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By The National Wales
May 17, 2025
Wales is a country within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, located on the island of Great Britain alongside Scotland and England. It forms a westward extension of Great Britain, bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. The capital and largest city is Cardiff, located at 51°29′N 3°11′W, serving as the main commercial and financial center.
Governance and Political Identity
Wales has its own devolved government and parliament, known as the Senedd. Although some political decisions, such as—those concerning crime and policing, defense, and foreign affairs—are still made by the UK Government. People in Wales travel on British passports, like all citizens who live within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Key Facts About Wales
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Population | 3.1 million (4.6% of UK population) |
| Area | 8,023 square miles (20,779 sq km) |
| Official Languages | Cymraeg (Welsh) and English |
| Currency | £ Pound Sterling |
| Time Zone | GMT |
| National Day | St David’s Day (March 1) |
| National Anthem | “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” (Land of My Fathers) |
| Average Summer Temperature | 20°C (68°F) |
| Average Winter Temperature | 6°C (43°F) |
Geography and Natural Features
Wales is bordered by England to the east and by sea in all other directions: the Irish Sea to the north and west, St George’s Channel and the Celtic Sea to the southwest, and the Bristol Channel to the south. It has approximately 1,680 miles (2,700 km) of coastline, including the mainland, Anglesey, and Holyhead.
Over 50 islands lie off the Welsh mainland, with Anglesey being the largest in the northwest. Much of Wales’s diverse landscape is mountainous, particularly in the north and central regions, shaped during the last ice age, the Devensian glaciation.
The highest mountain in Wales is Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in Gwynedd, standing at 1,085 meters (3,560 feet).
The 14 Welsh mountains (or 15, including Carnedd Gwenllian) over 3,000 feet (910 meters) high, known collectively as the Welsh 3000s, are located in a small area in the northwest.
The highest mountain outside the 3000s is Aran Fawddwy, at 905 meters (2,969 feet), in the south of Snowdonia. The Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) in the south have their highest point at Pen y Fan, 886 meters (2,907 feet), while the Cambrian Mountains in Mid Wales peak at Pumlumon, 752 meters (2,467 feet).
National Parks and Protected Areas
Wales is home to three national parks: Snowdonia (Eryri), Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), and Pembrokeshire Coast (Arfordir Penfro). It also has five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Anglesey, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley, the Gower Peninsula, the Llŷn Peninsula, and the Wye Valley.
The Gower Peninsula was the first area in the United Kingdom to be designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956. Over 1,000 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) cover 12% of Wales, forming the basis for its network of protected nature conservation areas. As of 2019, the coastline of Wales had 40 Blue Flag beaches, three Blue Flag marinas, and one Blue Flag boat operator.
Coastal Challenges and Historical Shipwrecks
The south and west coasts of Wales, along with the Irish and Cornish coasts, are frequently blasted by Atlantic westerlies/south-westerlies, contributing to numerous shipwrecks over the years. In 1859, a hurricane destroyed over 110 ships off the coast of Wales, with more than 800 lives lost across Britain.
The greatest single loss was the sinking of the Royal Charter off Anglesey, which claimed 459 lives. Throughout the 19th century, over 100 vessels were lost, with an average loss of 78 sailors per year. Wartime actions caused additional losses near Holyhead, Milford Haven, and Swansea. Offshore rocks and unlit islands make Anglesey and Pembrokeshire notorious for shipwrecks, notably the Sea Empress oil spill in 1996.
Historical Borders
The first border between Wales and England was zonal, except around the River Wye, which was the first accepted boundary. Offa’s Dyke was intended to form an early distinct line, but Gruffudd ap Llewellyn reclaimed land beyond the dyke, thwarting this effort.
The Act of Union 1536 established a linear border from the mouth of the Dee to the mouth of the Wye. Borders remained vague and moveable until the Sunday Closing (Wales) Act 1881, which forced local businesses to decide whether they fell under Welsh or English law.
Cities and Regions
Wales has seven cities: Bangor, Cardiff (the capital), Newport, St Davids, St Asaph, Swansea, and Wrexham. St Davids, the UK’s smallest city by population, has been a popular pilgrimage destination for centuries, while Wrexham, the newest city, gained city status in 2022 as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Wales is divided into 22 local authority areas, each with its own elected council responsible for local issues like housing, town planning, and schools. These areas are grouped into four regions: North Wales, West Wales, Mid Wales, and South Wales, each with distinct geography and landscapes.
Cultural Highlights
Wales is renowned for its castles, with over 600 scattered across the country. Some have been continuously inhabited for a thousand years, others are romantic ruins, and some have nearly vanished.
Many are native Welsh castles built by Welsh royal dynasties in picturesque locations, such as Conwy Castle and Laugharne Castle. The Welsh flag features a dragon, a nod to the country’s mythical heritage. The longest place name in Wales, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, is locally known as Llanfair PG.
Conclusion
From its devolved government to its iconic castles and protected natural areas, Wales offers a unique blend of history and modernity. While its challenging coastline and historical borders reflect its resilience.
Whether drawn by the allure of Yr Wyddfa or the charm of St Davids, Wales remains a captivating destination within the United Kingdom.