WALES CYMRU I Love English 7 2004 Welcome

WALES. . . . CYMRU “I Love English 7” 2004

Welcome to Wales Croeso i Cymru

National motto üCymru am Byth ("Wales for Ever") Royal motto ü Y Ddraig Goch Ddyry Cychwyn ("The Red Dragon Leads the Way")

When did Wales come into existence? üIt's believed that Wales, as an area of land, has been inhabited since 250, 000 BC üAs a country, with Henry the VIII’s Act of Union in 1536. Llangammarch Wells An ancient carving

Where is Wales? üOn the west of the island called Great Britain, Wales is a member of the United Kingdom. It’s to the west of England.

What is the geography of Wales? ü Wales also includes the island of Anglesey, which is separated from the mainland by the narrow Menai Strait. üWales is bounded on the north by the Irish Sea, on the east by the English counties, on the south by Bristol Channel, and on the west by St. George’s Channel and Cardigan Bay.

How big is Wales? üWales is a small country. üIts area is about 21, 000 square kilometres.

What is the capital city of Wales? üCardiff is the capital of Wales. ü It is located at the mouth of the River Taff. Cardiff castle üIt is the principal seaport and industrial centre.

What are the biggest towns? üThe biggest towns are the capital city Cardiff (315, 000 people), Swansea and Newport. Swansea Newport

Is Wales a mountainous country? üWales is a mountainous country with green valleys and rapid rivers. üSome of its mountains are green and covered with forests; others are bare and wild. üThe principal range is the Cambrian Mountains, which extend north and south through central Wales.

What is the highest mountain? ü Snowdon with its 1, 085 metres is the highest peak in Wales. ü Snowdonia, the area around Snowdon, is the largest of the three national parks in Wales.

What is the principal river ? ü The Dee River is the most important river. ü There also numerous rivers in the south, including the Usk, Wye, Towy, and Tywi. River Wye River Towy River Usk Bridge River Dee

What sort of climate does Wales have? ü The climate of Wales is mild and moist. ü It never reaches extremes of temperature. ü The average daily temperature in July is 15. 6ºC, and in January it is 5. 6ºC. üThe warmest months are May, June, July and August.

What are its natural resources? ü Coal is the most valuable mineral resource of Wales. ü Falling demand for coal since 1940 s has resulted in the closure of many Welsh mines. Rhondda Heritage Park

What is the population of Wales? üThe population of Wales is about 3 million.

Who are the Welsh? üThe Welsh today are descended from many people. üCeltic tribes from Europe came to settle the whole of the British isles around 500 100 BC. üRoman and Saxon invasions pushed the original Britons into the land area of Wales, where they became the Welsh people.

What is their language? • afon = river • bach = small • bont = bridge üWales is a country with two languages: • bryn = hill Welsh and English. • caer = fort üWelsh is spoken by around 19% of the population. üMost of the Welsh-speakers live in the north west of the country. • dol = meadow • glan = shore • gwyn = white • llan = holy settlement • llyn = lake • mynydd = mountain • re = town • ty = house

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrn drobwllllantysiliogogogoch? üThis Welsh town on the island of Anglesey is only known due to the fact that it has a very long name, and is the longest railway station name in Britain, and probably the longest domain name in the world. üThe name translates as 'St Mary's church in the hollow of the white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the church of St Tysilio of the red cave'.

Where does the Welsh flag come from? üThe origins of the Red Dragon flag, or "y Draig Goch" could date back to the Roman period. üAfter the Romans left, the Red Dragon remained as a key emblem of Wales. üThe Tudors adopted the Red Dragon, and the Welsh-born future Henry VII took to the battle of Bosworth Field under the Red Dragon standard.

What are the emblems of Wales? üThe leek and the daffodil - both emblems of Wales. leek daffodil

Who is the patron saint of Wales? ü Saint David is the patron saint of Wales. ü In Welsh he is known as Dewi. ü David foundedmany churches throughtout South Wales. ü St. David’s has become a special place of pilgrimage. St David's Cathedral

What is the national day of Wales? ü St. David’s Day is the national day of Wales. ü It is celebrated on 1 March. Welsh dragon on the gates at Plas Machynlleth

What do the three feathers represent? The Prince of Wales’s Feathers üThe badge of The Prince of Wales has been used in royal heraldry since the 14 th century.

Who is the Prince of Wales? üIn 1301 Edward I formally created his son Prince of Wales. üThe title has passed by tradition to the eldest son of the reigning king or queen since that time. üCharles, the Prince of Wales, is the 21 st holder of the title. üThe Prince was formally invested at Caernarfon as The Prince of Wales, on July 1, 1969 when he was 20.

Prince Harry Prince William üThe Prince of Wales with his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, at Balmoral in 1997.

