| Although it retains its own minority
language, spoken mainly in the north by about one-fifth
of the population, Wales was conquered by the English
King Edward I in 1281, and the union of the two countries
was formalised in 1536. Yet, even now, it maintains a
separate identity, partly due to the Cambrian Mountains
that provide a protective barrier against excessive influence
from England to the east. The British Pound Sterling is
the currency of Wales ‘s 3.3-million people, although
the pro-European lobby would prefer to change to the “Euro”.
As many countries who have adopted the Euro now regret
their decision, it is unlikely that Britain will follow
their example.
The Welsh maintain a strong non-conformist and socialist
tradition. In fact many make it their life’s goal
to be non-conformist and would argue black is white
just to be awkward when in conversation, especially
with the English !. The country was largely rural until
the 19th century, when a rich seam of coal was discovered
in Glamorgan, and a thriving steel industry was established.
Today the coal and steel industries are far less important
than they were, and in fact there is little sign of
coal mining to be found anywhere in the region.
Following the decline of the coal and steel industries
inward investment from Europe and the Asian economic
giants have transformed the Welsh economy, and the area
now generates much revenue from tourism. South Wales
in particular has undergone a rapid transformation in
20 years, from a coal-and-steel-dependent economy to
a mixed economy based on high-tech manufacturing, port
facilities, oil-refining, tourism, and services.
There are many fine beach resorts, and plenty of scope
for such activities as sailing, climbing, and wildlife
observation. The climate ranges from mild on the coast
to quite severe on the hills, the high rainfall underpinning
a long tradition of dairy farming.
The landscape of South Wales, from Newport westwards
to Swansea, bears the scars of the industrial past,
especially in the former South Wales coalfield region,
known as the Valleys, where lines of miners’ cottages
cling to the hillsides among the grassed-over spoil
tips. Beyond Swansea and Llanelli, however, the counties
of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire take in some of
the most beautiful, unspoiled coasts and landscapes
in the British Isles, with their bird-filled estuaries
and islands, their fishing ports, and their prosperous
farming towns. Wales boasts Britain’s largest
Coastal National Park, which encompasses the area from
Tenby in the south to Cardigan in the North, and the
area’s smallest city, St Davids, is located in
a picturesque location on the most westerly point of
the coastline.
Although Cardiff has been capital of Wales since only
1955, there has been a castle there since Roman times.
The castle was lavishly restored in the 19th century
by the Marquess of Bute, whose fabulous wealth came
from the coal extracted from the South Wales valleys
and shipped out from the city's thriving port. Less
busy now, the harbour area is reviving with the construction
of an array of museums and other attractions, including
a projected opera house. The city's highlight is the
Civic Centre, a group of dignified buildings built in
the early 20th century in classical style amid tree-lined
squares and boulevards. Here is the National Museum
of Wales, one of Britain's finest. In the nearby village
of St Fagan's is the Museum of Welsh Life, a fascinating
collection of old buildings from all over Wales.
North Wales also boasts some of Britain’s most
stunning scenery, and the country’s second highest
mountain, Mount Snowdon, located in the Snowdonia National
Park. This mountain has everything from the rarest flowers
and insects, to ruined mines, from fascinating volcanic
rock formations to fossils on the summit. At 3560 feet
high Snowdon rates amongst the most beautiful mountains
in the world.
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