Wales is a country in the west of Great Britain and part of the United Kingdom. It borders England to the east and is surrounded by the Irish Sea, St George's Channel and the Bristol Channel. Its capital and largest city is Cardiff.
Wales has its own language, devolved parliament, government, legal identity in some policy areas and national institutions. It is known for its mountains, coastline, castles, industrial history, music, literature, rugby, football and Welsh-language culture.
Geography
Wales has a varied landscape that includes mountain ranges, valleys, farmland, uplands and a long coastline. Eryri, also known in English as Snowdonia, includes Yr Wyddfa, the highest mountain in Wales.
Other important landscapes include Bannau Brycheiniog, the Pembrokeshire Coast, the Gower Peninsula, Anglesey and the valleys of south Wales. The climate is temperate and often wet, especially in upland and western areas.
History
Wales developed from Brittonic-speaking kingdoms after Roman rule in Britain ended. It retained a distinct language and legal tradition through the early medieval period.
English conquest and later laws tied Wales more closely to England, especially after the Laws in Wales Acts of the sixteenth century. Welsh identity nevertheless continued through language, religion, local institutions, literature and community life.
Industrialisation changed Wales sharply in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Coal, iron, slate and steel shaped towns, transport links and working-class politics, especially in the south Wales valleys and north Wales quarrying areas.
Government
Wales has devolved government within the United Kingdom. The Welsh Parliament, known as the Senedd, is the elected legislature for Wales. It makes laws in devolved areas, approves Welsh taxes and holds the Welsh Government to account.
The Welsh Government handles many domestic policy areas, including health, education, transport, local government, housing, culture and the Welsh language. Matters such as defence, foreign affairs and most immigration policy remain reserved to the UK Parliament and UK Government.
Language
Welsh, or Cymraeg, is a Celtic language and one of the main markers of Welsh identity. It has official status in Wales alongside English.
Welsh is used in education, public services, broadcasting, literature, music and community life. The number and proportion of Welsh speakers varies by region, with stronger concentrations in parts of north and west Wales.
Economy
The Welsh economy includes public services, manufacturing, energy, agriculture, tourism, higher education, finance, media and creative industries. Cardiff is a major centre for government, finance, media and sport.
Historic heavy industries have declined, but their legacy remains important in settlement patterns, transport and culture. Modern economic policy often focuses on skills, infrastructure, renewable energy, digital industries and regional inequality.
Culture
Welsh culture includes the Eisteddfod tradition, Welsh-language poetry, choral singing, folk music, literature, rugby union, football and local festivals. The National Eisteddfod is one of the best-known cultural events.
Wales also has a strong tradition of myth and storytelling, including material associated with the Mabinogion. Modern Welsh culture is bilingual and includes English-language and Welsh-language media, music and literature.
See Also
References
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