Who is the Princess of Wales? ü In July 1981 Charles married Lady Diana Frances Spencer. ü After highly publicized marital difficulties, Charles and Diana separated in 1992 and were legally divorced in 1996. ü Diana, Princess of Wales died on Sunday, 31 August 1997 following a car crash in Paris.

Diana, Queen of Hearts 1961 - 1997

Are there many castles in Wales? ü Wales is famous for its castles. Caerphilly Castle Conwy Castle Harlech Castle Caernarfon Castle Beaumaris Castle on the Island of Anglesey

What is the Eisteddfod? ü Welsh culture and tradition is celebrated at a festival called the Eisteddfod. üThere are two important annual eisteddfodau in Wales. The first is the National Eisteddfod which is held in North and South Wales in alternate years at the beginning of August.

üThe International Eisteddfod takes place in Llangollen where dancers, singers and choirs from every part of the world converge to take part in this global festival of music. The Llangollen Eisteddfod usually takes place in July. "

Who is the most famous Welsh poet ? üDylan Thomas (1914 - 1953) is Wales' bestknown and most celebrated writer, and one of the world's most famous poets. üHis writings have been recorded countless times and inspired artists, musicians and others across the globe.

What about Welsh music? üIf there's one thing you can't stop a Welshman from doing, it's singing. Male Voice Choirs

Welsh-born King of England who founded the Tudor dynasty Musical legend and the most famous singer Wales has ever produced. Oscar-winning actor who specialises in powerfully complex characters Children’s author who sold more than 50 million books. The most famous actor of his generation Oscar winning actress, singer and dancer.

Tiger Tom the Twisting Vocalist. Sex Bomb. Little Tommy Woodward from Treforest. In his time hes tried his hand at styles including pop, rock, country, big band, dance and jazz, and hes still going strong today.

What do the Welsh do for leisure? üThe most popular leisure activity here is visiting the pub. üNext come sport, DIY and gardening which rate highly amongst the Welsh. üOther favourite regular activities include bingo, watching sports and visiting the cinema.

What is the most popular sport ? ü Rugby is the most popular sport in Wales. Rugby fans üAt least Wales are still world beaters when it comes to rugby songs.

ü Cricket and soccer are also popular. Football Cricket

What is laverbread? üLaverbread is a traditional Welsh delicacy produced from the edible seaweed ´laver´ which grows on rocky shores west of Swansea.

What is the Welsh rarebit ? ü It is a popular Welsh dish, which consists of melted cheese and butter served on toast. Welsh rarebit, rabbit or "Caws Pobi" 200 g grated cheese 25 g butter 1 tsp. Mustard powder salt and pepper 65 ml , 1/3 cup brown ale or milk 4 slices bread üPlace all the ingredients in a heavy pan and grill until creamy. Toast bread both sides and pour cheese mix over and grill until golden and bubbling

What are lovespoons? ü The tradition of carving lovespoons goes back to the 17 th century. ü A young man carved a lovespoon to give to his sweetheart as a token of his love and affection. ü Traditionally lovespoons are carved from one piece of wood and decorated with various symbols. Ach symbol has a special meaning. üThe earliest example (1677) can be seen at the Museum of Welsh Life in Cardiff.

What are the seven wonders of Wales? üIt is said that in the late 18 th century an anonymous scribe wrote the following rhyme which first listed the Seven Wonders of Wales. . . Pistyll Rhaeadr and Wrexham steeple, Snowdon's mountain without its people, Overton yew trees, St Winefride's Well, Llangollen Bridge and Gresford bells

Llangollen Bridge over the River Dee. Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall It's the highest waterfall in Wales & England (74 metres).

Wrexham steeple, the 16 th century tower of St Giles Church. Snowdon's mountain Overton yew trees some of the 21 famous yew trees at St Mary's Church, Overton

St Winefride's Well people have gone to bathe in the supposedly healing waters since the 7 th century. Gresford bells of All Saints, Gresford's parish church.

What is called the 8 th wonder of Wales? üIt is the eighth wonder of Wales that is the most wondrous of them all, the survival of the Welsh language in the face of almost impossible odds. üThere are 28 letters in the Welsh alphabet.

What can Wales boast ? ü a greater variety of culture, history and scenic beauty than virtually any other part of the British Isles. . . Llandeilo Kennixton Farmhouse It was the medieval capital of Wales. St. Mary’s Church Mayors House 1628 12 century 1610 ü Bronze Age copper mines, Stone Age temples, Roman ruins, 13 th century castles, elegant Tudor houses, romantic ruined abbeys. . .

ü breathtaking mountains and rugged coastline, miles of sandy beaches, steam trains, woolen mills, the Welsh mountain zoo. . . Tenby Aberystwyth Steam train ü Dylan Thomas, male voice choirs, Druids and of course the oldest language in Europe.