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Wales in 10 points
| 1. |
Capital: |
Cardiff or Caerdydd in Welsh |
| 2. |
Population: |
2.9¾ million |
| 3. |
Ethnic profile: |
- |
| 4. |
Borders: |
Wales borders with England and the Irish sea |
| 5. |
Main language: |
Welsh and English. Welsh is a Celtic language, is
the oldest living language in the U.K. and amongst the oldest in Europe. It is currently spoken by well over 20% of the population. After a long period of decline this figure is rising, thanks to a long campaign of establishing Welsh medium schools in anglicised areas. However, the language is still under threat in its rural heartlands of the west and the north. The distinct cultural heritage of Wales is a direct result of the Welsh language and its survival.
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| 6. |
Currency: |
British Pound |
| 7. |
Local delicacy: |
Bara lawr is a dish prepared with seaweed; cawl is a traditional meat and vegetable hotpot; Welsh rarebit is a glorified yummy cheese on toast |
| 8. |
Country profile: |
Wales lies on the mid-west coast of the United Kingdom. The geology of Wales has shaped the country's history with its mountainous terrain providing a natural fort against invading forces. The Romans could not wholly conquer Wales and was a feat which required all the might of the Norman armies. Most of Wales' huge castles were built by the Normans to quell future uprisings. Industry in Wales has traditionally been dominated by agriculture, coal mines in the south and slate quarries in the north. The Romans mined for Gold, the Tudor dynasty was founded here and the Normans built castles throughout Wales. But Wales' distinctive culture springs from her Celtic ancestors.
Wales is one of the newest democratic institutions in Europe. In 1997 the people of Wales voted for the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales. This measure of devolution allows the Welsh Assembly Government to deliver distinctly Welsh policies. The Assembly is also unique in the fact that it's the first political institution to elect 50% women.
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| 9. |
Culture: |
Known as the land of song, Wales is full of myths and music. Catrin Finch, the project patron and Bryn Terfel head the list of internationally renowned Welsh musicians together with Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Catherine Jenkins and Aled Jones. Visit www.famouswelsh.com for a full list of well-known Welsh actors, musicians and artists. The traditional hub of Welsh language culture is the eisteddfod - a highly competitive festival of literature, poetry and music. Small eisteddfodau are held regularly all over the country. The National Eisteddfod is Wales' largest cultural festival, based on 800 years of tradition. It hosts a range of activities including competitions in all aspects of the arts; fringe performances and majestic ceremonies including the crowning and the chairing of the bards. In addition to activities held in the main pavilion, it houses over 300 trade stands along with a literary pavilion, a music studio, a movement and dance theatre and a purpose built theatre. The event which attracts around 160,000 visitors, is set in a different location each year, thus making it one of Europe's largest moving festivals. This year it's the turn of Snowdonia to host the National Eisteddfod. The Faenol Estate near Bangor is the site this year and is held , between 30 July - 6 August 2005. |
| 10. |
Do you know that: |
Wales has the oldest flag in the world: the red dragon of Wales can be traced back to pre-medieval times. |
Interesting links
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www.eisteddfod.org.uk |
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www.famouswelsh.com |
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Arts Council of Wales www.artswales.org/ |
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BBC Wales online http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/default.stm |
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S4C (national broadcaster and project partner) www.s4c.co.uk |
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Academi (project partner) www.academi.org/ |
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Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (project partner) www.canolfangerddwilliammathias.com |
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Dawns i Bawb (project partner) www.dawnsibawb.co.uk |
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Cyngor Gwynedd Council (project partner) www.gwynedd.gov.uk/ |
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National Assembly of Wales (project partner) www.wales.gov.uk |
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Welsh Language Board – Bwrdd yr iaith gymraeg www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk/ |
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Llangollen International Eisteddfod www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk/ |
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Galeri Caernarfon (venue for gala concert and conference) www.galericaernarfon.com |
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Wales Millennium Centre www.wmc.org.uk/ |
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Urdd – Wales’ largest youth organisation http://www.urdd.net/indexS.html |
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Wales |
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Wales lies on the mid-west coast of the United Kingdom. The geology of Wales has shaped the country's history with its mountainous terrain providing a natural fort against...
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