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Caernarfon Castle, Gwynedd, Wales, United Kingdom
Sunset behind Caernarfon Castle, the medieval fortress in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, Wales. The castle was the birthplace of Edward II of England, who became also the first Prince of Wales.
Image: Richard Outram
 

___ Wales

Flag of Wales
Flag of Wales - The Red Dragon Flag


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Location map of the United Kingdom


A virtual guide to Wales, a country, and one of the four constituent nations which form the United Kingdom, located in the south-west of Great Britain bordered by England to the east, the Bristol Channel to the south, St George's Channel in the west, and the Irish Sea to the north.

Wales is a generally mountainous country with a rugged coastline situated on the central western portion of Great Britain.

The country covers an area of 20,779 kmĀ², making it slightly larger than Slovenia, or slightly smaller than the US state of New Jersey.

Wales has a population of about 3 million people, capital city is Cardiff, spoken languages are Welsh and English (both official).


Wales | Cymru


Country Profile


Background:

Wales lost its independence in 1282 when it was conquered by the English King Edward I. From this time until 1999, Wales was ruled directly from London. In 1999 the first elections for the National Assembly for Wales were held. An Assembly with only limited domestic powers. Plans to increase the Welsh assembly's law-making powers are due to be announced.
 

Official Name:
Wales
Welsh: Cymru

Time:
Local Time = UTC +0h
Actual Time: Tue-Apr-16  17:36
Daylight saving time (DST) from March to October: UTC +1

Capital City: Cardiff (Caerdydd, pop. 305 000)

Other Cities:
Newport (137 000), Swansea (223 000)

Government:
Type: Constituent Nation of the United Kingdom
Head of state: HM Queen Elizabeth II

Geography:
Location: Europe, south-west of Great Britain bordered by England to the east, the Bristol Channel to the south, St George's Channel in the west, and the Irish Sea to the north.
Area: 20 755 sq. km (8,023 square miles).

Climate: Temperate, rainy some sunny spots.

People:
Nationality:
Population: 3.1 million people (2013)
Ethnic Groups: British 95%, Irish 0.5%
Religions: Christian 72%
Languages: English, Welsh (less than 30%)
Literacy: 99%

Currency: Pound sterling £ (GBP)



Note: External links will open in a new browser window.

Official Sites of Wales

Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru
The National Assembly for Wales.


Statistics
Statistics for Wales
Wales in figures.

Maps

Map of the United Kingdom
Detailed Map of the United Kingdom.
Google Earth Google Map Wales
Searchable map and satellite view of Wales.
Google Earth Google Map Cardiff
Searchable map and satellite view of Wales' capital.

Map of Europe
Political Map of Europe.

Welsh parliament building, Cardiff
The Senedd (Senate), the Welsh parliament building, Cardiff Bay.


News


National Assembly for Wales: News
Official governmental news.
BBC Wales
BBC news from Wales.
Daily Post
Daily newspaper for the North Wales region and Wales.
icWales
With news from Wales, the UK and around the world.
The North Wales Chronicle
Weekly local news from the Bangor, Anglesey and Caernarfon/Llyn areas.
South Wales Argus
News from Gwent.
 
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Arts & Culture


Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru
The National Library of Wales.
National Museums and Galleries of Wales
A guide to Welsh museums and galleries.
Welsh National Costume
The site provides the history of the traditional Welsh National costume.

 
 

Business & Economy


Cardiff Chamber of Commerce
The only accredited Chamber in Wales.

Welsh Development Agency (WDA)
Includes information for companies considering investing in Wales as well information about the country.
 
 
View of Llyn Llydaw from Crib Goch, Snowdonia
View of Llyn Llydaw lake from Crib Goch, Snowdonia, a mountainous region in north Wales.
Image: Mike Peel

Travel and Tour Consumer Information


Destination Wales - Country Guides


VisitWales.com
Holidays in Wales - the official Wales tourism website.

BBC Wales
BBC Wales' portal site, with comprehensive information on Wales.
Castles of Wales
A guide to Wales monuments of the Middle Ages, the medieval Castles of Wales.

icWales
Welsh portal, the national website of Wales.

Cardiff
Cardiff
The City of Cardiff
Cardiff County Council
The Cardiff County Council.

 
 

Education


Cardiff University
Official site of the University.
University of Wales
A federal university comprising six Constituent Institutions and two University Colleges.
University of Wales Aberystwyth
University of Wales at Aberystwyth.
University of Wales Swansea University of Wales at Swansea.
 
 

Environment & Nature


Countryside Council for Wales
The national wildlife conservation authority.
CADW
The historic environment agency with responsibility for protecting, conserving and promoting an appreciation of the historic environment of Wales.
Marine Awareness Project
Marine Awareness North Wales - to raise the public's awareness of the considerable and increasing troubles facing the marine environment today.
Wales Biodiversity Partnership
Biodiversity Action across Wales.
 
West Glamorgan - Arthur's Stone rock formation
View of the Arthur's Stone rock formation
© britainonview/ Rod Edwards

History


BBC: Wales History
Comprehensive site about Wales' history by BBC.

Traditions and history of Wales
From Roman times until today, site about history in Wales.

 
Conwy Castle
Gwynedd - Conwy Castle
© britainonview/ Rod Edwards

Search


Open Directory Project: Wales


Additional Information on Wales


Wikipedia: Wales
 
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