Wales

Wales has its own unique education system. Before the 18th century, only wealthy people received formal education. Griffith Jones started "circulating schools" in the 1730s, which taught many people to read.

In the 19th century, Wales adopted an English-style education system. In some schools, children were punished for speaking Welsh. This was called the "Welsh Not" and was very unpopular.

The University College of Wales opened in Aberystwyth in 1872. Later, colleges in Cardiff and Bangor joined to form the University of Wales. The Welsh Intermediate Education Act 1889 created 95 secondary schools.

In the late 20th century, Welsh-language schools became popular again. Welsh is now a required subject in all state schools in Wales for students aged 5–16. Higher education in Welsh is supported by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. In 2021–2022, Wales had 1,470 schools with over 471,000 students.

Staying Healthy

Public healthcare in Wales is provided by NHS Wales (GIG Cymru). It is run by seven local health boards and three all-Wales trusts. NHS Wales was originally part of the UK's NHS but gained more control after devolution in 1999.

Historically, Wales had smaller local hospitals. Now, more complex medical work is done in larger district hospitals. NHS Wales employs over 90,000 staff, making it Wales's largest employer.

A 2021–22 survey showed that 72% of adults in Wales reported good or very good health. 46% had a long-term illness like arthritis or asthma. The survey also found that 30% of adults ate at least 5 portions of fruit or vegetables daily, and 36% were at a healthy weight.

People of Wales

Population History

Population of Wales
Year	Pop.	±%
1536	278,000	—
1620	360,000	+29.5%
1770	500,000	+38.9%
1801	587,000	+17.4%
1851	1,163,000	+98.1%
1911	2,421,000	+108.2%
1921	2,656,000	+9.7%
1939	2,487,000	−6.4%
1961	2,644,000	+6.3%
1991	2,811,865	+6.3%
2011	3,063,000	+8.9%
Estimated (before 1801); census (after 1801)

The population of Wales grew a lot during the Industrial Revolution. It doubled from 587,000 in 1801 to 1,163,000 in 1851. By 1911, it reached 2,421,000. Most of this growth was in coal mining areas like Glamorgan. Many people also moved to Wales, especially from England and Ireland.

After 1972, the population stayed about the same for a while. In the early 1980s, some people moved out of Wales. But since then, more people have moved into Wales than out of it.

In 2011, the population of Wales was 3,063,456. This was a 5% increase from 2001. Wales has six cities: Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Bangor, St Asaph, and St Davids.

Largest cities or towns in Wales Office for National Statistics 2011 Census
Rank	Name	Pop.
1	Cardiff	335,145
2	Swansea	239,000
3	Newport	128,060
4	Wrexham	61,603
5	Barry	54,673
6	Neath	50,658
7	Cwmbran	46,915
8	Bridgend	46,757
9	Llanelli	43,878
10	Merthyr Tydfil	43,820

Languages Spoken

The Welsh language (Welsh: Cymraeg) is an ancient Celtic language. It is related to Cornish and Breton. Most experts believe Celtic languages came to Britain around 600 BCE. The English language arrived in Wales around the end of the 8th century.

The Welsh Bible and the Protestant Reformation helped the Welsh language survive. Laws passed in 1942, 1967, 1993, and 2011 improved the legal status of Welsh. Many road signs are now bilingual. Since 2011, Welsh is the only official language in any part of the United Kingdom.

English is spoken by almost everyone in Wales and is the main language in most areas. In North and West Wales, many people speak Welsh as their first language. The 2011 Census showed that 19% of the Welsh population could speak Welsh.

"Wenglish" is a Welsh dialect of English. It has been influenced by Welsh grammar and includes Welsh words.

Since Poland joined the European Union, many Polish immigrants have come to Wales. This has made Polish the third most spoken language in Wales.

Beliefs and Religions

The largest religion in Wales is Christianity. In the 2011 census, 57.6% of people said they were Christian. The Church in Wales is the largest Christian group. It was part of the Church of England until 1920. The Presbyterian Church of Wales started from a religious revival in the 18th century. Roman Catholicism is the second largest Christian faith.

In 2011, 32.1% of people said they had no religion. About 7.6% did not answer.

The patron saint of Wales is Saint David (Dewi Sant). Saint David's Day is celebrated every year on March 1st. People wear a leek or a daffodil, which are national symbols. Children sometimes wear traditional Welsh costumes.

