An introduction to Wales
Discover a land of isolated castles, rolling countryside and the beautiful sound of the Welsh language
What is the story..?
The Romans occupied the region from the 1st to the 5th century A.D. Thereafter Angles, Saxons, and Jutes invaded the British island, but they left Wales virtually untouched. Beginning in the 8th century, the various Welsh tribes fought with their Anglo-Saxon neighbors to the east, but the Welsh were able to thwart attempted invasions. After William the Conqueror subdued England in 1066, however, his Norman armies marched into Wales in 1093 and occupied portions of it. By 1282, the English conquest of Wales was complete. In 1301, King Edward I gave his son, who later became Edward II, the title Prince of Wales, a gesture meant to indicate the unity and relationship between the two lands.
The Industrial Revolution transformed Wales and threatened the traditional livelihood of farmers and shepherds. In the 20th century, the economy of Wales was based primarily on coal production.
In recent years, a resurgence of the Welsh language and culture has demonstrated a stronger national identity among the Welsh, and politically the country moved toward greater self-government (devolution). In 1999, with the strong support of Britain's prime minister, Tony Blair, Wales opened the Welsh National Assembly, the first real self-government Wales has had in more than 600 years.
Wales today...
Although Welsh interests had spokesmen in the British government in the early 20th cent.—the flamboyant David Lloyd George and the Welsh supporters of the Liberal party—chronic poverty and increasing unemployment continued almost unchecked until World War II. After the wartime industrial boom the Labour government, which drew substantial support from the socialist stronghold of S Wales, undertook a full-scale program of industrial redevelopment. This included reorganization of the coal mines and tinplate manufacture under government control, introduction of diversified industry, and improvement of communications, housing, and technical education. These actions did not save the coal industry; most of the mines in Wales have been closed, and the few remaining ones have been privatized.
As in earlier days, Welsh nationalism has undergone a revival since the mid-20th cent, with a special interest in education and the arts. The modern National Eisteddfod perpetuates interest in Welsh language, poetry, and choral music. Since 1944, primary and secondary schools have been established with Welsh as the sole language of instruction. A Welsh-language television channel opened in 1982, and there are several Welsh arts, opera, and literature councils on the national level (see also Welsh literature). In 1979, Welsh voters decisively defeated a British proposal for limited home rule, but in 1997 they narrowly passed a referendum to establish a 60-member assembly. Elections were held in 1999, with the Labour party winning the most seats and forming a coalition with the Liberal Democrats; the nationalist Plaid Cymru party became the chief opposition. Labour formed a government alone after the 2003 vote; Rhodri Morgan is the current first minister.
Facts about the weather...
On the whole, Wales is cloudier than England, because of the hilly nature of the terrain and the proximity to the Atlantic. Even so, the south-western coastal strip of Dyfed manages an annual average total of over 1,700 hours of sunshine (also achieved by many places along the south coast of England). Rainfall in Wales varies widely, with the highest average annual totals being recorded in the mountainous areas of Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons, where the yearly fall is comparable with that in the English Lake District or the western Highlands of Scotland. Snowdonia is the wettest part of Wales with average annual totals exceeding 3,000 mm, but coastal areas and the east receive less than 1,000 mm a year. Over Wales the mean annual temperature at low altitudes varies from about 9.5 °C to 10.5 °C, with the higher values occurring around or near to the coasts. July is normally the warmest month in Wales, and the highest temperatures of all have occurred furthest away from the cooling influence of the Atlantic. The highest temperature ever recorded in Wales is 35.2 °C at Hawarden Bridge in Clwyd, on 2 August 1990.
A land of dramatic scenery and awesome castles...
Defence and conquest have been constant themes in Welsh history. The result is a formidable series of massive 13th century castles, some built by the English under King Edward I, some built by the Welsh and re-built by the English. These fortresses remain in amazing condition and you will be able to climb the towers, turrets and explore the dungeons, chapels and Royal quarters. The Edwardian castles ring Snowdonia National Park and the Welsh castles tend to guard the passes through the mountains. Wales has some spectacular gardens, which include Powis Castle and Gardens, one of Britain's greatest and Bodnant Gardens is also much celebrated, these castles and gardens can feature on your tour. We also take much care in choosing our routes, to make sure your tour is different from the usual and well trodden tourist trail. You can be guaranteed you will see the famous sights along with seeing those forgotten valleys, narrows passes and isolated lakes.
Wales important facts:
Status: Part of United Kingdom. First Secretary: Rhodri Morgan (2000). Area: 8,019 sq mi (20,768 sq km). Population (1993 est.): 2,906,500 Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Cardiff, 676,400 (metro. area), 280,800 (city proper). Monetary unit: British pound sterling (£). Languages: English, Welsh. Religions: Calvinistic Methodist, Church of Wales (disestablished—Anglican), Roman Catholic.