History
Geography
Climate
Population
Government
Education
Religion
Custom and Folklore
The Celts, an energetic, artistic and war-like race first began to spread into Britain from Central Europe around 1,000 BC, and hill forts from the late Bronze Age and Iron Age, from around 600BC are found extensively in Wales.
Fierce resistance by the Celtic tribes delayed the conquests of the Roman legions c. 400 AD. Roman Wales has always remained a frontier zone but the lives of most Celtic peoples were not changed. But when the Romans left three centuries later, they left a permanent legacy of roads, forts, dykes and sophisticated mining technology.
Following the fall of Rome Wales of the Dark Ages became a myriad of small independent kingdoms, which survived for a number of centuries although Wales never succeeded in becoming a single political unit; however increasing pressure west from Anglo Saxon rulers in England heightened a sense of Welsh national identity.
The 5th and 6th centuries saw the spread of christianity through Wales – and 8th century Wales saw the famous Offa’s Dyke, a man-made earth dyke boundary. Fierce attacks by Vikings threatened Wales from the sea and some success was achieved against these raiders, uniting Wales briefly under the rule of Rhodri Mawr (850AD).
Rhodri’s grandson, Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good) formulated a written code, the laws of Hywel Dda, based on the native laws of Wales, which were administered throughout Wales until the sixteenth century when they were abolished by the Act of Union.
The Norman Conquest was a very real threat to Wales – many hundreds of castles, as fortifications were built – firstly by English Marcher lords and then imitated by the Welsh Princes.
The beginning of the thirteenth century saw the revival of Welsh fortunes against the Normans when Llewelyn ap Iorweth of Gwynedd took advantage of the weakness in English rule, to extend his influence to the whole of Wales and his grandson, Llewelyn ap Gruffydd contrived this and assumed the title ‘The Prince of Wales’ but Edward I’s accession to the throne (one of the most powerful of English medieval monarchs) ended any hope of Welsh independence. Llewelyn, Wales’ last Prince, was killed in battle in 1282. Edward’s role in Wales was that of an all-powerful conqueror.
There was to be one more rebellion against the English throne when, in early 15th century, Owain Glyndwr consolidated his hold over much of Wales and attempted to bring in reforms and national institutions. This resurgence was short lived and by 1410 the rebellion had petered out and defeat meant that the Welsh were now to become second class citizens, not allowed to bear arms or hold office.
In 1536 Henry VII’s son (born in Pembrokeshire) and who gained the English throne in 1485, brought about the Act of Union between England and Wales – a complete political and legal union. This began a gradual process of Anglicisation and London became the focus for ambitious Welsh men.
With the Union came the Reformation of the Church. Crucially for the language, the Bible was translated into Welsh in 1588 which ensured the survival of the Welsh language.
During the 18th century major changes were to take place as Methodism – a new religious revival - and the Industrial Revolution both wrenched the Wales of history into the Wales of today. The Methodist revival swept Wales and strengthened the position of the Welsh language and revived the traditions of the Eisteddfod.
However, it was neither the religious nor the cultural revolution that was to have the most enduring effect on Welsh society, rather, the accelerating pace of economic change during the 18th century transforming the Welsh economy from an agrarian to an industrial base.
Welsh mountains were found to be rich in coal and iron – two key ingredients needed to smelt iron. The iron boom was sustained by the need for military supplies and the arrival of the railway age. By 1827 South Wales was producing 50% of Britain’s iron exports. By 1913 57 million tons of coal was mined in South Wales, over 50% for export, and 250,000 miners were employed by the industry.
Industrialisation brought greatly improved roads and railways, and Cardiff grew at an enormous rate, becoming the world’s largest port for coal exports.
The awful living conditions brought about by rapid urbanisation of the South Wales valleys were preferable to the hopeless poverty and lack of opportunities for advancement in the rural areas. Profound social discontent was rife in 19th century and rural west Wales saw riots against the hated tollgates and workhouses.
Real impetus for fundamental change came by the end of the 1890’s, with the Liberals in control, and saw the rise of the radical Welshman David Lloyd George, to become Chancellor of the Exchequer and then Prime Minister.
The Great War which broke out in 1914 had a dramatic impact on Welsh life and religion and cleared the stage for the triumph of the Labour Party. By the 1930s Labour’s dominance was absolute in the coalfields.
Between both wars there was an economic depression that was to hit Wales hard, and a widening gap between rural and industrial Wales.
By 1945 and post Second World War, the government started a major programme encouraging new industry into Wales. It was during this time and the growth of Trade Unionism, that gave birth to many leading politicians; the most celebrated being Aneurin Bevan – pioneer of the National Health Service in Britain’s post-war Labour Government.
By mid 1950s Wales had achieved nearly full employment, but the 1960’s brought more pit closures and hard times for the steel industry. Wales then had to diversify its industrial base.
The main political challenge to the Labour Party in Wales during the ‘60s and ‘70s was Plaid Cymru (the Welsh Nationalist Party) – entering the political scene dramatically in the 1966 Carmarthen by-election won by their President, Dr. Gwynfor Evans.