Non-Christian religions are small in Wales, making up about 2.7% of the population. Islam is the largest non-Christian faith, with 24,000 Muslims in 2011. There are also communities of Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists. Judaism was the first non-Christian faith in Wales since Roman times.

Who Lives in Wales?

The 2021 census showed that 93.8% of people in Wales identified as "White." The second largest group was "Asian, Asian Welsh or Asian British" at 2.9%. Other groups included "Mixed or multiple ethnic groups" (1.6%), "Black, Black Welsh, Black British, Caribbean or African" (0.9%), and "Other ethnic group" (0.9%). Cities like Cardiff, Newport, and Swansea have the most diverse populations.

In 2021, the first outdoor statue of a named, non-fictional woman in Wales was put up for Betty Campbell, Wales's first black headteacher. In 2023, Patti Flynn, a black Welsh woman, received a purple plaque for her achievements.

Feeling Welsh

The 2021 census showed that 55.2% of people identified as "Welsh only." Another 8.1% identified as "Welsh and British." This means 63.3% of people felt Welsh to some degree. A 2022 poll found that 67% considered themselves Welsh to some extent.

Welsh Culture

Wales has a special culture with its own language, traditions, holidays, and music. There are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Wales. These include the castles of King Edward I, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape, and the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales.

Old Stories and Myths

The ancient Celtic stories of Wales were passed down by poets. Some of these stories are found in old Welsh books like the Black Book of Carmarthen and the Red Book of Hergest. The prose stories from these books are known as the Mabinogion.

These texts also contain early versions of the Arthurian legend and traditional history of post-Roman Britain. Other sources of Welsh folklore include the 9th-century Historia Brittonum and Geoffrey of Monmouth's 12th-century Historia Regum Britanniae.

Books and Writers

Wales has one of Europe's oldest continuous literary traditions, going back to the 6th century. Early Welsh poems by Taliesin and Aneirin still exist in later forms. Welsh poetry thrived through the Middle Ages. Dafydd ap Gwilym was one of Wales's greatest poets.

In 1588, William Morgan was the first to translate the Welsh Bible into Welsh. This helped the language survive. In the 19th century, writers tried to create a Welsh epic, often inspired by the eisteddfod.

Lady Charlotte Guest translated the Mabinogion into English in the 19th century. Rhys Lewis by Daniel Owen (1885) is considered the first novel written in Welsh. The 20th century saw a shift from older styles. The World Wars influenced a more serious style of writing.

After World War II, writers like Dylan Thomas became famous. His most famous work, Under Milk Wood, was first broadcast in 1954. Thomas was one of the most important Welsh writers of his time. Later writers, like R. S. Thomas, showed more support for Welsh nationalism.

Museums and Libraries

Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales was founded in 1907. It runs seven museums, including the National Museum Cardiff and St Fagans National History Museum. Entry to all sites is free.

The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth holds important collections of books, art, and photographs.

Art and Design

Ancient Celtic art has been found in Wales. In early medieval times, Welsh Christian art was part of the art of the British Isles. Some illuminated manuscripts from Wales still exist, like the 8th-century Hereford Gospels.

Many Welsh artists in the 16th–18th centuries left Wales to work in London or Italy. Richard Wilson (1714–1782) was a major British landscape painter. He painted many Welsh scenes. By the late 18th century, more artists could stay in Wales as landscape art became popular.

The Cardiff School of Art opened in 1865. Artists often still had to leave Wales for work. However, Betws-y-Coed became a popular art center. The sculptor Sir William Goscombe John created works for Wales but lived in London.

Welsh painters like Augustus John and Gwen John lived in London and Paris. But landscapists Sir Kyffin Williams and Peter Prendergast lived mostly in Wales. Ceri Richards was a figurative painter who used international styles like Surrealism.

South Wales had several important potteries. The Cambrian Pottery (1764–1870) in Swansea and Nantgarw Pottery near Cardiff made fine porcelain.

National Symbols

Wales is seen as a modern Celtic nation. The red dragon is the main symbol of Welsh identity and pride. It represents the bravery of the Welsh people. The dragon is mentioned in old stories as a symbol of the Britons.

The red dragon has been used as an emblem since the 7th century. It is on the national flag of Wales, which became official in 1959. The banner of Owain Glyndŵr is also linked to Welsh nationhood. It has four lions on red and gold.

The Prince of Wales's feathers is another symbol used in Wales. It has three white feathers from a gold crown and the German motto Ich dien (I serve). Many Welsh sports teams and army regiments use this badge.

