Jack Goldstein - 101 Amazing Facts about Wales

Title Page

101 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT WALES

Jack Goldstein

Publisher Information

Published in 2013 by

Andrews UK Limited

www.andrewsuk.com

The right of Jack Goldstein to be identified as the Author of this Work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998

Copyright 2013 Jack Goldstein

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Any person who does so may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

Disclaimer: All facts presented in this title were gained from common and reputable sources in print and on the internet. If any detail within this title is found to be incorrect, the author will be happy to publish a corrected version.

Introduction

In this amazing eBook you can find more than one hundred facts about the country of Wales. Separated into sections such as its history, information about its capital, famous Welsh figures from history and many more you will find some fascinating information inside!

Whether you are planning on visiting Wales, working on a geography project or just want to know more about this beautiful country, this is an excellent addition to your bookshelf. Find the information you need, fast!

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Key Facts and Figures

1. Wales is a country within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
2. Wales, Great Britain and the United Kingdom are all different entities... Great Britain contains the three countries on its island: England, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom also includes Northern Ireland, which is on a separate landmass.
3. The United Kingdom as a whole is the sixth largest economy in the world, and is therefore a member of the elite G8 forum.
4. Wales itself covers around 8,000 square miles, and the United Kingdom in total covers just over 94,000 square miles.
5. Wales is divided into 22 principal areas and has a total of six cities: Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Bangor, St Asaph and St Davids.
6. The Capital of Wales is Cardiff.
7. Wales came under the rule of England in 1282, although there was a period of independence in the 15 th century.
8. Wales has a population of just over three million.
9. The currency of Wales is the Pound Sterling.
10. The patron Saint of Wales is Saint David, and the Welsh celebrate Saint Davids day on the 1 st of March.

Wales is Famous For...

1. Dragons - so much part of the folklore of Wales that one features on the countrys flag!
2. Mining - the industrial revolution owes a huge debt to the mining industry of Wales.
3. Tom Jones - a national icon and close friend of Elvis.
4. Male Voice Choirs - close harmony singers belting out rousing anthems such as Men of Harlech.
5. Castles - built by both the Welsh to defend their country and the English to subjugate it!
6. Cheese - Welsh cheeses are full of flavour.
7. Dramatic Scenery - from hills and mountains to rivers and lakes, Wales has it all.
8. Welsh Rarebit - the national dish.
9. Cymraeg - thats the name of the Welsh language - in Welsh of course!
10. The Mumbles - headland at Swansea bay.

Geography

1. Mount Everest was named after a Welsh explorer: Sir George Everest who was from Gwernvale in Breconshire.
2. The city of St Davids is in fact the smallest cathedral city in the world, with just 2000 inhabitants.
3. One of the key reasons the Romans came to Britain was for the gold, copper and lead that can be found in Wales.
4. Although Caerleon sounds as if it could be Celtic in origin, the name actually comes from the Latin words for fortress (castrum) and legion (legio)!
5. The name Wales comes from the Welsh word Gwalia, which means homeland. The Romans shortened this to Walia, and by the time of the Norman conquest it had become closer to the name we know today.
6. The highest point in Wales is the summit of Mount Snowdon, which is 1085 metres above sea level.
7. The longest river entirely situated in Wales is the Towy, which is 64 miles in length.
8. Bala Lake is the largest natural body of water in the country; it is known for having exceptionally deep and clear water.
9. Wales is the most hilly and mountainous part of the United Kingdom, and one large area is often referred to as The Valleys.
10. There are three national parks in Wales: Snowdonia, The Brecon Beacons and The Pembrokeshire Coast.

Natural Wonders of Wales

1. Pistyll Rhaeadr - a beautiful waterfall nearly 80m tall.
2. The Yew trees of Overton - they are around 2000 years old!
3. Mount Snowdon - the tallest mountain in Wales and a national nature reserve.
4. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park - possibly the UKs most spectacular coastline.
5. Nant Aber Garth Celyn - wooded valley which is home to beautiful flora and fauna.
6. Glyder Fach - imposing mountain; have your photograph taken on the cantilever stone if you dare!
7. The island of Anglesey - its entire coastline has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
8. The Gower Peninsula - a surfers paradise.
9. The Clwydian Range - hills and mountains offering spectacular views.
10. Llyn y Fan Fach - beautiful lake shrouded in legend.

Cardiff

1. The Romans came to Cardiff in 55 AD; they built a military fort there, the site of which is now occupied by Cardiff Castle.
2. Although Cardiff is the capital of Wales, it was only declared so in 1955 - in fact it had only become a city 50 years before that! Until 1955 Wales technically did not have a capital, although Owain Glyndwr held parliament at Machynlleth in 1404 during Waless independence from England.
3. Cardiff has a population of around 350,000 people.
4. Cardiff is a popular tourist destination, rich in culture. Over 12 million people visit the capital every year.
5. The city has more hours of sunlight every year that Milan!
6. Cardiff was designated as the worlds first Fair Trade Capital - an award which encourages ethical trade with developing nations.
7. There is more parkland per person in Cardiff than in any other city in the UK!
8. In 2011, the respected National Geographic magazine listed Cardiff as one of the 10 best places in the world to visit!
9. If you enjoy attending galleries, you must visit the National Museum in Cardiff - it houses one of the greatest collections of impressionist art outside of Paris.
10. The popular science fiction series Doctor Who has been filmed in Cardiff for many years - you can even visit the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff Bay!

Famous Welsh Figures from History

1. Owain Glyndwr (1349-1416) - rebel who won the Welsh brief independence from England in the early 15 th century.
2. David Lloyd George (1863 - 1945) - The only Welsh prime minister in the United Kingdoms history.
3. Robert Owen (1771 - 1858) - industrialist who brought reform to the working classes: shorter working hours, in increase in the minimum age of employment and an improvement in working conditions.
4. Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970) - the greatest British philosopher of the 20 th Century.
5. Dylan Thomas (1914 - 1953) - famous Welsh poet.
6. Roald Dahl (1916 - 1990) - one of the modern eras greatest childrens authors.
7. Aneurin Bevan (1897 - 1960) - father of the NHS and creator of the modern welfare state.