By late 60s there was a strong call for devolution of power from Westminster and the 1974 General Election saw more Plaid Cymru victories paralleled by nationalist triumphs in Scotland which placed Welsh and Scottish devolution firmly on the political agenda. The 1979 referendum saw 80% of those who voted expressing their opposition to the setting up on an Assembly.
A decade later, in 1999, following a referendum returning a ‘Yes’ vote in favour of devolution, (with no tax-raising power) the new Welsh Assembly was established, to provide a new political framework for Wales.
The land area of Wales measures 8,000 sq. miles (20,720 sq. kms.). approximately two thirds the size of Belgium. From North to South in direct line on the map measures about 170 miles (270 km.) and West to East around 60 miles (100 km.) at its narrowest and around 100 miles (120 km.) at its widest.
Much of Wales is upland country, most of it 600 feet above sea level and 25% above 1,000 feet (305 m.) The most mountainous part is in the North West, the Snowdonia National Park, with the highest peak Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) reaching 3,560 ft. (1,085 m.).
There are many rivers in Wales; the most important being the Dee, Severn, and Wye, and many lakes, natural and manmade. The largest natural lake is Llyn Tegid (45 sq. miles/10.4 sq. kms.).
Because of the hilly nature of the country, the weather in Wales is unpredictable, but with a good deal of rain. But because the weather is so changeable a dull rainy morning can often lead to a bright sunny afternoon.
Summer temperatures are generally about 16-18o C and anything above 20o C is regarded as hot. In winter, temperatures fall to 5o or 6o C with periods when the temperature is at freezing point or just below. Extreme cold with heavy snow storms can sometimes cut off towns and villages, but generally the snow remains on high ground for only a few days. Spring and Autumn are generally mild, pleasant seasons.
The population of Wales is 2.9 million, which is 5% of the total population of the UK. Its capital city is Cardiff, with a population of nearly 300,000. The other large city is Swansea whilst major towns include Newport, Wrexham, Carmarthen, Newtown, Aberystwyth and Bangor.
Westminster
As a component part of the UK, Wales is represented in the House of Commons
in Westminster by 38 Members of Parliament out of a total of 651. They are
elected in a General Election held very 5years.
Cardiff
In 1999 the establishment of a Welsh Assembly in Cardiff saw a new political
framework in Wales which takes over the function of the Welsh Office. Although
it has no tax-raising powers or a legislative function, it is an important
political institution.
Europe
Wales elects 5 members to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Local
Local Government in Wales, as in the rest of the UK, is based on elected
local authorities providing public service. There are 22 unitary Authorities in
Wales responsible for strategic planning, education, police, fire services.
All children must attend school between the ages of 5 and 16. However, some children attend nursery classes or pre-school playgroups, and many remain at secondary school, or sixth form colleges, until they are 18. The network of playgroups run through the medium of Welsh – "Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin" – has proved to be a popular way of introducing young children from English speaking homes to the Welsh language.
Five year olds normally go to the local primary school and then transfer at the age of 11 to a secondary school which serves a much wider area. Most pupils take public examinations in a wide range of subjects at the age of 16 – the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Sixth form studies are more specialised, leading normally to examinations at Advances Level in three subjects. Success at ‘A’level normally allows the student to continue to higher education either in Wales or elsewhere in the UK.
The University of Wales is a federal institution consisting of many university institutions, including Aberystwyth, Cardiff, Lampeter, Bangor and Swansea.
There are also about 40 colleges in Wales which offer a range of further education courses, many of a technical or commercial nature, leading to a recognized qualification.
Christianity has deep roots in Wales and has played a significant part in the country’s development. Native Saints founded the Celtic Church in the 5th and 6th centuries, later to be reorganised within the Western European Church. During the Reformation it became part of the Anglican, Protestant Church, but two centuries later a powerful non-conformist movement swept through Wales forming dissenting sects such as the Methodists, Congregationalists and Baptists. The chapels became the focus of a rich community life and their puritan tradition, preaching a strict code of morality, and Sunday observance deeply influenced Welsh society. Large numbers of chapels were built by each denomination, and these buildings are still a feature of villages and towns in Wales.
During the 20th century and especially after the Second World War, religious attendance declined sharply. Recent figures show that less than one in four of the population is now a church member.
The main denominations, both Protestant and Roman Catholic, are looking for ways to work together. (Jewish, Muslim, and communities of Hindus and Sikhs live mainly in Cardiff, and small groups of Buddhists are settled in parts of rural Wales) though not in great numbers.
St. David
Patron Saint
of Wales (Dewi Sant) – a saint of the early Celtic Church, who died on 1 March
588AD and is buried at St. David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire, a famous place of
pilgrimage in medieval times.
St. David’s has a twinning link with Lesotho’s Royal Village, Matsieng. The inauguration ceremony of this link took place in May 1999 with a visit to St. David’s by Lesotho’s Queen Mother, ‘Mamahato.
National Flag
Depicts a red dragon (Y Ddraig Goch) on an green and white field. It is not
known how the red dragon became the emblem of Wales, but early Britons probably
used it as a battle standard.
The Harp
Is Wales’ national instrument,
and is traditionally used in Wales to accompany ‘penillion’ singing – a complex
web of sound with the singer using one melody and the harpist countering with a
different melody.