On March 1st, Welsh people celebrate Saint David's Day, honoring their patron saint. It is not a public holiday, but schools and cultural groups celebrate it. People often wear a leek or a daffodil, which are national emblems. The leek has been a symbol since the 16th century, and the daffodil became popular later.

"Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" (English: Land of My Fathers) is the national anthem of Wales. It is played at sports events and official occasions. "Cymru am byth" ("Wales forever") is a popular Welsh motto. Another motto, "Y Ddraig Goch Ddyry Cychwyn" ("the red dragon inspires action"), is on the Royal Badge of Wales.

Sports in Wales

Over 50 national sports bodies organize sports in Wales. Welsh teams and athletes represent their country in major events. These include the FIFA World Cup (football), Rugby World Cup, and the Commonwealth Games. At the Olympic Games, Welsh athletes compete as part of the Great Britain team.

Wales has hosted several international sports events. These include the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, the 1999 Rugby World Cup, and the 2017 UEFA Champions League Final.

While football is popular in North Wales, rugby union is a huge symbol of Welsh identity. The Wales national rugby union team plays in the annual Six Nations Championship and has competed in every Rugby World Cup. Welsh regional teams like Cardiff Blues and Ospreys play in major competitions.

Wales has its own football league, the Welsh Premier League. Some Welsh clubs, like Cardiff City and Swansea City, play in the English football league system. The Wales national football team reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2016.

In international cricket, Wales and England play as one team, the England cricket team. Glamorgan County Cricket Club is the only Welsh team in the England and Wales County Championship. Wales has also produced famous athletes in snooker, track and field, cycling, and boxing.

Media and News

Wales became the UK's first digital television nation in 2010. BBC Cymru Wales is the national broadcaster. It produces TV and radio shows in both Welsh and English. It also makes popular shows like Doctor Who for the whole UK.

ITV has a Welsh service called ITV Cymru Wales. S4C started broadcasting in 1982. It mainly shows Welsh-language programs. BBC Radio Cymru is the BBC's Welsh-language radio service.

Most newspapers in Wales are national UK papers. The Western Mail is Wales's only national daily newspaper. Regional papers include the Daily Post and the South Wales Evening Post. Y Cymro is a weekly Welsh-language newspaper.

The Books Council of Wales helps promote Welsh literature. Around 650 books are published each year by Welsh publishers. Magazines like Cambria (English) and Golwg (Welsh) cover Welsh topics. Y Traethodydd, a Welsh-language magazine, has been published since 1845.

Food and Cooking

About 78% of Wales's land is used for farming. Most of this is pasture for sheep and cows. Wales is known for its sheep farming, so lamb is a traditional Welsh meat.

Traditional Welsh dishes include laverbread (made from edible seaweed), bara brith (fruit bread), cawl (a lamb stew), Welsh cakes, and Welsh lamb. Cockles are sometimes eaten for breakfast with bacon and laverbread.

While Wales has its own traditional foods, Welsh diets are now also influenced by Indian, Chinese, and American cuisines. Chicken tikka masala is a favorite dish.

Arts and Entertainment

Music and Festivals

Wales is known as "the land of song." It is famous for its solo singers, male voice choirs, and harpists. The annual National Eisteddfod is Wales's main performance festival. The Llangollen International Eisteddfod brings singers and musicians from around the world.

Traditional Welsh instruments include the triple harp, fiddle, crwth (a bowed lyre), and the pibgorn (hornpipe). Male voice choirs became popular in the 19th century. Many old choirs still perform today.

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales performs in Wales and internationally. The Welsh National Opera is based in Cardiff. Wales has produced many famous singers in both classical and pop music.

Plays and Shows

The oldest Welsh plays are medieval miracle plays. A Welsh theater tradition grew in the 18th century with "interludes," plays performed at fairs. Theater thrived in the early 20th century.

After World War II, professional theater grew. Plays by Emlyn Williams and Alun Owen were staged. Welsh actors like Richard Burton and Anthony Hopkins became famous worldwide. Wales has also produced well-known comedians.

Dance

Traditional Welsh dances include folk dancing and clog dancing. Dancing was mentioned in Wales in the 12th century. But by the 19th century, traditional dance almost disappeared due to religious opposition.

In the 20th century, Lois Blake led a revival of traditional dance. Clog dancing was kept alive by Hywel Wood and others. The Welsh Folk Dance Society was founded in 1949. The National Dance Company Wales was formed in 1983 and is now based at the Wales Millennium Centre.

See also

In Spanish: Gales para niños