Wales is part of Britain and the United Kingdom. It is situated
to the west of England and is around 170 miles (256 km) long and 60
miles (96 km) wide. It covers just over 8,000 square miles (20,722
km²) – that’s about the same size as Massachusetts in the USA or
half the size of Switzerland.
Cardiff is its capital city and although it is just two hours by
train from London, it is a thriving capital city in its own right
with a distinctly Welsh character – friendly, welcoming and
fun.
Wales may be a small country but we have three national parks
and five areas of outstanding national beauty. Surrounded by sea on
three sides, Wales is the only country in the world to have a
continuous coastal path stretching its entire length. This
spectacular natural landscape makes Wales a popular location for
filming and it has provided a setting for numerous Hollywood
blockbusters.
Wales is rich in history and culture, and for a small country
has produced an exceptional number of world-renowned artists and
performers including the likes of Dylan Thomas, Richard Burton, Sir
Anthony Hopkins, Michael Sheen, Dame Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones and
Bryn Terfel. The constantly evolving Welsh music
scene is steeped in tradition.
The Creative Industries sector is the fastest growing in Wales,
thanks to its great location, skilled workforce and a culture of
creativity and entrepreneurship. This diverse sector ranges from
world-class orchestras and opera companies to international film
and TV production, digital media, animation and software.
Although the majority of people living in Wales can speak
English, the Welsh language continues to thrive. Half a million
people in Wales can speak Welsh; that’s around a fifth of the
population. Our place
names may look complicated but once you know the rules, you can
learn
to read and pronounce Welsh fairly easily.
www.wales.com