Anna Hestler - Wales

W ALES IS A SMALL COUNTRY OF AROUND 3 MILLION PEOPLE located west of England. It is the smallest of three countries that make up the island of Great Britain: Wales, England, and Scotland. Great Britain and Northern Ireland together make up the United Kingdom (UK). While Wales has a large British influence and is mostly governed by the United Kingdom, it also has its own government and culture. Wales attracts many people with its lush valleys, picturesque mountains, peaceful seashores, Celtic roots, and distinctive Welsh culture. Today, Wales is largely known for its international sports like rugby, its association with the Prince of Wales, its food, its legends such as King Arthur, and its unique culture.

GOVERNMENT

Wales is largely governed by the United Kingdom through the British Parliament. The Welsh send representatives to Parliament to argue for their interests. Since 1999, Wales has also maintained its own National Assembly in its capital city, Cardiff. Wales elects members of its own country to the National Assembly, which allows the Welsh to control their government on a local level. As part of the United Kingdom, Wales joined the European Union (EU), an organization made up of 27 member countries throughout Europe, in 1973. The EU works to promote peace among its members and provides certain rights, such as workplace rights, travel rights, personal data protection rights, and tax regulations. In 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU, with the majority of Welsh voters favoring the move. The move, termed Brexit from the words British and exit, officially happened on January 31, 2020. After the exit, Wales will continue to maintain its National Assembly in Cardiff to handle laws and regulations specific to Wales.

Many tourists come to Wales to visit its historic castles, like the one seen here.

TOURISM

Waless economy today is largely supported by tourism. Millions of people visit Wales every year, some from neighboring England or other European countries and some from across the ocean. Tens of thousands of jobs in Wales are dedicated to the tourism industry in fields such as hotels, food, entertainment, and retail.

Wales is home to over 600 castles, many of them centuries old. These sites attract historians, writers, and romantics. As the home of well-known legendary heroes like King Arthur, Wales is a land of legend, inviting tourists to explore and imagine a world of magic and intrigue. Several sites throughout Wales are marked as places possibly related to the King Arthur legends, such as a potential burial spot and a lake that may contain his famous sword, Excalibur.

In addition to castles and legends, many visit Wales to enjoy its natural beauty and take vacations from the everyday stresses of life. Many English citizens have second homes in Wales, often along the seashore, to use as an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Wales has hundreds of miles of coastline and offers everything from luxury hotels to camping for those looking to take in the sea views.

CULTURE

Although a part of Great Britain, Wales has a culture all its own. The Welsh are friendly, warm-hearted people who best celebrate their culture through festivals. Their largest annual festival is the National Eisteddfod of Wales (or Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru in Welsh), which has been celebrated for more than 100 years. It is held in early August, and all of the events are conducted entirely in the Welsh language. Many Welsh artists participate through poetry and literature readings and through musical celebrations. Many other celebrations take place throughout the year, largely in spring and summer, often with a focus on the arts. The Welsh are known for their inclination toward the arts, from writers and musicians to actors and craftsmen. Wales has produced many famous artists, such as poet Dylan Thomas, childrens book author Roald Dahl, and actor Anthony Hopkins.

The Welsh also celebrate many holidays, some of which are specific to Wales. The national day of Wales is Saint Davids Day. It is celebrated annually on March 1. It is a tribute to Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, and a nod to the dominant religion in Wales, Christianity.

LANGUAGE

Wales has two official languages: English and Welsh. Welsh is a Celtic language spoken by about 30 percent of the countrys population. There has been a strong movement in recent decades to protect the Welsh language. This push led to the creation of the Welsh Language Board, which later became the Welsh Language Service. It promotes the use of the Welsh language and ensures that all organizations and businesses comply with the laws of bilingualism.