What and Where is Wales?

Wales is known as the land of song, and boyZeta-Jones and possibly our most famous son
does the countryside sing to you. Wales is placedDylan Thomas. Many other people have been
on the western side of the UK and is the greentracing their Welsh ancestry recently - including
bit that sticks out on a map, above Devon andTom Cruise, Susan Sarandon, Russell Crowe and
Cornwall, and below Liverpool.Kylie Minogue. Many of the American Cultural
Depending on where you are coming from itIcons were either Welsh or had Welsh ancestry.
should not take you long to get here, but when14 of the original signatories to the declaration of
you get here you'll find that Wales is a veryIndependence for example were Welsh. Jack
different place.Daniels the drinks man was Welsh, and John
Although English is the first language in Wales,Quincy Adams President of the US was also
Wales has its own language that is spoken by 305Welsh.
of the population. Welsh is one of the oldestIf old Buildings are your thing, then we have over
languages in Europe and is still used in daily life.400 castles at the last count, the Welsh National
Next there is the Countryside views. Wales has 3Opera (one of the world's premier Opera
National Parks and 5 Areas of Outstanding NaturalCompanies), the largest single-span glasshouse in
Beauty, all part of a landscape that offersthe world (at the National Botanic Garden of
opportunities for a wide spectrum of activities.Wales), and a great flag with a Red Dragon on it.
Walking (the most popular), cycling (Wales hasThe capital city is Cardiff. The Romans had a
many canal paths that meander through stunningfortress here in the first Century AD, but
countryside) , climbing, golf (the 2010 Ryder cupCardiff's a young upstart by European city
will be held in Wales at the Celtic Manor Resort),Standards really. It was officially given capital
mountain biking (Afan Argoed trail is consistently instatus in 1955, and is home to a large
the top ten trails in the world in Mountain Bikingconcentration of Television and media companies,
circles) and paragliding are just the beginning ofturning out award- winning productions like the
the list.current incarnation of the legendary Dr Who
Welsh population is around 3 million people, soseries.
there's plenty of room for visitors, and you canSecond city is Swansea to the West which
be sure of a warm Welsh welcome.boasts the UK's first area of outstanding natural
Famous sons and daughters of Wales you willbeauty, 'the Gower'. This is the area that board
have heard of include Richard Burton, Sir Tomheads adore as the surfing there is some of the
Jones, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Catherinebest in the UK.